Let's Talk Conservation!
Jul 23, 2024
Sara Clausen
Director of Communications
VERY FEW OF US truly know what it was like to farm 100 years ago. In 1924, a dozen eggs ran you $0.47 and a walking plow was the primary equipment used for tillage. On the horizon was a farm crisis that would last until the Great Depression, which was driven in part by drought and erosion.
The farmer has come a long way since those grim and difficult days. Farming today looks nothing like it did then … or does it? Agronomic professionals all over Iowa are looking to our history to learn about the need for conservation in a whole new way. As a result, they’re implementing the necessary practices that restore the land to prior productivity levels.
For the past two years, Key Agronomist Landon Van Dyke has been eagerly learning and growing in his role. This winter, he was named our conservation lead and is now the conduit between Key and Truterra®, a leading agricultural sustainability business. As a Land O’Lakes business unit, Truterra offers trusted sustainability programs to support the entire network of growers in our local area and across the country. The best part? Truterra is willing to innovate and adapt to fit Key growers!
“Geographically, Key’s territory is not located in or near the major Iowa watersheds. Therefore, my role as the Conservation Agronomist will be focused on in-field practices like tillage reduction and cover crops,” said Landon. “Our crops need so much more than just one foot of topsoil, and over time, we can build that back. In fact, we can do it faster than we think. It just takes a dedicated approach and the right practices.”
Since there is no way to predict what farming might look like in future years, it’s critical that Key Cooperative plays a role in ensuring that valuable natural resources are successfully passed down from one generation to the next. “When the decision-maker torch is passed within an operation, practices also change,” said Landon. “As a Conservation Agronomist, I’m ready to walk alongside those growers and help with those decisions.”
Landon’s main focus will be on these areas:
To discuss conservation programs, you can reach Landon at Landon.VanDyke@keycoop.com.
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About 45Z - The 45Z tax credit serves as an incentive for biofuel producers who can demonstrate a reduction in the carbon intensity (CI) score of the crops used to create these fuels. The CI score quantifies the emissions produced over the entire lifecycle of crop cultivation, encompassing factors like the energy required to produce fertilizer, emissions from various on-field cultivation practices and the diesel consumed during crop transportation. If you have questions about 45Z, contact Conservation Agronomist Landon Van Dyke.
Director of Communications
Key Cooperative has Named a Conservation Lead for our Agronomy Team
VERY FEW OF US truly know what it was like to farm 100 years ago. In 1924, a dozen eggs ran you $0.47 and a walking plow was the primary equipment used for tillage. On the horizon was a farm crisis that would last until the Great Depression, which was driven in part by drought and erosion.
The farmer has come a long way since those grim and difficult days. Farming today looks nothing like it did then … or does it? Agronomic professionals all over Iowa are looking to our history to learn about the need for conservation in a whole new way. As a result, they’re implementing the necessary practices that restore the land to prior productivity levels.
For the past two years, Key Agronomist Landon Van Dyke has been eagerly learning and growing in his role. This winter, he was named our conservation lead and is now the conduit between Key and Truterra®, a leading agricultural sustainability business. As a Land O’Lakes business unit, Truterra offers trusted sustainability programs to support the entire network of growers in our local area and across the country. The best part? Truterra is willing to innovate and adapt to fit Key growers!
“Geographically, Key’s territory is not located in or near the major Iowa watersheds. Therefore, my role as the Conservation Agronomist will be focused on in-field practices like tillage reduction and cover crops,” said Landon. “Our crops need so much more than just one foot of topsoil, and over time, we can build that back. In fact, we can do it faster than we think. It just takes a dedicated approach and the right practices.”
Since there is no way to predict what farming might look like in future years, it’s critical that Key Cooperative plays a role in ensuring that valuable natural resources are successfully passed down from one generation to the next. “When the decision-maker torch is passed within an operation, practices also change,” said Landon. “As a Conservation Agronomist, I’m ready to walk alongside those growers and help with those decisions.”
Landon’s main focus will be on these areas:
- Helping farmers achieve their goals in conservation agronomy
- Finding the best financial assistance programs available to implement conservation practices (carbon credits, watersheds, biofuels like the 45Z tax credit, etc.)
- Evaluating soil health and providing recommendations to boost productivity
- Continuously being aware of new or refined practices by attending field days and collaborating with industry partners
- Participating in collaborative efforts to help prevent regulation, as well as providing regular education so growers are not caught off guard if and when regulation does shift
To discuss conservation programs, you can reach Landon at Landon.VanDyke@keycoop.com.
_____________________________________________________________
About 45Z - The 45Z tax credit serves as an incentive for biofuel producers who can demonstrate a reduction in the carbon intensity (CI) score of the crops used to create these fuels. The CI score quantifies the emissions produced over the entire lifecycle of crop cultivation, encompassing factors like the energy required to produce fertilizer, emissions from various on-field cultivation practices and the diesel consumed during crop transportation. If you have questions about 45Z, contact Conservation Agronomist Landon Van Dyke.