Showcasing Conservation Practices is a “Snap” with #FarmersCoverIowa

The Iowa Food & Family Project is showcasing how farm families are covering Iowa – literally! From now through Earth Day on April 22, submit photos that show practices you have implemented to improve soil and water quality.

A photo project called #FarmersCoverIowa will depict environmental improvements farmers use including reduced tillage, cover crops, the proper application of livestock nutrients, grassed waterways and water retention ponds.

“Iowa’s landscape is being transformed with the construction of modern livestock barns and the implementation of more soil conservation practices in more locations,” said Aaron Putze, coordinator of the Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP) and communications director for the Iowa Soybean Association. “With the added interest in the topic of water quality this spring, providing a forum for farmers to showcase the many practices they’re using to cover Iowa takes on added importance.”

Farmers like Carl Roberts of Belmond, Iowa, use conservation tillage to protect against erosion and to preserve water quality. Larry Sailer of Iowa Falls has installed buffer strips and restored wildlife habitat. We know many other dealers and customers of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds also have practices in place – planting cover crops and maintaining grass waterways – to conserve soil and preserve water quality.

More than 92,000 crop and livestock farms dot Iowa with the farm families who own and manage them providing stewardship of nearly 31 million acres. Show us what you’re doing by sharing photos online using the #FarmersCoverIowa hashtag.

Show us what you’re doing on your farm! Snap a photo of a conservation practice or landscape and post to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #FarmersCoverIowa. Please identify the practice and the county in which it’s located, so we can help educate non-farmers about all that Iowa farmers are doing to keep soils productive and our water quality high. An ongoing album of photographs of how farmers are covering Iowa will be featured on the Iowa FFP Facebook Page.

Latham Hi-Tech Seeds is a proud supporter of the Iowa FFP, which champions the continuous improvement of Iowa’s farm families and their dedication to providing wholesome food for everyone. The Iowa FFP, which involves nearly 40 farm and foodservice partners, proudly serves as presenting sponsor of the Iowa Games and supports Live Healthy Iowa.