The Somers Public Library is hosting the program “Water Quality 101” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Community Room, 516 Sixth St., in Somers. This free event is open to the public.

Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation Commissioners Darcy Maulsby, who farms near Lake City, and James Hepp, who farms near Rockwell City, will discuss:

• Why Iowa is dealing with high nitrates in the water.

• How farming practices can protect the environment and boost farmers’ profitability.

• Sustainable solutions for local communities.

“My personal involvement is reflected in my conservation ethic: improve the land not only today, but for the next generation,” said Hepp, who is raising his three children on the farm with his wife, Paige. “The soil is always trying to heal itself. I want to do what I can to build soil health. That’s why I’ve adopted regenerative ag practices like cover crops, strip-till, no-till, and more.”

Maulsby, who is the author of various non-fiction Iowa history books, including “Iowa Agriculture” and “A Culinary History of Iowa,” also takes conservation seriously.

“It’s important to be proactive, not reactive,” said Maulsby, who has been helping her family’s Century Farm near Lake City/Yetter switch from conventional management practices to more regenerative farming practices, including cover crops and strip-till. “I don’t want nutrients leaching in the water supply, and I don’t want people downstream to struggle with water-quality issues.”

The program will also include a question-and-answer session. For more information, contact Kim Kopecky at the Somers Public Library at somersli@wccta.net, or 515-467-5522.