Growing Hope: Innovative Local Partnership Secures Major Soil Health Grant

WINNESHIEK COUNTY — In a bid to address soil degradation and promote regenerative agricultural practices, a coalition of local organizations has secured a significant grant aimed at revitalizing soil health in Northeast Iowa. The initiative, titled "Regenerating Soil and Community (RSC)," has been awarded $471,450 over four years by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the US Environmental Protection Agency. According to recent research, Midwest soils are being lost at 10-1000 times the rate they are being formed, and one-third of the U.S. corn belt has lost its topsoil completely, impacting agricultural productivity, water quality, and ecosystem resilience. Recognizing the urgency of catastrophic soil loss, Winneshiek County Soil and Water Conservation District, NE Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), NE Iowa Watershed Coordinators, and Luther College formed a unique partnership, with the goal to increase adoption of regenerative agricultural practices in the local area. "Regenerative agriculture is already happening in Northeast Iowa and Winneshiek County," said Dr. Jodi Enos-Berlage, farmer, Luther College biology professor and RSC team lead. "We are not starting this. We are learning from it, and doing our part to catalyze it." Enos-Berlage's strong interest in this work is rooted in her agriculture background. She was heavily involved in her parent's cow/calf beef operation throughout childhood and college, and together with husband John, she owns and operates a farm in the Dry Run Creek Watershed. "Soil is literally the foundation of life; however, the life within soil has been compromised by human activity. Most of these lovely little life forms are invisible to the naked eye, which makes it harder to see the damage," said Enos-Berlage, who wrote and presented 'Power of the Unseen,' a Tedx Talk on the subject. "Humans have disrupted the reciprocal relationship we have with the soil: we take more than we give. The good news is that this problem is fixable. The solution is to deliver health care to soil microbes using practices that prioritize life underground." Notably, the RSC project aims not only to enhance soil health but also to foster community resilience and inclusivity by engaging farmers and landowners that have been historically underserved by federal agencies and policies, including women, beginning farmers, veterans, the socially disadvantaged and those with limited resources. The grant activities are multifaceted and community-driven. They include in-depth interviews with landowners and farmers to learn about their needs, personalized soil health assessments for participants, educational and strengths-based workshops, networking with cohort members and soil health professionals, and financial support for developing and implementing conservation plans. Central to the initiative is a hands-on approach involving students from Luther College, who are actively involved with soil sampling, engaging with landowners, lab analysis and community outreach. "This project provides students with a valuable experiential learning opportunity that positively impacts their local community. Visiting farms and learning from the people behind them has been one of their favorite parts of the project," said Enos-Berlage. "Along with improving soil health, our hope for this project is to connect pieces of our community," said Sophia Campbell, Yellow River Headwaters Watershed Coordinator and RSC team member. "It's about empowering farmers and landowners and engaging students in tangible work that matters. It is important to network these communities to share perspectives and gain insight." The initial phase of the RSC project launched in June 2024 with the recruitment of its first cohort of landowners and farmers. Project activities will take place over the summer and fall of 2024, with additional opportunities for new participants in 2025 and 2026. Over the coming months, the RSC team plans to expand their outreach and deepen community engagement, including a series of workshops and public events designed to celebrate progress and share learnings. A recent example of this outreach was the collaborative work "Soul of Soil," a dance performance that premiered at Luther College in May by the Visual & Performing Arts department. With artistic direction by Jane Hawley, RSC team member and Professor of Dance, and soil research direction by Enos-Berlage, the performance aimed to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and the public understanding of the soil crisis using the power of the arts. Audience members were 'immersed' in the underground as scientists revered and tested soil; human bodies became soil microbes that experienced life, death, and renewal; and 14 women landowners witnessed and moved meaningfully from above. A local farmer that attended shared feedback with Enos-Berlage, "The message was clear, moving and left shock value for thoughts of change. As it sold out every night, I'm sure it helped to further the soil regen ag movement through our region of Northeast Iowa. Thank you for bringing this to the public and the amazing hard work… to give information, education and hope." Another community member shared, "Once again you have created magic. Who could have expected, even imagined, to leave a program about soil in tears, almost unable to breathe with emotion? I could see I was not alone." "As a scientist, I love collaborating with artists. It's so enriching," said Enos-Berlage. "The arts connect readily with human emotion. In this regard, I view science as essential but insufficient. I'm convinced that the best opportunities to effectively inspire change lie at the intersections of interdisciplinary collaboration." "I create feelings and memories with farmers right alongside them every day in my job," added Campbell. "We often make decisions with our hearts, we know what feels good. Soul of Soil was an igniter for giving the public a different lens to see into our world. You can't always see microbes, but we can give them life through artistic experience, and people can form a feeling based on that." Other recent RSC community engagement events include Women and Soil at Field of Dreams, Dreaming of Fields at Pulpit Rock Brewery, cohort member invitations to an evening experience in Luther College laboratories, and partnering with the Winneshiek County Soil and Water Conservation District at their booth at the County Fair. Looking ahead, the RSC project envisions a ripple effect across the region, with enhanced soil health leading to improved water quality, decreased flooding, greater agricultural productivity and increased profitability. By investing in both soil and community, the RSC initiative aims to create a lasting legacy of healthy communities and landscapes in Northeast Iowa. "I am very thankful we were able to come together as a partnership and be awarded this grant," said Campbell, "And I feel so fortunate to be engaged with this team and its work. Regenerative agriculture is a perspective that I've seen gaining ground within the last few years of my career. Our farmers and landowners are the best stewards of the land, we strive to connect them to what they need to succeed." The Full RSC Team Roster consists of: Luther College's Jodi Enos-Berlage and Gwen Strand (Biology), Laura Peterson and Rachel Brummel (Environmental Studies), Miriam Skrade (Career Center), Jane Hawley (Dance). Summer 2024 students: Olivia Gustafson, Sophia Chadima, Tina Ngakeni, Rachel Jorgensen, Jenna Woodsmall; The Yellow River Headwaters Watershed Coordinator: Sophia Campbell; The Trout Run Watershed Coordinator: Megan Giorgenti; The Northeast Iowa RC&D: Ross Evelsizer; and Winneshiek County Soil and Water Conservation District Chair: John Lubke. Special thanks is also to the following farmers/landowners for educational field trips to their farms: Bouska Sisters (Peg Bouska, Carol Bouska, Sally McCoy, Ann Novak), Susan Kuennen, Rick and Damien Matt and Darin Monroe. Reach out with questions or interest by calling 563 387-1554 or emailing regensoilcommunity@gmail.com Stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to free newsletters for exclusive insights, local trends and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.