Ames, Iowa
January 7, 2009
Interested in planting native
prairie grasses and flowers to seed a filter strip, wetland or
other area? The Native Species Directory is one resource that
can help you find the right native prairie species for both
restoration and conservation.
The Iowa Crop
Improvement Association (ICIA) recently published its
directory listing seed production information for more than 150
species of plants certified by ICIA. These species were
collected from surviving prairie remnants and reproduced for
seed production. The species are native to Iowa or the Midwest,
which means they are more likely to survive Iowa's climate.
The ICIA provides information that certifies the seed's
geographic origin. The directory includes cool and warm season
grasses, legumes, rushes, sedges, shrubs and other forbs.
The association encourages consumers to request a certification
label and analysis information when making seed purchases.
Customers should purchase seeds that have passed field
inspection, been tested at a seed laboratory and are labeled as
Source Identified. This ensures the quality of the seed and its
origin.
To request a free copy contact the ICIA at (515) 294-6921 or
iowacrop@iastate.edu.
The directory also can be viewed at
http://www.agron.iastate.edu/icia/.
The nonprofit ICIA is the official seed certifying agency for
the state of Iowa, with headquarters in the department of
agronomy at Iowa State University. ICIA's mission is to provide
an unbiased source of service and education in production and
quality assurance for Iowa agricultural crops. Founded in 1902,
the association has provided seed production and crop
performance testing services for 87 years.
The association's membership is composed of farmers, seed
producers and others interested in crop improvement. The ICIA
supports the Iowa State University Crops Team, sponsors the Iowa
FFA Agronomy Career Development event, offers a summer
internship program and awards five annual scholarships to Iowa
State undergraduates. |
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