(Ankeny, Iowa – August 9, 2022) Over the next three years, the Soil and Water Conservation Society, in partnership with the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition, will work with partners to increase edge of field conservation practices. This work is being supported by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship through a Water Quality Initiative grant.
The press announcement from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship can be found at https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/funding-of-two-new-water-quality-partnershipprojects
“The edge of field practices being installed through this project are effective in reducing nutrients from tile-drained fields, particularly when numerous practices are implemented in an area,” said Keegan Kult, executive director of the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition.
Recognizing that “one off” conservation practice implementation will not accomplish nutrient reduction goals, Kult and other partners, including Polk County, Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, piloted a “batch and build” approach, which coordinated the recruitment, planning and building of multiple projects together to achieve greater implementation and efficiencies in time and money.
The “batch and build” approach proved effective by increasing the number of edge of field practices by nearly 50% while saving an estimated $115,000 from traditional implementation methods. The grant project will replicate this approach throughout the state while providing support networks and resources to those on the ground working with farmers to use these practices.
“Conservation professionals are the most important part of our nation’s conservation delivery system and are key to getting conservation on the ground,” said Clare Lindahl, CEO of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. “This project will enable us to provide greater support and tools to those working with farmers to improve water quality.”
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About SWCS
For seventy-seven years, the Soil and Water Conservation Society has been the premier international organization for professionals who practice and advance the science and art of natural resource conservation. We believe sustainable land and water management is essential to the continued security of the earth and its people. Our goal is to cultivate an organization of informed, dynamic individuals whose contributions create a bright future for agriculture, the environment, and society. The Soil and Water Conservation Society is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, with chapters across the United States and Canada.
About ADMC
ADMC is an industry led coalition that develops partnerships to advance America’s water management to improve agricultural production efficiency, water quality, and environmental outcomes to meet sustainable intensification goals. It was formed in 2003 and now is a leading advocate of agricultural water management. ADMC serves a critical role in identifying research and programmatic needs and accomplishes this with a volunteer board and a small, dedicated staff.
For More Information:
Clare Lindahl, CEO
Soil and Water Conservation Society
clare.lindahl@swcs.org
Keegan Kult, Executive Director
Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition
kkult@admcoalition.com