Awarded through USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the five-year investment in Iowa’s innovative program will continue to help cattle producers and other farmers convert underperforming or highly erodible row crop acres into pasture and hay ground. This approach keeps agricultural land in production while reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, creating more grazing opportunities and supporting growth of Iowa's cattle herd.
“Iowa’s popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program demonstrates that we can improve water quality, rebuild the U.S. cattle herd and make the most of every acre of our valuable farmland,” said Secretary Naig. “The Iowa Working Lands Program started out as a pilot project in Taylor County in 2016, and has since grown into a very successful conservation program in Iowa, while creating a model for other states. This RCPP gives us the flexibility to support infrastructure improvements and expand the program to serve livestock producers in more Iowa counties.”
The new Iowa Working Lands Water Quality Project RCPP is a partnership among the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Iowa Cattlemen's Association and Ducks Unlimited. Together, the partners will work with farmers and landowners to expand conservation practices that improve water quality while strengthening Iowa's livestock industry and rural communities.
Source : iowaagriculture.gov