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Practical Farmers of Iowa is currently seeking landowners who are interested in restoring natural habitat on their property and would like assistance in doing so.
As part of a broader initiative to assist farmers in adopting more sustainable practices, efforts are being made to make them more environmentally friendly.
PFI’s Habitat Incentive program provides farmers with a financial incentive to plant prairie strips on their land.
According to Grace Yi, the Senior Habitat Viability Coordinator at PFI, these strips serve a dual purpose of restoring habitat for native species and mitigating soil erosion.
According to Yi, implementing these practices will yield numerous benefits. They will not only enhance soil health but also improve water quality, while simultaneously providing a habitat for wildlife.
PFI is offering incentives for farmers to conduct precision conservation analysis on their land, in addition to the prairie strip portion of the Habitat Incentive Program. This analysis helps farmers utilize unproductive acres effectively.
According to Yi, most farmers have different end goals when applying for the program.
Some people may see the importance of reducing soil erosion and runoff into nearby waterways, while others may focus on finding productive ways to utilize additional acres.
Yi stated that some farmers may encounter challenges with certain areas of their farms that have low yields. These areas may be characterized by steep slopes or peculiar turnarounds, making it difficult for farmers to effectively cultivate them.
To qualify for the program, the farmer must ensure that at least 50 percent of the area they intend to modify is unprofitable. The incentive, which receives funding from both federal and state sources, is limited to a maximum of $10,000.
