Winnebago Soil & Water Conservation District- Iowa

09/04/2026

Applications are still being accepted! The deadline for applications is September 9th.

Today at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced record cover crop cost-share signup, nearly tripling cover crop acres in the Greater Des Moines Watershed. Farmers in these priority counties have enrolled nearly 300,000 acres of cover crops in state cost-share programs this fall, which will help reduce nutrient loss and improve water quality in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.

Farmers and landowners can still apply for cover crop cost-share through your local USDA Service Center until Sept. 9 at 4:30pm/CST. Find your local office at costshare.iowaagriculture.gov/districts.

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

Winnebago farmers have the opportunity to participate in free nitrogen soil sampling, check out the post below!

The first step to improving your soils is to know what contents you are starting with.

Central Iowa farmers have the opportunity to participate in free nitrogen soil sampling, which can reduce input costs and improve water quality. This fall, we are once again opening up that opportunity.

Farmers in Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Clay, Dallas, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Sac, Tama, Webster, Winnebago, and Wright can now access free fall soil sampling through INREC’s Nitrogen Soil Sampling Program.

Participation in this program will get you:
• Field-specific nitrogen data
• Confidence heading into 2027 planning
• A clearer picture of what’s already working for you

No cost or guesswork. Just better decisions for your land.
https://bit.ly/484H6B7

07/15/2026

Iowans have a long history of working together to improve and protect water quality, and conservation work is accelerating and expanding at a record pace across the state. Today, more than 450 public & private partners are working alongside farmers, landowners, municipalities and other stakeholders....

06/22/2026

This morning, I announced the launch of the Greater Des Moines Watershed Program — a new targeted effort to accelerate water quality practices upstream from the Des Moines metro.

Thanks to the Farm to Faucet water quality legislation passed this year, we are increasing cover crop cost-share to $25 per acre for both new and existing users in 22 counties, with up to 500 acres eligible per farmer or landowner.

Cover crops are one of the most effective tools we have to keep soil and nutrients in the field, improve soil health, and protect water quality.

Farmers continue to be part of the solution, and we’re going to keep working with them to scale up proven conservation practices across Iowa.

Farmers and landowners can learn more and sign up at a local USDA service center or visit CleanWaterIowa.org.

06/01/2026

Interested in Cover Crops, No-Till, Strip-Till or Nitrification Inhibitor? Feel free to stop into the office or give us a call to discuss your options!

05/13/2026

The Century and Heritage Farm program recognizes multi-generational farm families who have been on their farms for 100 or 150 years. We love to celebrate these families at the Iowa State Fair each summer. If your family is eligible for this recognition, please submit your application by June 1 to be part of the celebration this year. Learn more at https://iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program

05/07/2026

🌱🚜Planting season is underway, and that means more farm equipment may be on rural roads. Here are some quick tips for all drivers as we share the road this season:
✅ Stay alert, especially at dusk when farmers are heading home from the field.
✅ Be ready to slow down. Farm equipment travels much slower than regular traffic.
✅ Keep your distance. Stay at least 3 seconds behind.
✅ Pass with care, and only in a legal passing zone, if you have plenty of room and clear view.
✅ Be patient so everyone gets home safely.

04/29/2026

Reminder that entries are due May 1st!

Soil. Where it all Begins.
The Conservation Poster contest is open and we're officially accepting entries! The contest is for students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Click here for the entry form:https://cdiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-Poster-Contest-Entry-Form_Local-Competition.pdf
Click here for the rules:https://cdiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Poster-Contest-Rules-.pdf