Supporting Conservation Professionals

Here’s the deal. We could have thousands of pounds of cover crop seed, the best soil testing technology in the world, and designs for 10 thousand more wetlands — but none of that matters without the people who make it happen. IAWA works behind the scenes for water quality, so we rely on these passionate professionals to work one-on-one with farmers to help them be successful in conservation.

Rewarding Past Success for Future Momentum

Iowa Watershed Awards

The Iowa Watershed Awards began in 2017 as a way to recognize the hard work of conservation leaders. The folks who do the most impactful work are often the most humble. Since its inaugural year, we’ve recognized 40 people and awarded about $50,000 to professionals to use in their watershed and for professional development! This collaboration with IAWA, Iowa DNR, ISU Extension, Conservation Districts of Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture brings momentum to the future.

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On-farm, hands-on learning

Field Day Funding

Learning can happen in the classroom, at the kitchen table, and online, but we believe the best learning is hands-on and on the farm. IAWA hosts, sponsors, and helps organize field days so that more farmers and landowners can set foot at the source of change -their neighbors who have experimented and found success with conservation. Contact us if you’re interested in co-hosting a field day!

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Helping community leaders garner influencer interest

Influencer Scholarships

Watershed coordinators, conservation agronomists, and similar professionals can nominate a farmer leader in their community for the Soil Health Scholarship. It pays farmers for a soil health conference registration fee, travel costs, meals, and even a little extra as a thank you for taking the time. Why? We believe word of mouth interest is one of the keys to conservation professionals’ work. Farmers listen to farmers. And they pay attention to what their neighbors are doing.

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Celebrating local investment

Edge of Field Signage

When folks are driving down a two-lane highway, we want them to see conservation to their left and right — and to talk about it! Sometimes, though, conservation is nearly invisible, like in the case of bioreactors and saturated buffers. IAWA offers free 98” x 48” signage for bioreactors, saturated buffers, and wetlands that are next to heavily traveled roads. We’ll put your logo, funders’ logos, and the farmer’s name on the sign so everyone can see the great water quality work happening underground.

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