Conservation Agronomists: The Bridge Between Farm Sustainability & Profitability

Conservation Agronomists

The Bridge Between Farm Sustainability & Profitability

Find a Conservation Agronomist

browse by region

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a conservation agronomist?

Conservation agronomists are agronomic experts who can be trusted advisors for farmers. Their focus is driving positive ROI and sustainability at the same time. They give one-on-one support for tactics to improve profitability and water quality.

Why work with a conservation agronomist?

Here are a few of the many ways conservation agronomists can advise farmers.

  • Seasonal or multi-year planning and goal setting
  • Helping you find which conservation practices are (or are not) a good fit for you
  • Figuring out how cover crops can drive your ROI
  • Looking for places to save money on inputs
  • Giving one-on-one support, such as helping you to determine if it’s time to terminate your cover crop
  • Finding payment programs to mitigate risk and increase profitability

CA Spotlight

Evan Brehm & Jim O’Connell

“Twelve years ago, I field-scouted Jim’s fields. Now as an industry professional, over the past two and a half years I’ve had the opportunity to re-engage in greater detail with Jim’s farming operation.

One of Jim’s biggest challenges is time. He is also a varsity football coach, so hours in the fall are hard to come by. To help with cover crop efficiency, we connected Jim with Red Barn Solutions to install a Harvest Seeder, which means he can harvest soybeans and corn while applying cereal rye cover crop seed. Multi-tasking at its finest!

We are also currently water monitoring his wetland through the Iowa Soybean Association. EPA-approved lab testing shows the wetland has reduced nitrates by 90%. It means a lot to be on the journey with him!”

-Evan Brehm, Iowa Soybean Association

When to reach out to a conservation agronomist:

A conservation agronomist can help answer questions with agronomic expertise, science-backed research, and anecdotal results from farmers they work with in your area. If you’ve ever asked one of these questions, they can help!

  • What is “batch and build” and should I do it?
  • How can I improve my yields with soil health?
  • How can I improve my farm’s ROI?
  • How can I reduce inputs?
  • How can I navigate the risks of cover crops or no-till?
  • How can I improve a low yielding spot in my field?
  • Where can I find cost share and which program is worth my time?

What to expect:

Conservation agronomists exist to help you achieve your goals in profitability and sustainability. Their focus is on helping you succeed. They will likely start with a number of questions about you, your farm, your biggest challenges, and what problems you need solved.

Because they are focused on building a strong, long-term relationship that serves you, they will never force you to do something you don’t want to do or sign you up for a program you aren’t comfortable with.

Find a Conservation Agronomist

Statewide

Mike Gilman
Employer: Iowa Soybean Association
Region: Statewide
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-577-5600
Office location: Iowa Soybean Association, Ankeny, IA
ACWA affiliated: Yes
Website: https://www.iasoybeans.com/research/about-rcfi

Easton Hultman
Employer: NEW Cooperative
Region: All NEW Cooperative territory
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 712-370-2297
Office location: NEW Cooperative Red Oak office
ACWA affiliated: Yes
Website: https://www.newcoop.com/

Ruth McCabe
Employer: Heartland Co-op
Region: Statewide
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-974-4516
Office Location: Clive
ACWA affiliated: Yes
Website: https://conservation.heartlandcoop.com/

Brianna Serum
Employer: Landus
Region: Statewide
Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 319-591-1480
Office Location: Landus, Des Moines
ACWA Affiliated: Yes
Website: https://www.landus.ag/sustainability/sustainability-leaders

Eastern Iowa

Evan Brehm
Employer: Iowa Soybean Association
Region: Northeast Iowa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 319-310-5468
Office location: Linn Coop, Cedar Rapids
ACWA affiliated: Yes
Website: https://www.iasoybeans.com/research/about-rcfi

Emery Davis
Employer: Heartland Co-op
Region: Eastern Iowa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-974-4516
Office Location: 
ACWA affiliated: Yes
Website: https://conservation.heartlandcoop.com/

Western Iowa

Garrett Wagner
Employer: Agstate
Region: NW Iowa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 712-291-0721
Office Location: Calumet
ACWA Affiliated: Yes
Website: https://agstate.org/conservation/

Will Hoffmann
Employer: Heartland Co-op
Region: Western Iowa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-974-4516
Office location:
ACWA Affiliated: .Yes
Website: https://conservation.heartlandcoop.com/

Central Iowa

Nolan Grove
Employer: Heartland Co-op
Region: Central Iowa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-974-4516
Office Location: 
ACWA affiliated: Yes
Website: https://conservation.heartlandcoop.com/

Zach Timm
Employer: Landus
Region: Central Iowa, South Central Minnesota
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 319-480-7165
Office Location: Landus, Des Moines
ACWA Affiliated: Yes
Website: https://www.landus.ag/sustainability/sustainability-leaders

Kayla Bergman
Employer: Innovative Ag Services
Region: Central Iowa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 641-858-7614
Office Location: Garden City
ACWA affiliated: Yes
Website: https://innovativeag.com/

Partner Spotlight: ACWA

IAWA is an associate member of Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance (ACWA). ACWA’s ag-retail members commit to sustainability metrics and employ a network of Conservation Agronomists. This is their 2019-2023 impact:

  • 250k acres of cover crops
  • 20k acres of no-till and strip till
  • Almost 200 edge-of-field practices
VISIT ACWA