The central iowa land stewardship project
About the Project
Polk SWCD is offering a new initiative, The Central Iowa Land Stewardship Project, designed to help landowners and farmers enhance both water quality and farm profitability. Under this program, Polk SWCD will focus on:
Water Quality Management
- Objective: Assess how current farming practices impact nutrient management and surface water pollution.
- Service: Our team will conduct a comprehensive review of your farming practices and suggest Best Management Practices (BMPs) that can help reduce nutrient runoff and improve water quality.
Profitability Assessment of Low Yield/Marginal Acres
- Objective: Identify and evaluate strategies to improve the profitability of traditionally low-yield or unprofitable acres.
- Service: Our team will explore alternative farming techniques or land-use options aimed at reducing input costs, increasing profitability, and mitigating nutrient pollution from over-application of nutrients.
Apply
Step 1: Download Application
Step 2: Upload and Submit Application
Contact
Michael James
Watershed Coordinator
Polk Soil & Water Conservation District
515-776-4241
How to Work with Us
- 1. Apply to the Central Iowa Land Stewardship Project
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Any landowner or producer in Polk County can apply for a farm evaluation through our website.
- 2. Meet with our Team
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Discuss your goals for the farm and any expectations related to the evaluation process.
- 3. Review Current Farming Practices
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Work with a Conservation Agronomist to assess your current farming practices.
- 4. Compare Alternative Farm Practices or Farm Management Options
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Receive tailored suggestions to improve your farm's profitability and water quality. We will also provide information on available state and federal funding to help you implement these changes.
- 5. Determine Which Practices to Implement
- Work with the local NRCS office to implement new land use or farming practice. This structured approach ensures that farmers and landowners receive practical, actionable advice tailored to their specific needs, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic viability.
Landowner Benefits
More to come!
Our Partners
- The Iowa Soybean Association team of conservation agronomists is working with the staff at Polk SWCD to provide agronomic review and advice services.
- Pheasants Forever staff works alongside the Polk SWCD team to analyze farm data to pinpoint unprofitable acres. They evaluate conservation options for those areas to provide the best value for the landowner/farmer.
- Practical Farmers of Iowa works alongside Pheasants Forever and provides farmer feedback and advice services.
- The ACPF Hub Team works with Polk SWCD by offering guidance to our team and provides feedback on the project.
- Iowa State University Outreach is working with Polk SWCD by collaborating with our group on methods of successfully completing the project.
- Polk SWCD collaborates with Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) to share standards, practices, and tools used for evaluating farming practices.
- Polk SWCD has incorporated the Saving Tomorrow’s Agricultural Resources (STAR) Survey as one tool to develop baseline farm conservation assessments.
Interested in learning more? Contact us!
The goal of Polk SWCD is to protect water quality and conserve natural resources in Iowa.
To provide leadership that helps people improve, conserve, and sustain our natural resources while educating them on the importance and practicality of maintaining our environment and quality of life.
Quick Links
Office Hours
- Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Saturday-Sunday: Closed
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