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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Hills, IA

Home Care Hills, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Hills, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Hills, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I am so thankful for her choice to help me! Thank you! #CertPrint #AlwaysBestCare”

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Hills, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Hills, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Hills, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Hills, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Hills, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Hills, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Hills, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Hills, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Hills, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Hills, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Hills, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Hills, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Hills, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Hills, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Home Care Hills, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Hills, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Hills, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Hills, IA

Latest News in Hills, IA

NHM Sports Meet | Ioh rah ka East Khasi Hills ia ka nam lahduha

Shillong, Risaw 18: Ka East Khasi Hills District kala rah ia ka nam lahduh ha ka 1st Annual Sports Meet jong ki National Health Mission Employees Association (NHM), Meghalaya, kaba la kut noh hynne ka sngi Saitjain ha Nongkseh Sports Ground.Ha kane ka jingiakob ki nongiashimbynta kila pyni iala ka sap ka phong ialehkai bad ka mynsiem jong ka jingiajan kaba la lumlang ia baroh ki nongtrei ka koit ka khiah na kylleng ki bynta jong ka jylla kiba la iashimbynta ha ki jingiakob ki bapher bapher kum ka football, basketball,...

Shillong, Risaw 18: Ka East Khasi Hills District kala rah ia ka nam lahduh ha ka 1st Annual Sports Meet jong ki National Health Mission Employees Association (NHM), Meghalaya, kaba la kut noh hynne ka sngi Saitjain ha Nongkseh Sports Ground.

Ha kane ka jingiakob ki nongiashimbynta kila pyni iala ka sap ka phong ialehkai bad ka mynsiem jong ka jingiajan kaba la lumlang ia baroh ki nongtrei ka koit ka khiah na kylleng ki bynta jong ka jylla kiba la iashimbynta ha ki jingiakob ki bapher bapher kum ka football, basketball, badminton bad ka jingiakob tan tyllai ne ka tug of war.

Ka East Khasi Hills District kala long ka lahduh da ka jingpyni ia ka jingiatreilang bad ka jingtbit kum ka kynhun ha katei ka lympung iakob.

Haba kren ha ka jingialang u MLA ka NPP na Mylliem u Bah Ronnie V Lyngdoh ula ong “Kane kadei ka sien kaba nyngkong eh ba la pynlong ia kum kane ka prokram bad kadei kaei kaei kaban sah ha ka histori bad ka khyllipmat kaba kmen ba sngewbha. Nangne shakhmat, nga ngeit skhem ba kane ka lympung iakob kan dang long shitrhem bad kaba don jingmut ban pynmih ia ka mynsiem jong ki nongialehkai bad kum ka kynhun ialehkai.

Ula kyntu ia baroh ba kidei ban shim ia kane ka sienjam ban noh synniang sha ka koit ka khiah ha ka imlang sahlang.

Katba u Political Secretary & OSD jong u Myntri Rangbah ka jylla, u Bah Daniel M Thangkhiew ula pynpaw ia ka jingsngewnguh ia ka NHM kaba la jied ia ka Nongkseh ban pynlong ia kane ka jingiakob ialehkai bad ula ong ba kala pynkhie im ia kane ka shnong bad ia ki paidbah bad ka shnong Nongkseh ka long kaba kloi ban pdiang ban pynlong ia kino kino ki jingiakob ialehkai ha ki snem ban wan.

Ula ong ba ka jingsakhi ia ka jingiatreilang kum ka kynhun bad kaj ingdon ia kaakor ka burom ha kine ki 3 sngi kala kren jam bad ka long ruh ka nuksa ia kiwei pat.

Ka Dr. B. Mawlong, Joint Director ka Health Services (MCH & FW), kala ai khublei ia ki nongtrei jong ka NHM kiba la pynlong ia kane ka jingiakob ialehkai kaba kmen ba sngewbha bad kala ong ba kane ka jingiakob kam dei satia ka jingiakhun kaba tang shi sngi hynrei kadei ruh ka jingrakhe ia ka jingdon ia ka bormet, jingiatylli bad ka mynsiem kum ki nongialehkai kaba tehsong lang ia baroh kum ka kynhun Shabar jong ki kynroh jong ki jaka treikam.

Ka Dr. Mawlong kala kubur ia ka jingshah teh shah khum ha ka kam bad ka jingtrei shitom ki nongtrei ka NHM bad kala ong ba ka jingtrei met bad mynsiem ka jongki ka long kaba kongsan bha ha ka jinglah ka jylla ban ioh ia ka jingjop ha ka jingpynlong ia ki Campaign ki bapher. Kala pynpaw ruh ia ka jingkongsan ban don ka jingkhih jong ka met ka phad kaban pynduna ia ka jingkhia na ka jingpang Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) bad ki jingialehkai ki iarap ban tei ia ka bor pyrkhat pyrdain bad ban tei ia ka koit ka khiah.

Ha kane ka jingialang la ioh ruh ia ka jingkren na ka Ibamonlang Nongbri ka State Program Manager, NHM, Meghalaya, u Bah Kmembhalang Khongwir u Internal Advisor ka NEAM bad kiwei kwiei.

La pynkut ia kane ka lympung iakob da kaba kular ruh ban wanphai biang ha ka por ban wan bad ban bteng ia ka rukom ban rakhe ia ka koit ka khiah, ka jingshakri bad ka jinglong kum ki nongialehkai.

How goats are helping restore Iowa’s prairie and preserve the Loess Hills ecosystem | One Earth

In a quiet suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the top of a steep hill, the sidewalk ends, and the neighborhood seamlessly blends into wild prairie full of native grasses and vibrant wildflowers. Welcome to the Vincent Bluff State Preserve.The only urban prairie preserve in the state, Vincent Bluff offers a rare glimpse into the diverse ecosystems of the Loess Hills—an extensive formation of wind-deposited silt, creating steep, rugged hills found primarily in western Iowa. Here, the rolling prairies, oak savannas, and eastern dec...

In a quiet suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the top of a steep hill, the sidewalk ends, and the neighborhood seamlessly blends into wild prairie full of native grasses and vibrant wildflowers. Welcome to the Vincent Bluff State Preserve.

The only urban prairie preserve in the state, Vincent Bluff offers a rare glimpse into the diverse ecosystems of the Loess Hills—an extensive formation of wind-deposited silt, creating steep, rugged hills found primarily in western Iowa. Here, the rolling prairies, oak savannas, and eastern deciduous forests coexist, providing a sanctuary for various wildlife and a way for locals to reconnect with nature.

This summer, amidst the usual chorus of robins, cardinals, black-capped chickadees, and the occasional wild turkey, there is a new sound—the gentle bleating of goats. Mimicking the wild herds that once roamed here like bison and elk, albeit on a much smaller scale, these goats are at the forefront of a unique and eco-friendly method of invasive species control. This innovative approach is helping to preserve the delicate balance of the Vincent Bluff ecosystem, ensuring that this urban oasis continues to flourish.

From the farm to the bluff

The goats' journey to Vincent Bluff State Preserve began with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Loess Hills Preservation Society. Through a brush removal program funded by the NRCS, the preserve secured the necessary resources to introduce goats as a natural way to solve their invasive species problem. Matt Vermeersch and Jenny Horner, local farmers, have brought their herds to tackle the task.

On the menu: Invasive species

At Vincent Bluff, the goats primarily feast on honeysuckle and bittersweet, two pervasive invasive species. Each goat can consume up to 7% of its body weight in vegetation daily. With around 100 goats on-site—60 from Jenny’s herd and 40 from Matt’s—the area quickly benefits from this natural brush-clearing service. The goats typically clear an acre in about seven to ten days, depending on vegetation density.

The ecological impacts of goat grazing

Using goats for vegetation management has yielded noticeable ecological benefits. The goats' grazing patterns are particularly effective in controlling intrusive vegetation, allowing native plants to reclaim their territory. By eating these invasive plants, the goats create space for native species without the risks associated with controlled burns, which can be challenging in populated areas. Additionally, goats' droppings act as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil with essential nutrients and enhancing soil structure and fertility.

Goat grazing also minimizes soil disturbance compared to mechanical methods, which can compact the soil and lead to erosion. The gentle treading of goats preserves the soil’s integrity, while their hooves help aerate it, improving water infiltration and root growth.

Meet the goat wranglers: Matt and Jenny’s journey

Matt Vermeersch transitioned from a corporate job to farming after discovering his passion for animal husbandry. Initially, he and his family brought home a handful of goats to manage their acreage, but this small experiment quickly blossomed into a full-time endeavor. The satisfaction Matt found in caring for the animals and working the land led him to turn his newfound passion into a sustainable business.

Jenny Horner’s journey into goat herding was inspired by her deep connections with the local Mexican community, who have a cultural appreciation for goat meat. Her initial interest in goats as a means to share agricultural experiences with her friends evolved into a professional pursuit. Jenny and her boyfriend Emilio partnered with Matt after recognizing the potential of this work to address environmental challenges while supporting local agricultural traditions.

Both Matt and Jenny also leverage their involvement with Practical Farmers of Iowa, a nonprofit that advocates for sustainable farming practices, to enhance their expertise and impact in the field. Their dedication to community engagement and regenerative agriculture has made them invaluable partners in these ventures and a dynamic team committed to innovative environmental solutions.

Deploying the herd: A strategic approach

Setting up goats in a new area requires strategic planning. Factors such as temperature, shade availability, and vegetation type dictate the deployment strategy. At Vincent Bluff, Matt and Jenny started their goats in cooler areas with ample shade, gradually moving them to sunnier spots as temperatures allowed. This careful management ensures the goats' well-being and maximizes their grazing efficiency.

Overcoming challenges in the field

One of the biggest challenges faced by Matt and Jenny is ensuring a consistent water supply for the goats, especially in the hilly terrain of Vincent Bluff. Transporting water can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. To address this, they have implemented an efficient system of portable water tanks that can be easily relocated as the goats move through different sections of the preserve.

Additionally, biosecurity concerns necessitate keeping different herds separate to prevent disease transmission, complicating the logistics of large-scale grazing projects. An effective solution to this issue has been the use of portable electric fencing. These fences allow Matt and Jenny to quickly and securely enclose specific areas for grazing, ensuring that herds remain separate and safe.

Other grazing optimization efforts

In addition to the goat project at Vincent Bluff, Matt Vermeersch is also working with Highland cows at Hitchcock Nature Center. These robust animals are used to manage vegetation following controlled burns, promoting the regrowth of native plants, and maintaining the health of the prairie ecosystem. This method of using cattle to complement “good burns” is another example of how traditional livestock management practices can enhance modern conservation and restoration efforts.

Preserving the Loess Hills and the prairie

Both the Vincent Bluff State Preserve and Hitchcock Nature Center are integral parts of the larger Loess Hills ecosystem. The Loess Hills are a unique geological formation, characterized by steep, windblown silt deposits that create a rare prairie landscape and are home to a diverse array of plant and animal species.

The flora of the Loess Hills includes native prairie grasses such as big bluestem, little bluestem, and golden feather grass, along with wildflowers like yucca, pasque flower, and candle larkspur. These plants provide food and habitat for various wildlife. The area supports oak-hickory hardwood forests and some of the last remaining stands of prairie grass in the region. Notable fauna include white-tailed deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, ringneck pheasants, and red-tailed hawks.

Projects like the goats at the Vincent Bluff State Preserve and the Highland cows at the Hitchcock Nature Center, play a vital role in maintaining the health of this unique prairie ecosystem. By supporting the revitalization of native flora and fauna, these conservation strategies help ensure that the Loess Hills continue as a vital and vibrant natural resource.

A two-year endeavor with a vision for the future

The project at Vincent Bluff is planned as a two-year endeavor with the option to extend into a third year. The success of this multi-year effort is measured by the reduction of target invasive species and the revival of native vegetation. “It's a continuous process, and each year builds upon the previous one to create a lasting impact,” notes Matt.

A model for sustainable land management

Goat grazing at the Vincent Bluff State Preserve is more than just a vegetation management strategy; it promotes a healthier, more resilient prairie ecosystem. By reducing the need for chemical treatments and heavy machinery, goats help lower the carbon footprint of land management efforts.

The success of these efforts exemplifies how innovative and community-driven solutions can address environmental issues. By harnessing the natural behaviors of goats, this project not only manages invasive species but also fosters biodiversity.

Looking ahead, the efforts at Vincent Bluffs remind us that the answers to our most pressing ecological challenges often lie in the blend of traditional practices and modern innovation. Through community-driven initiatives and respecting the natural rhythms of the environment, we can ensure that places like the Iowa prairie continue to flourish for generations to come.

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