The Ames, Iowa-based cooperative Landus announced that it has teamed with Des Moines Water Works (DMWW), the state’s largest drinking water utility, to create “Plots in the Park,” a project that will allow the public to observe corn, soybean, and cover crops planted and grown in Des Moines Water Works Park, a 1,500-acre urban green space near downtown Des Moines.
Landus said the upstream-downstream collaboration is the first of its kind, and will demonstrate how farming and improved water quality can coexist. Des Moines Water Works Park is located next to the Racoon River, a drinking water source for 600,000 Iowa residents, and is a popular area for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. “Plots in the Park” was scheduled to open to the public in late May.
“We are proud of the work our farmers do, but also recognize concerns from those outside of agriculture,” said Matt Carstens, Landus President and CEO. “The ag industry must be willing to sit at the table and work alongside others with differing perspectives. Landus is working diligently to bridge the gap between the work happening on Iowa farms and the many communities and industries impacted by it.”
DMWW made national news in 2015 when it filed a lawsuit against three neighboring counties for polluting the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers with high levels of nitrates from farm runoff (GMJan. 19, 2015). The lawsuit, which was heavily criticized by numerous state and national ag and industry groups (GM May 25, 2015), was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge in March 2017 (GM March 24, 2017).
“DMWW is committed to leading and advocating for improved surface water quality in Iowa,” said Ted Corrigan, CEO and General Manager of DMWW. “We understand that meaningful improvement will not be possible without large-scale implementation of the types of modern agricultural best practices, which Landus will demonstrate in Plots in the Park.”
Landus employees will conduct educational tours of the plots for visiting agricultural producers and groups. The plots have been developed with guidance from DMWW grounds employees regarding chemical usage and location within the park, which is a natural water filter. Visitors will read about concerns and ideas for how to improve Iowa’s water quality directly from educational materials on site.
“DMWW and urban residents have a legitimate and compelling concern on issues that impact water quality, particularly when it comes to farming operations” Carstens said. “Landus wholeheartedly shares that concern and strives to work with farmers to continue to deploy responsible farming practices in the communities where our farmers also raise their families.”
Landus said the project will demonstrate the many sustainability practices Iowa farmers are implementing to reduce nutrient runoff. In turn, DMWW will work with Landus to bring the drinking water utility’s visitors to Landus’ new Innovation Center to learn more about best management practices. The center is opening in downtown Des Moines this summer.
“By bringing Iowa’s farmers to Water Works Park, where they can hear our story and understand the challenges we face, we believe we can create the type of upstream-downstream collaboration it will take to drive real change in Iowa,” Corrigan said.