Seth Watkins, operator of Pinhook Farm in southwest Iowa, is celebrated as a Hydro20 honoree for his leadership in regenerative farming and water sustainability.

Committed to happy cows, clean water, and healthy soil at his family’s farm since the 1840s, Watkins addresses the depletion of Iowa’s topsoil—where two-thirds to 100% of the A horizon is lost—and nutrient runoff, with one-third of nitrogen leaching into waterways. His practices ensure a sustainable future for farming and Iowa’s ecosystems.

At Pinhook Farm, Watkins employs regenerative techniques like rotational grazing, cover crops, prairie strips, terraces, buffer strips, and sediment control ponds to reduce nutrient runoff and protect waterways. These ponds capture sediment and nutrients, preventing stream pollution, though periodic dredging redistributes nutrients back to the farmland. 

By keeping livestock out of ponds and streams, Watkins ensures cleaner water, boosting calf productivity. His most significant step is a permanent agricultural land conservation easement, ensuring Pinhook remains a grass-covered forage farm, minimizing erosion and supporting wildlife and water quality.

In 2024, Watkins and his daughter took a road trip along the Mississippi River to trace nutrient runoff and engage communities on water sustainability, emphasizing the importance of starting conservation at watershed headwaters. His work inspires farmers to adopt practices that rebuild landscapes and strengthen communities.

Seth Watkins’ dedication to regenerative agriculture and water protection has earned him a well-deserved place among the Hydro20 honorees.