Conservation Chat

This is a chat with Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, as a part of the Iowa Learning Farms monthly webinar series. We talk about water quality, conservation and Secretary Naig fields questions from folks who attended both on-line and in-person.

Farmers Wade Dooley and Nathan Anderson bring a joy and humility to their work on the land. Both men are striving to make their farms more resilient in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. 

Adam Janke is an assistant professor and an Extension wildlife specialist at Iowa State University.  With research and outreach, Adam hopes to increase wildlife populations in agricultural landscapes in Iowa for generations to come.

Ben and Andy Johnson farm in northeast Iowa where conservation is at the heart of their production. While they appreciate the soil and water quality benefits of the different practices, the brothers say they do conservation because it saves them time.

As Prairie Rivers of Iowa’s Watershed Program Coordinator, David Stein’s job (and passion) is to help establish “corridors” of habitats throughout central Iowa with a goal of increasing pollinators, wildlife, improving water quality and soil health.

Daniel Robison is Iowa State University’s new dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Robison comes to ISU from West Virginia University and has degrees in forestry, silviculture and forest influences and forest entomology.

Marty Adkins spent decades with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service working to leave Iowa’s natural resources in better shape than when he started. He did this by listening and connecting with all the major conservation stakeholder groups. 

Matt Russell is the Executive Director of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light and a fifth generation Iowa farmer.  Matt is traveling around Iowa having conversations with farmers about faith and climate change.

Ingrid Gronstal Anderson is the new Water Program Director for the Iowa Environmental Council. Jennifer Terry is the Executive Director. Both Ingrid and Jenn are passionate about the state and dedicated to restoring Iowa’s waters so all can enjoy them.

Pat Boddy is a Renaissance woman: an agricultural engineer, water resources expert, accomplished harpist and respected community leader. Pat is driven by a love of science and nature, particularly water and the impact of climate change on our world.

Ingrid Gronstal Anderson, environmental lawyer, chats with Jacqueline Comito, anthropologist and director of the Iowa Learning Farms, about identity issues and hope for the future.

Kelsey Fleming, Pheasants Forever's Senior Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist, and Brian Hickman, IDNR's Private Lands Coordinator for the Wildlife Bureau, chat about the opportunities and challenges as they work to increase wildlife habitat on private lands.

Matt Helmers, director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, and Jamie Benning, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Water Quality Program Manager, discuss the research, opportunities and challenges facing the state as they work to improve Iowa's water quality.

Newly elected Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses his vision for scaling up Iowa’s Nutrient Strategy during his first full term in office.

Researchers Ann Staudt and Dr. Tom Kaspar chat about earthworms and cover crops and their connection to soil health and water quality.

Ben Johnson purchased his first farm in northeast Iowa with his brother Andy when he was a sophomore at Iowa State University and has been farming his own land for 20 years. Conservation saves him one of his most valued resources on the farm: time.

Sean McMahon is the Executive Director for the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance. With 20+ years of experience in conservation and agriculture, Sean works with key partners to champion farmer engagement and adoption of practices that improve water quality. 

Clare Lindahl was recently selected as the chief executive officer for the Soil and Water Conservation Society—the first woman ever to lead this national organization. Prior to this, Clare was the Executive Director for Conservation Districts of Iowa.

Chris Foss and his daughter Kristi Heffelmeier farm together in Northeast Iowa. The family is dedicated to improving the soil health of their land and putting in practices that will improve the local creek.

Shane Wulf and Joshua Balk chat about their creative approaches to watershed improvement projects in their jobs as watershed coordinators for Black Hawk County Soil and Water Conservation District in northeast Iowa.