The Mississippi River Basin Initiative is helping Iowa farmers implement conservation practices that limit nutrient runoff, improve wildlife habitat and maintain agricultural productivity.
Nationally, the Natural Resources Conservation Service is investing $59 million this year in the health of the Mississippi River basin. Iowa, one of 13 participating states, currently has 18 projects that provide higher payment rates to farmers for selected conservation practices that help manage nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients can hurt local water quality and damage ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River Basin Initiative is offered through a continuous sign up, with ranking periods for funding. The next date for ranking applications for funding is April 19. For more information, contact the State Conservationist at 515-284-6655 or e-mail Jay.Mar@ia.usda.gov.
