INVESTING CHECKOFF DOLLARS
F O C U S E D P RAC T I C E S A Public-Private Partnership Success Story for Water Quality BY ZITA QUADE
W
hen the Midwest Agriculture Water Quality Partnership (MAWQP) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) was awarded in 2016, it was the largest RCPP project in the nation that year. Halfway through its 5-year timeline the partnership is showing progress in improving water quality. The program is far ahead of schedule on several key milestones. Much of the success has come from the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA) bringing many private partners to the table to help increase the pace and scale to improve water quality in priority watersheds. New partnerships with crop consultants and engineering firms provide new technical assistance, conservation assessments and tools to help make watershed planning and implementation cheaper, faster and more effective. IAWA co-leads the program with the Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and it is offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding for the program includes $9.5 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds and $38.5 million in non-federal partner match. “To date, 68 percent of that match has been met,” says Jim Jordahl, director of programs and operations for IAWA. “Likewise, the $9.5 million in USDA-NRCS funds are being spent in less than half the anticipated time,” says Sean McMahon, IAWA executive director. More than 90 percent of Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) dollars for the RCPP have already been obligated. “This RCPP is a great example of the innovative public-private partnerships needed to accelerate the adoption of water quality-focused practices,” says Mike Naig, Iowa
Secretary of Agriculture. “The success of this project shows the strong interest and engagement by farmers and landowners in making measurable progress in achieving Iowa’s water quality goals.” The strongest demand for EQIP dollars has been for cost-share for cover crops. “There have been 57,674 acres funded through a combination of the EQIP funding and partner programs,” Jordahl says.
Watershed by Watershed Much of the program’s progress is happening in priority watersheds where four things are present: • A watershed plan • Financial assistance • Technical assistance • Leadership and engagement from stakeholders (farmers, agribusinesses and community)
Shane Wulf, edge-of-field coordinator, IDALS Louis Beck, farmer from La Porte City
14 | MARCH 2019 | IASOYBEANS.COM
Photo credit: Jesse Landolt and IAWA
