Helping farmers produce & market profitably.
Every farm in Iowa has unique challenges and unique operators, and it’s our team’s job
to make conservation farming accessible to everyone.
In 2020, Heartland formed our Conservation Agronomy Team in order to meet increasing demand from our members for help in adopting conservation farming practices. Heartland is a founding member of Iowa’s Agriculture Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) and has supported the promotion and adoption of conservation on Iowa’s farms for decades.
Heartland Co-op Secures First Ever Sustainability-Linked Loan with CoBank to Finance Conservation Services
In partnership with Heartland Co-op, CoBank has launched a first of its kind sustainability-linked loan to proactively finance and scale water quality conservation farming practices. Through this innovative loan structure, Heartland Co-op will benefit from lower interest rates in its line of credit with CoBank by meeting conservation practice and farmer engagement targets through its conservation services.
Heartland Co-op has maintained a long-standing commitment to conservation agronomy. This first-ever approach to financing ag retail conservation is a major milestone and opportunity to advance conservation efforts further and improve Iowa’s water quality through private ag lenders.
The proactive loan structure will incentivize and support sustainable agriculture efforts such as increases in annual cover crops; expansion of edge of field structure installations; and growth in farmer engagement to meet the demand of tailored conservation services for farm businesses.
Conservation practices in order,
from Low to High Investment:
Future Forward
The Future of Farming, a film highlighting the need for conservation agronomy.
Conservation Practice Testimonials
Kurt Lehman:
Bioreactor
“They are low maintenance, non-invasive so you can continue to build these and do what’s right for the farm. Knowing you are doing what is right and doing your part to help.”
The Lovig Family:
Cover Crops
“Benefits in weed control, so you have less to spend in herbicide, and helps with keeping the soil in place.”
Mark Vogel:
Cover Crops
“Cover crops hold the soil matter material that stops it from washing away and helps with water quality.”
Fred Martens:
Improved Nutrient Management
“I didn’t have to over apply, which saved me money”
Allan Armbrecht:
Wetlands & No-till
“I saved time, money, machinery, and soil biology has changed for the better. After the first five years of putting the wetland in they tested it and saw up to 75% of Nitrate reduction. We have also seen increased wildlife and plants, beyond what I imagined.”
Putting Conservation to Work
on Your Acres
Find a Heartland Co-op Conservationist
in your area
Our unmatched team of local professionals is ready to help you select the right conservation practices for your acres, and provide year-round service and expertise.
Click Here to Find Your Team Member
Questions? Give us a call! 515-974-4516
Helping Farmers Produce and Market Profitably.
GET IN TOUCH
Heartland Co-op
13733 University Ave
Clive, IA 50325
Phone: [515] 974 - 4516