Lunch & Learn: Supporting Farmer-Led Solutions to Clean Up Iowa’s Water – April 23 at 12:30 pm CT

Iowa’s water quality challenges are getting national attention. We know farmers can help solve this problem. Join us to learn how and what’s preventing them from doing so.

Thursday, April 23, at 12:30 pm CT, join us for a conversation with Zack Smith, a 5th-generation farmer from Winnebago County, and IFU President Aaron Lehman about how farmers are working to improve water quality and what barriers stand in the way of broader progress.

Zack farms 1,200 acres of corn, soybeans, and oats near Buffalo Center. For over 15 years, he’s focused on improving soil and water quality through practices such as strip tillage, cover crops, and precision nutrient management. He’s also a member of the Lobe Rangers, a group of farmers advocating for stronger water quality policy in Iowa.

Aaron will discuss the legislative and systemic barriers that make it harder for farmers to implement conservation practices. Zack will share what he’s doing on his farm, what’s working, and what farmers need from policymakers to scale up these solutions across the state.