Conservation Chat

This is a chat with Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, as a part of the Iowa Learning Farms monthly webinar series. We talk about water quality, conservation and Secretary Naig fields questions from folks who attended both on-line and in-person.

Farmers Wade Dooley and Nathan Anderson bring a joy and humility to their work on the land. Both men are striving to make their farms more resilient in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. 

Adam Janke is an assistant professor and an Extension wildlife specialist at Iowa State University.  With research and outreach, Adam hopes to increase wildlife populations in agricultural landscapes in Iowa for generations to come.

Ben and Andy Johnson farm in northeast Iowa where conservation is at the heart of their production. While they appreciate the soil and water quality benefits of the different practices, the brothers say they do conservation because it saves them time.

As Prairie Rivers of Iowa’s Watershed Program Coordinator, David Stein’s job (and passion) is to help establish “corridors” of habitats throughout central Iowa with a goal of increasing pollinators, wildlife, improving water quality and soil health.

Daniel Robison is Iowa State University’s new dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Robison comes to ISU from West Virginia University and has degrees in forestry, silviculture and forest influences and forest entomology.

Matt Russell is the Executive Director of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light and a fifth generation Iowa farmer.  Matt is traveling around Iowa having conversations with farmers about faith and climate change.

Ingrid Gronstal Anderson is the new Water Program Director for the Iowa Environmental Council. Jennifer Terry is the Executive Director. Both Ingrid and Jenn are passionate about the state and dedicated to restoring Iowa’s waters so all can enjoy them.

Pat Boddy is a Renaissance woman: an agricultural engineer, water resources expert, accomplished harpist and respected community leader. Pat is driven by a love of science and nature, particularly water and the impact of climate change on our world.