Iowa farmers' awareness of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy grows, but many are uncertain about its effectiveness

A new report from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach examines awareness and attitudes among Iowa farmers regarding the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, a statewide initiative launched in 2013 to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into Iowa’s waterways and contributions to Gulf hypoxia.

The report, authored by J. Arbuckle, professor, extension sociologist and Henry A. Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, draws on data from the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, an annual survey of Iowa farmers. The 2024 Farm Poll, which surveyed close to 1,000 farmers, repeated questions that were first asked in the 2014 survey, allowing a decadal comparison of farmer awareness and attitudes related to the INRS.

Key findings

• Awareness: Nearly 90% of farmers reported some knowledge of the INRS in 2024, up from 80% in 2014. The farm press, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, government agencies and commodity groups were the most common sources of information.
• Water Quality Concerns: While 70% of farmers remained concerned about agriculture’s impact on Iowa’s water quality, this marked a slight decline from 76% in 2014. Just under 50% agreed that nutrients from Iowa farms contribute to Gulf hypoxia, with 44% uncertain about the connection.
• Support for Conservation: Support for the INRS and related conservation actions appears to have softened slightly over the past decade. Seventy-four percent of respondents agreed farmers should do more to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, down from 84% in 2014. Sixty-three percent would like to improve conservation practices on their land, and 52% believe ag retailers should do more to help address nutrient losses.
• Barriers to Action: The most cited barriers to nutrient loss reduction were landlords’ reluctance to invest in conservation (53% agreement) and short-term pressures to make profit margins (53% agreement). Twenty percent agreed that further nutrient loss reduction would be too costly, and 58% indicated uncertainty.
• Uncertainty About Effectiveness: Forty-one percent of respondents agreed that the INRS has made major strides in reducing nutrient loss, but nearly half were uncertain about progress.

The report highlights a need for renewed efforts to raise awareness and concern about water quality, strengthen positive attitudes toward the INRS and increase adoption of conservation practices.

"Iowa continues to have major nutrient-related water quality issues, and there are increasing concerns about human health impacts of nitrates and other contaminants flowing from agriculture," said Arbuckle. "While the findings show that most farmers are aware of and support the strategy’s goals, they also suggest that all of us in the agricultural community need to up our game in terms of helping farmers maintain progress toward INRS goals."

About the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll

Conducted annually since 1982, the Iowa Farm Poll gathers insights from farmers statewide to inform research, extension programs and policy decisions. This report and previous reports are available through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

For more information, access the full report or contact J. Arbuckle at arbuckle@iastate.edu.