Sustainability is a large focus in agriculture now. There are so many ways that you can improve the impact your operation has on the environment, that it would take this whole article to talk about them. The biggest hurdle is getting more farmers to sign on to these practices. Now there are financial incentives available for one Iowa county.
Truterra is the sustainability arm of Land O? Lakes and they have partnered with Innovative Ag Services, Dubuque County, and the Dubuque County Soil and Water Conservation District to provide the Stewardship Incentive Program. Spencer Herbert is a Sustainability Specialist with Truterra. He tells how the program will work.
Herbert says that the Insights Engine will allow producers to benchmark last year?s practices and then compare what is being done in the fields this year. The goal is to change or improve upon the sustainability of the field being monitored. This will allow producers to improve their Insights Score and mark improvements made. This score will then lead to financial benefits paid to the producers.
Herbert talks about the partnership with Dubuque county and its desire to improve its soil quality and watershed health. Innovative Ag Services was a natural fit as a partner as they are already making use of Insights technology.
Herbert says that since the program was launched in 2018, they have seen many more farmers buy into conservation practices.
Herbert urges Dubuque County producers to take advantage of this chance to get involved in sustainability practices and get paid for doing it.
For more information call the Dubuque Country Soil and Water Conservation District or Innovative Ag Services locations in Dubuque County.
