Conservation Districts of Iowa’s Champion Cover Crop Commissioner Program Clare Lindahl, Executive Director Conservation Districts of Iowa
Applied and received funding from the National Wildlife Federation in August, 2013 for the Cover Crop Champion Commissioner Program. Recruited 10 commissioners who are landowners/operators using cover crops. Conservation Districts of Iowa’s Champion Cover Crop Commissioner Program
Worked with each individual commissioner to create a customized toolbox to include: Letter with toolbox contents Plan of work to accomplish goals PowerPoint Presentation Agribusiness Handouts Portfolio Business Cards Reporting Log Webinar on with tips for effectively promoting conservation commissioners were asked to view. Conservation Districts of Iowa’s Champion Cover Crop Commissioner Program
Results sent letters and information to support 939 farmers using cover crops for the first time. delivered information about cover crops to 805 farmers during meetings, workshops and field days. connected with 61 agribusiness about cover crops. print and radio media interviews about cover crops to a readership/listenership of over a half million. The National Wildlife Federation called the program EXCELLENT. Funded another CDI proposal to continue the work. CDI is also disseminating new information from ISU on the economic benefits of cover crops.
Cover crop workshops at the Iowa Power Farming Show, Feb Cover crop plot and booth at the Farm Progress Show, Aug Champion Magnets Iowa Environmental Leader Award nominations Iowa Cover Crops Conference, Feb Clean Water Iowa & Iowa Learning Farm Guest Blogs Additional benefits
Received another grant from the National Wildlife Federation in January, 2015 to grow the program by supporting work of 5 new commissioners using cover crops with livestock. CDI is also disseminating new information from ISU on the economic benefits of cover crops. In need of one more commissioner using cover crops with livestock. Moving forward