Farmers and landowners in Grundy County, parts of Franklin, Butler, Hardin, and Wright counties now have a chance to improve water quality along local streams through a new state-funded pilot program. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the Streamside Buffer Initiative Monday, aimed at adding perennial buffers in the Middle Cedar and Boone watersheds.
The initiative, backed with $3 million from the state’s Water Quality Initiative, provides payments ranging from $1,750 to $3,500 per acre depending on whether buffers are harvested or not. Eligible land includes row crop fields along streams, which must be maintained for at least 10 years. Farmers are also encouraged to add complementary practices such as saturated buffers or bioreactors to further reduce nutrient runoff.
A map and more information can be found here. A printable PDF version of the map is available here. Landowners interested in participating should visit their local USDA Service Center to enroll and learn more about the program.
