Nicole Vernon grew up on Monck Farms, a 700-acre corn and soybean farm near Monticello, Iowa, where her parents emphasized sustainable farming and conservation practices. While at Iowa State University, Nicole bought her own 100-acre farm, raising corn, soybeans and cattle. She uses no-till and cover crops, and has restored prairie and wetlands. She has…
Justin Wehling began farming in 2023 with a conventional approach. He is now making small changes and trialing different practices to improve the soil health on his land. Justin moved to no-till and is experimenting with roller-crimping. He is part of PFI’s N Rate Risk Protection Program to try to reduce his inputs. He is…
Matt Bormann, James Hepp, and Zack Smith have become a social media sensation talking about water quality practices on their farms. This event is a chance to ask them questions about farming and upstream conservation. The event is hosted by Des Moines Water Works and the Iowa Environmental Council. Monday, September 14, 2026 5:30 -…
Landowners will connect with peers and gain confidence to implement conservation strategies through planning and partnership with tenants. Ideal For: Women who own farmland in Iowa, lease it to a farmer or farmers, and want to better understand conservation to engage more effectively with their tenants and take an active role in caring for their…
Brian Keehner’s goal of adding diversity to his 820 acres of crop fields began when he took over the family farm in 2012. He is constantly trialing new approaches, like frost-seeding, to find the best practices for his farm. Brian plants rye on every acre in the fall and has trialed planting cover crops into that rye…
Jackson and Amanda Drost are part of Drost Farms, a multigenerational family farm in Mahaska County, Iowa, raising corn, soybeans and cattle. Around 2010, the Drosts flew on their first acres of rye cover crop to graze with their cow-calf herd. Those initial acres have increased in recent years. While using primarily rye and oats,…