R2024-111 Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Ecosystem Services Exchange, for Services with the Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Home Browse Search

ESE works directly with ag producers to help them meet their water management needs efficiently and effectively using NRCS's time-tested and proven conservation practice standards,which are the"industry standard." Based on its on-the-ground experience with hundreds of producers since 2010, ESE knows that robust crop production,farm profitability, and healthy environmental outcomes are compatible goals with the right practices combined to address water management,agronomic,and soil health needs, ESE has partnered with many private and public sector entities in 19 states and Canada since 2010. It has a long-standing business relationship with Agri Drain Corporation,a leading and recognized manufacturer/supplier of innovative,specialized,and proven conservation drainage equipment used in ESE's practice designs and installations. ESE also works with many other businesses, including suppliers of drainage tile,providers of agronomic technical services, and land improvement/drainage contractors. It works on projects coordinated by local, state,and federal public agencies that support ag production, conservation,and the environment. ESE also partners with nonprofit and ag producer organizations that share common goals to assist producers with their water management needs because of its multiple private and public benefits. In particular,ESE enjoys close working relationships with innumerable land improvement/drainage contractors,whose expertise and skills are essential to the installation of conservation practices and systems. Land improvement/drainage contractors have a relationship of trust with ag producers because of their proven ability on-the-ground in ag settings. ESE's experience is unique among businesses dedicated to helping ag producers with their water management needs. Among its leadership positions,it has over 175 years of private and public sector experience with the ag production and conservation interface, with formulating and managing partnerships for results,and in achieving outcomes that are good for the producer,the community,and the environment. ESE's highly proficient technical specialists are proven, experienced experts in water management in a diverse array of agricultural settings. REFERENCES: With 14 years of direct service to agricultural producers on their farms, hands-on engagement with land improvement contractors,and involvement in innumerable partnership-based projects across 19 states and in Canada, ESE has many references it could provide to the City of Decatur to support its application. We have chosen three recently completed and/or active projects to provide references to and short project descriptions. Upon request,ESE would be pleased to provide additional references to the City of Decatur in support of its application. These three references are as follows: 1. Agribusiness Edge of Field Program—Heartland Cooperative(Iowa): Key Contact: Ruth McCabe, Senior Conservation Agronomist, Heartland Cooperative 2829 Westown Parkway,Suite 350 West Des Moines,Iowa 50266 Phone Number: 515-418-8358 Email Address: rmccabe@heartiandcoop.com The Agribusiness Edge of Field Program is led by Heartland Cooperative and is focused on the implementation of saturated buffers and denitrifying broreactors. This project uses an agribusiness-led"Batch and Build" approach,and has been effective in reaching agricultural producers that have not traditionally interacted with state and federal conservation programs. It also has demonstrated the willingness of private industry to partner on long-term conservation programming in support of environmental improvement through edge of field conservation practices. For this project,ESE serves as the licensed professional engineer of record for the design of saturated buffers and denitrifying bioreactors in accordance with NRCS conservation practice standards. ESE also is involved in preconstruction meetings,and performs construction inspection,oversight,and as-builts in concert with Heartland Cooperative. 2. Cedar River Clean Water Partnership Project(Iowa): Key Contact: Tanner Puls,Edge of Field Coordinator, Iowa Department of Agriculture&Land Stewardship Wallace State Office Building 502 E.T4 Street Des Moines,Iowa 50319 Phone Number: 515-344-9319 Email Address: Tanner.Puls@lowaAgriculture.gov Page 7 of 11