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March 12, 2025

The Iowa Nutrient Research Center is accepting new proposals through May 2, 2025, for research projects designed to reduce nitrate and phosphorus in Iowa’s water. The center invites proposals for water quality projects that will benefit farmers, landowners, agribusinesses, policy makers and communities. Potential applicants are encouraged to review the full 2025 request for proposals (PDF) for complete details about the priority topics and application instructions. Proposals are due by May 2, 2025, for projects that would begin in August. Award decisions will be made in July.

Young woman with straight, dark hair in front of white and green hanging art work
March 03, 2025

Iowa’s new water quality measurement coordinator, Elizabeth Schwab, is looking forward to combining her expertise in water quality and management of big data sets to support the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Schwab is coordinating the ongoing effort to make data representing the status of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy available online in accurate and engaging ways. She started the position in January. 

Farm equipment applying fertilizer in early spring field
March 03, 2025

The amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed to maximize the profitability of corn production in the Midwest has been increasing by about 1.2% per year for the past three decades, according to new Iowa State University research. Data-based confirmation of corn’s climbing nitrogen needs reiterates the importance of continuously improving the efficiency of fertilizer use, which is essential to limit the impact on water quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

Stream with bridge and trees on either side
February 20, 2025

Stay warm and settle in for an engaging set of seminars on trends in nutrients in surface and groundwater across the U.S. Review recordings from the Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s Fall 2024 seminar series, highlighting the status of nutrients and water quality in watersheds across the country.

“INRC’s fall 2024 seminars were the center’s most popular to date,” said Matt Helmers, INRC director. “The series encompassed a lot of important data about watersheds recognized as important locally and nationally, presented by some leading researchers. So it seems worthwhile to remind people that the seminar recordings are available free on our website.”

Click here to view the INRC Fall 2024 seminar talks.

Young man in cap speaking to group, looking at slide presentation
January 22, 2025

The spring 2025 Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar series will showcase “Insights from Next Gen Water Researchers” with presentations by current and recent Iowa State University graduate students. They will discuss studies they are or have been involved in and how water quality research is helping inform their careers. The presentations will take place the second Wednesday of each month, Feb. 12, March 12, April 9 and May 14, from 3:10-4 p.m. The hybrid seminars will be presented online and in-person at 1306 Elings Hall, 605 Bissell Road, on the Iowa State campus. Register here to participate online.

December 26, 2024

Strips of native plants on as little as 10% of farmland can reduce soil erosion by up to 95%

Article in The Guardian, by Rachel Cramer

Man with beard, light colored shirt and jeans in outdoor scene
December 10, 2024
This is the second in a series of INRC articles highlighting important partnerships that help advance science water quality.

December 09, 2024

INRC Assistant Director Kay C. Stefanik was one of the presenters at the recent Cedar Rapids Cedar River Source Water Partnership Partner Appreciation Day, on the panel, Advancing Conservation Practice Adoption: Emerging Research and Trends. 

Two men talking in back of truck in ag field, with drainage piping on the ground to their left
October 07, 2024

This is the first in a series of INRC articles highlighting important partnerships involved in advancing science for nutrient reduction and water quality.   
 

Picture of stream and bridge with trees on streambanks
August 28, 2024

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar series for Fall 2024 wil

event announcement with ag drainage graphic and text
July 18, 2024

AMES, IA – A one-day Drainage Research Forum will bring experts from the upper Midwest to Am

Graphic for Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and Your Farm workshop, June 18, near Carroll, Iowa
June 03, 2024

AMES, Iowa – A free half-day workshop on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and incorporating nutrient reduction practices into farm operations will take place Tuesday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the East Shelter House, Swan Lake State Park, near Carroll, Iowa. The workshop is hosted by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Nutrient Research Center.  

Group that includes Chinese visitors in jackets and backpacks in biosystems engineering lab
May 20, 2024

AMES, Iowa – A group of Chinese academics and professionals representing water resource and forestry disciplines recently visited the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and colleagues at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.

Cover of INRC Annual Review 2023 showing lush growth of cover crop
April 02, 2024

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa Nutrient Research Center has released its 2023 Annual Review.

INRC logo
March 25, 2024

AMES, Iowa- The Iowa Nutrient Research Center is accepting new proposals for research projects designed to reduce nitrate and phosphorus in Iowa’s water.

March 14, 2024

A study published by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University presents findings from INRC-supported research on the views of landowners and farmers regarding edge-of-field conservation practices and the barriers to scaling up these practices to significantly reduce nutrient loss. Using two rounds of survey responses among over 1,000 landowners and farmers residing in five watersheds in Iowa, conducted in summer 2022 and 2023, this study provides informative updates for EOF practices on current adoption rates and adoption willingness, perceived environmental benefits, and barriers to adoption and puts forward suggestions on effective education strategies embraced by landowners and farmers.

Headshot of man with short hair, dark glasses, light-colored shirt
February 12, 2024

Matt Helmers has been making a difference on Iowa’s landscape for more than two decades. His passion for agriculture and conservation have led to a career working with Iowa’s farmers and communities as they adopt new practices to improve water quality and manage nutrients.

INRC round logo: Iowa Nutrient Research Center - Science for Iowa's water
January 30, 2024

AMES, Iowa – A new Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar series for spring 2024 continues its Focus on the Future with current and recent graduate students discussing studies they are involved in and some of their experiences as early career researchers. 

INRC round logo
December 06, 2023

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University is releasing highlights of recent activity sum

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