Elk Run Water Quality Initiative, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance
Leading a Demonstration and Implementation Project in the Elk Run Watershed
Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) - an association of 12 agribusiness retailers in the Des Moines and Raccoon River Watersheds - and partners are leading a demonstration and implementation project in the Elk Run watershed to showcase both in-field and edge-of-field practices that reduce nutrient loss to surface waters. The project will connect the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals with activities aimed at reducing nutrient losses from agricultural land.
Thus far, farmers in the watershed have implemented a nitrate removal wetland, planted cover crops and have implemented livestock waste management, nutrient and tillage management practices. The project is working towards implementing more of these practices and considering others.
Bioreactors, saturated buffers reduce nitrate levels
Partners
- ACWA (Project Lead)
- Iowa Soybean Association (Staff Lead)
- IA Agriculture Water Alliance (financing for edge-of-field practices like bioreactors and saturated buffers)
- Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
- IA Corn Growers Association
- Iowa Pork Producers Association
- IA Cattlemen’s Association
- Iowa Farm Bureau
- Crop Production Services
- Farmer’s Cooperative Co.
- West Central Cooperative
- Iowa State University Extension
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Sac, Carroll and Calhoun Soil and Water Conservation Districts
- Practical Farmers of Iowa
- Ag Partners
- Farm Nutrients
- First Cooperative Association
- Antares Group, Inc.
