Cleaner water starts with science and goals, but ultimately it takes teams of individuals, organizations, businesses and government entities committed to getting the job done in communities around the state.   

That’s where Iowa’s Water Quality Initiative is truly excelling, something I learned first-hand during a meeting for local watershed project coordinators and collaborators in late February. Check out the conversations I had with a couple of meeting attendees to see what I mean.


March 19 – 25 is National Agriculture Week, so it’s a good time to recognize the impact local farmers and other collaborators are having. That could mean sharing a tweet or Facebook post of support or nominating a local difference maker for the Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year Award and an Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award.

I’ve heard it said that everything we say or do is either building or eroding the relationships we have with others.

The same general rule applies to water quality.

Each of us can decide to be part of the problem or part of the solution, even if it’s just showing support for those who are creating ripples in our own backyard.

By Zach Bader. Zach is Iowa Farm Bureau’s Online Community Manager.