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Nutrient management and conservation for healthier soils

Resources

Help Spread the 4R Plus Message

These downloadable materials can be used to spread the 4R Plus message.

4R Plus Brochure

4R Plus Factsheet

 

Cost Share Options

There are state, federal and other financial assistance programs available for implementing 4R Plus nutrient stewardship, and agronomic and conservation practices, including the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Water Quality Initiative, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Conservation Reserve Program and others.

You can check with your county Soil and Water Conservation District office for information on these and other cost share programs.

Click on the county in the map below for contact information about the county Soil and Water Conservation District staff members and District Commissioners who can provide assistance and details on technical and financial programs.

iowa-county-map_no-outlines CALHOUN UNION V AN BUREN ALLAMAKEE CLINTON JEFFERSON MAHASKA O SCEOLA OSCEOLA WRIGHT PALO ALTO DES MOINES JOHNSON HARRISON I D A MONONA WOODBURY BREMER BOONE CLARKE H O W ARD JASPER MUSCATINE BUENA VISTA DELAWARE MONTGOMERY P L YMOUTH BENTON CEDAR F L O YD LOUISA MARION MI T CHELL T A Y L OR POLK BUTLER LUCAS CARROLL T AMA WORTH WEBSTER FRANKLIN HARDIN L Y ON MONROE POCAHONTAS WARREN WINNEBAGO BUCHANAN CL A Y T ON DICKINSON DUBUQUE FREEMONT FREMONT JACKSON JONES MILLS POWESHIEK SAC SHELBY WASHINGTON CLAY KOSSUTH WINNESHIEK MADISON S T O R Y A D AMS ADAIR CHICKASAW D A VIS GRUNDY HANCOCK KEOKUK S C O TT W A YNE CASS WAPELLO CHEROKEE F A YETTE HENRY LINN POTTAWATTAMIE WEST POTTAWATTAMIE EAST O’BRIEN SIOUX LEE GUTHRIE EMMET CRAWFORD RINGGOLD DECATUR GREENE APPANOOSE A UDUBON BLACK HAWK CERRO GORDO HAMILTON D ALL A S HUMBOLDT IOWA MARSHALL P A GE

How Cost Share Works

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a step-by-step guide to the cost share process. Click on the cost share infographic link below. Additional information is available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Iowa.

 

View Cost Share Infographic

Guide for Navigating Conservation Programs

Drake University Agriculture Law Center professors Neil Hamilton and Matt Russell have created this guide to help Iowa farmers and landowners use public programs to improve water quality and promote soil health on their farmland. It identifies key practices funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).

 

View Cost Share Guide

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Measuring Soil Health

The Soil Health Institute and Soil Health Partnership have endorsed a number of soil health measurements. Examples of the specific Tier 1 measures include nutrient levels, organic carbon, pH and available water-holding capacity. Testing soil on a regular basis and using these indicators can help you best manage your crop and soil.

For more information on soil health metrics, visit the Soil Health Institute website.

Learn More

Information on the farmer-led Soil Health Partnership and their on-farm trials:

Learn More

Cover
Crops

4R Nutrient Stewardship

Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

Conservation Planning

Field Days and Events

The following list is a small sample of events that relate to 4R Plus practices in Iowa. There are many other field days and events that are hosted by a wide variety of organizations.

Additional Resources

Whole Conservation Best Practices Manual
Advantages of Healthy Soils
Best Management Practices to Build Healthy Soils
Advantages of Reducing Soil Erosion
Best Management Practices to Reduce Soil Erosion
Advantages of Reduced Tillage
Advantages of Cover Crops
Best Management Practices for Cover Crops
Best Management Practices to Reduce Nitrogen Losses from Drained Cropland
Advantages of Using 4R Nutrient Stewardship Practices
Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Fertilizer – Right Source
Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Fertilizer – Right Rate, Time and Place
Best Management Practices for Phosphorus Fertilizer
Best Management Practices for Collecting Soil Samples
Cost Share Programs