Tradeoffs Between Water Quality and Profitability in Iowa Agriculture

Cheryl K. Contant
Michael D. Duffy
Maureen A. Holub

March 1993

This research project has relied heavily upon the collaborative efforts of a team of researchers representing two universities and a group of individuals from key agricultural and environmental organizations. The concept of an interactive approach to public policy research has been a critical element of a multi-year grant from the Northwest Area Foundation to the University of Iowa's Public Policy Center. This grant was the major source of support for this study. An objective of the Northwest Area Foundation has been to foster an increased level of interaction between university researchers and public, private, and not-for-profit organizational leaders.

Throughout the 18-month course of this study, the research team worked closely with the 19-member advisory committee. This committee represented a wide range of interests in agriculture, environmental protection, and rural communities. Individuals from government agencies, agricultural businesses, farm groups, and environmental groups worked together with farmers, legislators, and educators to keep the study relevant, realistic, understandable, and sound. This style of interactive policy research was intended to improve both the credibility and the influence of the study findings.

The advisory committee met five times with the research team to provide guidance on the scope, direction, and approach to be taken in the study. Subcommittees were formed from the larger group to achieve two objectives: (1) research the history and context of agricultural operations in Iowa, and (2) develop policy options and estimate their impacts on farming practices. These subcommittees met separately to prepare documents for the research team and the advisory committee.

In all its activities, the advisory committee attempted to achieve consensus on issues, findings, and recommendations. All members of the committee read and commented on all documents prepared during the course of this study, particularly this final report. Conclusions and recommendations in this report represent the views of the report's authors in consultation with the advisory committee; they may not reflect committee members' individual views on specific issues.

In sum, we have gained significant insights into the conflicts and opportunities involved in agricultural production and environmental protection in Iowa. Further, we believe that this form of interactive research has dramatically added to the depth and credibility of the analyses described in this report. We hope the findings of this report are useful, informative, and valuable in future public policy discussions and debates on this issue in Iowa.

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