Managing Manure Transport with Prairie Strips
Recent science suggests yet another benefit of prairie strips: manure management to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
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Edge-of-field (EOF) conservation practices—established on field boundaries, outside of productive cropland—are designed to help reach Iowa’s water quality goals, especially when paired with in-field practices. The “Giving Clean Water the Edge” infographic series dives into how EOF practices work, their positions on the landscape, their impacts on water quality, and the additional co-benefits that many EOF practices offer.
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With Andrew Hillman
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The Reimagining Cover Crops study was designed to improve understanding of the motivations and concerns among farmers and landowners regarding cover crop implementation.
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With Roland (Roli) Wilhelm
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With Wenjuan Huang
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With Alejandro Plastina
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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.
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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—this project investigates why.
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Iowa is home to a diverse array of wetland ecosystems that provide multiple benefits to humans and the natural world. These wetlands are essential for the survival of plants and animals adapted to life in a wet environment, including many rare and endangered species.
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Learn about how humans and beavers can work together to coexist on our landscapes in both rural and urban settings.
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Learn about the oxbow wetland restoration process with this toolkit.
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A study looking at the impact of winter cereal rye on crop yield and soil 12 Iowa farms from 2008-2019.
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Anaerobic Digesters for Renewable Natural Gas
One way farmers can participate in the shift towards more renewable energy is by building an anaerobic digester on their farm or supplying feedstock for a nearby digester.
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What is redefining the field edge?
A land-use-change concept that alters a field’s cropping boundaries, converting some parts of the field to perennial prairie vegetation.