What’s a bioreactor? New video reveals underground flow of water 

  DES MOINES, Iowa (IAWA) — The Iowa Ag Water Alliance and several partners are releasing a new animated video that shows how bioreactors and saturated buffers clean tile drainage. It will be a critical tool in helping agronomists and water quality professionals promote these practices on farms.  What happens underground in a bioreactor or[…]

IAWA wins top honors for costsharecompare.com 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (IAWA) – The Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance proudly received recognition for its website to help farmers demystify the many cover crop cost share options available to them.  The website, costsharecompare.com, allows Iowa farmers to filter cover crop payment programs by important factors like contract length, rates, and funding source. They can then compare details[…]

Taking control of water management on Iowa’s flat, fertile cropland

Drainage Water Management practices support crop success, soil health, water quality  ADAIR, Iowa (IAWA) – Underground drainage tile has long been the go-to answer for handling water in northern and central Iowa’s flat, fertile, slow-draining cropland – but a newer approach is letting farmers choose how much water leaves their field and when. That approach,[…]

Imagine a day without water 2024

ANKENY, Iowa (IAWA) – Water’s essential role in life on earth, everywhere and every day, is common knowledge. Despite its importance to everyday life (or maybe because of it), water can also be easy to take for granted.  That’s true even for folks whose day jobs revolve around Iowa water quality – and it’s why the[…]

Beyond cost share – more bang for your cover crop buck

Cover crop seeding, equipment options can help save time, money By Adam Sodders ANKENY, Iowa (IAWA) – As cover crop acres have spread across Iowa in the last 10 years, Iowa farmers are ever more aware of their powerful water quality and soil benefits – and of the public and private cost share programs helping[…]

Taylor County’s Erin Ogle named 2024 Watershed Coordinator of the Year

TAYLOR COUNTY, IA (IAWA) — Erin Ogle, Project Coordinator for the Taylor Soil and Water Conservation District, has been named the 2024 Watershed Coordinator of the Year for her programs that not only improve water quality, but also support local businesses in Southwest Iowa. Ogle’s work revolves around livestock-friendly conservation. Through the Iowa Working Lands[…]

Practicing what he preaches: Nevada teacher-farmer earns water quality Impact Award

Kevin Cooper brings on-farm water quality efforts to his classroom and community NEVADA, Iowa (IAWA) – For Nevada High School Vocational Ag teacher and part-time farmer Kevin Cooper, water quality practices aren’t just a textbook topic – they’re a part of his life that he shares with his students and community.  That combo of education,[…]

Iowa’s Oxbow Stewards’ water quality work earns Team Impact Award

Team’s collaboration, expertise fuels surge in restored oxbows statewide   ANKENY, Iowa (IAWA) – A statewide team of water quality and habitat experts is breathing new life into old, cut off river segments – known as oxbows – and their work is being recognized with the 2024 IAWA Team Impact Award. Oxbows form when a[…]

$470,000 to go to Central Iowa wetlands thanks to Prairie Meadows grant

DES MOINES, Iowa (IAWA) — Prairie Meadows Casino just announced that four Central Iowa wetlands projects will get a $470,000 Legacy Grant to support water quality, habitat, and conservation education. Ducks Unlimited is leading the grant, collaborating with Polk County Public Works, Polk County Conservation, the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.[…]

NE Iowa farmer leads the way in profitable conservation

By Dan Looker    The word, genius, brings to mind researchers in lab coats. Or Einstein’s shock of unruly white hair.     As Loran Steinlage’s pickup truck bounces past a cornfield, genius isn’t how he describes himself. Yet each field on his farm near West Union, Iowa, is an experiment with an operator that fits[…]