The annual Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards, recognizing the efforts of Iowa farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality, were presented recently at the 2017 Iowa State Fair.

This award is a joint effort of the Office of the Governor, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It is presented to farmers who are local leaders in taking steps to improve and protect the environment and natural resources in their farming operations. They have adopted best management practices and environmental stewardship on their farms, and encourage other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building upon success.

Awards show Iowa farmers are stepping up
Critics of Iowa’s Water Quality Initiative and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy often complain that only a few farmers in the state are adopting conservation practices or installing structures designed to improve the state’s water quality. However, if you drive around the state, you’ll see more farmers are planting cover crops, using no-till, seeding buffer strips along streams, and installing bioreactors, saturated buffers and other edge-of-field practices. They are scouting out spots to establish wetlands, too.

Even more encouraging is the enthusiasm that Iowa farmers of all ages are expressing for taking on the ongoing challenge of improving and protecting water quality. That enthusiasm was on full display at this year’s Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards presentation ceremony.

Nearly 90 farm families from all over the state were honored for stepping up to make a difference in improving water quality and protecting Iowa’s soil. It was impressive to hear the list of practices each family adopted to earn the award. It’s an indication that proven water quality practices are becoming common all over Iowa, and more farmers are putting these practices to work in their normal farming routines.

Setting a good example in his watershed
Larry Haren, farming in Hamilton County, received a 2017 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in the ceremony at the state fair. He’s been farming 10 years, and his farm covers over 400 acres. He installed a pond to drain his neighbors’ tile, which reduced nitrates by 50%. He then installed a denitrifying bioreactor to reduce nitrate levels even further. Other practices he uses include conservation tillage, cover crops, conservation buffers and numerous areas for wildlife habitat protection.

In addition to the conservation work on his own farm, Haren has served on the Hamilton County Conservation Board and as a commissioner for Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. A Pheasants Forever chapter member, he has graciously hosted field days at his farm, most recently in June in collaboration with Prairie Rivers of Iowa and Iowa Learning Farms.

Building soil health, sustainability
Haren cites soil conservation and building of soil health for long-term sustainability as reasons for putting these practices to work on his farm. He says the information and research being conducted on soil chemistry and biology across the Midwest are a great resource for informing farmers about the long-term farming practices that can be used to improve soil health.

Haren was nominated for the award by Prairie Rivers of Iowa. Kayla Hasper, watershed coordinator at Prairie Rivers, says, “We are pleased to honor and promote good stewardship happening in our local watersheds. Larry is a great model of sustainable farming in our community, and I’m proud he was recognized with this award.”

For more information about the awards, visit iowaagriculture.gov/EnvironmentalLeader.asp.

Prairie Rivers of Iowa is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening Iowa’s communities through the responsible stewardship of natural resources. Prairie Rivers of Iowa’s programs help Iowans conserve natural and historic resources to enrich the lives of current and future generations. To learn more, visit prrcd.org.