Soil and Water Conservation Week is April 24 to May 1. The week is an opportunity to recognize the important conservation practices placed on Iowa’s landscape and bring attention to the ongoing work by farmers, landowners and urban residents to protect the state’s soil and water resources.
“Iowans in our towns and on our farms continue to engage in water quality and soil conservation efforts. This week is an opportunity to celebrate all the work that has been done and highlight the efforts currently underway to prevent erosion and improve water quality,” Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey said. “It is vital that we preserve the soil and water resources that help make Iowa agriculture so productive and such a key driver of our state’s economy.”
On Monday, April 25, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will visit Iowa State University to receive updates on the work being done by the Nutrient Research Center at the University. Branstad will also sign a proclamation recognizing April 24 – May 1 as Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week during the event, which will be held at the University’s cover crop research site at southwest corner highway 30 and V Ave near Ames.
On Wednesday, April 27, Branstad will receive an update on the Benton/Tama and Miller Creek Iowa Water Quality Initiative Demonstration Projects and tour water quality practices installed as part of the projects. Branstad will then visit a site of a tree planting on the Jim and Jody Kerns farm just south of Edgewood, Iowa in Delaware County. Kerns is the Tree Farming and Forestry representative on the State Soil Conservation Committee.
On Thursday, April 28, Northey will visit Storm Lake to receive an update on the water quality activities underway in the community. Northey will participate in a groundbreaking at a new Water Quality Initiative Urban project the city is undertaking to convert old lime lagoons into stormwater treatment wetlands. Northey will also attend a tree planting by Storm Like High School students at a recently completed stormwater wetland.
Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week is in coordination with the National Stewardship Week, sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts. This year’s Stewardship Week theme is “We all need Trees.” More information about the activities that will be held during Soil and Water Conservation Week in Iowa can be found at www.iowaagriculture.gov/conservationweek.asp.
