Iowa 2025-2026 State PDP Plan of Work

Commodities

Practices

Iowa Initiative 1:  Addressing Issues in Soil Health, Water Quality, Energy and Climate

Education and research on cover crop selection and use to enhance soil quality and crop yield continues to be in the forefront of sustainable agriculture. Farmers learn from other farmers through experience and educational and networking opportunities, so educating farmer mentors on energy and climate change can be an effective tool. Agriculture educators need to be current on water issues and efforts taking place in their regions.

Activities

Funds will be used to sponsor conferences, workshops, and field days support mini-grant projects and programs:

1. Soil health field days sponsored by soil, water conservation districts, PFI, NRCS, SWCD and ISU Extension (2025, 2026)
2. Sponsor annual Iowa Water Quality Conference (2025, 2026)
3. Sponsor PFI field day and conference (2025, 2026)
4. Sponsor Soil Health Conference (2025, 2026)
5. Support proceeding publication for Crop Advantage Series statewide meetings (2025, 2026)

Funds will be used to support professional development travel scholarships:

1. Educators to attend the Iowa Water Quality Conference (2025, 2026)
2. Educators to attend the Iowa Soil Health Conference (2025, 2026)
3. Educators to attend the Midwest Cover Crop Conference (2025, 2026)

Expected Outcomes

• 50 educators (Extension, NRCS, agriculture instructors) will continue to enhance their knowledge about soil quality and health through the use of cover crops and improved nutrient management
• 100 farmers will incorporate new knowledge into their production system
• 10 educators will use this information to answer client questions
• 15 educators will gain insight into communication techniques that motivate action among new, young farmers
• 50 farmers and educators will develop new contacts and partners for work
• 50 educators will increase their understanding of the watersheds and nutrient management research in their regions
• 150 farmers will learn water and nutrient management skills
• 25 farmers will incorporate new knowledge into their farming systems
• 15 educators will use this information to answer client questions
• 50 educators will learn new production strategies to minimize agricultural inputs and improve nutrient management by attending the Crop Advantage Series meetings
• 250 farmers will make a change on their farm to improve nutrient management and soil health after attending the Crop Advantage Series meetings

Iowa Initiative 2:  Building Leadership, Communication, and Capacity in Sustainable Agriculture

It has become widely recognized within Iowa’s sustainable agriculture community that interdisciplinary, multi-organizational collaboration and coordination is essential to further the implementation of sustainable practices among diverse audiences in our food and agriculture system. For example, Iowa’s Regional Food Systems Working Group (WFSWG), a network of agriculture Extension educators and their partners, need to collaborate to address issues that strengthen and enhance the local food systems in Iowa. Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and farmer educators need to work together in the careful planning and implementation of management intensive grazing systems in order to maintain profitability in a dynamic market and attract young producers to the industry.

Activities

Funds will be used to support mini-grant projects and programs:

1. Travel scholarships for agriculture educators to attend the Women, Farming and Agriculture Network Annual Conference (2025, 2026)

Funds will be used to sponsor events/programs at conferences, field days and special events:

1. Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference (2025, 2026)
2. Practical Farmers of Iowa Summer Field Days (2025, 2026)

Expected Outcomes

• 50 local food advocates and educators/yr will increase their leadership and collaborations within their communities
• 25 educators and 20 loan officers will learn how federal and state funding support can be used to increase farmers’ production, profitability, and conservation strategies.
• 45 will develop new contacts and partners for work
• 45 will conduct client consultations or answer client questions
• 10 will incorporate ideas and information into new or existing programming
• 25 educators will increase their knowledge of beginning and transitioning farm management
• 100 non-traditional farmers will incorporate new, sustainable practices into their agri-businesses
• 50 educators and farmers/landowners will develop new contacts and partners for work
• 50 ranchers, Extension staff, RFSWG leaders, meat processors, and institutional buyers will work together to develop a plan to improve relationships between ranchers, processors, and buyers and increase local meat sales through local retailers and institutions.

Iowa Initiative 3: Implementing Diversified Production and Marketing Systems

As input costs continue to rise, beef producers are seeking sustainable ways to feed and market their livestock. Iowa soil stewardship educators continue to request advanced training about production practices in certified organic systems, especially regarding how tillage and soil quality can be compatible. A large percentage of Iowa farms are still “small farms.” Sustaining these farms requires diversification and innovative marketing systems. Pest management requires a significant amount of input for fruit and vegetable farmers in terms of equipment, supplies and labor.

Activities

Funds will be used to support mini-grant projects and programs:

1. Sponsor Driftless Beef Conference (2025, 2026)
2. Sponsor the Iowa Forage and Grasslands Conference (2025, 2026)
3. Educator training on weed and pest management in horticultural crops workshop (2025, 2026)
4. Speaker sponsor at Iowa Specialty Producers Conference (2025, 2026)

Funds will be used to support professional development travel scholarships:

1. Educators to attend the Iowa Organic Conference and other organic specific conferences (2025, 2026)
2. Educators to attend the Iowa Specialty Growers Conference (2025, 2026)
3. Educators to attend the Annual Great Plains Growers’ Conference (2025, 2026)

Expected Outcomes

• 25 educators will enhance their understanding of production
• 5 will develop new contacts or partners for work
• 15 will use new information to answer client questions
• 150 farmers and agri-businesses will increase their knowledge of sustainable beef production systems
• 15 educators will increase their understanding of weed and pest management in fruit and vegetable production systems
• 50 producers will increase their knowledge of weed management strategies in vegetable crops
• 30 fruit producers will improve their knowledge of insects and diseases to incorporate management strategies with reduced inputs.
• 4 educators will gain new technical knowledge on best practices in organic production and tillage, use organic agriculture and incorporate organic information into regular programming

Iowa Initiative 4: Scaling Up and Strengthening Local Food Systems

An ongoing increase in the demand for local foods in Iowa has prompted questions about how this demand can be met efficiently, profitably, and safely. If Iowa’s agriculture is to consistently provide its citizens with a higher proportion of their diets, obstacles in increasing the production and marketing capacity for local foods through local and regional value chains must be addressed. An increasing number of local food producers are scaling up for larger, wholesale markets and seek to mitigate risks associated with institutional sales. Educators are working to facilitate the aggregation and distribution of local foods through relationships with larger-order buyers, primarily through development of food hubs.

Activities

Funds will be used to support mini-grant projects and programs:

1. Sponsor activities that promote community-based food systems (2025, 2026)
2. Funds for the In-person Meetings of the Iowa Food System Coalition Leadership Team (2025, 2026)
3. Support strategic planning for collaboration among farmers, food hubs, and food services (2025, 2026)

Funds will be used to support professional development travel scholarships:

1. Educators to attend The Direct Marketing Summit or other national or regional local foods conference (2025, 2026)

Expected Outcomes

• 75 educators will be trained in priority local food system development topics
• 50 educators will use new information to answer client questions and address local issues
• 20 educators will incorporate new ideas into ongoing programming to support local food systems
• 50 Food systems leaders and educators in Iowa will increase their knowledge of food hub management
• 2 educators will gain national exposure and leading expertise in the area of food hub management
• 20 educators will develop numerous contacts and partners for work

Iowa Initiative 5: Strengthening the Success and Sustainability of Beginning Farmers

The North Central SARE Region adopted this regional initiative directed at supporting those working with beginning farmers. Within Iowa, this initiative was adopted by the advisory committee to directly support those already working in this space, including Practical Farmers of Iowa, the Beginning Farmer Center and the peer mentoring networks established by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach located throughout the state.

Activities

Funds will be used to support mini-grant projects and programs:

1. Sponsor activities that promote beginning farmer networks, peer networks and regional workshops (2025, 2026)
2. PDP for educators of beginning farmers through meetings and workshops (2025, 2026)

Funds will be used to support professional development travel scholarships:

1. Educators to attend the Emerging Farmers Conference (2025, 2026)
2. Educators to attend a national or regional beginning farmer conference (2025, 2026)

Expected Outcomes

• 25 educators will be trained in beginning farmer development topics
• 20 educators will use new information to answer client questions and address local issues
• 20 educators and farmers will develop new contacts and partners for work

Iowa Initiative 6: Adapting to a Changing Climate and Other Food Systems Disruptions

The North Central SARE Region adopted this regional initiative directed at supporting those working on climate mitigation strategies for resilience in agriculture. Within Iowa, this initiative was adopted by the advisory committee to directly support those already working in this space, including Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, state agencies and NGOs.

Activities

Funds will be used to support mini-grant projects and programs:

1. Sponsor activities that promote climate resilience, climate mitigation and regional workshops (2025, 2026)
2. PDP for educators of farmers on resilience strategies through meetings and workshops (2025, 2026)

Funds will be used to support professional development travel scholarships:

1. Educators to attend the Midwest Climate Summit and/or Midwest Climate Resilience Conference (2025, 2026)
2. Educators to attend a national or regional resilience conference (2025, 2026)

Expected Outcomes

• 25 educators will be trained in climate resilience topics
• 20 educators will use new information to answer client questions and address local issues
• 20 educators and farmers will develop new contacts and partners for work