U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s visit to a local cover crop area in Greene County Friday highlighted the importance for education. 

Ernst met with co-founders of Iowa Cover Crops Bill Frederick and James Holz, along with other attendees, to discuss cover crops and their importance. Ernst says in terms of conservation the continuation of cover crops is important with what they can provide including the reduction in the use of chemicals among other things. 

“I would just encourage all of our farmers, if they are looking to engage in a method of conservation that is really going to show some great promise not just today but in the future, they need to engage in cover crops.”

Throughout the event the co-founders of Iowa Cover Crops mentioned the importance of educating people and other farmers about cover crops and all they can do. Ernst says education is also important to get people engaging in the practice. 

“One is education and some of the best educators are actually the folks that we were visiting with today. The folks that are raising the seed for the cover crops, people using the cover crops but then as well at the state and federal level if we want people to engage in these types of techniques we need to cut the bureaucracy and make sure that it is easy for them to apply for the programs that will benefit everybody.”

Ernst made her stop in Greene County as part of her 99 county tour through Iowa.