Local Groups

Iowa

Farmers, an SWCD supervisor and biologists from Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Minnesota discuss cover crops

Farmers lead for healthier soil and water

At a Watershed Leaders Network workshop, participants ask: How do I farm, protect public waters and get return on my investment? How do I catalyze others to do the same?

View More
Clark Porter photo

Addressing water quality connects neighbors in Blackhawk Creek Watershed

Blackhawk Creek carries E. coli bacteria and 2,720 tons of nitrates to the Cedar River annually. Neighbors established Blackhawk Creek Water & Soil Coalition to restore it.

View More
Dubuque County Farm Bureau president Jeff Pape

A model for farmer-driven watershed improvement asks, “What next?”

Farmer Jeff Pape rallied neighbors to farm differently in Hewitt Creek Watershed, near Iowa’s Field of Dreams. “Affordable change came first. Now reaching water quality goals means more investment.

View More
Fishers & Farmers Partnership's Watershed Leadership Network workshops

Growing grassroots change: Farmer-led conservation is getting a little help from its friends

, , , , ,

“A watershed group was worth a try,” said farmer Brian McCulloh, “so I attended meetings with an open mind. It helps when neighbors struggle with the same challenges, to do better.”

View More
Topeka shiner survey on an Iowa oxbow

Reviving the endangered Topeka shiner minnow

Restoring stream oxbows where they naturally occur is reviving the endangered Topeka shiner minnow, other fish and wildlife. Farmers also see nutrient reduction benefits.

View More
Boone River

Oxbow alchemy better than lead into gold

Two restored Boone River oxbow wetlands on Camille Rogers’ Iowa farm are part of a plan to renew more than 400 similar sites in her watershed. After eroded soil was removed, the topeka shiner minnow returned and Rogers can again enjoy a favorite natural area from her childhood.

View More
zoom screenshot

Boots on the Ground | Polk County Iowa SWCD

In Polk County, a general contractor/bid approach is scaling up conservation faster, at lower cost, in a way landowners appreciate. Learn how partners shaped a new system.

View More

Neighbor to Neighbor | Middle Cedar Partnership Project & Black Hawk Creek Coalition

Learn how flood damage and high Nitrogen counts led Cedar Rapids’ Utilities Director Mike Kunst and farm owner Clark Porter into a web of connection and action.

View More
farm tractor with farmers working

Neighbor to Neighbor | Polk County, Iowa SWCD

Meet the people whose active, focused approach to marketing and delivery brought saturated buffer installations in Polk County from two to 50+ annually.

View More

Want to see your group in this directory?

Fill out and submit this form to our coordinator, who will review it and contact you to confirm details.
We look forward to hearing from you!

Full Name
In which region of the state is your group located? Select all that apply.
If your group has a website, enter the full URL here.

Is your group and its work featured in stories, videos or podcasts?

If so, enter full URLs here.

Social Media

Does your group utilize social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, other)?
Enter one URL for this social media option
Max. file size: 256 MB.
If your group’s area is defined by political boundaries (like a county), choose a map showing watersheds or streams/topography. Only upload images you have the right to use. By uploading an image, you certify that you have the right to use it, and any copyright claims against it are your responsibility, not Fishers & Farmers Partnership. By uploading images, you allow Fishers & Farmers Partnership to use them in future promotions.

Our goal is to make it easy for local groups to learn from each other. Please check all activities below that are true for your group, or that your group has experienced.
Growing a Group
Collaboration
Outreach
Land & Water
Assessment & Data
Events
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 256 MB, Max. files: 6.
    Only upload images you have the right to use. By uploading an image, you certify that you have the right to use it, and any copyright claims against it are your responsibility, not Fishers & Farmers Partnership. By uploading images, you grant Fishers & Farmers Partnership the right to use them in future promotions.
    If desired, please submit captions for your photos. Include the filename of each image and its associated caption.
    Which Fishers & Farmers programs have you participated in, or been featured in?
    Has your group received funding from Fishers & Farmers?
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.