Iowa Water Conference 2016 Recap

Some days you wake up with one plan, but life happens and things change. Yesterday, instead of a quiet productive day at the office for my part time job at AgSolver, I was given the last minute opportunity to attend the Iowa Water Conference. I am passionate about agriculture, but I'll be the first to admit there's lots I don't know. The day turned out to be a wonderful chance to learn about water, conservation, and how farmers are working to keep the nutrients their crops need from flowing down stream. Here are a few of the great points made via Twitter:

80% of #Iowans are willing to take action to improve #waterquality but most don't know what action to take #iawaterconf16

— IA Ag Water Alliance (@IAwateralliance) March 23, 2016

At the conference, we learned lots of ways to improve water quality! From new construction materials, to planting cover crops, there's things people from all walks of life can do to do their part. 

Hanna Bates: never heard a farmer say I'm only farming for the next 5 years and I don't care what happens to my land after #iawaterconf16

— Benton/Tama Project (@BentonTamaWQI) March 23, 2016

I'm with Hanna on this one. Farms stay in the family for a long time. Decisions today can impact the operation for generations to come.

Gano, City of DSM: water "not an urban vs rural issue" #iawaterconf16 collaboration...conversation with all parties pic.twitter.com/3TqO9y45kN

— IA Ag Water Alliance (@IAwateralliance) March 24, 2016

I agree! Collaboration is key. We need to stop screaming at one another and look for workable solutions together. Here are a few more quotes I want to be sure to remember from the conference:

3-15% of every row-cropped field is consistently NOT profitable. @agsolver #iawaterconf16

— Benton/Tama Project (@BentonTamaWQI) March 24, 2016

Between 2-3 million acres annually operate at an expected loss in Iowa. @agsolver #iawaterconf16

— Benton/Tama Project (@BentonTamaWQI) March 24, 2016

Conservation change: starts w/ individual, change has ripple effect, your effort makes a difference #iawaterconf16 pic.twitter.com/yxTyDnKHvt

— Natalina Sents (@Roots_Journey) March 24, 2016