Environment

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton recently launched a new agricultural water quality pilot program designed to enhance the state’s water quality. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification program is the first of its kind in the nation and is the product of a state-federal Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor Dayton, Secretary Vilsack and former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in January 2012. Under the certification program, farmers who implement and maintain approved conservation plans will be certified and, in turn, assured that their operations meet water quality goals and standards for the term of the certification agreement which lasts up to 10 years....More

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed the National Press Club recently to announce several ways that USDA will work with farmers to help them adapt to climate change....More

An extended period of wet weather this spring has led to manure management concerns for many midwestern livestock producers. Iowa State University (ISU) officials say manure storage has been a challenge this spring, and advise that the primary management goal should be to keep concentrated manure contained....More

  The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University today announced the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy has been completed and is available at www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu, according to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)....More