Calling Iowa Landowners!
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Are you curious about soil health and conservation?
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Are you busy, but want to learn more?
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Are you interested in improving your land?
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach launched a new program in June 2024 to help Iowa landowners incorporate soil health principles into their farmland. This unique learning experience brings together experts on conservation, agronomy, financial and legal topics. Landowners have the opportunity to learn from ISU experts and from each other as part of a small learning group. The first cohort ran from June to August 2024. We have close recruitment for the 2025 Cohort. Events will take place in June and July, 2025. If you are interested in participating in the 2026 cohort, please fill out this contact information form, and we will reach out when the next application opens.
Our program will distribute landowners into learning cohorts based on their awareness, needs, and perceived motivations and barriers to conservation practice adoption. Each cohort will five in person and two virtual educational events in June and July focused on conservation practices, leasing and taxation implications, as well as communication strategies for the key influencers in their life (family members, tenants, bankers, etc.).
This program takes into account that there are many steps in between interest and conservation practice implementation. This can include discussing with family members or other land beneficiaries, speaking with a lawyer to adapt or create a written lease, discussing practices with a tenant including cost-share of any expenses, equipment needs, etc. We know landowners care about their land and value stewardship, but may need help navigating the financial, legal, and relational aspects of transitioning to conservation land management.
Benefits of the program include:
- Access to ISU experts on conservation, agronomy, economics, and law
- Interactive learning and networking with fellow landowners
- A curated education plan that uses your time thoughtfully
- Introductions to trusted conservation professionals
- $75 educational credit to be used at ISU events
2024 Cohort member Jim Sayers summed up his experinece in the Landowner Education Program saying, “After each and every session, I came home energized and excited by what I learned, the great people in my cohort group, and the new conservation connections I made,” he said. “So many great resources, experts and sources of conservation info to help landowners like me! It was an outstanding program that will help me make wise(r) conservation decisions in the future.”
Who should apply?
- Landowners with land in the Des Moines River Watershed (highlighted in yellow on the map) will be prioritized. But as long as you're willing to travel to events in Central Iowa, you are welcome!
- Landowners whose land is primarily dedicated to row crops
- Landowners willing to attend five in-person and two online educational events in June and July 2025 in Central Iowa (Ames-Ankeny Area)
- All knowledge levels welcome!
Space is limited. There is no cost to participate at this time.
More information about the program:
Landowner participants will attend five in-person and two online educational events in June and July 2025. Each workshop will be 2-3 hours and take place in Central Iowa.This includes:
- An opening event to introduce you to your cohort (June 4, 4-7pm in Ames)
- Two conservation workshops (June 12 from 1-4pm in Ames, June 19 from 1-4pm in Slater)
- Two online workshops focused on legal and tax considerations (Week of June 23)
- One communication-focused workshop (July 1, 12:30-4pm in Ankeny)
- One final get together to celebrate completing the program. (July 16 from 4-7pm in Ankeny)
Conservation Workshops will be taught by Meaghan Anderson, Tim Youngquist and Ethan Thies. They will focus on:
- Reduced tillage, cover crops, or perennials
- Available financial incentives
- Introductions to local conservation professionals
- Landowner and tenant speakers
Legal and Tax Workshop* will be taught by Kristine Tidgren and focus on:
- Lease structures
- How to provide flexibility for conservation
- Tax and financial implications
* This workshop will be offered virtually.
Communication Workshop will be led by Julia Baker and Catherine DeLong. It will focus on:
- How to talk with your tenant, family members, bankers, etc. about what you’ve learned
Learn how to implement soil health practices, understand relevant financial and legal considerations, and build a supportive network of peers and experts.
Questions about the program? Contact Catherine DeLong (crdelong@iastate.edu) or Julia Baker (jaclymer@iastate.edu)
Press on the Landowner Education Program:
- Des Moines Register -- "Iowa State offers workshops for landowners who want to dig into conservation, soil health" (if you don't have a Des Moines Register subscription, you can also read the story here)
- KIOW -- "Iowa landowners sought for new farmland education program"
- KMCH -- "Applications welcome for landowner education program"
- Morning Ag Clips -- "Twenty-five Iowans graduated from inaugural Landowner Edcuation Program"
- ISU Extension News -- "Landowner education graduates improve knowledge of conservation and communication"
