New Study Supports Relay Intercropping for Flood Control

Iowa Research Connects Regenerative Farming with Flood Relief

A growing body of research is pointing to the benefits of regenerative farming practices like relay intercropping in controlling flood damage.

A recent study in Iowa led by Ross Evelsizer of Northeast Iowa RC&D shows promising results in improving flood resilience through improved water infiltration and plant evapotranspiration.

Evelsizer will share these insights in a free webinar hosted by Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) on April 9 at noon CDT. The session, titled “Assessing the Flood Reduction Benefits of Relay Intercropping Practices in Iowa,” will highlight a study that began in 2021, conducted with support from the American Flood Coalition, Iowa Flood Center, and Iowa State University.

The research explores relay intercropping’s role in mitigating flooding by using a second crop alongside an existing one, reducing bare soil exposure, and increasing soil absorption capacity. It found a strong connection between these practices and reduced flood severity at the field level.

“This study showed that there is a definite correlation between relay intercropping and flood impact reductions,” said Evelsizer. “The increases of water infiltration and evapotranspiration delivered through regenerative agricultural practices showed a significant impact on flood severity at field scale.”

The webinar encourages participation from individuals of all backgrounds and interests. Questions and discussions are welcome as researchers aim to connect with farmers, landowners, and conservation professionals.

This new data supports sustainable land management and highlights relay intercropping as a useful strategy to manage excess water, build soil health, and prepare farms for extreme weather.

As interest in climate resilience grows, these practices offer tools for both environmental and economic sustainability.