Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever

Did you know conservation practices can boost overall farm profitability? Pheasants Forever’s dedicated team is available to analyze your farm’s data to pinpoint challenging acres. They can help brainstorm alternatives to transform those areas through targeted conservation changes. PF’s approach is data-driven and centered around increasing profitability and conservation value on your farm. All consultations are private and personalized. Click here to learn more!

Contact Josh Divan 515-708-2371 | jdivan@phesantsforever.org

ISU Farmland Education Program

Iowa State University is working on educating landowners on how to incorporate soil health practices. They assist landowners in understanding relevant financial and legal considerations, as well as build a supportive network of peers and experts. They hope to show how conservation practices can be made viable on Iowa’s landscape.

Click here for more info

ISU Outreach Contact – Catherine DeLong 515-294-5963 | crdelong@iastate.edu

ACPF

The Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework National Hub is a collaborative network of experts from various institutions working together to improve conservation planning. Their goal is to work with NRCS offices to enhance the conservation planning process and provide support when addressing soil and water quality goals.

ACPF Hub team contact – Rick Cruse (515) 294-7850 | rmc@iastate.edu

Iowa Soybean Association

The Iowa Soybean Association is group that brings together farmers, industry experts, communities, and a staff focused on enhancing trust in modern agriculture. Additionally, they provide tailored information to meet the needs of Iowa soybean farmers, enabling timely decision-making and offering important news and updates. They are committed to building domestic and global demand while seeking new uses to strengthen soybean sales through developing policies and regulations that support soybean industry growth. ISA also hosts farmer-focused agronomic and conservation research, they aim to improve soybean yields, profitability, and sustainability.

Iowa Soybean Association Contact – Mike Gilman 515-577-5600 | mgilman@iasoybeans.com

Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program

The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to certify their farm practices meet minimum standard to protect Water Quality.  The certification relies on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for tillage, nutrient management, crop rotation and pesticide/herbicide usage. More information can be found on their website linked here.

Contact at MAWQCP – Brad Jordahl Redlin 651-201-6489 | Brad.JordahlRedlin@state.mn.us

Practical Farmers of Iowa

Practical Farmers of Iowa was founded in 1985 as a farmer-led organization to help farmers share experience and practices that would benefit both the land and people.  The farmers within PFI share farming techniques, perform agricultural research trials, and discuss ways to improve their profitability, efficiency, and land stewardship.  Practical Farmer’s mission is to strengthen farms and communities through farmer-led investigation and information sharing.

Polk SWCD is collaborating with PFI and Pheasants Forever on the “Turn Red Acres Green” initiative.  The organizations are working together on outreach coordination.

Contact: Grace Yi – Senior Habitat Viability Coordinator, Grace.Yi@practicalfarmers.org

STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources)

STAR is a national, non-profit organization designed to develop and expand conservation evaluation and implementation. STAR developed a standardized approach to measure conservation progress for farmers.