AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University is seeking research proposals for a partnership to improve the ability to track progress on reducing the movement of nutrients from farm fields.
The 2015 Iowa Legislature approved, and Governor Branstad signed, legislation funding the effort for three years. ISU’s request for preproposals will fund up to $250,000 per year.
“The public-private partnership that is developed through this project will be an important research step in measuring how the state is doing in realizing the water-quality goals outlined in our statewide nutrient reduction strategy,” said Wendy Wintersteen, Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at ISU.
The deadline is July 15 for submitting preproposals focused on demonstrated expertise and capability for data collection and verification of agricultural practices at the field level.
The work will aggregate data and be used to analyze an overall impact of water-quality practices, such as such as soil and water conservation practices and structures or technologies implemented to slow or reduce runoff.
After a review of preproposals, Iowa State will invite full proposals to be submitted by Aug. 15. A decision on the accepted proposal should be made by the end of August.
The Request for Preproposals can be downloaded from the Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s website, https://www.cals.iastate.edu/nutrientcenter.
Completed in 2013, the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based approach to assess and reduce nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy, developed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University, is designed to direct efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point sources, such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, and nonpoint sources, including farm fields and urban areas, in a scientific, reasonable and cost-effective manner.