Iowa Code § 456.4

The state geologist shall investigate the characters of the various soils and their capacities for agricultural purposes, the streams, and other scientific and natural resource matters that may be of practical importance and interest. For the purpose of preserving well drilling samples, rock cores, fossils, and other materials as may be necessary to carry on investigations, the state geologist shall have the authority to lease or rent sufficient space for storage of these materials with the approval of the director of the department of administrative services. A complete cabinet collection may be made to illustrate the natural products of the state, and the state geologist may also furnish suites of materials, rocks, and fossils for colleges and public museums within the state, if it can be done without impairing the general state collection.