Decoding Iowa Farmers’ Understanding of Edge-of-Field Conservation Practices

Widespread adoption of edge-of-field (EOF) practices—such as saturated buffers, bioreactors, and water quality enhancement wetlands—is vital to achieving the goal of 45% nutrient reduction outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. However, few farmers in the state have embraced EOF practices on their land—the Decoding Iowa Farmers’ Understanding of Edge-of-Field Conservation Practices project investigates why. Over 1,000 farmers and landowners across five different HUC-8 watersheds in the Des Moines Lobe shared their perceptions and concerns about EOF practices in two rounds of surveys.

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