Water quality has been a hot-button topic in the state for many years now. Upstream farmers are needing to accomplish certain tasks and have certain tools available to grow a successful crop, but urban folks downstream are worried about what is showing up in their drinking water.
Head-to-head confrontation has done nothing more than to draw lines in the sand and make people more hardened to each other?s concerns. That situation is not conducive to finding an agreeable solution. That is why Landus Cooperative reached out to the Des Moines Water Works to see if the two of them could talk and find a reasonable solution that can educate urbanites and rural citizens alike. Something that can get the sides talking instead of yelling.
Thus, plots in the park was born.
It was a drizzly Tuesday afternoon in Des Moines Water Works Park, just south of downtown Des Moines. The rain served as a perfect backdrop for the discussion on water quality, and the future partnership between rural and urban to find solutions that will help Iowans grow the crops that feed the world while being responsible for the water our citizens are going to drink.
Matt Carstens is the CEO of Landus Cooperative, and he talks about the ?unlikely partnership? they found with Des Moines Water Works. He says there is absolutely a path forward.
Des Moines Water Works CEO Ted Corrigan talks about the importance of having this ?upstream/downstream partnership? that will help educate everyone on the importance of water quality practices for farm fields, and for urban citizens to see the efforts taking place and what it takes for farmers to make these changes. That they don?t happen overnight, but they are happening.
Des Moines Water Works Park is not just another green space, but the 1,500-acre park actually performs a vital function for the city?s water quality by acting as a living water filtration system. Plots in the Park will be a good fit to show what can be done to protect the watershed on a living watershed filter that serves as a recreation area for the water system.
Dan Bjorklund of Landus is leading the agronomic efforts for Landus on this project. He talks about why Landus wanted to be involved in an endeavor like this. He talks about the stake that farmers have in water quality initiatives. There will be three plots available for everyone to see. They will consist of corn, soybeans, and cover crops.
Bjorklund talks about how the plots were started only two weeks ago. This is also a way to show that we can accurately prescribe what the soil needs for the crops and cover crops to grow. He adds that we are no longer in a day where it is about selling as much product to farmers as possible. It is about selling the right products and the right amounts to make the farm successful and responsible. Bjorklund added that this project and the mission of Landus were so important, that he put off his retirement to join Landus and do these types of projects for them.
Bjorklund talks about the changes that have happened in 40 years. How we have gone from straight plowing to more conservation-minded practices. He also feels that the next steps are a matter of when and not if.
Bjorklund says that when the Nutrient Reduction Strategy was Developed in 2013, there was maybe two percent of Iowa acres using cover crops. He says that now we are somewhere between four and six prevent. He adds that isn?t going to cut it. We need to educate farmers as well as urban citizens that more can be done and must be done.
Corrigan says that there is nothing but good that will come from two sides telling their stories and having this opportunity to share and collaborate on a result that benefits everyone.
Carsten adds that it is going to take education not only of consumers but also of farmers. Farmers shouldn?t feel ashamed of where they have come from, but they should feel proud of where they are going. He wrapped up by saying it takes the efforts of companies like Landus to educate and move these efforts forward.
You can see Plots in the Park at the Des Moines Water Works Park on George Flagg Parkway.
