CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OF IOWA (CDI)
Region 7 Spring Meeting
Minutes, February 27, 2014
The meeting was called to order by CDI Executive Director, Clare Lindahl at 10:00 a.m. at
the Tipton Country Club in Tipton, Iowa. Area 7 Director, Alex Schmidt, welcomed
everyone and asked them to introduce themselves. Forty-three persons attended.
Clare Lindahl gave a presentation was on “Bonding, Fundraising, Educating and More: The
successes and challenges of Iowa’s SWCDs”. Some of the topics presented were: Annual
Work Plan, Soil & Water Conservation Plan Updates, Legislative Outreach, Absentee
Landowner Outreach, Contractor Outreach, Soil & Water Conservation Week; April 27
thru May 4, 2014, Scholarship, Poster Contest, Water Quality and Fundraising.
Vince Sitzmann, Division of Soil Conservation (DSC) Field Services Bureau Chief, talked
about the State Cost Share Funding. Cost share program started in 1973. Vince
mentioned some of the reasons: resource concerns, controlling soil erosion, summer
construction and management practices.
Cliff Bowie, Host Chairperson gave an overview of the Districts activities. One being the
funding the District received through IJOBS. This funding was partnered with Johnson
County to address the flooding problem in West Branch. The highpoint of the project was
a giant dry basin structure, called “Hoover Dam”. The structure, along with the smaller
basins and grass waterways, slowed down the water before flushing the creek and flooding
downtown West Branch and the Presidential Library.
Ruth Bolinger, Experience Works, formerly Green Thumb talked about expanding your
workforce with senior employment. They are dependable, skilled, loyal and conscientious.
Sherman Lundy, Chair, State Soil Conservation Committee. Sherman briefed the Districts
on some of the programs the committee offers: Farmer of the Year Award, Donation of
the JD Tractor; State Soil Committee Grant and working with DSC for practices and
policies.
Lunch
Sam Buman, Agren conservation planning tools for ponds, waterways, basins and wetlands.
They are working on an agreement with DSC.
Jane Weber, President of CDI. Jane talked about the importance of Partnership Day at
the Capitol, Resolution process, regional meetings, soil conservation week, and NACD.
Jim Gillespie, Director of Department of Soil Conservation, reviewed the budget. Jim
talked about the interest in cover crops this year, the fact sheet available to the offices
and the Notice of Intended Action.
Vince Sitzmann, DSC Field Services Bureau Chief, stated the WIRB grants were due on
February 28, Water Quality Initiative due on March 31 and Water Protection due on April
18. Concerns of changing the treasurer duties for the districts back to the secretaries is
not a possibly.
Jay Mar, NRCS State Conservationist, introduced himself and we have a new Farm Bill,
talked about EQIP replacing WHIP, conservation compliance will be linked to crop
insurance and the cap for EQIP funding will be increased to $450K.
Rachel Glaza, DNR talked about partnering with SWCD/DSC, lake restoration program,
Clean Water Act and program goals.
Meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m.
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Lora Schmidt, secretary