Iowa Land and Soil Conservation

Glaciers covered Iowa over 10,000 years ago and they helped carve out rivers and create the rich Iowa soil. After the glaciers went away, the land looked similar to the way it does today. The highest point of the state is in the northwest corner and the lowest point is in the southeast corner. Some parts of the state were more affected by the glaciers than others. For example, the northeast part of the state has many rocky bluffs while the central part of the state is quite flat.

Iowa is known for its rich soil that is perfect for growing crops such as corn, soybeans, oats and hay. Many years ago, the soil started out as large rocks. After thousands of years of rain, hot and cold temperatures, and sunlight, the rocks broke apart into smaller pieces. As they continued to break down, wind and water washed the rock parts away. Plants grew in them and died. Gradually the soil formed that we have today.

Iowa Land Area

• Total land = 35,760,000 acres
• Total water = 256,000 acres
• Total area = 36,016,000 acres

An acre is about the size of a football field.

Iowa has a total of 56,275 square miles.

In 2003, the average value of Iowa farmland was $2,083 per acre.

Soil Conservation

• Out of 26 million acres of cropland (corn, soybeans, hay, oats, etc.) more than 90% is farmed using some kind of conservation practice such as crop rotation (crops are changed year by year in a planned sequence to prevent soil erosion and decrease fertilizer needs) and crop residue management (leaving last year's crop residue on the soil surface to prevent soil erosion), etc.
• By 1992, Iowa farmers applied conservation practices to save 100 million more tons of topsoil than in 1982, enough to fill a convoy of dump trucks 105 wide, parked bumper to bumper from Council Bluffs to Davenport.

Helping The Environment
Visit the Iowa Farm Bureau's web site that focuses on agriculture and the environment. You'll see what farmers are doing to preserve the environment. You'll also learn what you can do to help in your community.