In southwestern Iowa, soil erosion and water quality are major issues. "CRP has shown to be the best solution for both of these problems," said Taylor County agricultural producer John Cardarelli. ''Also, with proper management, CRP has given us good increases in all varieties of upland wildlife."

Due to the types of soil in the Taylor County area, cropped fields have suffered from severe soil erosion in the past. CRP has offered a great opportunity for working farms to protect the most fragile ground by installing Filter Strips and Riparian Buffers along creeks. "Without the protection offered by the CRP practices," said Cardarelli, "we would have continued battling the soil erosion issues we faced for years."

Joyce and John Cardarelli examine the abundant wildlife food and cover on their CRP acres devoted to Permanent Native Grass and Legume planting.