Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day! Today, we honor the American flag, which was officially adopted as a symbol of our nation’s history, values and independence on June 14, 1777. The flags flying from homes, farms and communities across the state reflect a shared commitment to our democracy and celebrate the many freedoms we enjoy every day.

06/12/2026

Today, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited two family-owned businesses in northern Iowa. The first stop was at Choose Iowa member Bisbee Family Farms in Stacyville, a sixth-generation family farm that raises beef cattle and sells directly to consumers. The next stop was at Northwood Foods in Northwood, a family-owned pork processing facility that produces more than 600,000 pounds of pork daily. These visits provide great opportunities to hear directly from small business owners about the opportunities and challenges they're facing.

06/12/2026

Today, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig awarded Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants to 11 Iowa dairy farms and businesses. The grants help dairy farmers improve efficiency, expand processing capacity, and bring more Iowa-made dairy products to market. The announcement was made during a Dairy Month visit to Gav-n-view Farm near Lansing.

06/12/2026

Farmers, the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative at Iowa State University conducted late spring nitrate testing in fields across the state. The data shows residual nitrate levels in fields that have not received fertilizer inputs are relatively high and extremely variable from field to field. If you’re considering in-season nitrogen applications, there may be significant cost savings opportunities on fertilizer inputs.

Learn more at https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/post/late-spring-nitrate-test-2026-opportunity-reduce-nitrogen-costs.

06/11/2026

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig started the day speaking at the Hertz Farm Management, Inc. All-Staff Seminar in Ames, congratulating the team on Hertz's 80th anniversary. He thanked the group for helping farmers and landowners manage and transition farmland, and support the adoption of conservation practices.

06/10/2026

Today, Deputy Secretary Grant Menke presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award on behalf of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig to T-Boy Dairy in Decatur County. The award presentation was held in conjunction with during an event at the dairy near Weldon. Owners/operators Merlin Troyer and Austin Troyer oversee a farm that includes approximately 200 predominantly Holstein dairy cows, a small beef herd, and the production of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Congratulations to the Troyers!

06/10/2026

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig spoke to farmers, biofuel producers, and ag professionals at Continuum Ag’s Topsoil Health Summit today in Riverside. He thanked the group for their hard work, which has helped position Iowa as a national leader in biofuel production. He also emphasized the importance of securing year-round nationwide sales of E15 and continuing to expand markets for Iowa ag products.

06/09/2026

This 16-acre Barnett site north of Pershing in Marion County has been restored to productive use through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program. The area was strip mined in the 1960s and 1970s, before reclamation regulations were in place. The project, which was completed in November 2025, transformed dangerous spoil piles, embankments, and a highwall into wetlands and terraces that improve water quality and reduce runoff. Thank you to this landowner and the many others who partner with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to protect and enhance Iowa’s natural resources.

Learn more about conservation and water quality at iowaagriculture.com and CleanWaterIowa.com

06/09/2026

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is closely monitoring the New World Screwworm situation, and has issued guidance to help livestock producers and pet owners keep their animals safe. Routine inspections and early detections are key. When animals receive prompt veterinary treatment, they can fully recover from the NWS. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov/nws.

06/09/2026

Are you passionate about protecting and enhancing Iowa's natural resources? Attending your local Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Regional Assembly is a great way to get involved and make an impact in your community! For more information and to find your local assembly, visit iowareap.com.

If you love views like this, thank a REAP Assembly. Better yet, bring your ideas for local conservation efforts to your regional REAP assembly meeting this summer!

You can take in this stunning view at one assembly meeting site, the Hitchcock Nature Center in Pottawattamie County, which received its first REAP grant in 1991. Since then, the site has successfully secured at least five additional REAP grants, including a major award in 2024, to protect and enhance this incredible rugged landscape.

At a REAP Assembly meeting, you'll hear info on projects in your area and be able to help identify potential REAP projects, and elect five local folks to serve in the REAP Congress. Many sites are planning special events around the assembly meeting to showcase local projects.

You can find the full schedule of assemblies at iowareap.com.

REAP, or Resource Enhancement and Protection, is a State of Iowa program that invests in enhancement and protection of the state's natural and cultural resources through grants. Common projects include trails, river corridor protection, wetland restoration, soil erosion prevention, conservation education and resource inventories.

REAP is funded from the state's Environment First Fund (Iowa gaming receipts) and from the sale of the natural resource license plate. The program is authorized to receive $20 million per year until 2028, but the state legislature sets the amount of REAP funding every year.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Ruhaak, Pottawattamie County Conservation