The Climate Smart Switchgrass Cropping System is a partnership between FDC Enterprises, Inc., the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), and innovative skilled businesses including Starktech.
The project goals are to provide Iowa producers an alternative income opportunity by integrating native plant biomass on their property while also providing vital natural resource solutions to southern Iowa.
To paraphrase the NRCS, our aim is to “help Iowa’s farmers … conserve the nation’s soil, water, air and other natural resources. All programs are voluntary and offer science-based solutions that benefit both the landowner and the environment.”
Project Objectives
The Climate Smart Switchgrass Cropping System has a few key objectives. We share these to help our partners and farmers understand the mission and plan.
Transition 5,000 acres of sensitive traditional row crop agriculture and degraded cool season grass pastureland to native, warm-season grass.
Develop an alternative biomass market that could bolster local economies and provide ecological benefits.
Increase farmer net income on targeted pasture and marginal row crop acres in project area.
Leverage a 5-year RCPP project for conservation benefits, with a possibility of annual renewal.
The program stems from the USDA NRCS program described in this one-pager.
Iowa Climate Smart Switchgrass Cropping System
Download the flier (PDF)
For more information, please visit NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
Let’s have a conversation
The first step is simply to answer your questions and see if this program could be a good match. There’s no obligation to participate. Give us a call today at 641-243-3790 or click on the button below to send us information about your farm.