Check out this inspiring story about the What's Good Project and the Rathbun Lake Connection
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I
Signage installed in Rathbun Lake WatershedIt may come as no surprise that streams, creeks, and rivers were flowing quickly following the recent heavy rains, but it may surprise some to learn the water’s destination. This water, called source water, drains throughout a watershed into a larger body of water, such as Rathbun Lake.
Rathbun Lake’s source water includes drainage from six southern Iowa counties including portions of Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne. While a large portion of land in Lucas County is located in Rathbun Lake’s 354,000-acre watershed, very few of those drainage acres are located north of US Highway 34, however source waters for Rathbun Lake travel from as far away as Clarke and Decatur counties.
To help landowners, producers, and residents identify source water in their area, a signage project was developed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. One of the pilot areas for the project is in Lucas County.
Iowa DNR Nonpoint Source Coordinator, Steve Hopkins, contacted the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance to propose the creek signage at road bridges located within the Rathbun Lake Watershed. Rathbun Lake provides source water for Rathbun Regional Water Association, which supplies drinking water to 90,000 people in 56 communities.
Hopkins says awareness of streams and the names of specific streams may contribute to watershed residents’ understanding of how watersheds affect water quality. “We believe it is important for residents to know how behaviors within a watershed affect the water quality of the stream within the watershed,” explains Hopkins.
At no cost to the county and with the approval of Lucas County Engineer, Todde Folkerts, and the Lucas County Supervisors, Source Water of Rathbun Lake signs have been installed at five bridges of creek and stream crossings. A map identifying these locations can be found on rlwa.org under the technical reports and maps tab.
Sign fabrication and installation for the project was made possible by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 319 funds through the Iowa DNR Watershed Improvement program and the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance.
The goal is to move the project into the other five Rathbun Lake Watershed counties with similar county level signage.
Lucas County Secondary Roads employee, James “Butch” Stroud, was tasked with installing the signs. Stroud has been employed by Lucas County for 15 years. He is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the county’s 5,000 signs. Stroud, who works through all types of Iowa weather, says he enjoys working outside. He ensures damaged or missing signs are quickly repaired or replaced.
Hopkins says Lucas County joins two other source water sign projects; the City of Des Moines, signs identify Yeader Creek and Magnolia Creek as source water for Easter Lake and Cedar Creek in Des Moines County signs identify source water for Lake Geode.
“We hope the signs help Iowans gain a greater recognition and appreciation of their local waters,” he adds. Brian DeMoss attends presentationRepresentatives from Water Rocks!, an award-winning program aimed at increasing awareness of issues surrounding all things water, presented to 4th and 6th grade students in Albia Elementary on March 10, 2020.
Hilary Pierce, ISU Extension Outreach and Nathan Stevenson, Water Rocks Visual Outreach Educator explained what a watershed is and how water flows. Based at Iowa State University, Water Rocks! integrates science with music, the arts, technology and social media, centered around all things water.
Environmental Specialist, Brian DeMoss, who works with landowners in the Rathbun Lake Watershed attended the presentations and was on hand to answer questions pertaining to soil saving and water quality protection activities carried out by Rathbun Land and Water Alliance and their partners. For more information, contact DeMoss at 641.774.2512 #3.  Hilary Pierce, ISU Extension Outreach (left) and Nathan Stevenson, Water Rocks Visual Outreach Educator explained what a watershed is and how water flows. ~~~~~~ DES MOINES - The DNR’s Watershed Improvement Section is accepting applications for a grant to help develop a Statewide Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program. Applications for the grant must be received by Feb. 10. The grant will provide up to $100,000 to a partner that will help carry out two objectives of the Iowa Nonpoint Source Management Plan:
The partner will also provide a volunteer monitoring program that trains local watershed groups how to organize a locally-led volunteer monitoring program, use monitoring equipment, and interpret data.
More requirements of the proposals sought can be found in the applications, available at www.iowadnr.gov/watershed. Questions on the grant opportunity can be directed to Steve Konrady at Steven.Konrady@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-8388.
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Rathbun Lake Watershed TourEmily Nusz, EPA 319 Coordinator for Region 7, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Nonpoint Source Coordinator, Steve Hopkins visited the Rathbun Lake Watershed on October 30 to tour projects constructed with 319 funding.
Velvet Buckingham (Environmental Specialist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil Conservation) and Brian DeMoss (Environmental Specialist with the Lucas County SWCD) conducted the tour of completed sites as well as potential future projects in the counties of Appanoose, Lucas, and Wayne. The two work with landowners in the Rathbun Lake Watershed and coordinate lake protection activities.
The group also stopped at Honey Creek Resort where Iowa DNR District Engineer, Jason Kruse, provided a tour of urban best management practices, which included a bio-retention cell that collects rainwater from the resort's rooftops.
Pictured L-R: Iowa DNR Nonpoint Source Coordinator, Steve Hopkins; Emily Nusz, EPA 319 Coordinator for Region 7; and Protect Rathbun Lake Coordinators Velvet Buckingham (IDALS, Division of Soil Conservation) and Brian DeMoss (Lucas County SWCD) view an uncontrolled gully near Rathbun Lake.
Iowa DNR District Engineer, Jason Kruse, (at right) provided a tour of a bio-retention cell that collects rainwater from the resort's rooftops, one of the urban best management practices funded through the EPA's 319 program.
Emily Nusz and Steve Hopkins viewed a terrace and basin project under construction.
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RLWA holds Farm to Faucet Landowner AppreciationRathbun Lake Watershed Landowners recognized for lake protection
The Rathbun Land and Water Alliance held their 4th Annual Farm to Faucet Landowner Appreciation and Water Treatment
Plant Tour on Thursday, September 19 at the Rathbun Regional Water
Association Water Treatment Plant near Centerville.
The Farm to Faucet event
provides the opportunity to highlight the soil saving and water quality protection practices installed
on the farmers’ land who work with the Alliance. It also gives the landowners
the opportunity to tour the facility that treats the water that comes from the
lake they help protect.
Jim Gulliford,
Regional Administrator for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 7
provided opening remarks. Gulliford, who leads the EPA’s efforts in Iowa,
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations, has more than 40 years of
experience leading environment and natural resource protection programs.
Gulliford
praised everyone involved with lake protection activities, from the landowners
who implement the conservation practices and the staff and agencies who work
with them. “Thanks to all of you for your efforts to protect the lake. We are
pleased with your commitment and this voluntary approach to protect the lake
that we see here,” he said. “Other watersheds in Iowa and in Missouri look to
Rathbun as a model.”
Velvet Buckingham, one of two environmental specialists who
work with landowners in the watershed, provided an overview of the Alliance’s
lake protection activities carried out during the last year.
“Terraces installed in the Rathbun Lake Watershed since 2004
are nearing the 2 million feet mark,” she said. “And more than 700 grade
stabilization structures, and sediment and debris basins have been built.”
Due to these conservation practices installed by Rathbun
Lake landowners the sediment
reduction to Rathbun Lake is nearing the 60,000 tons per year mark.
Buckingham also discussed the smell of water that many RRWA
customers have experienced in the last couple of months. She explained that
while the water is thoroughly tested and is safe to drink, the blue green algae
growth caused by the phosphorus run off from heavy rains would have been worse
if it wasn’t for the farmers who work to keep the pollutants out of the lake.
“Phosphorous reduction from
installed conservation practices by Rathbun Lake Watershed landowners is up to 254,122
pounds per year,” she explained.
Two Rathbun
Lake Watershed landowners were recognized as Rathbun Lake Protectors.
In
presenting the awards, John Glenn, Rathbun Land and Water Alliance President
and RRWA CEO said this is
the 14th year for the Protector Program with close to 80 landowners
who have now been recognized for their outstanding stewardship to protect
Rathbun Lake.
Rodney
and Roberta Hitt of Humeston were selected as 2019 Rathbun Lake Protectors for
Lucas County.
“The Hitts have installed 31,893
feet of terraces on 218 acres,” said Glenn. “The sediment that no longer is
delivered to Rathbun Lake is 521 tons per year. To put these figures in
perspective, that’s more than six miles of terraces. In addition, thirty-one
17-ton dump trucks full of soil now stays on the land instead of being
delivered to Rathbun Lake each year,” he explained.
Lyle and Lila Allred of Corydon were
selected as Wayne County’s 2019 Rathbun Lake Protectors. Lyle oversees the operation
but sons Dan and Terry Allred and grandson, Bronson Allred now rent and operate
the farm.
The Allreds installed one sediment
basin which treated 325 acres. “This structure reduces sediment delivery
to Rathbun Lake by 570 tons per year and reduces phosphorous delivery by 1,881
pounds per year,” said Glenn.
They also installed 2,525 feet of
terraces which treated 18 acres. Sediment delivery reduction from these
terraces is 35 tons per year and phosphorous delivery reduction is 116 pounds
per year.
“The combined sediment reduction
from these practices is more than 600 tons per year. The Allreds practice no-till, field borders,
grassed waterways, cover crops and contour grass strips,” Glenn explained.
Two honorary Rathbun Lake Protector
awards were also presented.
In presenting the award to Karen
Fynaardt, recently retired as Executive Assistant for the Director of the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources, Glenn said it is important for us to remember
that, far from the watershed, dedicated professionals like Karen are also
working each day to help ensure that these landowners and staff have the
support they need. “Karen has been a
strong ally of and advocate for the Alliance, and she believes in our mission
to protect Rathbun Lake as much as we do,” explained Glenn.
Also receiving an honorary
Protector award was Marty Adkins. “During his career with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Marty personified the importance and power of
partnerships,” said Glenn.
“In fact, when Marty retired
recently from NRCS he was serving as Iowa’s Assistant State Conservationist for
Partnerships. The types of partnerships
that Marty dedicated his career to developing and promoting are the driving
force for the most successful resource conservation efforts in Iowa today. In no small part, we are here tonight
celebrating our partnership to protect Rathbun Lake due to the guidance and
support received from Marty Adkins,” Glenn added.
Alliance members and partners
have provided significant financial and technical support for the organization’s
efforts. In the last dozen years, more than $36 million in financial support
has been contributed to the protection of Rathbun Lake water quality.
In addition to keeping the soil on the farm, the practices
protect Rathbun Lake, the water source for RRWA that provides drinking water to
80,000 people in southern Iowa.
Farm to Faucet participants toured RRWA’s new water treatment
plant. Since 2007, RRWA has invested $50
million in improvements to the Association’s drinking water system which
includes the new water treatment plant.
The first water treatment
facility was built in 1975 and supplied drinking water to four counties. The
utility has seen steady growth and now
provides clean drinking water to 18 counties and 56 communities in southern
Iowa and northern Missouri.
The capacity of RRWA’s first
water treatment facility was four million gallons per day (MGD). An expansion
in 2000 increased daily capacity to 8.8 million gallons and the new plant’s
capacity is six MGD but is designed to allow for expansion to nine MGD.
For more information about the Rathbun Land and Water
Alliance, visit rlwa.org.
2019 Rathbun
Lake Protectors were honored at the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance's "4th Annual Farm to Faucet Landowner
Appreciation and Water Treatment Plant Tour" held at Rathbun Regional
Water Association's new water treatment plant. (Pictured L-R) Pictured L-R: John Glenn, Rathbun Land
and Water Alliance President and RRWA CEO; Marty Adkins, recently retired
Iowa’s Assistant State Conservationist for Partnerships; Karen Fynaardt,
Executive Assistant for the Director of the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources; Rodney and Roberta Hitt, Lucas County Rathbun Lake Protectors; and
Lyle Allred and sons, Dan and Terry Allred, and grandson Bronson Allred, Wayne
County Rathbun Lake Protectors.
#30#
Lucas County Producers honored with
Governor's award Troy Lust and Jillann Hunt of Humeston, Iowa were recognized as Iowa
Environmental Farm Leaders during a special ceremony held August 14 at the Iowa
State Fair.
The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader
Award is a joint effort of the governor, lieutenant governor, Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources to recognize the exemplary voluntary efforts of Iowa’s farmers as
environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.
The Rathbun Land and Water Alliance
nominated Troy and Jillann for the award after recognizing the couple as
Rathbun Lake Protectors in 2018.
The nomination states that Troy is an
active member in the organizations of Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, the
Wild Turkey Federation, and Farm Bureau. He is conservation minded and is
involved with the Quail Safe Initiative with the goal to benefit the wildlife
and protect the environment.
The Lust farm consists of 540 acres. While
Troy also works off the farm, he manages his 540 acres with conservation in
mind. Seventy Eight acres are in a corn soybean rotation and 263 are enrolled
in the Quail Safe Program.
The couple’s land is mainly rolling,
highly erodible land so they wanted to treat the land with practices that would
reduce sediment loss and increase wildlife habitat. They practice continuous
no-till on the 78 acres of corn and soybean rotation. All of their tillable
acres are protected by terraces. Troy built a retention pond, has a five acre
wetland, and the remainder of the farm is in CRP or grass as he is involved in
the quail restoration program.
Troy installed 9,700 feet
of narrow base terraces using National Water Quality Initiative funds and built
a grade stabilization structure using DNR Lake Restoration funds. These
practices annually reduce 200 tons of sediment to Rathbun Lake, the water
source for Rathbun Regional Water Association. RRWA provides drinking water to 90,000
people in southern Iowa and northern Missouri. Phosphorus delivery to Rathbun
Lake from these structures is reduced by 1,348 pounds per year. All the land
below the terraces is in CRP or grass.
Troy recently submitted an
application for the Wetland Reserve Conservation easement on 13 acres where all
the tile flows into the river bottom to create a wetland.
Troy says the part he plays in taking
care of our natural resources is small, but he is determined to do his part. “I’m
a strong believer that everyone should do their part to take care of the land
and water,” he says.
A total of 53 families were honored
this year. The award recognizes those that have taken steps in their farming
operations that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of
Iowa while also serving as local leaders to encourage other farmers to follow
in their footsteps by building success upon success.
In presenting the awards, Governor Kim
Reynolds said as environmental leaders, these farmers have adopted best
management practices and incorporated environmental stewardship throughout
their farming operations.
“True stewards of the land, they
recognize improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that
extend beyond their fields to reach the residents of Iowa,” she said. “Protecting
water is not just a one-time thing, but rather a way of life,” she added.
Since the creation of the Iowa Farm
Environmental Leader Award in 2012, more than 500 Iowa farm families have been
recognized by the Governor, Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural
Resources.
Pictured L-R: Iowa Department of Natural
Resources Director Kayla Lyon, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Jillann
Hunt, Troy Lust, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds pose after the presentation of
the Iowa Farm Environmental Award which acknowledges farmers who take
voluntary actions to improve or protect the environment and our state’s natural
resources.
#30#
The Rathbun Land and Water Alliance celebrates Soil and Water Conservation Week
April 30 - May 7, 2019   
Velvet
Buckingham, Protect Rathbun Lake Coordinator and environmental specialist with
the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Department of Soil
Conservation and Water Quality, visited children in three school districts in
the Rathbun Lake Watershed county of Wayne.
Buckingham,
along with Wayne County SWCD Conservation Assistant, Sherry Trower, delivered
80 Norway Spruce trees to children as part of Iowa Soil and Water Conservation
Week, which is celebrated April 30 through May 7, 2019.
In addition to delivering trees for school children to plant, the
pair judged this year’s poster contest with the theme, “It’s your Watershed. Life
in the Soil. Dig Deeper.”
Fifteen winning posters were selected from the 78 posters that were
developed by children in grades 2 through 7. The posters were judged on theme,
creativity, and neatness.
Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week is an opportunity to
recognize the important conservation work that has been placed on the Iowa
landscape and bring attention to the ongoing work by farmers, landowners and
urban residents to protect the state’s soil and water resources.
Iowa Soil and
Water Conservation Week this year is being coordinated with national
Stewardship Week, which is sponsored by the National Association of
Conservation Districts. This year’s Stewardship Week theme is "Life
in the Soil: Dig Deeper” and is designed to focus the nation’s attention on the
stewardship and importance of our natural resources.
The severe
erosion during the “Dust Bowl” years of the 1930s brought about the first
efforts to prevent soil erosion, which also helped protect water
resources. Iowa passed a law in 1939 to establishing a state agency and
the means for soil and water conservation districts to organize. This
legislation declared it the policy of the State of Iowa to: preserve soil and
water; protect the state’s tax base; and promote health, safety and public
welfare of people of Iowa.
For more information, contact Buckingham or Trower at the Wayne
County Natural Resources Conservation Service, 641.872.1350.
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WHO Radio's The Big Show was broadcast live from Rathbun Regional Water Association
Pictured L-R: Joe Sellers, retired ISU Extension Beef Specialist discusses his recent recognition as honorary Rathbun Lake Protector with Bob Quinn, host of WHO Radio's, The Big Show when the show was broadcast live on September 28, 2018.
Honorary Rathbun Lake Protectors Recognized at RLWA's Farm to Faucet
Pictured L-R; Honorary Rathbun Lake Protectors, Bill Ehm, retired
Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Environmental
Services Division; Chuck Gipp, retired Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Jim Gillespie, retired Director of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship’s Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality; and Joe Sellers, retired ISU Extension
Outreach Beef Specialist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~Congratulations Rathbun Lake Watershed Landowners who received the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award at the Iowa State Fair on August 15, 2018.
The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.
 L-R, Jim Gulliford, EPA
Region 7 Administrator; Bruce Trautman, Acting Director, Iowa Department of
Natural Resources; Virginia Reynolds; Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture;
and Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa.
 L-R, Jim Gulliford, EPA
Region 7 Administrator; Bruce Trautman, Acting Director, Iowa Department of
Natural Resources; Lorena and Keith Lain; Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture;
and Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa.
L-R, Jim Gulliford, EPA
Region 7 Administrator; Bruce Trautman, Acting Director, Iowa Department of
Natural Resources; Mark Batchelder; Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture;
and Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa.
Iowa Farm Progress Show
Day one of the Iowa Farm Progress Show was cut short due to incoming storms, but the day still offered several opportunities for discussion.
Ken Root with Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network talks with Marty Braster
State Conservationist at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kurt Simon (right)
Environmental Specialists, Velvet Buckingham (left) and Brian DeMoss are shown by their display at the annual Iowa Water Conference held in Ames March 21 - 22, 2018. The pair exhibited information about the water quality protection activities of the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance. They both serve as coordinators and work with landowners in the six Rathbun Lake Watershed counties of Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne.
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| Pictured L-R: Iowa First Gentleman and retired District Conservationist, Kevin Reynolds; Rathbun Land and Water Alliance Board members, RLWA President, John Glenn, Kim Francisco, Kevin Luedtke, Denny Amoss, Neil Smith, Dennis Smith, Ralph Alshouse, John Sellers, Jim Sullivan, and Chuck Moore. |
Kevin Reynolds receives Honorary Rathbun Lake Protector Award
Iowa First Gentleman, Kevin Reynolds, received an honorary Rathbun Lake Protector Award at the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance's January 12, 2018 Board Meeting held at Pin Oak Marsh in Chariton.
Since 2006, the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance has been recognizing landowners in the Rathbun Lake Watershed who take extraordinary action to protect Rathbun Lake through their conservation practices.
Each year, the Alliance invites the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the six southern Iowa counties of Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne to nominate landowners for their outstanding contributions to the protection of Rathbun Lake. Nominations are based on past efforts as well as present and planned actions to protect soil and water quality. The Honorary Rathbun Lake Protector Award is only given to one individual each year.
In presenting the award, John Glenn, RLWA President and Rathbun Regional Water Association CEO, thanked Reynolds for helping with Rathbun Lake Watershed conservation activities. "We appreciate all you did in the area of conservation and in working to get as many priority acres treated as possible," said Glenn. Kevin earned his bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Agronomy. His first job was with the County of Pottawattamie in soil and water conservation. He was a County Resource Planner. Kevin went on to work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture first as a Soil Conservationist and later as a District Conservationist. He served as DC in Decatur County as well as interim DC in the Chariton Field Office for Lucas and Wayne Counties.
After 36 years of service, he retired in March 2017. As an avid outdoorsman, Kevin also continues to deeply care about soil health and water quality. As First Gentleman, he is actively engaged in educating Iowans of all ages about the state's many treasured natural resources.
RRWA Support Services Officer, Marty Braster, reported the development of a Natural Resources Conservation Services Iowa Partners for Conservation grant proposal to be submitted before the end of January. "This proposal is for technical assistance, not cost share," said Braster. "The Alliance has primarily focused on structural measures to protect water quality due to their cost effectiveness, but this grant will compliment that structure work with grazing, cover crops, and wildlife habit."
Dave Loebsack's Congressional Aide, Dien Judge, was also in attendance. Judge said Congressman Loebsack would like to return to the area to tour the conservation practices in the Rathbun Lake Watershed. "Congressman Loeback is always interested in what the Alliance is doing to protect water quality," said Judge.
Check out the Iowa Department of Natural Resources'
319 Program Fact Sheet
I
Colonel Guttormsen Stakeholder Visit
On
Thursday, September 28, Colonel Douglas Guttormsen, Kansas City District
Commander with the US Army Corps of
Engineers visited Rathbun Lake to attend a bi-annual Rathbun Lake stakeholder
meeting to hear updates about lake operations and lake protection activities.
Present were Col Guttormsen, DDPM Rex Ostrander, Chief of
Operations Stu Cook, Deputy Director Iowa Department of Natural Resources Bruce
Trautman, CEO/President Rathbun Regional Water & Rathbun Land and Water
Alliance John Glenn, and many other staff from federal and state agencies.
Phil Brown, Rathbun Lake Operations Manager, facilitated
the stakeholder presentations, which were held at the dedication site shelter
on Rathbun Lake. “The day was filled with presentations and tours showcasing
years of successful collaborations among agencies, all of which revolved around
pooling of resources to improve recreation, water quality, fish and wildlife
habitat, in and around Rathbun Lake,” said Brown.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Biologist, Mark Flammang, provided a fish management update and
explained that Rathbun Lake has the most significant walleye population in the
southern half of Iowa and provides broodstock population for the entire state
of Iowa.
“Each year about 60,000 anglers visit
Rathbun Lake, which brings in about $5 million to the local economy,” said
Flammang. Since walleye populations decline with floodwater discharge, the IDNR
partnered with the Corps to evaluate non-physical barriers which may help limit
the loss. Flammang reported this barrier technology is crucial.
RRWA Environmental Management
Specialist, Marty Braster, works closely with the Rathbun Land and Water
Alliance’s lake protection activities. He said partnerships are invaluable in
securing necessary funding to complete lake protection activities.
“In the 20
years we have working to protect Rathbun Lake, finding resources to fund the
activities would be impossible to do if the Corps wasn’t an active partner
providing leadership.
Whether it’s at the state or federal level, it means
everything to say Corps is supportive,” he added.
Additional presentations to the Colonel
included an overview of Honey Creek Resort State Park and the associated trail
system, and Section 1135 project updates as well as tours of the Iowa DNR fish
hatchery and RRWA’s new water treatment plant.
RRWA Plant Superintendent, Jer
Buckingham, provided a tour of the water intake caisson located near the
dedication site shelter.
For more information about the stakeholder event, contact the
local Corps office at 641.647.2464.
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Sellers and Shanks receive conservation award at State Fair
John Sellers of Corydon and Martha Shanks of Derby received a special conservation award during a ceremony at the 2017 Iowa State Fair on August 15.
The award was given by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and was presented by IDNR Deputy Director, Bruce Trautman. The award was part of the DNR's Celebration of Conservation Day.
The Rathbun Land and Water Alliance nominated the two. Sellers is a long time conservationist in Wayne County and Martha Shanks was recognized in 2010 as a Rathbun Lake Protector.
Shanks
When Gene Shanks passed away in the spring of 2003, Martha, says she decided to carry on with as much of the farming operation as she was able. While not previously involved in the farm’s management, Martha and Gene shared the same goals, including soil and water conservation.
To learn as much as she could about how to farm the land, Martha went to field days and workshops, and contacted the Lucas County NRCS Field Office to ask as many questions as was necessary to get the information she needed. It has been said that Martha’s willingness to ask as many questions as it takes to get the answers that has led to a number of successful conservation practices carried out on her land.
She installed of 20,475 feet of terraces resulting in sediment reduction to Rathbun Lake by 320 tons per year and 1,739 pounds of phosphorus annually. She installed four basins further reducing sediment loss by 41 tons per year and 205 pounds of phosphorous annually to the lake. She has also installed 3 waterways, and has used cover crops as well as is looking at using them in the future as a forage source for her cattle.
She also participated in the summer incentive program and set aside 85 acres for conservation construction. With the help of her son, Wesley, they raise 85 acres of hay and maintain an 80 head Angus-cross cow herd.
Sellers
Sellers says conservation has been the cornerstone of his life. “My dad built the first terraces in Union Township back in the 1950s and I was elected to take over his seat on the SWCD board back in 1973.” Prior to his recent retirement, he practiced no-till farming, installed grassed waterways, seeded highly erodible land, and built seven structures on his farm which is mainly forages.
As part of his love of the land, he hosted field days on his farm and served on many state and national level boards and commissions including the Hay and Forage Advisory Board, Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, Leopold Center Advisory Board, Governor’s Energy Task Force, State Technical Committee for NRCS and in 1981 was named outstanding district commissioner.
Rathbun Lake Protectors Receive Award at State Fair
Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp presented the Mitteness family with their award along with 80 other Iowa farm families.
The award is a joint effort between the Office of the Governor, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmental leaders committed to health soils and improved water quality.
“This award seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers to improve and protect the environment and natural resources of our state,” Gov. Reynolds said. “It also encourages other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.”
“This award program is in its sixth year,” Lt. Gov. Gregg said. “To date, more than 450 families have received recognition. That number is a testament to the hard work our farmers are doing in and for our state.”
“Iowa is a national leader in conservation and water quality efforts,” Sec. Northey said. “These awards are an opportunity to recognize the farmers who are leading the way and highlight the significant investment they are making to better care for our air, soil and water.”
“We are honored to take part in recognizing some of Iowa’s best farmers who instill common practices to protect our natural resources,” Dir. Gipp said. “We hope that by recognizing the great work these farmers are doing, it will encourage others to follow suit and help protect the environment.”
The winners of this year’s Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award were presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto and a commemorative program provided by the Iowa Ag Water Alliance. Hagie Manufacturing sponsored a recognition luncheon following the ceremony. Bob Quinn from WHO served as the Master of Ceremony.
All winners were chosen by a selection group representing both agricultural and conservation groups.
The selection group that approved the 2017 winners included:
· Jim Gillespie, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
· Bruce Trautman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
· Jim Frederick, Conservation Districts of Iowa
· Jay Harmon, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
· Sean McMahon, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance
· David De Geus, The Nature Conservancy
· Jeff Pape, Iowa Farm Bureau
· Dennis Friest, Iowa Corn Growers Association
· Wayne Fredericks, Iowa Soybean Association
· Shelia Larson, Iowa Turkey Federation
· Dan Wetherell, Iowa Pork Producers Association
· Katie Oltoff, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
Pictured L-R: Iowa DNR Director, Chuck Gipp; Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey; Wayne County Rathbun Lake Protectors, Page and Rick Mitteness and their grandson, Thor; Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds; and Lt Governor Adam Gregg.
Rick and Page have been farming for 32 years. They grow corn and soybeans and seed down their remaining farmland in waterways, pasture, and hay and maintain five miles of field borders. They maintain a 150 head cow/calf operation and sell calves in the fall. The Mitteness family cares about keeping the soil on their farm and protecting water quality and want their conservation practices to be evidence of that.
They operate a rotational grazing system and run a corn, bean, and hay rotation and have installed five grade stabilization structures and installed 4,000 feet of terraces.
Rick has served on the Wayne County Fair Board, is a Farm Bureau member, a member of the Wayne County Cattlemen, and was sheep superintendent for 20 years. Rick and Page received the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award in 2016.
The Rathbun Land and Water Alliance recognized the Mitteness family as Rathbun Lake Protectors in 2016 and were happy to nominate them for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award.
Pictured L-R: Iowa DNR Director, Chuck Gipp; Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey; Clarke County Rathbun Lake Protectors, Marilyn and Robert Arndorfer; Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds; and Lt Governor Adam Gregg.
Robert and Marilyn Arndorfer were selected as Rathbun Lake Protectors in 2016 and the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance was happy to nominate the Arndorfers for this award. The Rathbun Lake Protector award recognizes landowners for their stewardship practices that protect the drinking water source for 80,000 people.
The Arndorfers farm 800 acres in southern Iowa and are predominantly hay and soybean farmers.
The couple has cooperated with the Clarke county soil and water conservation district since 1989 and have completed either a state cost share construction project or ACP project each year from 1987 through 1999.
They were one of the first Clarke county landowners to participate with the Rathbun land and water alliance in 2005 to install terraces and basins on their farm. The commitment continues to as the couple has completed additional terrace work on their farm.
Hunter Brothers receive Good Farm Neighbor Award
Mike and Laurie Hunter and Nick and Alyse Hunter of
Chariton were presented the Gary Wergin
Good Farm Neighbor Award at Mike and Laurie’s farm on Wednesday May 24.
The award is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a
long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who created the award, and is given by the
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Coalition to Support
Iowa’s Farmers, and WHO Radio’s The Big
Show.
Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, was
on hand to present the award, which recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take
pride in doing things right, and go above and beyond as environmental stewards
and animal caretakers.
“While it is a tremendous pleasure to be here today, Secretary
Northey sends both his congratulations and his regrets as he couldn’t attend
today as intended due to the
gubernatorial transition ceremonies,” said Naig.
“Presenting this award gives us a chance to talk about the positive
stories that are happening in agriculture, about responsible livestock farming
in Iowa, and highlight the families who make it so successful,” Naig added. “I
present this award on behalf of the coalition, the secretary, WHO Radio, in
recognition of your commitment and dedication to the care of your livestock, community,
and the environment.”
In receiving the award, Nick Hunter said the award is
a great recognition but neither he or his brother Mike like having the
accolades for what they do on their farm. “We got the good farm neighbor award,
but basically we are neighbors to a lot of good farmers. That is really the
award we feel we got.” Nick says.
Naig also recognized Rathbun Land and Water Alliance
President, John Glenn, who nominated the Hunter families. “The Alliance is
doing tremendous conservation work in this area for Rathbun Lake and is a model
for what we can do in other parts of the state,” said Naig.
The Hunters farm together on
a heifer development program and have a cow-calf operation. They also
raise corn, soybeans and hay and have a Christmas tree farm, selling about 700
trees each year. Their conservation works includes the installation of two
sediment basins, 200 acres of filter strips along the Chariton River, nearly
20,000 feet of terraces, the use of contour farming, crop rotation, no-till and
cover crops.
In addition to the Good
Farm Neighbor Award, the family has been recognized by the Natural Heritage
Foundation and received the Rathbun Lake Protector Award for their conservation
work.
The brothers are also very active in the community and have been
involved in the Lucas County Cattlemen, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Soybean
Association Board of Directors, Trees Forever, Chariton School Board, Lucas
County Fair Board and 4-H Youth Committee.
As part of the event, The Big Show host, Bob Quinn, conducted a live broadcast of his
show at the Hunter farm and interviewed the Hunter brothers about their
operation as well as the award nominator, John Glenn, president of the Rathbun
Land and Water Alliance, Iowa State University Extension Beef Specialist, Joe
Sellers, and Brian Waddingham, Executive Director of the Coalition to Support
Iowa’s Farmers.
Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award recipients, Nick and Alyse Hunter, Mike and Laurie Hunter, and Rathbun Land and Water Alliance President, John Glenn.
Bob Quinn, center, interviews Gary
Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award recipients Nick (left) and Mike Hunter, and
award nominator, Rathbun Land and Water Alliance President, John Glenn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buckingham attends Agronomy in the Field for Women
Environmental Specialist, Velvet Buckingham, who coordinates Rathbun Lake protection activities for the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance's Protect Rathbun Lake Project, attended the first session of Agronomy in the Field for Women. It was held on April 19, at McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm south of Chariton. Participants learned about how to incorporate cover crops into an operation, their grazing potential, and how to terminate them in the spring.Agronomy in the Field for Women
The next session is set for May 17, from 5 to 6:30 at the McNay Research Farm, with the topic of corn and soybean planting, staging corn and soybeans, and taking stand counts. Sessions will also be held in June, July, and August. Topics to be covered at future sessions include forage and pasture management; pest management and identification (weeds, insects, and diseases), and water quality.
This series is designed to be hands-on and conducted in the field to see real-time conditions. Each session will be approximately an hour and a half long; you do not need to commit for the entire season to attend. There is no charge for this series, but please register online at http://eepurl.com/cw1tA9 or by contacting Extension Field Agronomist, Rebecca Vittetoe at rka8@iastate.edu or 319-653-4811.
Agronomy in the Field is sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach in cooperation with NCR-SARE Partnership Grant Project ONC17-031. Local support is provided by Lucas, Marion, Monroe, Warren, and Wayne County Extension.
Rathbun Land and Water Alliance Board member, Kevin Luedtke, hosted a visit to the Rathbun Lake Watershed by Jamie Konopacky with the Harvard Environmental Policy Initiative in Cambridge, MA.
 
Konopacky (left) discusses watershed policy development with Kevin Luedtke (right), Marty Braster, (middle) and Ralph Alshouse (far left) when she visited the Luedtke farm on Thursday, April 13. Konopacky traveled to area to obtain research to help identify and promote the development of the integrated watershed policy programming that can effectively restore nutrient impaired waterbodies. "I focus on making HUC 12 watershed plans the building blocks of watershed planning and evolving and aligning policies, data, and funding to support effective planning at that scale," she said. Her research focus is on the Farm Bill conservation and Clean Water Act programs and also on evolving Farm Bill conservation and state CWA programming with the focus on 319, MS4 and TMDL programming.
Water Quality Funding Available in 5 Select Iowa Watersheds
DES MOINES, IOWA, Jan. 23, 2017—Iowa farmers in five select watersheds are encouraged to apply for conservation assistance through USDA’s National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI). The deadline for available funding is March 17.
The practices available for financial assistance will help improve water quality in the local watershed and beyond. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Initiative, and offers higher than normal payment rates for implementing practices such as cover crops, grassed waterways, prescribed grazing, livestock facilities, and nutrient management.
Farmers in the following Iowa watersheds are eligible for NWQI special funding this year:
NRCS worked closely with state and local conservation partners to select the priority watersheds. State agencies, key partners and technical experts chose the five watersheds where on-farm conservation investments have the best chance to improve water quality.In 2016, landowners in Iowa received $620,200 to implement water quality improving practices. If you farm in one of these watersheds, contact your local NRCS for more information or visit the Iowa NRCS website at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov.
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| Seated at table counter clockwise: RRWA CEO and RLWA President, John Glenn; Appanoose County SWCD Commissioner and RLWA Board Member, Chuck Moore; NRCS State Conservationist, Kurt Simon; IDALS Field Services Bureau Chief, Vince Sitzmann; Lucas County SWCD Commissioner and RLWA Board Member, Kevin Luedtke; Appanoose County SWCD Conservationist, Margaret Cope; Lucas County Environmental Specialist, Brian DeMoss, Environmental Specialist, Velvet Buckingham, and RRWA Environmental Management Specialist, Marty Braster. |
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| Pictured L-R: RRWA CEO and RLWA President, John Glenn; Lucas County producers Kevin and Lori Luedtke; IDALS Field Services Bureau Chief, Vince Sitzmann; NRCS State Conservationist, and Kurt Simon are pictured in front of one of the large grade stabilization structures installed on the Luedtke farm that protects Rathbun Lake. |
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| RRWA Superintendent, Jer Buckingham (right) provides information about the new water treatment facility during Iowa Conservationist Kurt Simon's visit to the Rathbun Lake Watershed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
DeMoss Visits Albia Fifth Grade Classes
Protect Rathbun Lake Coordinator, Brian DeMoss visited the fifth grade classes of Albia Elementary School to discuss the importance of conservation. He presented a demonstration comparing no-till, tilled fields, and native grass plantings. The students were able to build terraces and ponds and plant trees using playdoh in the areas they believed needed the structures.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2016 Rathbun Lake Protectors were recognized September 22 at the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance's "Farm to Faucet Landowner Appreciation" held at Rathbun Regional Water Association's new water treatment plant. (Pictured L-R) Clarke County Robert and Marilyn Arndorfer, Lucas County Walter Faulconer, Wayne County Rick and Page Mitteness, Wayne County Ricky and Mary Davis, and Rathbun Land and Water Alliance President and Rathbun Regional Water Association CEO, John Glenn.
The Iowa EPC tours Rathbun Lake Watershed and Rathbun Regional Water Association
 Pictured in the control room of Rathbun Regional Water Association's new water treatment facility are Iowa Environmental Protection Commission members, Iowa DNR head and representatives, Rathbun Lake Watershed landowners, and the staff of Rathbun Land and Water Alliance and Rathbun Regional Water Association. 
The Iowa EPC meets monthly in Des Moines and selected the Rathbun Lake Watershed as one of the two annual tours the group makes to learn more about environmental projects in the state. Four landowners who farm in the Rathbun Lake Watershed shared their conservation practices with the commission members.
Pictured left to right are Dick and Connie Hines, Decatur County; Kevin Luedtke, Lucas County; Chuck Moore, Appanoose County, and Jim and Betty Sullivan, representing Clarke and Decatur Counties.
  available through the Iowa Water Quality State Revolving Fund to implement terrace construction.  the raw water intake from Rathbun Lake.  they installed on their farm without cost share.   ~~~~~~~~~~~ USDA Announces Water Quality Funding for Southern Iowa Watershed
Landowners in Headwaters Wolf
Creek Watershed Have Until April 15 to Apply
CORYDON, IOWA, Feb. 26, 2016—USDA’s
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering financial assistance
to landowners in the Headwaters Wolf Creek Watershed in southern Iowa to
implement conservation practices that improve water quality. The signup
deadline is April 15.
The Headwaters Wolf Creek Watershed covers
a small portion of northwest Wayne County and southwest Lucas County. NRCS
worked closely with state and local conservation partners to select the new
priority watershed. State agencies, key partners and technical experts chose
Headwaters Wolf Creek, where on-farm conservation investments have the best
chance to improve water quality.
Through USDA’s National Water Quality
Initiative (NWQI), eligible farmers receive higher than normal payment rates on
such practices as nutrient management, cover crops, terraces, water and sediment
control basins, filter strips, as well as forage and grassland practices.
Four other small Iowa watersheds will
receive their third year of USDA-NWQI funding in 2016. The next signup deadline
for these projects is March 18. These watersheds include:
·
Badger
Creek (sections of Madison, Dallas and Warren Counties)
·
Lost
Branch-Chariton River (sections of Wayne and Lucas Counties)
·
Lower
South Fork Chariton River (sections of Appanoose and Wayne Counties)
·
Wall
Lake Inlet/Black Hawk Lake (sections of Sac and Carroll Counties)
Nationally, NRCS will fund $25 million in
assistance to farmers and ranchers in 187 priority watersheds who voluntarily implement
conservation practices on their land to improve water quality. In 2015,
landowners in Iowa’s four NWQI watersheds received $629,000 to implement water
quality improving practices.
For more information about the Headwaters
Wolf Creek Watershed project, call or visit the local USDA Service Centers in
Corydon or Chariton. You can also visit the Iowa NRCS website at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov.
DNR head presents $833,044 to Alliance at group’s 10th Annual Meeting
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director, Chuck Gipp, presented the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance with a check for $833,044 at the group’s 10th Annual Protect Rathbun Lake Meeting held in Allerton September 9.
Gipp, who attended the meeting with nearly a dozen Iowa DNR representatives, said the contribution was provided through the Environmental Protection Agency’s nonpoint source section 319 grant funds, which is administered by the IDNR. “It’s a real pleasure for me to be here to present this check to the Alliance. These folks down here in the Rathbun area are doing a great job of improving water quality and soil conservation and these funds are to help them continue their efforts,” said Gipp.
The contribution adds to the nearly $30 million in financial support the Alliance has received from partners at the local, state, and federal level since the Protect Rathbun Lake Project began in 2004.
Funding provided by project partners since 2004 has helped the Alliance carry out the project’s water quality protection activities which includes the installation of best management practices, water quality monitoring, and landowner outreach. These practices protect Rathbun Lake, which is the water source for Rathbun Regional Water Association that consistently provides clean drinking water to 80,000 people in southern Iowa.
To date, more than 1.5 million feet of terraces and nearly 600 structures have been installed by landowners through the project, which have reduced sediment delivery to Rathbun Lake by 46,396 tons each year and 199,325 pounds of phosphorous annually.
The grant funds presented by the DNR at the annual meeting will assist landowners to install terrace systems, grade stabilization structures, and water and sediment control basins for 1,975 acres, which will further reduce the annual delivery of sediment by 2,965 tons and phosphorus by 11,850 pounds.
More than 150 attended the annual event, which was open to all landowners whose farms are located in the Rathbun Lake Watershed counties of Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne.
Three Rathbun Lake Watershed landowners were recognized as 2015 Rathbun Lake Protectors for their outstanding contributions – past, present, and planned – to the protection of Rathbun Lake. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts in each watershed county are invited to nominate individuals for the award which is given annually. Landowners who were recognized are as follows:
Clarke County
Betty Wallace and her son, Fred Wallace from Grand River. On the Wallace farm one grade stabilization structure and 6,400 feet of terraces were installed which treated 69 acres. These structures reduced the sediment to Rathbun Lake by 139 tons per year and phosphorus by 795.8 lbs. per year. The Wallaces practice no-till and have the north slope of the farm draining to Chariton Creek enrolled into CRP.
Lucas County
Keith and Angela Dachenbach of Russell installed two grade stabilization structures, 4,100 feet of terraces and seeded 35 acres of cropland on their farm. This treated a total of 119 acres and reduced sediment by 191 tons per year. The Dachenbach’s are preparing to install another 3,400 feet of terraces and two more grade stabilization structures this fall. They use a corn/bean/hay rotation along with native grass seedings and CRP on some of the steeper slopes on his property.
Wayne County
John and Catherine Witt of Iowa City. The couple lives in Iowa City but maintain a farm in Wayne County where they installed 5,450 feet of terraces through the Protect Rathbun Lake Project. This treated 36.4 acres, which reduced sediment to Rathbun Lake by 67 tons per year and phosphorus by 305 pounds per year. The couple practices no-till, grassed waterways, field borders, and hay seeding. The Witt’s have also agreed to allow their neighbor to back water onto their property from a structure that the neighbor is building.
An Honorary Rathbun Lake Protector award was presented to Mike McGhee.
In presenting the award, John Glenn said Mike started his career in 1976 with the Iowa DNR as a Fisheries Management Technician where he worked in an eight county area of Southwest Iowa.
“During his career with the DNR, Mike was instrumental in bringing together the many agencies and organizations that provide the staff and funds needed to protect Rathbun Lake. He was a leader in implementing water quality improvement projects, new lake developments, and lake rehabilitation efforts,” said Glenn.
McGhee was instrumental in establishing Iowa’s nationally recognized Lake Restoration Program. This program develops lake restoration projects that ensure a cost-effective investment for the State; foster a community commitment to lake and watershed protection; and provide significant improvement to the quality of Iowa lakes.
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Pictured L-R: Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director, Chuck Gipp; Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey; award recipients, Bruce George, John Sellers, and John Glenn; Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds, and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Three Alliance Board members receive award from Governor at state fairBruce George of Allerton, John Glenn of Centerville, and John Sellers of Corydon received the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award during a special ceremony at the Iowa State Fair on Wednesday, August 19.
The award, which is given to recognize the efforts of Iowa’s
farmers who are committed to healthy soils and improved water quality, was
given by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Sec. of
Agriculture Bill Northey, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director
Chuck Gipp.
“Farmers take pride in conservation efforts and preserving
and protecting our natural resources. This award gives us all an opportunity to
recognize their efforts as exceptional leaders,” said Branstad. “It is a
pleasure to have the opportunity each year to recognize Iowans who go above and
beyond to be good stewards of our land.”
Going above and beyond would be a
good description of these three gentlemen. While they each have their own
personal conservation achievements, they were instrumental in the formation of the Rathbun Land
and Water Alliance in 1996. They are founding members of the Alliance and have
continued to serve as board members to this day. In the nearly 20 years since
the Alliance began it has grown to be recognized throughout the state and
region as a model for watershed and water quality protection. Through
the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance, the Protect Rathbun Lake Project was
developed. To date, project staff has worked with nearly 600 landowners in the
Rathbun Lake Watershed to implement best management practices that protect
Rathbun Lake – the water source for Rathbun Regional Water Association that
provides drinking water to 80,000 people in southern Iowa and northern
Missouri.
John Glenn
While Glenn serves as
CEO of Rathbun Regional Water Association and president of Rathbun Land and
Water Alliance, he is also an active farmer in Appanoose County. For more than
20 years, Glenn has practiced no-till planting on his farm and has installed
numerous terraces to reduce erosion and contaminant run off. He has installed several CRP buffer ponds, two structures
through IFIP as well as grassed waterways through CRP. He has served by appointment on the Environmental
Protection Commission, currrently sits on the board of the Iowa Association of
Water Agencies.
John Sellers and Bruce George have
extended service with the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District,
serving as commissioners for a combined total of more than 60 years. While George and Sellers are retired from farming, the
two shared a passion for soil sustainability and water quality protection
during their entire farming careers.
Bruce George
George farmed for 22 years prior to retiring
from farming in 2014 and he, too, has hosted numerous field days on his
pasture.
While
farming, he treated all but 40 acres of his 500 acre farm with conservation
practices, installing most of the terraces using his own dozer.
George
says every place on this farm that needed a terrace to stop soil erosion, he
put one in. He installed 9,000 feet of terraces and installed one structure
with cost share. He also raised yearling cattle.
George
serves on the boards of Farm Bureau, Grand River Mutual, and NRCS.
John Sellers
Sellers was a proponent of no-till farming, grassed waterways, and seeding
highly erodible land. He was the coordinator for the Chariton Valley
Switchgrass Project to promote soil sustainability and grew switchgrass himself
because of the conservation benefits. He built seven structures on his farm which
is mainly forages, but also has part of the farm enrolled in CRP.
During his farming career, John hosted numerous field
days and has served on many boards and commissions including the Hay and Forage
Advisory Board, Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, the Leopold Center Advisory
Board, the State Technical Committee for NRCS and in 1981 was named outstanding
district commissioner.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Iowa Secretary of
Agriculture, Bill Northey says Iowa is a national leader in conservation and
water quality efforts. “It is important that we recognize the farmers who are
making a significant investment in conservation efforts and serving as examples
in how we can continue to better care for our air, soil and water,” Northey
said.
All winners from across the state of Iowa were chosen by a
selection group representing both conservation and agricultural groups.
The selection group that approved the 2015 winners included
representatives from the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship,
Iowa DNR, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Iowa State University Extension and
Outreach, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Iowa Farm
Bureau, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey
Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
|
Honey bees arrive at Honey Creek Resort State Park just in time for stewardship week
The explosion of flowering, blooming
trees across southern Iowa are thanks in part to the arrival of warm weather
and spring rain, but the National Association of Conservation Districts wants
to make sure the hardworking pollinators receive their share of the credit for
the annual floral display.
NACD President Lee McDaniel says pollinators play a
critical role in our everyday lives, and it’s important that we work to protect
their habitat.
“While many pollinators may seem like just annoying
insects, they are actually a very important part of the web of life upon which
we all depend. Pollinators form the underpinning of a healthy and sustainable
future for food and the environment, but they have shown disturbing signs of
decline in recent years,” he says.
Three bee hives arrived at Honey Creek Resort State Park,
located on Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa, just in time to help kick off the NACD’s
60th year of celebrating stewardship week, April 26 – May 3, with the 2015
theme: Local Heroes – Your Hardworking Pollinators.
Honey
Creek Resort State Park General Manager, Andy Woodrick, says the decision to
bring bees is part of the resort’s “go green” initiative and to provide the chef
with local supplies for the restaurant.
The resort employs two naturalists, Jacob Ahee and Hannah
Wiltamuth, who helped situate the newly arrived bees and their hives on April
24. Each of the three bee hives has two of the supers where the bees can produce
and store their honey.
Wiltamuth says programs that showcase the importance of pollinators
will provide resort guests the opportunity to learn about the value of bees and
their role as pollinators.
“Programs during honey harvest will allow resort guests
to learn how to spin and strain the honey,” says Wiltamuth. “Guests who help
with honey harvest will be allowed to take home some of the harvested honey.”
The rural location of Honey Creek Resort State Park is an
ideal habitat for the bees due to the native Iowa prairie that surrounds the
resort as well the agricultural crops and clovers in area pastures.
When pollinators shrink in number, many plants either
produce less seed or no seed at all. The bottom line is, when pollinators start
disappearing, plants start disappearing. Most plants depend upon pollinators to
reproduce. While animals can travel and move around to find mates and reproduce,
plants are rooted to one spot. Therefore, plants depend on pollinators to move
pollen from their anthers to their stigma.
In addition to honey bees, there more than 100,000
species of insects, that work hard as pollinators. There are also over 1,000
species of other animals such as birds, reptiles and mammals, including bats
that pollinate plants. Your local
conservation district can assist you in maintaining or developing habitat for
pollinators.
Additional Pollinator resources are located in the NACD
Local Heroes – Your Hardworking Pollinators educators guide found at: www.nacdnet.org/education/resources/local-heroes
NACD represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation
districts, which were established to encourage resource conservation across the
country.
For more information about Stewardship Week and
conservation, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District or visit
nacdnet.org.
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Honey Creek Resort State Park Naturalist, Jacob Ahee, holds the queen, which arrives separately.
|
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| The queen is placed in her box between the 2nd and 3rd frames. Jacob dumps in the rest of the bees. In the queen box is a small plug made of marshmallow. The other bees will eat the plug to get her out of the box while she emits pheromones. By the time they get to her they will have accepted her as their queen. |
Rathbun Land and Water Alliance featured on The Iowa Minute
Watch The Iowa Minute which featured the conservation work carried out by landowners in the Rathbun Lake Watershed through the Protect Rathbun Lake Project.
Rathbun Lake Watershed Landowners receive Governor's Award
Six Rathbun Lake Watershed landowner couples were honored at a special ceremony at the Iowa State Fair where they received the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad.
This is the third year for the award, which is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.
Those recognized were as follows:
Pictured with award recipients from left to right are Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director, Chuck Gipp, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey.
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| Appanoose County - Doyle and Barb Ewing of Plano |
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| Clarke County - Jason and Amy Boyer of Weldon |
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| Decatur County - Joe and Joanie Boggs of Weldon |
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Lucas County - Mike and Laurie Hunter of Chariton
Lucas County - Nick and Alyse Hunter of Chariton
|
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Wayne County - Ron and Darla Main of Corydon
|
In presenting the award, Governor Branstad said the award seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.
“It recognizes those that have taken steps in their farming operations to serve as local leaders in environmental stewardship on their farms, utilizing a variety of techniques and best management practices. As environmental leaders, these farmers have adopted best management practices and incorporated environmental stewardship throughout their farming operations,” said Branstad.
The nominations were submitted by the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance.
“True stewards of the land, these landowners recognize that improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to reach the citizens of Iowa and beyond, and have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farms. We thank them for their efforts,” says Branstad.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Rathbun Land and Water Alliance Recognized by Governor
(Watch interview with KTVO on the Media and Podcasts tab) The Rathbun Land and
Water Alliance received two awards at the Governor’s
Environmental Excellence Award ceremony held July 15 at the Wallace
Building in Des Moines – the Water
Quality Special Project Award and the Environmental
Education Special Project Award.
Rathbun Land and Water
Alliance President John Glenn and Vice-President, Kim Francisco represented the
organization in accepting the awards.
The
awards are coordinated by the Governor's Office, the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa
Partnership for Economic Progress, the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa
Department of Public Health, and the Iowa Waste Reduction Center.
“The
innovations that have been made by the award recipients to benefit Iowa’s
citizens both economically and environmentally are to be commended. They
showcase the commitment being made to make Iowa a better state now and into the
future,” said Gov. Branstad in presenting the awards.
The
Water Quality Special Project Award: The Protect Rathbun
Lake Project was created by the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance in an effort to
protect land located in the Rathbun Lake Watershed and Rathbun Lake, with the
primary goal to reduce sediment and phosphorus delivery to Rathbun Lake and
water bodies in the watershed. GIS technology was used to create a model that
identifies priority land, determined to have the greatest potential to deliver
sediment and phosphorous to Rathbun Lake. More than 500 landowners have
partnered with the Alliance to install more than 550 sediment basins and grade
stabilization structures and 1.3 million feet of terraces. Currently, more than
41,000 tons of sediment and 175,000 pounds of phosphorous are prevented from
entering Rathbun Lake annually. The ultimate goal is to treat 30,000 acres of
priority land which will reduce annual sediment and phosphorus delivery to
Rathbun Lake by an estimated 90,000 tons of sediment and 360,000 pounds of phosphorus.
The
Environmental Education Special Project Award: With the
ultimate goal to treat 30,000 acres of priority land in the Rathbun Lake
watershed, the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance knows that it is essential that
landowners in the watershed are educated and informed on the issue of sediment
and contaminant delivery to the lake. The Rathbun Lake Protector Program
employs a variety of outreach activities that help educate potential
cooperating landowners, critical to the overall success of the project. Rathbun
Lake Protectors are featured in press releases at the local, regional, and
state level in agricultural publications and programs. Field-level signage is
installed on the land of Protectors to both recognize them for their award and
to educate and encourage other landowners to participate. Plaques engraved with
the names of the Protectors are displayed in each Soil and Water Conservation
District office and each fall at the Protect Rathbun Lake Annual Meeting,
landowners are recognized as Rathbun Lake Protectors and receive awards for
their conservation efforts. To date, nearly 550 landowners have worked with the
Alliance to install conservation practices in the watershed, preventing more
than 41,000 tons of sediment and 175,000 pounds of phosphorous from entering
Rathbun Lake annually.
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(L-R) Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Rathbun Land and Water Alliance Vice-President, Kim Francisco, Rathbun Land and Water Alliance President, John Glenn, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director, Chuck Gipp. |
Brian DeMoss receives IDALS-DSC certificate of recognition
Lucas County Soil and Water Conservation District Environmental Specialist, Brian DeMoss, received a certificate of recognition from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship-Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS-DSC).
DeMoss, who also serves as Protect Rathbun Lake Project Coordinator, was surprised with the award during the quarterly meeting of the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance Board held March 28 at Pin Oak Marsh Lodge Education Center near Chariton.
Matt McDonald, IDALS-DSC field services representative who nominated DeMoss for the award, said during the past few months DeMoss has been assisting the Monroe Soil and Water Conservation District in going through their unfunded cost share applications, which required contacting landowners for 182 applications.
“He completed 86 estimates and all this work was done on his own personal time and at no expense to the Lucas County District who employs him or to the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance,” McDonald said in his nomination. “He donated his Friday afternoons for two months straight as well as receiving phone calls after work hours from landowners.”
Presenting the award in McDonald’s absence was Brandon Dittman, also a IDALS-DSC field services representative. Dittman added that the work carried out by DeMoss was much appreciated due to the need this spring of getting priority projects ready for spring work to get the state's cost share dollars spent effectively.
“The Monroe office would have spent a lot of extra time doing the work that Brian did on his own time. His work ethic is extraordinary and the landowners reap the benefits for his work,” continued Dittman.
Through the Protect Rathbun Lake Project, DeMoss works with Rathbun lake Watershed landowners in the counties of Clarke, Lucas, and Monroe to install best management practices such as terraces, grassed waterways, and grade stabilization structures.
The Rathbun Lake Watershed covers 354,000 acres and is located in the six southern Iowa counties of Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne.
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| Lucas County SWCD Environmental Specialist, Brian DeMoss, (at left) receives a certificate of recognition from Brandon Dittman, IDALS-DSC field services representative. DeMoss received the award at the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance Board meeting held at Pin Oak Marsh Lodge Education Center near Chariton on March 28. |
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August 2013
Iowa Ag Secretary makes return trip to Lucas County
For the second time this summer Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, visited Lucas County; this time to view two watershed projects - the Lake Morris Project and the Protect Rathbun Lake Project. Brian DeMoss, Project Coordinator for the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance's Protect Rathbun Lake Project, helped coordinate the visit.
"It was a great opportunity to show Secretary Northey two watershed projects that are both protecting municipal water supplies, with different upstream land uses, different impairments, different goals, and using different practices and techniques to reach those goals - and both within Lucas County," explained DeMoss.
Lucas County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners and staff and landowners from both projects visited with Secretary Northey as they traveled from Morris Lake to the Brad Reece farm south of Chariton.
Kim Williams, Project Coordinator for the Lake Morris Project which was completed in the fall of 2012, explained to Secretary Northey how successful the solar powered circulation devices have been in reducing and preventing blue green algae blooms in the lake.
The group moved to a structure built on the Brad Reece family farm south of Chariton which resulted in a 25 foot deep pond that covers eight to nine acres of surface water. Brad and his wife, Cathy were one of the first landowners in Lucas County to be recognized for their work to protect Rathbun Lake. Their soil saving practices prevent approximately 800 tons of sediment per year from being delivered to Rathbun Lake. Rathbun Lake supplies 80,000 people with drinking water.
Northey at Brad Reece Farm Photo Caption: L-R: Standing on the dam of a large grade stabilization structure that was built as part of the Protect Rathbun Lake Project are Lucas County SWCD Commissioners, Arnie Schneider and Rick McBroom; Lucas County NRCS Secretary, Connie Carpenter; landowner, Brad Reece, field technician, Jeff Pfeifer; Lucas County SWCD Commissioner and Rathbun Land and Water Alliance Board member, Kevin Luedtke; Ty Luedtke; PRLP Coordinator, Brian DeMoss; and Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey.
