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Iowa farmer with unique take conservation perspective

A farmer in southeast Iowa has a unique perspective on conservation.

Ryan Heiniger grows corn and soybeans in the floodplains of the Mississippi River.

“I’m a fourth-generation farm kid (who) also trained as a wildlife biologist and have worked professionally in the field of wildlife and farmland conservation for more than two decades.”

He tells Brownfield since coming back to the farm, a lot of his focus has turned to the next generation.

“I remember many falls sitting on my father (or) grandfather’s lap and we mold-boarded plowed back in the early 80’s. Then once I had that professional experience, you see those impacts (like) sediment moving off your field.”

Heiniger says through cover crops and reduced tillage he’s making his farm more resilient.