Tradition, Innovation Lead to Meaningful Conservation

By Jolene Bopp, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Des Moines

For Jones County farmer Nicole Vernon, conservation has always been a part of her life and second nature

to her. Vernon was recently named the 2025 Iowa Conservation Woman of the Year by the Iowa Conservation Partnership for the conservation work she is doing on her Jones County farm. She was nominated by the Jones Soil and Water Conservation District and selected over many excellent nominees.

The award honors women who advance conservation in meaningful ways. Vernon demonstrates this by implementing cover crops and rotational grazing, adopting innovative practices to improve soil and water, and giving back to her community through education and outreach.

Raised on Conservation

Vernon was raised on her family's farm where she grew up watching her dad implement conservation practices like no-till, celebrating earthworms as "God's natural plow" and learning pasture management from her mom. She credits her parents, Jeff and Shielly Monck, with instilling her conservation ethic.

"It's how she grew up, riding in the combine and helping with crops," said Jeff. "We never did tillage and she was always curious about the soil and why it was important."

Acres to Call Her Own

Vernon purchased 100 acres in the summer of 2016 just before the start of her senior year at Iowa State University. She recalled her dad coming into the restaurant where she waited and wrote numbers on a napkin on how she could make it work financially. Jeff knew she would be successful and this was the opportunity she needed. She was outbid by another buyer, but the owners decided to sell to her anyway. They wanted to sell to someone young and give her a start.

Nicole moved to the farm soon after purchasing the land, splitting her time between classes, driving, and the field. She started her journey by speaking with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to apply for a beginning farmer loan. At the advice of her father, she also visited USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office and applied for her first Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contract in 2018. CSP encourages the adoption of new technologies and management techniques and provides many benefits, including increased crop productivity, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience to weather extremes.

"Working with the local NRCS field office is pretty easy," said Ver

non. "I am there at least once a year to sit down and talk over things. I know I can send them an email or visit to ask my questions, which is important because things change a lot around here.

"They understand farming is not one size fits all. We are a family-owned working farm. It is still Mom and Dad's bread and butter. I am slowly working my way in so when I have my ideas or dad has his sometimes, we battle it out about what is going to happen, but we know [NRCS] will help us navigate what is best for our operation."

The hilly acreage Nicole bought was tilled for many years and had gullies and runoff problems. She started practicing no-till farming on her land with financial assistance through her CSP contract. It also included pollinator planting and forest stand improvement. Vernon said she started truly noticing a difference in her soil and seeing the benefits three years later.

Cover Crops and Cattle

Vernon and her husband, Jon, farm alongside her parents where their cows rotate through pastures, cover crops and feed. Implementing rotational grazing and cover crops helps protect the soil, reduce compaction, and extend forage.

"We seed rye into our row crops after chopping silage, which helps with ground cover and provides grazing for our cows in the fall and spring," explained Vernon.

Oats and cowpeas are drilled each year, and radishes are added to help break up compaction. "Last year the cows grazed everything, then came back and ate the radishes. The goats help clean up everything else," she added.

The Vernons have about 20 goats, which help with brush management by grazing the plants the cows don't want. In 2025, they utilized Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding for brush management with the goats. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program, administered through NRCS, that helps producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations.

When "Weird" is Right

Vernon said her family isn't afraid to try things that seem "weird" to other producers in the area. Their newest venture is using a cob harvester to gather corncobs for bedding, feed and biochar. Vernon is working with the Iowa Department of Agriculture Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Iowa State University to install a bioreactor to study how corncobs filter nitrates from water.

They are also experimenting with intercropping by alternating rows of corn and soybeans, then harvesting them together for more nutrient-rich silage. Through intercropping, soybeans receive enough light to thrive while providing nitrogen for the corn. Vernon is working to fine-tune plant populations and nutrient management as they work toward an even better feed for their cows.

Vernon is also planning to use GPS collars to help cut down on labor in grazing areas that are more difficult to fence.

Sharing the Passion

Through markets, school visits, and social media, Vernon enjoys showing others how conservation works on her farm. To connect more with local families, they joined the Dubuque Famers Market where they can sell their meat and share information about their operation and how conservation is helping.

"Nicole and her mom started Moncks Homegrown where they sell our beef and pork," said Jeff. "It is fun to see our children and grandchildren getting involved and helping when they are at the farmer's market. I am so proud of everything she has accomplished and look forward to seeing what she does next. I know our land is in good hands."

She is a member of the Jones County FSA County Committee, an active volunteer with the Jones County Beef Producers, a former representative for Jones County on the Southeast Iowa Agricultural Research Association Board and serves on her church council.

Vernon said each of these roles has added depth to her connection with both agriculture and her community. It allows her to give back and help support adding conservation to the future of farming in their area.

For more information about conservation practices and programs to protect the natural resources on your land, visit your local NRCS office or go to https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ia.

Side Bar: Nurturing a Love of Farming

Nicole and Jon Vernon are raising three young children from newborn to four years old on their farm. Life on the farm doesn't slow down, even with babies in tow.

"Women are pretty awesome. We can have a baby in one arm and still get work done with the other," said Nicole.

Nicole says women interested in becoming more involved with their operations or thinking about getting started should do it. "You may be the only female in the room, but don't let that hold you back," she said. "Don't miss out on the opportunities and resources for you to learn, be successful, and get help."

Annie's Project has many educational programs to help women farmers continue learning and strengthen their business. NRCS, IDALS, Iowa State University and many others can provide resources, technical and financial assistance to help get your ideas in place and implement them.

"We are borrowing the land from our kids and our grandkids," said Vernon. "If I can make sure the land is healthy for my kids, that's a huge gift."