Conservation Compass

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  • clod of soil in man's hand

    Farmers have rising concerns about soil compaction

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    DES MOINES, Iowa – March 24, 2026 – Conservation adoption is often motivated by financial factors like improved yields with soil health or reduced inputs using cover crops. Another related factor is emerging as a top concern: compaction. This knowledge could help conservation professionals and agronomists promote compaction reducing practices like cover crops, which also…

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  • brown cows in a green field

    Popular Iowa livestock program gets green light for 3 more years

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    Southwest Iowa – March 24, 2026 – A newly announced extension of Iowa’s Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project through 2028 signals growing momentum behind a simple idea: healthier soil leads to cleaner water—and grazing can help deliver both. Secretary Mike Naig announced the extension this month (March 2, 2026). The project is active in…

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  • A look at all the projects Iowa NRCS worked on in 2025

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    By Jason Johnson, Iowa NRCS DES MOINES, Iowa – March 20, 2026 – Iowa farmers and other private landowners invested millions in conservation practices to help treat natural resource issues on their lands last year, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Through four major Farm Bill conservation programs…

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  • NRCS survey to measure impact of conservation on U.S. cropland

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    By Chris Maestas, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist BISMARCK, N.D. — How well are conservation practices working on America’s farms and ranches? A nationwide survey led by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service aims to answer that question. The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) Survey measures how voluntary conservation practices improve soil health, water quality and wildlife…

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  • stack of papers stock image

    Streamlined USDA Records Could Mean Faster, Easier Conservation Assistance for Iowa Farmers

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    WASHINGTON DC – March 18, 2026 – A new modernization effort from the U.S. Department of Agriculture promises to simplify how farmers interact with federal agencies, an update that could streamline conservation efforts. “Government red tape” and “too much paperwork” are often cited by farmers who avoid USDA service centers and government programs. It’s unsurprising…

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  • Pig in a barn

    Farmer Feature: Bob Puetz

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    Hog farmer uses conservation to prepare land for next generation By Micaela Cashman In the gently rolling hills of northwest Plymouth County, Bob Puetz has spent a lifetime farming the land he calls home. The region, once dominated by tallgrass prairie, is rich with loam soil. But with erosion risk on slopes and naturally poor…

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  • Farmer Feature: Ross Kurash

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    Ross Kurash’s Recipe for Conservation Success: Recognition + Education + Implementation By Micaela Cashman Ross Kurash and his wife, Cassie, farm in northeast Iowa on the border of the Paleozoic Plateau, also known as the “Driftless Region.” This region is very different from the rest of the state, with steep bluffs, dense woodland, and rugged…

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  • Cedar Rapids water treatment facility basin

    The Secret to Clean Water in Cedar Rapids

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    How the City of Cedar Rapids Treats It’s Drinking Water: A Step-By-Step Process As the second most populous city in Iowa, Cedar Rapids has a massive responsibility to provide clean drinking water to it’s over 138,000 residents. This is something that the city does not take lightly and has an advanced technological approach to accomplishing.…

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  • Cedar Rapids Farmers are Protecting Soil and Water with Proven Practices

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    How the City of Cedar Rapids Supports Farmers to Implement Water Quality Practices ANKENY, IA — The Cedar River Source Water Partnership (CRSWP) is a $20 million USDA-NRCS funded water quality grant backed by 13 partners from both public and private industries. The grant focuses on building relationships with farmers and supporting the implementation of…

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  • Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance Wins Marketing Award for Farmer-Focused Website

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    News Release  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan 19, 2026   CONTACT: Rebekah Jones, Cell: 515- 901-3147 | rjones@iaagwater.org  DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA) has been recognized with first place in Region Three for “Website Directed at Farmers and Ranchers” in the Best of NAMA competition. The award honors IAWA’s website, iaagwater.org, which launched in fall 2025. “This…

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