More about the Iowa Learning Farm

A project that focuses on helping strong conservationist farmers teach others about systems that will improve the quality of Iowa’s soil and water on their farms has a new home at the Leopold Center.

Center Director Jerry DeWitt is the new coordinator for the Iowa Learning Farm. The five-year program was set up in 2005 as a model for learning and exchanging ideas among government agencies, farmers, scientists, agribusinesses and the general public. It includes several ongoing research and demonstration projects and involves farmer-cooperators throughout the state.

“As project coordinator, I am working with the project administrative team from four ISU departments: Agronomy, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Economics and Sociology. I am looking forward to increasing the visibility of this project and the good work that can be done,” said DeWitt.

The Iowa Learning Farm uses both a statewide promotional campaign and a grassroots approach to collaborate on devising innovative ways to help all Iowa citizens have an active role in keeping our state’s natural resources healthy. Integral partners and leaders in this venture are Iowa farmers.

In addition, an extensive education and outreach program offers field demonstrations, field days, field training, regional meetings and a statewide conservation systems conference. The social and economic aspects of the soil conservation systems are being examined.

DeWitt said the goals of the Iowa Learning Farm fit well with the goals of the Leopold Center.

“Working with farmers to improve the quality of the soil and water on their farms also is a part of the Leopold Center’s mission,” he said. “We hope to make available what we’ve learned at the Leopold Center to the 31 farmer-cooperators in the Iowa Learning Farm project,” he added.

The Iowa Learning Farm’s institutional partners include the Conservation Districts of Iowa, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.