Iowa Innovative Small Feedlot Solutions, FLEVAL Project

NE IA RC&D is partnering with Allamakee and Winneshiek County Soil and Water Conservation Districts to model innovative small feedlot solutions in Northeast Iowa. The RC&D helped the districts secure an Iowa 319/EPA grant for technical assistance, cost share and education at the local and state level. The project is addressing an impairment of the Upper Iowa River for bacteria. It is reducing fecal bacteria delivery to the Upper Iowa River by implementing Best Management Practices on feedlots that are delivering the greatest quantities and then measuring the reductions. The project focuses work in the UIRW in Allamakee County, where the Section 303(d) impairment for bacteria exists, and in Winneshiek County directly upstream from the impaired stretch of the UIR. This project is the first use of the FLEVAL Model in Iowa and a model program for the state.

Habitat Restoration Project

NE IA RC&D is working though this project to increase outreach to individual landowners and facilitate interaction between US Fish and Wildlife Service, NRCS, DNR, the US Forest Service and other agencies that have funding for private land conservation. The project maximizes the impact existing programs have on the landscape and develops new opportunities for private lands conservation.

Upper Iowa River Watershed – Iowa Geologic Survey Bureau Karst Survey

NE IA RC&D provided assistance to the Iowa Geologic Survey Bureau and other partners to conduct a karst survey in the Upper Iowa River Watershed over a three year period. The IGSB provided funding for RC&D Student Interns through a grant from the US Geologic Survey Bureau. NRCS partnered by providing GPS units and the RC&D provided supervision, office space, GIS assistance, equipment and supplies. Previous karst surveys in the Upper Iowa River watershed were completed in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. The project helped partners determine the best methods and practices for sinkhole identification on a landscape level. The project was important for resource professionals to help them manage programs, funding and technical assistance in a landscape where sinkhole morphology changes over time due to siltation and/or collapse. Although some sinkholes close naturally, many are filled or considerably altered by landowners, and new sinkholes develop. Various methods of identification were field verified to determine and fine tune the most accurate methods so that a complete and comprehensive karst database could be maintained with the state of Iowa.

Yellow River Water Trail Project

NE IA RC&D is partnering with the Winneshiek County Conservation Board, the Allamakee County Conservation Board, the Iowa DNR Water Trails Program, Effigy Mounds National Monument, the Iowa DNR Regional Fisheries Biologist, the Yellow River State Forester and the Isaacs Walton League to develop a Yellow River Water Trail. NE IA RC&D is working with partners to develop an informational Kiosk and a brochure and map for a Canoe Guide for the Yellow River as part of this project. The Iowa Water Trails Program is providing funding for the signage, brochure and kiosk. Yellow River State Forest also developed two primitive campsites as part of the project.

American Elm Restoration Project

NE IA RC&D assisted representatives and researchers from the US Forest Service and Luther College with the American Elm Restoration Project, which is occurring in the Upper Mississippi Watershed. This includes planting and monitoring of American Elm trees in Decorah, Iowa, on Luther College property. The planting includes 3 different genetic variations of trees that have been found to be resistant to Dutch-Elm Disease.

Guttenberg Riverfront Development Project

NE IA RC&D is assisting the City of Guttenberg with development of a downtown riverfront marina. The project is maximizing natural resource based economic development without destroying sensitive resources in the Mississippi River, Mississippi River bottomland hardwood wetlands, and small coldwater tributaries to the river. NE IA RC&D has helped the community obtain and leverage millions of dollars in funding for the project, including funding for feasibility and environmental impact studies, construction, education and wetland mitigation. This project is helping Guttenberg with their mission, which is “To recreate the Mississippi River town of Guttenberg as a place for tourists, businesses, workers, and residents to invest their time and money as they enjoy the beauty and splendor of a cluster of spectacular natural sites.”

Disabled Dairy Parlor Demonstration

This project recognized the needs of two under served populations within the agricultural community, disabled dairy farmers and aging dairy farmers. The goals of the project were to change the public perceptions related to disabled and aging farmers and to overcome the technological restrictions that prevent disabled and aging dairy farmers from continuing to work or returning to work in dairy facilities. These goals were accomplished through design of a dairy and modification of dairy equipment to make the physical act of dairying easier.

NEITA Marketing Northeast Iowa

Through this project NE IA RC&D facilitates a six-county tourism and economic development group to increase marketing and regional tourism efforts in Northeast Iowa. The RC&D assists with planning and project implementation for the annual Marketing Plan to promote the six-counties of Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Howard, Fayette, and Winneshiek Counties. County Tourism Associations, Chamber of Commerce or Economic Development leaders from each of the NE IA RC&D counties will participate as the Northeast Iowa Tourism Association, NEITA.

TOW – Trails of Winneshiek County Project

NE IA RC&D assists the Trails of Winneshiek County, the City of Decorah and Winneshiek County Conservation Board with development of a twelve mile trail that loops through and near Decorah. The RC&D has written over three million dollars in grants for the 6.5 million dollar project. The trail will provide multiple benefits and uses, including protection from development, safe accessibility to one of the highest public-use trout streams in Iowa, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and handicapped fishing access. The project will provide connectivity for multiple users to a large number of public parks and recreation areas, and provide greatly expanded transportation alternatives for the community. The project also creates the most handicapped accessible trout stream in the region and the state of Iowa. It brought together hundreds of community partners and incorporates historic and art components.

Winneshiek County Conservation – Prairie Farmer Trail Surfacing Project

NE IA RC&D is helping Winneshiek County and Howard County Conservation Boards and three small communities, Ridgeway, Calmar and Cresco with development of the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail. The project was developed to improve the usability of the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail (PFRT) by applying asphalt to the existing trail surface and connecting it to the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail (PSRT). NE IA RC&D worked with the group to establish priorities including 1) Pave the Prairie Farmer Trial 2) Connect to other trails including the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail and the Trout Run Trail 3) Connect the PFRT to other recreational areas including Lake Meier. The RC&D also wrote grants to help the group secure $1.6 million needed for the project.

Buchanan County Four Seasons Trail

NE IA RC&D was asked to assist the Buchanan County Four Seasons Trail Association with tasks associated with planning and development of the Wapsipinicon River Water Trail. The Trail Association is a coalition of community leaders that have joined together to facilitate trails development throughout Buchanan County. After the Trail Association identified the Wapsipinicon Water Trail as their top priority, the RC&D helped conduct a Water Trails Needs Assessment, wrote and submitted a grant with the Buchanan County Conservation Board and the Trail Association to the Iowa DNR Water Trails Program to fund the Wapsipinicon River Water Trail.

Clermont Historical Preservation and Revitalization Plan

The Mission of the CHS is to preserve local historical treasures by discovering, collecting and preserving them. The CHS members volunteered their time, conducting private fund raising and assisting as needed with the project. The fourteen members of this society identified the Larrabee Painted Stage Curtain as their number one priority. The 15x23 foot oil-on-canvas painting was donated by former Iowa Governor William Larrabee as a component of the Clermont Public School. The painting is the work of renowned twentieth century artist Theodore Behr. The RC&D wrote grants to help the CHS obtain the funding needed to restore the painting, which was in dire condition. The funding was secured and the curtain restored to its former glory.

Motor Mill Restoration

NE IA RC&D is assisting partners to restore, preserve and promote this Motor Mill Park and its associated components. The Project maximizes partnerships between local, regional and state partners and creates a quality tourism experience. It will help protect and preserve the Mill’s architectural integrity. It will provide for immediate restoration of building components, including improved stabilization that will allow future development and interpretation of the resource. The size of the Motor Mill is immense. The foundation is five feet thick and gradually decreases as the structure ascends to the roof. The other limestone structures, including an Inn, Stable, Icehouse and Cooperage, were added to the site to provide the necessary amenities and support for the success of the Mill. Although Iowa alone boasted over 700 grist mills at the peak of the milling era, Motor Mill is the tallest of the handful that remain in the region. The Motor Mill’s tourism significance has been recognized by state organizations including Silos and Smokestacks and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

Wapsi-Great Western Trail

NE IA RC&D is working with Howard and Mitchell County Conservation Boards and Boards of Supervisors as well as community leaders from Riceville and Elma to complete a 33 mile multi-use trail that will be the first trail in the state to connect to the Minnesota trails system. The project incorporates community betterment to ensure the small community in the center of the trail is an inviting place for tourists to spend time and money. It celebrates history through art, education and opportunities for travelers to step back in time. Trail users will be able to walk or ride into the past on a trail that travels right through the heart of Old Amish and Mennonite country, through undeveloped natural areas and past the largest, soon to be constructed, wind farm in the state of Iowa. This trail project is expected to be a major economic, tourist, recreational, and health asset to the small rural communities and the rural residents in the area. NE IA RC&D is assisting with grant writing included submission of a CAT grant for this $6.5 million project.

Northeast Iowa Artist’s Studio Tour Expansion Project

NE IA RC&D is providing assistance with planning and implementation for the expansion of the NE IA Artist’s Studio Tour. Project goals are to expand the profile, the success, and the professional image of the Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour (NIAST) through improved coordination and marketing and to expand the tours collateral benefits for other Northeast Iowa tourist related businesses. Improved written directions and GPS coordinates have been requested by tour goers who lose their direction on the isolated gravel roads where many of the artists live. The objectives are to refine the tour’s marketing messages, expand the market area, and improve the overall tour experience.

Evaluation of Health Benefits of Conjugated Linloleic Acid (CLA) – Enriched Dairy & Beef Foods

This project was selected by SARE as one of ten projects in the nation to be highlighted for its community/producer involvement and impact. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a unique fatty acid that is present in ruminants and many foods derived from them. This project explored methods of increasing CLA levels in dairy and beef products and then identify the health benefits for humans that ate the foods with higher CLA levels. This project was conducted at the request of several Northeast Iowa farmers who wanted to determine the health effects of CLA-enriched milk and beef on humans. NE IA RC&D provided administrative support, and reporting and project coordination. They partnered with area producers and Iowa State University. The project was funded by a grant from SARE – Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education.

Eagles Landing Winery Expansion for Diversified Farming in Northeast Iowa

NE IA RC&D assisted Eagles Landing Winery with their expansion into port production. The RC&D provided grant writing assistance for a Value Added Producer Grant as well as development of a business and marketing plan. The grant provided funding for production of the first Iowa port to be grown, processed and distributed in an Iowa winery.

Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Project

NE IA RC&D assisted partners from five county area of Northeast Iowa with development and writing of a W.K.Kellogg grant. The grant, which was awarded, funded the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative. NE IA RC&D is administering the planning grant and assisting with implementation. This multi-county effort is identifying avenues for improved human, economic and environmental health in NE IA through the increased promotion and consumption of local foods and increased fitness. Hundreds of community members meet monthly to work on the planning effort and develop a work plan for the region.

GROWN Locally Expansion Project

This project provides assistance to GROWN Locally producers to develop a stronger local foods system through the expansion and modeling of cooperative food processing, marketing and delivery. Many restaurants have expressed an interest in increasing their purchase of local foods. Several institutions, including schools and nursing homes, and private citizens are also interested in purchasing the healthy local foods; this project will increase the availability, quantity and variety of local food for these consumers.

Women, Land and Legacy (WLL) Project 2007/2008

NE IA RC&D provides technical assistance for the Women, Land and Legacy Programs in Winneshiek and Clayton Counties. The number of women involved in agriculture continues to increase according to the 2002 Census of Agriculture. The census shows that the number of women principal farm operators increased 12.62% from 1997 to 2002. In most Iowa counties, the percentage of women landowners is close to 40% or more. Because of this increase, there is a tremendous need for outreach, information, and education with the growing number of women agricultural decision-makers.

Northeast Iowa Internship Program – Leadership Development in Northeast Iowa

The project provides summer interns and partners with institutes of higher learning to provide meaningful work study opportunities. These college internships create connections between young adults and their rural communities by providing professional internship opportunities in Northeast Iowa for Northeast Iowa students. In each instance the students are given opportunities to improve higher level skills and build their professional potential. The project has created connections between students and local and regional communities and received overwhelming support from community leaders.