DES MOINES, Iowa — In a concerted effort to increase farmer awareness of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) that was enacted to improve water quality throughout the state, officials from three major Iowa farm groups launched the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA).

“A simplistic, regulatory scheme will not improve water quality, nor will another marketing campaign touting the importance of farming,” said Kirk Leeds, CEO of the Iowa Soybean Assoc. (ISA), who will chair the board of directors. 

“Serious matters demand a serious approach, and farmers are committed to achieving results,” he added. “The IAWA is one more example of their readiness to invest private resources to make a real and meaningful impact.”

In addition to Leeds, Craig Floss, Iowa Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA) CEO, will serve as vice chair, and Rich Degner, Iowa Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA) CEO, will serve as secretary-treasurer, with additional board members being added at a later date.

Backed with $22.4 million in funding approved last year by Iowa lawmakers, the INRS is a “science-based initiative to reduce nitrate and phosphorous loads in Iowa waterways from point and nonpoint sources by 45 percent,” said Aaron Putze, ISA communications director. Created and funded by the ICGA, the ISA and IPPA, and headquartered at the ISA in Ankeny, the alliance will increase the INRS’ adoption of what Putze added were “science-based practices.”

In an Aug. 25 news conference held at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said Iowa farmers are “problem solvers and they rise to any challenge.” 

“Iowa’s approach to positively impacting water quality as established in the nutrient reduction strategy is unprecedented nationally in both its scope and scale,” said Branstad, who was joined at the State Capitol by Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp. 

“The alliance will generate additional momentum to the benefit of all Iowans, rural and urban,” Branstad added.

Sean McMahon, who will serve as IAWA executive director, said he relishes the opportunity to serve, adding that “the effort will take time, and many partners and collaborators, to achieve the necessary reductions in nutrient loss at the scale that’s needed.”

“I welcome the opportunity to lead such a unique and important effort because I care deeply about Iowa’s natural resources and improving our water quality for current and future generations of Iowans,” said McMahon, who lives in Cumming, Iowa, and presently directs the Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) North America Agriculture Program in Des Moines. 

“Iowa producers have a crucial role to play in helping to meet the growing domestic and international demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel, and they can do so in an increasingly sustainable manner,” he added. “I look forward to drawing upon my experiences and relationships in both the agricultural and environmental communities to help make significant improvements in Iowa’s water quality.”

One of McMahon’s first responsibilities will be to hire additional IAWA staff, including a program-project manager and communications manager. 

In addition to increasing awareness of the INRS and increasing the adoption rate of conservation practices, the team will:

•Enhance understanding by the public and key decision-makers about the needed flexibility in addressing nonpoint nutrient sources impacting water quality;

•Support Iowa State University and other committed partners in developing environmental performance metrics and measurements supported by credible data; and

•Secure significant funding from public and private sources to accomplish the IAWA’s mission and goals.

Putze said the IAWA won’t be a replacement for any existing program but will serve as a “coordinating entity with dedicated professionals focused on communication and outreach to advance the success of the INRS.”