AMES, Iowa—The Iowa Nutrient Research Center has released its four-page 2025 Annual Review. The report highlights activities and funded projects over the last year, with $1.57 million awarded to 12 new research projects.
A message from INRC Director Matt Helmers discusses Iowan’s concerns over water quality and shares data that provides important insights into Iowa’s complex, ongoing nutrient reduction challenges.
“The Iowa Nutrient Research Center has helped spark more than 150 projects, with many contributing to the list of science-based options to reduce nutrient loss. We continue to learn more about our water quality challenges and opportunities for improvements. The bottom line continues to be: We need to pursue all available solutions,” Helmers says.
The report includes briefs of INRC’s activities during the year, such as virtual and in-person field days and Conservation on Tap events held around the state in partnership with Iowa Learning Farms. Other activities included development of a nitrate testing publication with ISU Extension and Outreach and presentations on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) and Your Farm workshop.
In addition, INRC continued its water quality research seminars, with a spring series featuring insights from next-generation water researchers, and a fall set of presentations where faculty and partners reflected on regional collaborative research projects. The online recordings have attracted more than 1,570 views.
An INRC by the Numbers infographic further summarizes 2025 projects, funding, outreach activities, student researchers supported and peer-reviewed research publications.
The INRC 2025 Review is available to download as a PDF from the INRC’s website. Comments or questions about the annual report can be directed to INRC at inrc_wq@iastate.edu.
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center pursues science-based approaches to areas that include evaluating the performance of current and emerging nutrient management practices, providing recommendations on implementing the practices and developing new practices. Since its inception, the INRC has sponsored 157 water research projects that represent $19.3 million in state appropriations.
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