FOCUSED PRACTICES: A Public-Private Partnership Success Story for Water Quality

BY ZITA QUADE

When 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.

Louis Beck, farmer from La Porte City and Shane Wulf, edge-of-field coordinator, IDALS.

Photo credit: Jesse Landolt and IAWA

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)

Two of the priority watersheds in the RCPP are the Headwaters of the North Raccoon and the Middle Cedar Watershed, which includes the Miller Creek and Benton/Tama Watershed Quality Improvement Projects.

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) developed watershed plans for Headwaters of Cedar Creek in the North Raccoon and Miller Creek. IAWA, through checkoff dollars from ISA, Iowa Corn and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), also contributed funds to the development of the Cedar Creek plan.

Louis Beck, a farmer in LaPorte City, has been a part of the Miller Creek Project since the beginning. His land was analyzed during the watershed planning phase. “The Miller Creek Watershed starts in my land. I feel responsible that if I’m part of it at the beginning, I need to do what I can to reduce nitrate and subsequent soil erosion.” Beck says.

He says water quality is a shared issue, but one he is personally invested.

“I am part of the solution," Beck says.”

Beck and other farmers in the Miller Creek Watershed have planted cover crops on 20 percent of their row crop acres. This compares to the statewide average of 3 percent.

As a third-generation farmer, Beck wants to carry on a legacy of conserving soil and water quality. “My father was a big proponent of soil conservation when he was farming this land. He instilled a conservation ethic in me,” he says.

In the Headwaters of the North Raccoon, efforts to implement conservation practices continue to outpace efforts in other areas. This watershed project leads the state in saturated buffers and bioreactors (constructed plus in design). There is also a considerable amount (10 percent) of row crops planted to cover crops.

“There’s not a conversation I have with a landowner or producer where I don’t mention IAWA’s dedication to water quality and the collaboration that is occurring between ISA, IPPA and Iowa Corn,” says Lee Gravel, North Raccoon Watershed implementation coordinator for IDALS. “Farmers and landowners understand this commitment, and therefore, participate in conservation programs here at a higher rate.”

McMahon concludes, “The results are impressive and way ahead of schedule. Our partners deserve credit for encouraging their farmer members and farmer customers to try new conservation practices.”

One of those private partners is Corteva Agriscience.

“IAWA plays a vital role in connecting the public and private sectors,” says Kenny Johnson, sustainability manager for Corteva. “The work Corteva has done with IAWA as part of this program has been significant for the company, and most importantly, water quality in Iowa.”

Contact Zita Quade at zquade@iowaagwateralliance.com.