Polk soil and water conservation district
Rooted in Resilience:
Putting Biologicals & Livestock to the Test
Thursday, July 09, 2026
RSVP - Lunch is On Us!
Location
Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
Join us at the Middleswart Lodge for a fun filled Field Day with insights and information from fellow farmers and soil health professionals.
When we hear about regenerative farming practices, they are most often tailored to livestock operations. Join us with Candy Thomas to learn how to do regenerative farming without livestock.
Dig in to farmer led research while learning how to start conducting your own soil tests.
Finally, regroup to enjoy refreshments while learning about available cost share opportunities and free technical assistance.
Speakers & Topics
Candy Thomas
Soil Health Specialist, SCS LLC
Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
Dana Dinnes
(Retired) Research Professional, USDA-ARS
Introduction to Humic and Fulvic Acids
Stefan Gailans
Research Director, Practical Farmers of Iowa
How to Test New Farming Methods on Your Own Operation
Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
Lunch & Learn: Funding in Polk County
We have three funding options for cover crops in Polk County, Iowa through the WQI Statewide and WQI Next Gen Demo Projects, and Greater Des Moines Watershed Project funds.
WQI Next Gen Demo Projects
New and Previous Users in Priority Watersheds: Camp Creek, Fourmile Creek, Mud Creek, South Skunk River, Spring Creek, Walnut Creek. $25/ac, unlimited acres.
WQI Statewide
New Users of Cover Crops: $30/ac up to 160ac
Previous Users of Cover Crops: $20/ac up to 160ac
Greater Des Moines Watershed Project
New and Previous Users in Polk County: $25/ac, up to 500 acres.
Read the Announcement to Launch the Greater Des Moines Watershed Project.
Why Plant Cover Crops? Each species of cover crops bring their own wealth of benefits and resources to your operation. You can select specific species to target different management goals. All cover crops help to prevent erosion, increase water infiltration, and decrease runoff. Cover crops restore your soil microbiology, porosity, and structure. Planting cover crops can help you build better soils that support higher yields while preventing nutrients from entering our drinking water sources. Many of our dedicated cover croppers have been testing clean, nitrate-free tile water. More Cover Crops = Cleaner Water.
Stop in or contact our office to get your application started. Applications will begin being funded after July 1st, 2026. You may use all 3 cover crop funding programs to ensure all your acres are covered (but you cannot sign up the same acre into two programs). Applications will be at our Field Day to help new and previous users sign up for the new cover crop funding from the Greater Des Moines Watershed Project.
The goal of Polk SWCD is to protect water quality and conserve soil 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
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Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Closed on federal holidays
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