The Deep Creek Water Quality Initiative Project has expanded in four Northwest Iowa counties. Watershed Coordinator Kristi Silverthorn says the project is designed to assist farmers by implementing conservation practices as part of the state’s nutrient reduction strategy.

She says farmers in Plymouth, Sioux, O’Brien and Cherokee counties are encouraged to utilize no-till in their operations along with other practices to achieve conservation goals.

Silverthorn says the biggest challenges in achieving conservation goals with the nutrient reduction management strategy are the cost and the necessary equipment.

Silverthorn says there are cost-share dollars available for producers. They’re still finalizing the amount of the match, but they have a total of $500,000 to spend in the next three years.