About Us
Not only do we help farmers produce and market profitably,
we help them reach their conservation goals at the same time.
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Our Mission
With over 40 years of combined experience in conservation and precision farming, our team is dedicated to serving the needs of our farmers as we work together to achieve an effective and profitable operation. We offer technical assistance on implementing a suite of conservation practices, as well as extensive knowledge about available cost-share programs to help reduce or eliminate barriers to conservation farming.
Our skillset ranges from conservation nutrient application, cover cropping, edge-of-field practices, no-till and strip-till farming, prairie restoration, wetland and oxbow consulting, and watershed management experience. Every farm in Iowa has unique challenges and unique operators and it's our team’s job to make conservation farming accessible to everyone, no matter where they fall on the conservation spectrum!
Our Conservation History
In 1993, Heartland Co-op formed their first Conservation Team. Heartland Co-op has a long past of using our financial and human capital to engage in water quality improvement efforts. In 2020, in order to meet increasing demand from our members for help in adopting conservation farming practices, we stepped up our conservation game by becoming the first cooperative in the state of Iowa to hire Conservation Agronomists to our staff. The Conservation Agronomists bring value not only to Heartland Co-op members, but to all of Iowa and the Midwest by working directly with Iowa growers to improve our adoption of conservation practices.
A great example of this is our support for the use of cover crops - which can improve the water holding capacity of soil and remove excess nutrients like nitrates before the water enters the drainage system. In turn, this makes it easier and less costly for cities to treat their drinking water. Bringing this discussion closer to where we stand today, Heartland Co-op partnered on the installation of a bioreactor and saturated buffer strip in the Four Mile Watershed which, like Badger Creek, is also a part of the Des Moines River Watershed. 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. Our team’s primary goals are to deliver tailored conservation solutions to every farmer who works with us and to increase access to cost-share programming for farmers through Iowa-based, public-private partnerships. Our team works hard every day to meet the goals set forth by the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which is Iowa’s best framework for saving our state’s valuable topsoil and reducing farmer’s valuable nutrient loss to our waterways.
1993
10 & 4.4 acre grid soil sampling is brought online
Grid soil sampling prevents over-application of fertilizer in areas of the field where nutrient levels are already adequate and provides better recommendations for areas in the field that are deficient.
2002
Switch to taking 2.5 acre grid soil sampling
Finer grid soil sampling provides a closer look at nutrient levels across an agricultural field. The finer the grid sampling, the more precise an applicator can be when applying variable rate nutrients. The ultimate goal is to prevent over-application of fertilizer in areas where it isn’t needed.
2006
Focus on nitrogen BMP and soil health
As a part of our best management practices, Heartland brings Hydra-Hume and N-Serve products online. Both products are meant to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce nitrogen loss.
2007 – 2010
Focus on tissue sampling and in-field validation of BMPs
Heartland begins to field-test plant health and soil health metrics in an effort to help farmers achieve more efficient input use.
1999
Founding member of Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance
ACWA is comprised of ag retailers and supporters working together to improve water quality across the state of Iowa. Our mission is to identify and advance solutions that reduce nutrient loss, build healthier soils, and improve Iowa’s waters.
2011
Water tile testing program with farmers in Raccoon River Watershed
Heartland partners with stakeholders in the Racoon River Watershed to test tile water for nitrate levels as a part of the Raccoon River Watershed Water Quality Master Plan.
2012
Supports the drafting and implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS)
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based framework to assess and reduce nutrients to Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico. It is designed to direct efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point and nonpoint sources in a scientific, reasonable and cost-effective manner.
2013–2015
Technical Service Provider for Nutrient Management Plans
Technical Service Providers (TSPs) offer planning, design, and implementation services to agricultural producers such as farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Three Heartland employees receive TSP certification to draft NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Plans.
2016
Partner in the Midwest Ag Water Quality Partnership RCPP
Regional Conservation Partnership Programs (RCPP) promote coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns.
2016
Midwest Ag Water Quality Partnership is a multi-year, twice renewed partnership that advances soil health, reducing nutrient loss, and improves water quality in the affected watersheds. Heartland signs on as a partner.
2018
Member of 4R Plus Program and early adopter of AgSolver Platform
Heartland signs on as a member of the 4R Plus program in Iowa. 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program that equips Iowa farmers with the tools and resources to protect and enhance Iowa soils. AgSolver was an ROI calculator that enabled farmers to evaluate field-level profitability based on inputs and management practices with the aim of increasing profitability by adopting conservation practices.
2020
Launch of Conservation Agronomy program
Heartland launches their Conservation Agronomy program and hires their first Conservation Agronomists. Their first accomplishment? Helping to fund the landowner match on a small wetland, two sediment basins, and a pond!
2021
Partner on two RCPP conservation projects
Heartland renewed their partnership in the Midwest Ag Quality Partnership and signs on as a partner in the Iowa Systems Approach to Conservation Drainage program. Heartland’s role in these partnerships is to provide agronomic technical assistance to farmers and landowners who are adopting conservation farming practices.
2021
Heartland’s CA team partners on Cover Crop Partnership and hits important conservation milestones
Heartland partners with Polk County, City of Des Moines, Des Moines Water Works, and IDALS on the Cover Crop Partnership. Polk County and public partners jointly own a high-clearance cover crop machine and Heartland’s role in this partnership is to seed cover crops in priority watersheds in Central Iowa. Heartland’s Conservation Agronomy team sold 14,575 acres of cover crops, 147 acres of CRP, and 57 outlets treated with saturated buffers or bioreactors.
2022
Heartland partners on the Cedar River Source Water Partnership and Lower Cedar Watershed Management Plan
Heartland signs on as an agronomic partner in the Cedar River Source Water Partnership, providing agronomic technical assistance to landowners and farmers who are adopting conservation practices. Heartland’s CA team is also hired as the Watershed Coordinator for the Lower Cedar Watershed Management Authority’s watershed management plan.
2022
Heartland’s CA team hits more conservation milestones!
Heartland’s Conservation Agronomy team sold 44,495 acres of cover crops, 140 acres of diversified crop rotation, 960 acres of improved nutrient management, 5 acres of CRP, and 38 outlets treated with saturated buffers or bioreactors.
2023
Heartland partners on the Wetland Wave
Heartland is hired as a Wetland Coordinator for the Wetland Wave, a large-scale partnership between Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Polk County, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District, The Great Outdoors Fund, Ducks Unlimited, Des Moines Water Works, the City of Des Moines, and many others.
1993
10 & 4.4 acre grid soil sampling is brought online
Grid soil sampling prevents over-application of fertilizer in areas of the field where nutrient levels are already adequate and provides better recommendations for areas in the field that are deficient.
1999
Founding member of Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance
ACWA is comprised of ag retailers and supporters working together to improve water quality across the state of Iowa. Our mission is to identify and advance solutions that reduce nutrient loss, build healthier soils, and improve Iowa’s waters.
2002
Switch to taking 2.5 acre grid soil sampling
Finer grid soil sampling provides a closer look at nutrient levels across an agricultural field. The finer the grid sampling, the more precise an applicator can be when applying variable rate nutrients. The ultimate goal is to prevent over-application of fertilizer in areas where it isn’t needed.
2006
Focus on nitrogen BMP and soil health
As a part of our best management practices, Heartland brings Hydra-Hume and N-Serve products online. Both products are meant to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce nitrogen loss.
2007 – 2010
Focus on tissue sampling and in-field validation of BMPs
Heartland begins to field-test plant health and soil health metrics in an effort to help farmers achieve more efficient input use.
2011
Water tile testing program with farmers in Raccoon River Watershed
Heartland partners with stakeholders in the Racoon River Watershed to test tile water for nitrate levels as a part of the Raccoon River Watershed Water Quality Master Plan.
2012
Supports the drafting and implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS)
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based framework to assess and reduce nutrients to Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico. It is designed to direct efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point and nonpoint sources in a scientific, reasonable and cost-effective manner.
2013–2015
Technical Service Provider for Nutrient Management Plans
Technical Service Providers (TSPs) offer planning, design, and implementation services to agricultural producers such as farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Three Heartland employees receive TSP certification to draft NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Plans.
2016
Partner in the Midwest Ag Water Quality Partnership RCPP
Regional Conservation Partnership Programs (RCPP) promote coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns.
2016
Midwest Ag Water Quality Partnership is a multi-year, twice renewed partnership that advances soil health, reducing nutrient loss, and improves water quality in the affected watersheds. Heartland signs on as a partner.
2018
Member of 4R Plus Program and early adopter of AgSolver Platform
Heartland signs on as a member of the 4R Plus program in Iowa. 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program that equips Iowa farmers with the tools and resources to protect and enhance Iowa soils. AgSolver was an ROI calculator that enabled farmers to evaluate field-level profitability based on inputs and management practices with the aim of increasing profitability by adopting conservation practices.
2020
Launch of Conservation Agronomy program
Heartland launches their Conservation Agronomy program and hires their first Conservation Agronomists. Their first accomplishment? Helping to fund the landowner match on a small wetland, two sediment basins, and a pond!
2021
Partner on two RCPP conservation projects
Heartland renewed their partnership in the Midwest Ag Quality Partnership and signs on as a partner in the Iowa Systems Approach to Conservation Drainage program. Heartland’s role in these partnerships is to provide agronomic technical assistance to farmers and landowners who are adopting conservation farming practices.
2021
Heartland’s CA team partners on Cover Crop Partnership and hits important conservation milestones
Heartland partners with Polk County, City of Des Moines, Des Moines Water Works, and IDALS on the Cover Crop Partnership. Polk County and public partners jointly own a high-clearance cover crop machine and Heartland’s role in this partnership is to seed cover crops in priority watersheds in Central Iowa. Heartland’s Conservation Agronomy team sold 14,575 acres of cover crops, 147 acres of CRP, and 57 outlets treated with saturated buffers or bioreactors.
2022
Heartland partners on the Cedar River Source Water Partnership and Lower Cedar Watershed Management Plan
Heartland signs on as an agronomic partner in the Cedar River Source Water Partnership, providing agronomic technical assistance to landowners and farmers who are adopting conservation practices. Heartland’s CA team is also hired as the Watershed Coordinator for the Lower Cedar Watershed Management Authority’s watershed management plan.
2022
Heartland’s CA team hits more conservation milestones!
Heartland’s Conservation Agronomy team sold 44,495 acres of cover crops, 140 acres of diversified crop rotation, 960 acres of improved nutrient management, 5 acres of CRP, and 38 outlets treated with saturated buffers or bioreactors.
2023
Heartland partners on the Wetland Wave
Heartland is hired as a Wetland Coordinator for the Wetland Wave, a large-scale partnership between Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Polk County, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District, The Great Outdoors Fund, Ducks Unlimited, Des Moines Water Works, the City of Des Moines, and many others.
Heartland Co-op Conservation Timeline
1993
10 & 4.4 acre grid soil sampling is brought online
Grid soil sampling prevents over-application of fertilizer in areas of the field where nutrient levels are already adequate and provides better recommendations for areas in the field that are deficient.
1999
Founding member of Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance
ACWA is comprised of ag retailers and supporters working together to improve water quality across the state of Iowa. Our mission is to identify and advance solutions that reduce nutrient loss, build healthier soils, and improve Iowa’s waters.
2002
Switch to taking 2.5 acre grid soil sampling
Finer grid soil sampling provides a closer look at nutrient levels across an agricultural field. The finer the grid sampling, the more precise an applicator can be when applying variable rate nutrients. The ultimate goal is to prevent over-application of fertilizer in areas where it isn’t needed.
2006
Focus on nitrogen BMP and soil health
As a part of our best management practices, Heartland brings Hydra-Hume and N-Serve products online. Both products are meant to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce nitrogen loss.
2007 – 2010
Focus on tissue sampling and in-field validation of BMPs
Heartland begins to field-test plant health and soil health metrics in an effort to help farmers achieve more efficient input use.
2011
Water tile testing program with farmers in Raccoon River Watershed
Heartland partners with stakeholders in the Racoon River Watershed to test tile water for nitrate levels as a part of the Raccoon River Watershed Water Quality Master Plan.
2012
Supports the drafting and implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS)
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based framework to assess and reduce nutrients to Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico. It is designed to direct efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point and nonpoint sources in a scientific, reasonable and cost-effective manner.
2013–2015
Technical Service Provider for Nutrient Management Plans
Technical Service Providers (TSPs) offer planning, design, and implementation services to agricultural producers such as farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Three Heartland employees receive TSP certification to draft NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Plans.
2016
Partner in the Midwest Ag Water Quality Partnership RCPP
Regional Conservation Partnership Programs (RCPP) promote coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns.
2016
Midwest Ag Water Quality Partnership is a multi-year, twice renewed partnership that advances soil health, reducing nutrient loss, and improves water quality in the affected watersheds. Heartland signs on as a partner.
2018
Member of 4R Plus Program and early adopter of AgSolver Platform
Heartland signs on as a member of the 4R Plus program in Iowa. 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program that equips Iowa farmers with the tools and resources to protect and enhance Iowa soils. AgSolver was an ROI calculator that enabled farmers to evaluate field-level profitability based on inputs and management practices with the aim of increasing profitability by adopting conservation practices.
2020
Launch of Conservation Agronomy program
Heartland launches their Conservation Agronomy program and hires their first Conservation Agronomists. Their first accomplishment? Helping to fund the landowner match on a small wetland, two sediment basins, and a pond!
2021
Partner on two RCPP conservation projects
Heartland renewed their partnership in the Midwest Ag Quality Partnership and signs on as a partner in the Iowa Systems Approach to Conservation Drainage program. Heartland’s role in these partnerships is to provide agronomic technical assistance to farmers and landowners who are adopting conservation farming practices.
2021
Heartland’s CA team partners on Cover Crop Partnership and hits important conservation milestones
Heartland partners with Polk County, City of Des Moines, Des Moines Water Works, and IDALS on the Cover Crop Partnership. Polk County and public partners jointly own a high-clearance cover crop machine and Heartland’s role in this partnership is to seed cover crops in priority watersheds in Central Iowa. Heartland’s Conservation Agronomy team sold 14,575 acres of cover crops, 147 acres of CRP, and 57 outlets treated with saturated buffers or bioreactors.
2022
Heartland partners on the Cedar River Source Water Partnership and Lower Cedar Watershed Management Plan
Heartland signs on as an agronomic partner in the Cedar River Source Water Partnership, providing agronomic technical assistance to landowners and farmers who are adopting conservation practices. Heartland’s CA team is also hired as the Watershed Coordinator for the Lower Cedar Watershed Management Authority’s watershed management plan.
2022
Heartland’s CA team hits more conservation milestones!
Heartland’s Conservation Agronomy team sold 44,495 acres of cover crops, 140 acres of diversified crop rotation, 960 acres of improved nutrient management, 5 acres of CRP, and 38 outlets treated with saturated buffers or bioreactors.
2023
Heartland partners on the Wetland Wave
Heartland is hired as a Wetland Coordinator for the Wetland Wave, a large-scale partnership between Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Polk County, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District, The Great Outdoors Fund, Ducks Unlimited, Des Moines Water Works, the City of Des Moines, and many others.
