This is the third in a series of stories highlighting ways USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is helping Iowa farmers protect the natural resources on their land, often behind the scenes. NRCS celebrated its 90th anniversary in April, having formed from the 1930s Dust Bowl.

By Jason Johnson, State Public Affairs Specialist, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Des Moines

Soil conservation is the reason USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) came to be 90 years ago following the destructive Dust Bowl era. However, the demand for conservation planning assistance is the reason the federal agency is in every Iowa county and thriving today.

To help improve land and water conditions and farming productivity, comprehensive conservation planning has been the basis for gathering solid data and providing step-by-step information to Iowa’s private landowners. 

Conservation Plans Provide Multiple Benefits

Every year, NRCS staff develop thousands of conservation plans that cover millions of Iowa acres. NRCS State Conservationist Jon Hubbert says conservation plans can transform an operation by helping farmers achieve both their conservation and production goals. “When farmers have long-term conservation goals like improving wildlife habitat and soil health, or even reducing energy and input costs, they can achieve their annual production goals, too,” he said. “They really go hand in hand.”

Hubbert says comprehensive conservation plans can also increase overall effectiveness of the practices because they are implemented more strategically. 

“A plan will also set up an implementation schedule that fits the operator’s timetable and resources,” he said. 

NRCS Requires Rigorous Training to be a Planner

Nearly half of NRCS staff in Iowa are Level 3 Certified Conservation Planners. To obtain this level, employees must pass several rigorous planning courses, complete a Resource Management System plan with a mentor, and demonstrate competency in the planning process. Level 3 planners can write and certify conservation plans and add specialty areas such as grazing or nutrient management.

“Training our staff is a critical ongoing effort for NRCS,” said Hubbert. “We want to continue to assist producers with soil health, water quality and the many other resource concerns on their land.”

Tina Cibula is a Level 3 NRCS planner who has been planning conservation practices on farms around Tama and Benton Counties for 20 years as a soil conservationist, district conservationist and now as a resource conservationist. She says every farm she visits is an opportunity to learn. “Each producer has their own unique experience. Conservation planning is not just about sharing the knowledge I have; it is understanding the producer’s goals and objectives and trying to help them achieve them,” said Cibula.

She says it typically takes a few meetings with the producers to develop a plan. “I take a lot of notes in the field, go back to the office and draw up a proposal,” she said. “Normally, there are some questions and different options for the producer to consider. I meet with them again to review those ideas, make modifications, and develop a final plan.”

Conservation Plans Encourage ‘Big Picture’ Approach

Cibula says she discourages producers from implementing singular practices without looking at the big picture. “It’s important for us to ask farmers what they hope to achieve because we may be able to propose a better solution for them,” she said. “Sometimes we have to propose some alternatives to consider.”

Water quality has been a major issue and talking point in Iowa for several years. Hubbert believes the problem is too often looked at in isolation. “Any natural resource concern – whether it’s from soil, water, or animals – needs to be part of a larger farm-wide, or even watershed-scale conservation plan,” he said. “It’s best to look at the overall health of the system because putting a band-aid on the issue usually isn’t going to solve the problem long-term.”

Brian Noonan, whose diverse Jackson County farm includes cropland, hay ground, and a cow-calf herd, is continuing the conservation plan his dad implemented with NRCS nearly two decades ago.

In just the last five years, Noonan has implemented a grazing management plan that includes a watering system, water pipeline, pumping plant and fence. He also installed a large, multirow shelterbelt between his acreage and crop ground. “We picked right up with NRCS where my dad left off,” he said. “A lot of people don’t realize these are legitimate, federally funded and supported practices that are going to help the long-term sustainability of this farm.”

Jones County farmer Nicole Vernon said NRCS makes the conservation planning process simple. “My family and I go into the office at least once a year, and they are always willing to come out to the farm to talk things over,” she said. “Farming isn’t one size fits all, and NRCS understands that. As my parents slow down and I take on more work, NRCS is helping us navigate our resource concerns.”

Vernon’s father Jeff Monck said he appreciates NRCS staff for being open to innovative ideas. “My daughter is using new practices, like virtual fencing for rotational grazing, that I have never used,” he said. “I hope in the future more landowners will see conservation as a positive, so when the time comes it’s easier for young farmers to adopt these practices.”

Planning Experience Helps Cibula

Cibula said having a farm background helped her gain perspective on conservation planning. She and her husband raise about 100-head of cattle and operate about 200 acres of cropland and pasture. “We try several different conservation practices, and as I work with our customers, I share first-hand how the practices have made a difference on our operation,” she said. “Unfortunately, not everything goes perfectly. I share negative experiences, too, and try to help our customers learn from my mistakes.”

For NRCS conservation planning assistance, visit your local USDA Service Center.

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