DES MOINES, Iowa—Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has proclaimed April 30 – May 7 as Soil and Water Conservation Week and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is inviting Iowans to participate throughout the week. The Department is encouraging Iowans to attend conservation field day events, learn about and take action to implement water quality practices, and share photos of conservation on social media utilizing the hashtag #CleanWaterIowa.
Iowa is a national leader in agricultural production as well as implementation of soil conservation and water quality practices. 2023 marks 50 years of Iowa’s cost-share conservation program, 40 years of the state’s Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation program and 10 years of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
“Soil and Water Conservation Week is a timely reminder that all Iowans can play a vital role in improving our water quality and protecting our valuable soil,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “While we have made a lot of conservation and water quality progress over the past decade, we must focus on accelerating that work in years to come. We are excited about the water quality momentum that is building across our state.”
There are several local and regional events planned across Iowa to showcase the ongoing work of farmers, landowners and urban residents to protect the state’s resources. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District/USDA Service Center to see where activities are planned in your area. Two events partially organized and hosted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship are as follows:
Soil and Water Conservation Week Field Day
Tuesday, May 2 – 10:00 a.m.
1791 Lucas Drive | Knoxville, IA
The public is invited to tour an abandoned coal mine site that is undergoing reclamation work, meet local conservation partners and learn about the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Mines and Minerals Bureau. Staff members from the United States Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement will also be in attendance. The event is hosted by Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District, Pathfinders RC&D, United States Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Light refreshments to follow.
Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project Kickoff
Thursday, May 4 – 11:30 a.m.
Spring Lake Yacht Club | 606 Spring Lake Drive | Cherokee, IA
The public is invited to a kickoff event for a newly funded Water Quality Initiative (WQI) Demonstration Project. The five-county project, which is also part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), will highlight how conservation practices can be economically viable for farmers and cattle producers while also helping to protect water quality and increase the quantity of forage-based crops. Partners on the project include Cherokee, Ida, Woodbury, Carroll, and Guthrie Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Cherokee and Carroll County Cattlemen, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council, NRCS, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University. Light lunch to follow.
(contributed press release, IDALS)
