Agriculture is Destroying our Water and Land

Disclaimer – I’m not a tree-hugging hippy. Just someone who enjoys the great outdoors.

This is one of those topics that because it turns so political, on both the left and right, nothing ever happens, and the land and water that we ALL use and live in suffer more and more without any end in sight. So, first and foremost, this article is not about politics nor is it viewing this problem of the degradation of our land and water from either extreme side of the political worldview.

What’s the problem?

Let’s talk Iowa for a minute, the quintessential Midwest state located at ground zero of Agriculture vs Water (and land) Quality. The funny thing is that this issue of agriculture causing problems with land and water quality is not rocket science, nor is it something a normal person would argue about (saying that agriculture doesn’t cause water and land pollution).

Again, this situation unravels straight into political debates and goes nowhere. It’s a complicated subject, with valid concerns on BOTH sides, and therefore any solution will have to cut both ways. That’s just life.

Why can’t we just fix it you ask?

Agriculture plays a crucial role in Iowa’s economy, contributing significantly to both the state and national levels. In 2022, Iowa generated approximately $46.6 billion in agricultural cash receipts. The highest valued commodities in the state are corn, hogs, and soybeans. The agricultural production and processing industries in Iowa account for about 12.6% of the state’s total GDP – ChatGPT

Well, that should answer the question for you. Follow the money trail and that will lead you to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow most times.

What can we all agree on, farmer or city folk, conservative or progressive?

Water and Land quality are important things for us and our children.
- (Even conservatives who love hunting and fishing must recognize this).
It’s not fun to live and enjoy life in places where you can get sick by being in the water, or there is little public land left to recreate on.
We don’t want to OVERLY pollute our waters when it CAN be helped in part.
Agriculture is a huge part of the economy as a whole and supports generations of families and jobs.
Personal rights are fundamental to the exercise of life and liberty in this country. It’s what makes America unique.

All this sorta seems impossible to solve, doesn’t it? I mean what a conflict between two ideals uh? This is probably why we find ourselves where we are, with zero traction over the last decade.

“Iowa’s water quality remains a significant concern, despite ongoing efforts to address pollution. The state’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS), launched in 2013, aims to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels in waterways, primarily from agricultural runoff. However, progress has been slow, and nutrient levels in Iowa’s rivers have remained relatively stable over the past decade, indicating that much more work is needed to achieve substantial improvements…” – ChatGPT

What can be done?

Most people won’t like this, but I think there are things that can be done without simply one side smashing a book into the other side’s head to make their point and get their way. Government isn’t always the answer, aka resolving to politics to get things done, otherwise we will again be in the same spot in another 10 years.

If the Government and States have failed to help us, surprise surprise, maybe we should explore other avenues to take steps towards solving this problem.

Education and Universities

As someone myself who’s taken Agriculture classes (and got a degree in it) at a public University in the Midwest, I can say (as someone who grew up on my Grandmother’s farm, worked on farms, and been involved in farming for years) that there are lost opportunities here.

Much of what’s happening today in Agriculture as related to water and land pollution is about economics and money, but it’s also about generational “this is how we’ve always done it.“

A great place to start turning the tides around is showing the next generation of Agriculture students who will basically be operating the agriculture industry … that there have been advances in a lot of science done around how we can better farm with less impact on the land and water while keeping or increasing economics!

No-till has been around a long time.
Putting buffer strips and waterways into use is simple, easy, and effective.
Precision Agriculture can be used to reduce chemical use etc, save money, and cause less environmental problems.

We could go on all day. Just go browse around work that Iowa State University has done.

Regenerative Farming Practices: Iowa State University is part of a large-scale project called Horizon II, funded by a substantial USDA grant. This initiative aims to create economic incentives for farmers to adopt regenerative practices, such as planting prairie grasses and winter-hearty crops like cereal rye. These practices are expected to improve soil health, reduce nutrient runoff, and provide ecological benefits. The project also explores the use of anaerobic digesters to convert organic matter into renewable natural gas, promoting sustainable energy production (Iowa State University News).
Sustainable Agriculture Program: The Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State integrates agricultural sciences with ecology, social sciences, and ethics to train students and conduct interdisciplinary research. The program emphasizes sustainable practices that enhance food security and environmental quality, aiming to prepare graduates to tackle agricultural sustainability challenges (Sustainable Agriculture).
Cropping System Diversification: Research published in PLOS ONE highlights the benefits of diversifying cropping systems. The study found that more diverse cropping rotations can enhance crop yields, reduce the need for synthetic inputs, and improve overall system profitability while maintaining environmental health. This approach helps balance productivity and sustainability in agriculture (PLOS).
Organic Farming Research: A new study led by Iowa State University investigates the long-term impacts of organic farming methods on soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, and farm economics. The research includes crop rotations, no-till practices, and the use of composted manure, aiming to provide practical answers to farmers’ questions about the financial risks and benefits of organic farming (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences).
Microbial Nitrogen Fixation: Collaborative research between Iowa State University and Pivot Bio focuses on microbial nitrogen sources like PROVEN® 40. This innovation aims to reduce the reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, thereby lowering nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions, which are major environmental concerns associated with conventional farming (Business Wire).

The problem is not that we CAN’T make strides in our ability to better manage our water and land resources when it comes to Agriculture, it’s that we WON’T. The reality is we are probably never going to make anyone do something they don’t want to do, especially with their own business and land.

But, I think we can teach and show the next generation of agricultural workers and owners in the University some of the advancements that have been made in the area of agronomy and farming practices, things that they will implement. Imagine what would happen to our water and land quality if everyone simply implemented obvious things we’ve known for the last 20 years like no-till, buffer strips etc?

We want farmers to be successful, the feed America. We want them to be independent and run their own business and farms how they see fit. There is no reason that has to be at the expense of water quality, for example.