It may sound counterintuitive, but setting aside just 10 percent of a field for wildlife habitat can benefit both the environment and that field’s productivity in the long run. Prairie strips allow farmers to keep their soil in place, filter water runoff, and add some beneficial habitat. Tim Youngquist, vice president of the Practical Farmers of Iowa Board of Directors and agricultural specialist at Iowa State University’s Agronomy Department, said prairie strips are an adaptable and sustainable solution for many farms.
Youngquist said prairie strips can realize their potential benefits very quickly.
Prairie strips can create beneficial habitats for many pollinators, like monarch butterflies, as well. Youngquist said these pollinators can exist next to the fields just fine as long as farmers continue to be mindful of their insecticide applications.
For more information, visit practicalfarmers.org.
