Other Projects We Support

We are proud to be involved in other partner-led efforts that support farmers, conservation, and water quality. The following are just a few of the great projects we help fund or amplify through outreach.

North Raccoon Soil and Water Outcomes

The North Raccoon Soil and Water Outcomes (NRSWO) project is another RCPP effort connecting upstream and downstream partners to improve soil health and water quality for the benefit of all residents of the North Raccoon Watershed. This watershed provides drinking water for 500,000 people in the Des Moines metro and is a priority watershed for IAWA and the State of Iowa.

Conservation Agronomists Network

Conservation is not always simple. Every farm has unique challenges that require unique solutions. We also know time and research are barriers for farmers who are busy making dozens of important decisions every week.

The Conservation Agronomist Network is a way to help with those decisions. It’s a collaborative effort led by the Iowa Soybean Association to make sure farmers have the knowledge they need to improve both water quality and profitability. The network houses professionals with conservation and agronomic knowledge, called Conservation Agronomists, within ag retailers across the state. Partnering with the agricultural retail sector helps reach farmers that likely would not otherwise participate in state and federal cost-share conservation programs.

Saturated Buffer Batch and Build

This innovative project removes barriers to installing edge-of-field practices that clean water. It’s been so successful it is now being replicated in counties and watersheds across Iowa.

The Saturated Buffer Batch and Build model was first implemented in Polk County in an effort to drastically scale up the number of saturated buffers in the county. Saturated buffers connect to tile lines to clean water before it enters local waterways. For years, only one or two were installed a year in the county. By streamlining the process, removing burdens for landowners and farmers, and providing additional funding, Polk County is scaling that up to more than 100 per year by 2023.

This model was an outcome of Conservation Infrastructure. IAWA is helping to replicate the success in the North Raccoon and Cedar River watersheds.