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Challenge #1: Soil Erosion from Agricultural Fields

Challenge #1: Soil Erosion from Agricultural Fields

Land degradation due to soil erosion

Soil erosion adversely impacts agronomic productivity. Additionally, soil erosion negatively impacts the environment, food security, and quality of life. The effects of soil erosion have both on-site and off-site impacts. For example, on-site impacts may include reduced crop yield and increased nutrient loss, while off-site impacts may include water contamination and increased food prices.

 Three reasons why soil erosion is an important issue: Read more about Challenge #1: Soil Erosion from Agricultural Fields

STRIPS in 2018: A Brief Review

December 21, 2018

The Science-based Trails of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips (STRIPS) project grew significantly in 2018 to include additional farms, institutions, and regions. The STRIPS team added a new team member to help support the expanded collaboration and welcomes Omar de Kok-Mercado as their new Project Coordinator! Omar received his B.S. degree in Agronomy and M.S. in Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry from Iowa State University. He’s worked with the USDA Forest Service in Montana and most recently with the USDA-NRCS in Minnesota and Iowa. Read more about STRIPS in 2018: A Brief Review

Research Overview

Helmers-Watkins-Liebman NSNWRThe STRIPS project began in 2003, when Iowa State University scientists began discussing the opportunity to test the effects of integrating restored prairie in crop fields with managers at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Together, the scientists and refuge managers established four different treatments on 12 small watersheds at Neal Smith in 2007. As of 2012, we're now also working on a growing number of commercial farm fields across Iowa and northern Missouri. Read more about the research background, farmer collaborators, and research topics here. Read more about Research Overview