SOIL 2021 - Our Soils: Our Future

2875 University Avenue,Des Moines IA 50311

15 September, 2021

Description

SOIL 2021 brings together farmers, landowners, conservationists, local officials & others interested in the future of Iowa’s land and water. SOIL 2021 brings together farmers, landowners, conservationists, local officials and others interested in the future of Iowa’s land and water for a full day of presentations and conversations. The key theme of the day is Our Soils: Our Future and many speakers will focus on the unique role soil conservation, soil health, and water management play in creating productive farms. Iowa’s soil and water conservation districts have played a historic role and several speakers will discuss how the districts can be re-energized to address current challenges. There is growing recognition of the impact climate change has on agriculture and several speakers will discuss how farmers can help lead the efforts to address climate issues. Speakers will also discuss the potential role of legal tools such as conservation easements, to promote conservation on working lands. The final panel will examine new opportunities and challenges for farmers, landowners and conservationists. If you are interested in learning more about what is happening with Iowa’s land, water, and soils then attending SOIL 2021 should be in your plans. Registration is $75 per person or $100 for couples; $50 for soil and water conservation district commissioners and staff. More information, including the list of speakers and a detailed agenda, can be viewed on the Drake Ag Law Center website. Wednesday Sept. 15th, Olmsted Center, Drake University [COVID protocol/requirements provided prior to conference ] 8:00 – 8:30 - Registration and Breakfast, sponsored by the Dr. Richard Deming Foundation: Cultivating Compassion 8:30 – 8:35 – Welcome - Prof. Jennifer Zwagerman, director, Agricultural Law Center 8:35 – 8:50 - Conference Overview – Prof. Neil Hamilton, emeritus director, conference organizer, and Dallas County Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner 8:50 – 9:25 - Energizing Iowa’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts9:25 – 10:10 – Farmers Leading on Climate Change Solutions10:10 – 10:25 – networking break – sponsored by Iowa Interfaith Power and Light 10:25 – 11:15 Using Corporate Sustainability Funds to Support Better Farming 11:15 – 12:00 – Candid Perspectives on Iowa’s Water Quality: Where are We Today and Where are We Headed 12:00 – 1:10 Lunch and featured speakers, sponsored by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation 1:10 – 1:50 Manage Water on the Land and Soil Health (and Carbon) Will Follow 1:50 – 2:40 Iowa Land: New Opportunities for Conserving Private Land 2:40 – 3:25 Pulling Opportunities Together: Ideas Iowans Need to Consider 3:25 – 3:40 Afternoon Break, sponsored by the Conservation Districts of Iowa 3:40 – 4:15 Questions and Discussion with Speakers 4:15 – 4:30 Wrap-Up and Concluding Thoughts - Prof. Neil Hamilton The conference will be followed by an Evening “Spark” Banquet at the Izaak Walton League of Des Moines, starting at 5:00 pm. The Banquet includes a Cocktail Reception, Dinner, and featured speaker Art Cullen, Storm Lake newsman and reports on the health of the Raccoon River. Tickets to the Banquet are $50 per person– proceeds benefit river protection in Iowa. For Banquet tickets and information contact: [email protected] or [email protected] SOIL 2021 is organized and hosted by the Drake University Agricultural Law Center, with financial support from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, the Dr. Richard Deming Foundation: Cultivating Compassion, the Conservation Districts of Iowa, and Iowa Interfaith Power and Light; with support from the Dallas County Soil and Water Conservation District, the North Raccoon Watershed Association, and the Panora Conservation Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.