Natural Resources Conservation Service

Iowa

United States Department of Agriculture

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NRCS Supports Pollinators

NRCS joins the celebration of National Pollinator Week June 17-23. Pollinators provide crucial assistance to fruit, vegetable and seed crops. Agricultural producers in Iowa work with NRCS to create ideal habitat for pollinators.

Cover Crops Hold Soil Through Heavy Rain

Charter Oak farmer Craig Brodersen chose the right year to start using cover crops. He aerial-applied winter hardy cereal rye for the first time last fall into 400 corn acres, and it helped dramatically reduce erosion on much of his newly planted soybean ground this spring.

Soybeans pop through corn residue and terminated cover crops.

Easement Ensures Family Farm Preserved

A unique wetland north of Charles City is helping to filter out upland sediment and other chemicals from ag runoff flowing into the Little Cedar River, and fulfilling a family’s goals by preserving the land and providing a wildlife haven on their farm.

Premier Iowa Hay Grower Discovers Soil Health with No-Till Alfalfa

Adair County farmer Dennis Lundy began no-tilling alfalfa hay for the first time five years ago to prevent soil erosion on his rolling, highly erosive Shelby soils. Now, he is not only reducing soil erosion but also improving his soil health and achieving better alfalfa stands.

Alfalfa hay grows into winter wheat residue.

Practices Improving Soil Health Also Reduce Erosion

There is no longer a “normal” growing season for Iowa farmers. Drought in 2012 was followed by a cool, wet spring this year. Farmers who apply soil health practices like cover crops are the least affected by weather extremes.