Fridays on the Farm: Leading with Conservation

Mar 16, 2026

By Jolene Bopp

This Friday meet Nicole Vernon of Jones County, Iowa, where she raises cattle, corn, soybeans, and hay. Nicole started her farm in 2016, purchasing 100 acres just before her senior year at Iowa State University. Nicole moved to the farm soon after purchasing the land, splitting her time between classes and the field. Now, 10 years later, Nicole and her husband, Jon, farm alongside her parents where their cows rotate through pastures, cover crops and feed.

Raised on Conservation

Conservation is almost second nature to Nicole. Raised on her family’s farm, Nicole credits her parents, Jeff and Shielly, with instilling her conservation ethic and the value of implementing conservation practices, like no-till, celebrating earthworms as “God’s natural plow,” and learning pasture management.

“It’s how she grew up, riding in the combine and helping with crops,” said Jeff. “We never did tillage and she was always curious about the soil and why it was important.”

In 2025, she was named the Iowa Conservation Woman of the Year by the Iowa Conservation Partnership, an award honoring women who advance conservation in meaningful ways.

Cover Crops and Cattle

She started her farming journey with a beginning farmer loan from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to help her purchase the land. Since then, she’s also used FSA’s operating loans to purchase equipment.

Source : farmers.gov

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.