Agricultural Resource Management

 

The District can assist you with any resource concern: soil, water, air, plants, or animals.

Our local (Polk SWCD), state (Iowa Department of Agricultural and Land Stewardship-Division of Soil Conservation) and federal (Natural Resources Conservation Service) staff provide free technical assistance in protecting these resources and can also assist with applications for funding assistance.


Best Management Practices (BMPs)

All technical assistance follows the USDA-NRCS Field Office Technical Guide Specifications for practices. It is recommended that your contractor follow these specifications. For more information on a specific practice, you can view the Iowa Conservation Practice Standards.

 

 

Commonly installed BMPs:

Grade Stabilization Structure
Control Basins
Terraces
Conservation Cover
Grassed Waterway
Wetlands
Wildlife Habitat
Prescribed/Managed Grazing
Streambank Stabilization
Filter Strips
Contour Buffer Strips
Farmstead Windbreaks
Nutrient Management
Pest Management
Residue Management

Conservation Cover

Overview

 

The purpose of conservation cover is to establish and maintain perennial vegetation on lands retired from agricultural production. Conservation cover can be a variety of different species including both cool season, introduced species as well as native species depending on long term objectives of the land user, program requirements, and the needs of target wildlife species. Seeding may be done in a number of ways including no-till drilling, frost seeding, and broadcast seeding.

  • Reduces soils erosion and sedimentation.
  • Improves water quality by acting as a filter, removing chemicals and other nutrients.
  • Creates or enhances wildlife habitat.


Project Highlights


Photos