As you read through this application, you will learn about a farm that has adapted to Iowa’s unique challenges, integrating cattle and row crops in a way that increases environmental stewardship. Improvements to the Smiths’ feedlots, cow-calf operation and row crop farm are impres-sive on their own, but the results are multiplied because of the connections between the three aspects of the farm.

As impressive as the conservation efforts are, the real story is read between the lines. The Smiths have been successful because of an ongoing attitude of innovation and continual improvement. When asked the keys to his farm (and conservation) success, Seth Smith credits the four generations before him, who were constantly evolv-ing, improving, and learning lessons the hard way.

The Smiths are always willing to try something new. They start new ideas on a small scale, and depending on the results, scale it up or try something else. They continually ask the question, “Are we better than we were yesterday?” and if the answer is no, they are willing to invest time and money to make improvements.

As pressure to improve water quality has increased in Iowa, most of the efforts have focused on row crops. But the Smiths are showing other Iowa farmers that environ-mental stewardship makes more sense from an effort and economic standpoint when there are cattle involved. As you examine the Smiths’ application, I encourage you to carefully consider the relationship between the three farm endeavors and notice the ways that they increase each other’s conservation efforts and profitability.

We are immensely proud to have producers like the Smiths leading the way in Iowa’s cattle industry, and we wholeheartedly support their nomination for the Environmental Stewardship Award Program.

Best regards,

Matt DeppeChief Executive Officer, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association

IOWA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION | 2017 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD WINNERS

SFI, Inc. Nemaha, Iowa

March 8, 2017

To: The Environmental Stewardship Award Program Selection Committee

IOWA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION | 2017 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD WINNERS

Our StoryEtta moved to Nemaha in 2005

in search of opportunity and rural lifestyle. She grew up on a farm in Delaware but could see that urban

sprawl was encroaching on the way of life that she had grown up with. We met in 2006 and were married

in 2008. Our oldest daughter, Skylar is 7. She loves school, helping on the farm, and tending to her bottle calves, chickens and bunny. She

loves the county fair and can’t wait to be in 4-H when she turns 9. Lane

is our oldest son and he is 5 going on 25. His life revolves around the

farm and his jacked up golf cart. This summer, on an overnight trip

to the Sioux Falls Zoo, Etta rented “Zootopia” for all the kids. But Lane

laid in the other bed and watched a cover crop video. Levi is our

youngest at 2. He loves his pony named Bear and playing tractors.

He can be found in his “office” (our pantry) eating snacks and buying

cattle on his phone. I graduated 2002 from Iowa State University with a degree in Ag Systems Technology.

I was born a farmer and I have never regretted my decision.

- Seth Smith

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Lynn & Joy and Seth & Etta Smith2681 190th St., Nemaha, IA | Cell: 712-660-0046 (Seth)

Email: redpower99@yahoo.com (Seth)etta5721@hotmail.com (Etta) | buybeeef@frontier.net (Lynn)SFI, Inc.

Nemaha, Iowa

In the heart of the Upper Raccoon River watershed, which provides the drinking water for Iowa’s largest city and state capital, Des Moines, Lynn Smith’s family settled outside of Nemaha in 1886.

Lynn began farming there in 1971 and his son, Seth, followed in his footsteps in 2001. Now, the farm consists of 1900 acres of row crops, 510 acres of pasture, a 500 head feeder to finish hog barn, 210 cow-calf pairs and a 2200 head feedlot.

The farm is located in Douglas and Delaware Townships in Sac County, drainage districts targeted in the 2015 Des Moines Water Works lawsuit. The lawsuit, which blames farmers for high nitrate levels in the water, is scheduled

to go to trial in late June. But Lynn and Seth’s farm stands in stark contrast to the image of Iowa farmers depicted by the Des Moines Water Works and media.

Nearly all of the land is owned by the family and conservation practices have long been a part of the farm’s model. Lynn, Seth and their predecessors have been pioneers in conservation in Iowa. From their use of conservation tillage beginning in 1977 to more recent feedlot and pasture renovations, their efforts to improve water quality and soil health on their row-crop acres go hand in hand with their expanding cattle operation.

Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy has focused on improving row-crop opera-tions, largely through cost-share pro-grams, and with limited economic ROI for farmers involved. The Smiths are part of a growing group of Iowa cattle producers who are demonstrating that the integration of cattle operations and row-crop farms can be, and should be, a valuable part of the nutrient reduction strategy.

Collaborative Conservation between aCow-Calf, Feedlot and Row Crop Operation

Section 1History & Description of Business & Ecological Context

Raccoon River Watershed

SmithFarm

The Smiths’ goals can be easily separated into two categories: short term and long term.

Short term goals are not unlike other cattle producers’. According to Seth, the ultimate goal is to “make money raising cattle this year.” The long-term goals are a bit more diverse.

The Smiths, like many other Iowa farm-ers, represent several generations of the family on the same land. And their goal is to pass the farm on to the next generation. To do so, they must contin-ue to make advances in efficiency and sustainability.

To the Smiths, that means that they minimize off-farm inputs as much as possible. The feedlot plays a vital role in this, providing nutrients from a natural, on-farm source. Another goal is to maxi-mize efficiency of the cow-calf opera-tion by prolonging the grazing season through better pasture management and

cover crop usage. Research shows that the best ways to optimize feed usage efficiency in a cow-calf herd is to utilize an extended grazing system. The more forage that a cow can deliver to herself, the less inputs are needed to feed cows, thus creating an overall higher level of efficiency.

Seth Smith is acutely aware of the impact his farm has on the rest of Iowa, as well. While he would not support radical environmental regulations, he sees a need for farmers to incorporate more environmentally friendly practices into their operations. “I do believe we need to change. If it’s not Bill Stowe (and the Des Moines Water Works), it’s going to be somebody else. We need to address the problem,” he says.

The challenge for many farmers is the balance between the environment and economics. But the Smiths’ farm is living proof that environmental and economic goals do not have to compete against

Section 2 Tell the Story:Sustainability on the Ground

REGULATORYCOMPLIANCE

• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit

• Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan

• Follow all state-mandated separation distances for facili-ties and manure storage

• Current Iowa manure applica-tor license

• Current Iowa pesticide ap-plicator license

• All employees are Beef Qual-ity Assurance certified

• Federally certified organic crop ground

NRCSPARTNERSHIP

PROJECTSThe Smiths have invested nearly $350,000 into NRCS costshare

projects.• scaling up cover crop usage• feedlot lagoon• pasture pond• settling basin• Comprehensive Nutrient

Management Plan• Conservation Stewardship

Plan• Conservation Reserve Pro-

gram

Corn and cattle have a close relationship in Iowa. Cattle feeders like the Smiths grow their own feed, then return cattle manure to

the fields as a nutrient rich, natural source of fertilizer and organic matter.

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one-another. Incorporating cattle, whether it’s through a cow-calf opera-tion, feedlot, or both, goes a long way towards meeting both goals.

The Feedlot OperationThe Smiths’ two feedlot sites have undergone several changes in the past few years with the goal of increased efficiency, animal comfort and environmental stewardship.

The home site, the epicenter for the farm’s row-crop operation, also houses 800 head and incorporates a double containment system for both manure and fuel. Although this system was not required based on the size of the operation, it has proven useful. A 2011 tornado destroyed multiple buildings on the farm and opened the valve on a 10,000 gallon nitrogen tank. But the safeguards kept the nitrogen contained and prevented a large spill.

The feedlot there has two deep-bedded monoslope barns, typically bedded with cornstalks. The monoslope barns keep rain off the cattle manure, minimizing runoff. They also contribute to a more consistent manure source for use as fertilizer. Utilizing cornstalks as bedding and then returning them to the field, mixed with manure, creates a full cycle that maximizes resources that might otherwise go to waste.

The monoslopes also contribute to cattle comfort, blocking harsh winds in the winter and providing shade in the summer. Iowa State University research shows that cattle in confinement barns have a 5% or more advantage when it comes to feed efficiency because of protection from severe weather.

Open lots, some with concrete as the base, make up the remainder of the site. Dirt lots feature concrete in high

traffic areas, such as around the feed bunks. The concrete allows manure to be easily scraped and then composted for later use on the surrounding fields. Manure runoff is minimized with a set-tling basin and dike system.

A wash bay for equipment has a pit below to catch nutrients, also utilized as fertilizer. The feed wagon and pay loader are kept in the building year-round so all residue and runoff is collected.

The second feedlot overlooks the Rac-coon River, a visible reminder of the im-portance of environmental stewardship. There are several safeguards in place to minimize the chances that manure will reach the river.

“Forty years ago, these hillsides were covered in feedlots. It made sense, from an animal husbandry perspective, to put your cattle on a hillside where the water would drain off quickly. Nobody knew that was causing problemsdownstream,” says Seth.

5

Monoslope barns, bedded with cornstalk residue, keep cattle more comfortable and provide a high-quality source of fertilizer.

Buffe

r Stri

psOpen Feedlot

MonoslopeBuildings

ManureComposting

LagoonSettling Basin

North

Rac

coon

Rive

r

Buffer Strips

Irrigation pivot

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Now that those problems are evident, Smiths have taken several steps to ensure that their manure is not affecting water quality.

The river-side feedlot, originally built in 1977, is home to settling basins, which have been in place since the beginning. It also features two monoslope barns, which are bedded with cornstalks. The majority of the feedlot has a concrete base, and solids are collected in the settling basins. From there, a lagoon captures the remaining waste. Both solid and liquid manure are utilized as fertilizer on the surrounding fields. Solid manure and cornstalk bedding is windrowed and composted before being applied to the surrounding fields. Each animal provides roughly $47 worth of nutrients for the row-crops.

The lagoon works in conjunction with an irrigation pivot that applies the nutrient rich water to an adjoin-ing field. “When we built this lagoon, I didn’t think we were losing that

many nutrients,” says Seth. “But we don’t fertilize this field anymore because of the nutrient content of the lagoon.”

Both feedlot sites feature vegeta-tive buffers, or windbreaks, which provide habitat for wildlife, protec-tion from harsh winds and aesthetic improvements to the operation. Over 4,000 feet of windbreaks have been installed.

Every pen of cattle is tracked us-ing a feedlot monitor. This record keeping provides performance data that is valuable when purchasing feeder cattle. “We seek out the best ranches to buy cattle from because we know their calves will be very feed efficient, which is the name of the game in cattle feeding.”

The Cow-Calf OperationThe Smiths’ most fragile ground has been taken out of row-crop production and converted to pas-ture, greatly reducing nitrogen and phosphorus runoff. Pasture ground has the potential to decrease

Recycling and RepurposingIn addition to traditional conservation techniques, the Smiths are masters of innovation, recycling and repurposing. For example, an old truck engine powers the pump for the lagoon and irrigation pivot. Used barrels are strung together to fence across a creek, and old tires are used as a base for the Smiths’ portable pen system.

The feedlot incorporates used hog confinement floor slats as fencing, and the rafters in the cattle sheds are used bridge I-beams. Manure spreaders and wagons were built with used truck frames.

These innovations are another testament to the Smiths’ dedication to reducing waste and using resources efficiently.

The Smiths have developed multiple ways to capture feedlot nutrients and return them to the fields.(Above) Manure and cornstalk bedding from the monoslope barns are composted and used as fertilizer, adding nutrients and organic matter to the soil.(Below) A lagoon catches 17 acres of runoff from the river-side feedlot, corrals and manure storage area, keeping nutrients from reaching the Raccoon River. Water from the lagoon is used to irrigate and fertilize surrounding fields.

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nitrogen loss by 85% and phosphorus loss by 59%. Perennial cover through well-managed grazing protects highly-erodible land from erosion, provides a habitat for wildlife and pollinators, and revitalizes soil health.

Pasture purchased or rented from neighbors has undergone renovations in the past several years. Initial seeding was a pasture mix of 15 or more varieties of grasses and legumes. Since then, the Smiths have interseeded the pasture with clover and alfalfa.

One pasture, in particular, was in very poor shape, with eroding ravines full of garbage, including rusting cars. Brush was cleared, garbage cleaned up, seed planted, and now the banks of the ravines are clean and stable.

Nearby, the Smiths built a pond, which collects and slows water from a drain-age ditch. The pond is fenced off and the cattle do not have access, preserv-ing the pond and surrounding grass-land for pollinator and wildlife habitat. A gravity system carries water from the pond to nearby pastures, providing wa-

ter for the cows without allowing them access to the waterway.

The terrain that the Smiths have built and enhanced on their land also provides habitat for endangered and threatened species in the Sac County region such as the spotted skunk and the Blanding’s turtle.

Rotational grazing, moving the cattle roughly every two weeks, optimizes plant growth and soil health. Some of the main environmental advantages that come from utilizing rotational graz-ing are reduction in soil compaction, increased soil fertility, more opportu-nity for plants to prosper, less forage wasted and efficiently utilizing available forage resources. Rotational grazing is advantageous for the soil, plants, cows and the farmer.

The pasture is fertilized with manure and some commercial fertilizer. Weeds are controlled through spot spraying in the spring and mowing is used if needed. However, the Smiths report that building fertility through manure fertilizer and well-managed, rotational grazing has greatly reduced weeds.

Their success as stewards of this land is important to me as an absen-tee landlord, their efforts are primary to maintaining the value of the farm land, an asset we hope is preserved for future generations as well. Keeping the balance between today’s investment income and tomor-row’s land value is the ultimate goal for the absentee landlord.

- Dulcie Ariail, Absentee landlord Clarkesville, GA

Above: Pasture renovations have stabilized creek banks and ravines while removing invasive species.Below: The cow herd is offered ethanol syrup, a by-product of ethanol production, as a supplement to their forage based diet.

Before

After

In addition to the pasture acres, the Smiths are working towards extending their grazing season by utilizing cover crops, cornstalks and small grains. Be-cause much of their corn is chopped for silage, stalk residue can be baled and used as bedding in the feedlot or grazed by the cows. Either way, sufficient resi-due is left in the field to hold soil in place throughout the winter.

The Smiths’ combination of rotational grazing and an extended grazing season are a great recipe for success from an environmental health and financial standpoint. These systems allow rest on the pasture land and time for high quality forages to grow. Energy use is minimized in the pasture with solar powered electric fences.

The cow herd is also managed carefully for efficiency and productivity. Perfor-mance plays a large part in replacement and culling decisions. “In our cow herd, if a cow can’t hold good condition on winter cornstalks and summer pasture, she is culled,” explains Seth. When rais-ing replacement heifers, they are raised in the same conditions as the cows. If they can’t develop an adequate weight and produce a calf, they end up in the feedlot.

The cows are also offered ethanol syrup, a by-product of ethanol production, to supplement their forage-based diet. The syrup is similar to distiller’s grains and provides both carbs and protein, and offers another use for the corn produced on the farm. “We have found that supplementing the cows while the grass is in peak growth is far better than waiting until the grass is about played out and then using the pasture as a glorified feedlot,” says Seth. “When our pastures are grazed down to about 4 inches, we move the cows out.”

In the winter, when grazing is not possible due to lack of forage or deep snow, the cows are fed a winter ration to maintain condition. “When we started the herd in 2009, we had to feed 24-25 pounds of dry matter per head. Today, we are down to 19-20 pounds,” says Seth. This increase in efficiency is due to herd health, genetics and strict culling procedures.

The Smiths have also placed a focus on purchasing bulls with high efficiency genetics, which come from seedstock producers with similar goals and mental-ity as the Smiths.

The Row Crop OperationThe land in Sac County, like much of northern Iowa, is flat and fertile, making it ideal for row-crop production. How-ever, low spots in the land hold water, especially in the spring.

The Smiths and farmers before them adapted to these prairie potholes by draining them with a series of pipes buried underground. The pipes, called tile, draw water through the topsoil and help dry the soil more quickly and evenly when spring snowmelt and rains would otherwise prevent planting.

Individual tile lines feed into larger tiles or drainage ditches, which are main-tained by a network of Drainage Districts under the jurisdiction of the county board of supervisors. The tile on Smiths’ land and surrounding land eventually drains to the Raccoon River.

Unfortunately, nutrients may be carried by the water running through the tile lines. And an excess of nutrients can cause problems for water users down-stream.

Iowa is part of the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed, which has been trying to reduce the size, sever-

Corn grown on the Smith’s farm is harvested early as corn silage or high-moisture corn and stored on site for cattle feed. This reduces the need to dry the corn, minimizing energy use post-harvest.

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ity and duration of hypoxia in the Gulf since 1997. Nutrients that lead to algae growth are one cause of hypoxia, which is an area of low oxygen that can’t sustain marine life. Because of this, the Iowa Department of Agricul-ture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences worked together to propose the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

Iowa’s strategy is based on voluntary participation by farmers and landowners across the state, with the goal of achieving a 45% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus to the state’s waters. Cost-share programs, providing both public and private dollars, are available for producers to implement nutrient reduction practices on their farms, including cover crops, fertilizer inhibitors, and conservation tillage.

Long before Iowa farmers received national attention for nutrient run-off issues, the Smiths began incorporating a variety of practices that reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loss and nearly all of them are tied directly or indirectly to the cattle operation.

The Smiths apply very little commercial fertilizer to their row crop acres, typically only side dressing liquid

nitrogen in the summer. The rest of their nutrient needs come from composted cornstalk bedding, cattle manure and a neighbor’s turkey manure. Not only is this a sustainable use of what would otherwise be a waste product, but the dry manure increases soil health. “We always look at cattle manure because it’s a natural source (of nutrients) and it’s also very good for the biology for the soil. It adds organic matter and also increases the biological ability of the soil and it’s a stable source of N once it goes through the system,” says Denis Schulte, District Conservationist for NRCS, who has worked extensively with the Smiths.

One of the big ways that the Smiths work to recycle and reuse resources is through their composting program, as mentioned previously. Their composting system allows for used cornstalks to be repurposed for high quality nutrient source for their crop fields. This practice not only brings a high level of efficiency to the utilization of resources, but also reduces the amount of external nutrient resources needed for their crop ground.

“We continually work to close the loop in our system,” says Seth. “Feedlot manure is composted on site during the summer. As we combine our corn and haul it in, the truck dumps a load of corn at the bunker and then loads compost

and hauls it back to the field.”

In 2001, some of the row-crop acres were transitioned to organic produc-tion, and now 600 acres are certified organic. An extended crop rotation of corn, soybeans, corn, oats, and alfalfa minimizes pests and weeds, and allows for minimum tillage.

In 2008, the Smiths began experiment-ing with cover crops. Cover crops are gaining popularity as a way to improve soil health and meet the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Rye, in particular, has the potential to reduce nitrate loss by 31% and phosphorus load by 29%. Cover crops are associ-ated with a decrease in erosion and soil compaction. They also take up nutrients from the soil and prevent them from leaching into groundwater. As the cover crops decay in the spring, the nutrients become available to corn or soybeans.

However, implementation of cover crops can be a challenge for some pro-ducers because of economics. It costs roughly $25 an acre to install cover crops annually. Despite long-term soil health and water quality benefits, there is very little ROI for the farmers.

According to late spring nitrate tests and fall stalk tests on the Smiths’ farm, cover crops scavenge about 60 units of

Lynn Smith (pictured) is considered a pioneer in innovation and conservation in his area. He and Seth have been utilizing cover crops to reduce erosion, minimize nutrient loss, and extend their grazing season for several years.

10

nitrogen per acre that would otherwise have been lost. For the Smiths, that savings is almost enough to cover the cost of seed and planting. However, by grazing the cover crops in the fall, he estimates the forage value of the cover crop is approximately $40 per acre.

Cattle play another important role in cover crop usage. The integration of cattle and row-crops enables farmers to plant cover crops earlier in the fall. Tra-ditionally, cover crops cannot be planted until the corn and soybeans have been harvested, allowing a very short time period for the seeds to germinate before winter sets in. But when corn is har-vested for silage, the cover crops can be planted earlier, offering a better opportu-nity for germination, root development and plant growth.

On the Smith farm, the corn that is harvested for grain is also harvested earlier, at 25-30% moisture, instead of waiting until it is 13-15% moisture, as is traditional. This allows it to be stored as fermented corn, which is more efficient cattle feed, and also allows cover crops to begin growing sooner.

One of the barriers to cover crop usage in Iowa is rented farmland. On rented land, it can be even harder to justify the cost of cover crops. But farmers like the Smiths are showing other Iowans just how economically sustainable cover crops can be when cattle are a part of the equation.

In addition to the practices described above, the Smiths have also incorporated precision agriculture through grid sampling of soil, yield mapping, variable rate lime application, and an advanced, hands free GPS system in the tractors and combines. Conservation tillage is used on 100% of the row-crop ground, and by

controlling traffic in the field, the Smiths have reduced their fuel usage and soil compaction. Erosion is controlled through 13 acres of grass filter strips along the Raccoon River and a tributary, a 3-acre grassed waterway in one field, and 3,880 feet of terraces on steep ground.

Row-crop production is certainly made more sustainable by the integration of the feedlot and cow-calf operations, and the effects continue post-harvest. The corn produced on the farm is either corn silage or high moisture corn that is not dried, minimizing energy use post-harvest. The corn is also used locally, much of it fed to the Smiths’ own cattle. Excess is sent to a nearby ethanol plant, where it is processed for biofuels. By-products of ethanol production, such as wet distillers grains and corn syrup, are

then returned to the farm to be used in feed rations. The organic corn produced is dried and stored on farm. In 2016, the Smiths installed a new high efficiency system that cut drying and storage energy use (and costs) by half.

Outcomes & Accomplishments - benchmarks, data, before/after im-ages, documenting successThe integration of all three farm endeavors – row crops, cow-calf and feedlot – have enabled the Smiths to make advances in environmental stewardship and profitability.

As efficiency increases, so does sustain-ability and profitability. Utilizing manure instead of commercial fertilizer, saving fuel through reduced tillage, extending the grazing season with cornstalks and cover crops, and other practices have

PRACTICE COMMENTS % NITRATE - N REDUCTION

% P LOAD REDUCTION

Cover Crops (Rye) 29%Cover Crops (Winter

Wheat) 41%

Side dress vs. pre-plant application 7%Grazed pasture/CRP vs. row crop land 85% 59%Extended Rotations vs. corn/soybean 42%

Buffers vs. row crop land 91% 58%Utilizing beef manure vs. commercial fertilizer 46%

Conservation tillage on 100% of ground vs. traditional plowing 33%

Nutrient Reduction Strategies & Average Resultscompared to common practices

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all lowered input costs, increasing profit margins even when cattle and crop prices are low.

Over the years, feedlot and cow-calf profitability has increased because of upgrades to cattle comfort and health. For the feedlot, this is achieved through the concrete floors and monoslope barns. “The more comfortable they are, the healthier they are, the better they perform,” says Seth. “We have extremely high quality genetics and when our cattle are comfortable, they can put all that genetic potential into performance instead of staying alive. We’re reaping more of the benefits that so many cow-men are investing in, breeding top-end quality cattle. If you put those cattle in horrible conditions, the end result is not as good.”

On the row-crop acres, Smiths have been able to reduce costs dramatically by utilizing fertilizer produced in their cattle operation. Reducing costs have enabled them to maintain profitability and continue to invest in conservation practices.

Changes in land-use have perhaps had the biggest effect on environmental sus-tainability. As row-crop land is converted to pasture or grassland, nitrogen and phosphorus losses are cut dramatically. The combination of feeder cattle, cows

and row-crops have given the Smiths the flexibility to use their land in a way that maximizes environmental sustain-ability while also maximizing profit. The increase in profit has enabled the Smiths to re-invest in the farm regularly, making improvements that benefit cattle health and the environment.

Changes in land-use have also provided more habitat for wildlife in the area. Anecdotally, the Smiths have seen more pheasants and deer on their farm, as well as pollinators and waterfowl.

Throughout the state of Iowa, there has been a large initiative for the conserva-tion of monarch butterflies, because of a significant decline in the monarch population worldwide for the past de-cade. Farmers in Iowa have had a hand in helping the butterflies by creating lush plant habitats for monarchs to nest and live during their migrational period on the Midwest during the spring and sum-mer months. The Smiths’ cover crops, pasture system, and grassland provide valuable pollinator habitat.

The Des Moines Water Works lawsuit has brought water quality and farm conservation to the forefront of Iowans’ minds. Unfortunately, much of the press has portrayed farmers in a negative light. However, the Smiths’ track record of environmental stewardship, combined with their location on the banks of the Raccoon River, has provided an opportunity to showcase voluntary conservation efforts utilized by Iowa’s farmers.

The Smiths are also involved in the local food movement, raising free-range eggs for customers, selling “locker beef” and supplying the ground beef for a local restaurant. Their farm-to-fork sales and organic crops show consumers that various production methods can co-exist. Instead of pitting big vs. small or organic vs. conventional, the Smiths’ farm endeavors are an example of how different types of agriculture are needed to meet different goals.

Section 3 What would a consumer find interesting or compelling about the candidate’s operation?

Buffer strips along the Raccoon River further protect water quality and offer habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

As a livestock producer and farmer, I understand that modern agriculture and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive. In my role as Division Administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), I have found few farms that illustrate that fact better than the farm of Lynn and Seth Smith.

- William Ehm, Division Administrator, Iowa DNR

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The Smiths have dedicated themselves to helping the public understand their overall farming operation, including the environmentally sustainable aspects. Etta, Seth’s wife, is passionate about bridging the gap between producers and consumers, and leads this charge by example. Although most of the Smiths’ finished cattle are marketed to larger processors, several head a year are sold privately. Etta enjoys giving buyers a farm tour, even letting them pick out their steer before harvest.

Recently, the Smiths began supplying ground beef for a local restaurant, The Smokin’ Hereford, in nearby Storm Lake. A blurb about the farm on the menu briefly describes the environ-mental stewardship efforts of the farm, stating, “Our gently rolling topography is very productive and beautiful to look at. Keeping it that way is a number one priority for us. We implement several conservation practices on our farm to improve soil, water and air quality. Some of our practices include cover crops, ridge-till, buffer strips, crop rota-tion, precision farming, composting of cattle manure and converting highly erodible farmland back to pasture. Our goal is to leave the soil in better condition than it was when we started farming it.”

As controversy surrounding the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit has ramped up in Iowa, Seth Smith has actively engaged in the conversation. He attended a tour of the Des Moines Water Works facilities in April of 2016 and spent time face-to-face with Bill Stowe, the CEO of the Des Moines Water Works. Seth has also hosted Des Moines Register reporters on his farm and participated in media interviews. While many farmers in the area target-ed by the lawsuit are hesitant to draw attention to themselves, Seth has taken this opportunity to show the positive, progressive changes that farmers are already making to improve environmen-tal sustainability and water quality.

Lynn Smith, Seth’s father, is currently on the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors, after serving many years as the Sac County Cattlemen’s Association president. In his role at ICA, he is able to positively influence area cattle producers and serve as a role model for the success of various conservation practices. Lynn and Seth have both served as speakers for local NRCS meetings and demonstrations, sharing their experience with cover crops and conservation.

Section 4 Leadership in Conservation within the Community & the Industry

Awards &LeadershipPositions

Lynn Smith:• Past President of Sac County

Cattlemen• Current Iowa Cattlemen’s

Association Board of Directors• Volunteer Firefighter

Seth Smith:• Past-president of the Organic

Crop Improvement Association• Serves on Board of Directors

for the Howard Center in Sac City

• St. Mary’s School Board Member

• Volunteer Firefighter

Etta Smith:• Children’s Liturgy of the Word• Active in Annie’s Project

Farm Awards:• 2004 Good Farm Neighbor

Award • 2008 Iowa Century Farm• 2013 Cleo and Myrtle

Johnson Award for environmental stewardship

• 2013 Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Brand Wall

• 2014 Iowa Farm Environmental Leaders

• 2016 Organic Crop Improve-ment International (United States, Mexico and Chile) Organic Farmer of the Year

“Despite the demands of this family farm operation, the Smith families have always been great neighbors. They are frequently found helping neighbors out in their well-equipped shop as well as participating in community organizations and activities. Perhaps more importantly, their family dynamics are exemplary. Top to bottom, left to right, they care about and enjoy each other; just as they do the land they love and care for near Nemaha, Iowa.” - Russ Davis, Nemaha, IA