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

Contour Buffer Strips

Overview

 

A series of grass strips are placed across the slope on a contour. The alternating strips of grass or other permanent vegetation slow runoff flow, trap sediment from the crop strips above, and increase water infiltration. Because the buffer strip is established on the contour, runoff flows evenly across the entire surface of the grass strip, reducing sheet and rill erosion.

  • Vegetation provides cover and habitat for small birds and animals.
  • The strips reduce erosion by slowing water flow and increasing water infiltration.
  • By reducing siltation and filtering nutrients and chemicals from runoff, grass strips improve water quality.


Project Highlights


Photos