Iowa farmers and landowners have a new free resource to help them better manage trees, woodlands and conservation efforts on their property.
Iowa Learning Farms (ILF), a conservation education and outreach program through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has released the On-Farm Forestry Field Guide for Iowa. The guide offers practical information on forest management while highlighting the many benefits trees can provide on farms, including windbreaks, erosion control, improved water quality and opportunities for high-value timber production.
Developed in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension forestry specialist Billy Beck, the guide is designed to give farmers and landowners easy-to-follow recommendations for incorporating forestry into their overall land management plans.
“Iowa has lost roughly 4 million acres of woodlands over the past two centuries,” Beck said. “This guide helps landowners understand how they can restore and maintain healthy forests in ways that fit their goals. Well-managed woodlands can improve soil and water quality, benefit crop production, generate timber income and increase the recreational and aesthetic value of a property.”
The publication was created with input from professional foresters and more than two dozen Iowa farmers and landowners. It walks users through planning and goal setting before offering guidance on tree selection, planting, pruning and long-term maintenance. The guide also connects readers with additional research-based resources and forestry professionals.
Topics covered include:
- Planning and goal setting
- Woodlots and woodlands
- Windbreaks
- Streambank protection and riparian forest buffers
- Pasture trees
- Landscape connectivity
- Forestry providers and resources
Beck said trees are often overlooked on working farms, despite the many benefits they provide.
“Whether they’re in pastures, along waterways or part of existing windbreaks, trees are sometimes viewed as a low priority,” Beck said. “We hope this guide helps landowners recognize the value these areas can add and introduces simple, achievable steps that can improve the long-term productivity and conservation value of their land.”
The On-Farm Forestry Field Guide for Iowa is available as a free download through the Iowa State University Extension Store. Printed pocket-sized copies can also be requested through Iowa Learning Farms.
Funding for the guide was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture through Award Number 2024-68016-42660.
Founded in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms works with farmers, researchers and conservation partners across the state to promote farming practices that improve water quality, soil health and long-term agricultural sustainability while maintaining farm profitability.
