How to Increase Iowa Farmers’ and Landowners’ Understanding of Edge-of-Field Practices: Evidence from a 2024 Survey

Conservation practices are crucial for sustainable agricultural production and the preservation of healthy ecosystems. These practices significantly enhance soil health, water quality, and biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Edge-of-field (EOF) practices, such as saturated buffers, bioreactors, and water quality enhancement wetlands, play a pivotal role in improving water quality by effectively reducing nutrient loads and fostering wildlife habitats. In collaboration with the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology at Iowa State University and with grant support from the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, we conducted an online survey among Iowa farmers and landowners across five different HUC-8 watersheds in the Des Moines Lobe, beginning in July 2024.

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