Iowa farmers are turning to prairie strips as a solution to combat climate change by reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and creating habitats for pollinators and grassland birds. The practice involves planting native perennials along the edges of corn and soybean fields, which can help absorb excess nutrients and reduce runoff.
Research shows that converting just 10% of these fields into prairie strips can cut soil erosion by 95%. Prairie strips also store carbon underground, provide critical habitat for pollinators, and increase grassland bird populations. Iowa farmers have reported benefits such as improved wildflowers, increased pheasant populations, and reduced mud puddles in the Gulf of Mexico.
The 2018 Farm Act made prairie strips an official practice in the federal conservation reserve programme, providing incentives for landowners to install the strips. Conservation organisations, state agencies, and private companies are now offering financial support and technical assistance to encourage its adoption.
While experts acknowledge that prairie strips are not a magic solution, they say it’s part of a broader strategy needed to address soil, water, and biodiversity challenges. By restoring large prairie patches and creating smaller pockets like prairie strips, Iowa farmers can contribute to a healthier environment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/26/us-farmers-embracing-wildflowers-prairie-strips-erosion-pollinators