Have you ever dug around in your backyard dirt? Perhaps you found it dry, almost sandy, a light reddish brown. Perhaps it was hard to get into with a shovel, protected by a crust. more

A House panel advanced legislation Tuesday (Jan. 20) that would require land restoration efforts following the initial construction of electric transmission lines in Iowa. more

The Soil and Water Conservation District was founded on May 14, 1946, and has been dedicated to helping citizens and landowners protect and preserve land and water resources in Scott County. We are driven to work directly with landowners and agencies to: more

Scott SWCD is seeking out a Conservation Technician Intern for 480 hours between May 1 to Dec. 31, 2026, with flexibility to complete early, at a wage of $14/hr. Applicants must be either a high school junior or senior or enrolled in college with a major related to agriculture, conservation/natural resources, environmental sciences, engineering, construction trades, GIS, communications, public relations or urban planning. more

Scott County Soil & Water Conservation District is participating in the Conservation Districts of Iowa’s (CDI) Conservation Scholarships again in 2026! more

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with C-CHANGE: Grass2Gas, will host a virtual field day on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. CST. The event, which is available at no cost, will feature a live discussion with Carl Kurtz, a professional writer, teacher, naturalist and photographer with over 50 years of prairie establishment and management experience. more

Climate change poses a threat to various industries, not the least of which is the agricultural sector. Agricultural industry insiders recognize that the changing climate has been forcing farmers and agricultural organizations to adapt and adjust for decades, and that need to be flexible won’t change in the years to come. more

Soil degradation is an environmental concern that occurs when land becomes less fit for a specific purpose, like crop production. As the soil loses nutrients, namely phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium, crop yields can decline significantly, compounding the problem of food shortages resulting from a growing global population. more

The agricultural sector is built on plants and animal life, but the industry can still affect the environment in ways that contribute to the ill effects of climate change. According to data published in a 2022 report from McKinsey & Company, agriculture accounts for nearly one-quarter of global emissions, and was identified as the industry that contributes the most to exceeding planetary boundaries. Sustainable farming practices can help reduce that impact. more

One of the major goals of the Regional Innovation Center will come to fruition in the next few months, with the opening of a student store. more

Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) has filed for environmental review of a natural gas power plant proposed for rural Scott County before the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). more

The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with soybean and specialty crop farm organizations, has asked congressional leadership for economic support to “fill in the gap of remaining losses for both field and specialty crop farmers.” more

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Urban Agriculture Program will host a public information session and forum titled “Water Access for Urban Farming” on Friday, March 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held in Waterloo at the ISU Extension and Outreach Black Hawk County office, and is presented in partnership with Waterloo Water Works and the University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education. more

Members of the Concerned Citizens of Scott County will host a public meeting next Wednesday on the potential impact of a natural gas power plant proposed for land outside Maysville. more

The Iowa State University Urban Agriculture Program will host a webinar focused on Choose Iowa, the state’s signature brand for Iowa-grown and Iowa-made agricultural products, on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 1 to 2 p.m. Regan Freland, Choose Iowa membership and outreach coordinator, will provide an overview of the program and explain how farmers, food and beverage producers, horticulture businesses and community organizations can benefit from participation. more

To help farm families strengthen relationships and set family goals, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a Farm Couple Getaway. The event is designed for farmers who want to participate in activities aimed at improving farm family communication, working on farm or family goals, navigating farm transitions or simply taking a weekend away to discuss farm and family matters. more

The 2026 Farm Transitions Conference will be held Feb. 5–6 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Ankeny. The conference is hosted by the Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State University. more

In a snow-covered field north of Des Moines, Lee Tesdell’s sheep seem comfortable, grazing in a paddock of Kernza, a perennial grain cultivated by The Land Institute in Kansas. more

Communication with loved ones, neighbors and mental health professionals can be a key piece of addressing the stressors and mental health issues that affect farmers at higher rates than other professions. more

Specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are once again teaming up with ISU Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering specialists to bring planter equipment expertise to farms across the state Feb. 2–6 with Planter University. more