CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OF IOWA
REGION 8 SPRING MEETING
Cromwell Church Basement
Cromwell, Iowa
February 27, 2013
4:00 – 8:00 PM
Clare Lindahl – CDI Executive Director
Clare welcomed everyone to the meeting. She introduced herself and provided a little
background information. Each person introduced themselves.
Those present:
SWCD
Clarke
Decatur
Fremont
Page
Page
Page
Ringgold
Ringgold
Ringgold
Taylor
Taylor
Union
Union
Union
Union
Commissioners & Asst Commissioners
Ringgold/Union
Page/Montgomery
Adams/Taylor
Clarke
Wayde Ross, NRCS District Conservationist
Shane McNaughton, NRCS District Conservationist
Doug Davenport, NRCS District Conservationist
Dennis Schrodt, NRCS District Conservationist
Secretary
Tracy Booth
Brad Funk Commissioner
Phil Wing, Commissioner
Robert Henke, Commissioner
Curtis Meier, Commissioner
Barbara Johnson, Commissioner
Lee Faris, Commissioner
Beverly McGinnis, Commissioner
Kelly Tobin, Commissioner/SSCC
Jerry Fine, Commissioner
Mike Eblen, Commissioner
Eric Forquer, Commissioner
John Tapken, Asst Commissioner
Steve Crittenden, Asst. Commissioner
Other Agency Representatives
Tim Palmer, Past President, Conservation Districts of Iowa
Jim Gillespie, IDALS/DSC - Director
Bob Waters, Regional Coordinator, Water Resource Bureau
Vince Sitzmann, IDALS-DSC- Field Services Bureau , Chief
Brandon Dittman, DSC Field Representative
Jamie Carpenter, NRCS Asst. State Conservationist (FO) Area 4
Jay Mar, NRCS State Conservationist - Iowa
Steve Cole, NRCS State Conservationist – North Dakota
Mike McGhee, Iowa DNR
Steve Hopkins, Iowa DNR
Becky Taylor
Kelsey Kinyon
Dixie Baker
Moving Conservation Forward in the Face of Change:
The Role of Conservation Districts of Iowa and Commissioners
Clare discussed the importance of involvement by the commissioners and assistant
commissioners. Outreach such as Legislative Field Days, Partnership Day at the Capitol, field
days such as the recent Soil Health Meeting in Lenox, info in the newspapers about happenings
for the District and promote soil and water conservation week. Commissioners and Assistant
Commissioners were encouraged to think outside of the box and try new ideas. Clare is always
open to try new ideas and promotions. Commissioners were encouraged to promote Soil &
Water Conservation Week, April 28 – May 5th.
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy: What does it mean for Farmers & Districts
– Vince Sitzmann, DSC Field Services Bureau Chief
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology based framework to assess
and reduce nutrient delivered to Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico. The Iowa strategy steps
will include prioritizing watersheds and limited resources, improving the effectiveness of
current programs and increasing voluntary efforts to reduce nutrient loading from nonpoint
sources. Public Meetings and webinar resources will be used to educate Iowans about the
strategy and answer questions. Presentations will be made to farmers, crop advisors and
others in the ag industry. Tools such as targeted areas, voluntary conservation measures in
conjunction with research, development and demonstrations of new approaches will be used.
At this time we are not sure how much DSC will be involved with this but for sure will be
involved.
The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award is to recognize voluntary efforts of farmers as
environmental leader committed to healthy soils and improved water quality. Districts were
encouraged to submit nominations. The nominations are due June 15 th.
Cover Crops: A Year in Review and the Year head
An Iowa Farmers Perspective on Cover Crops
Clare Lindahl and Kelly Tobin
Clare discussed the benefits of cover crops. Kelly Tobin has been doing cover crops in Taylor
County for 5 years and shared his experiences.
Dinner
A wonderful dinner was provided by Cromwell Church ladies.
PARTNER REPORTS
Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI)
Tim Palmer
Tim Palmer, past President of CDI provided information from CDI.
 CDI was very pleased with the number of Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners
that attended Partnership Day at the Capitol in January. Thanked them for attending
and providing support.
 Resolutions – last day April 12, 2013
 CDI Tour – Fort Dodge – June 11/12, 2013
 Annual Conference – September 4/5, 2013
State Soil Conservation Committee
Kelly Tobin
The State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC) is the policy maker for IDALS-DSC.
 Thanked commissioners for attending Partnership Day at the Capitol
 Encouraged commissioners to attend the Annual Conference
DSC Update
Jim Gillespie, IDALS-DSC Director
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Thanks to host counties
Budget for FY 2014
Chapter 10 & 12 updated – proposed rule changes
Will be no new applications for WSP or WSPF this year
Farm Bill XIII – Contracts should be out soon
Clean Water SRF Loans and Sponsors
Bob Waters
The Storm Water program was discussed. The District can be a sponsor to these projects and
this would bring in additional cost share dollars for conservation work to the county for work in
that watershed.
Internship Program
Brandon Dittman
Intern positions sponsored by IDALS-DSC are available to Districts. Counties were encouraged
to apply.
 DSC will provide limited funding to help support these positions.
 Limited to 480 hours at $10 per hours ($9 DSC contribution)
 Intern must be enrolled in college or recent graduate of ag, conservation or engineering
 Most of time will be spent working on CRP related items
 Will be required to host a field day or informational meeting, or an outreach event
 Will be required to do a wrap up report
 Work activities will be decided by SWCD
NRCS Updates
Jamie Carpenter and Jay Mar
Jamie Carpenter – Assistant State Conservationist (FO) Area 4
 Computer Update (Conservation Delivery Streamlining Initiative) This is to implement a
more effective, efficient and sustainable model for delivering conservation assistance.
 Budget
 Programs
 CRP Signup starts May 20th
Jay Mar- NRCS State Conservationist
Mr. Mar did a wrap up of NRCS activities. Thanked us for inviting him.
DNR
Mike McGhee and Steve Hopkins
Mike McGhee talked about Lake Restorations and the amount of dollars that come into the
state thru our lakes.
Hopkins gave an update on water quality projects and shared information on a grant program
with entities for research.
Accomplishments of Ringgold and Union Districts
Wayde Ross, District Conservationist did a short powerpoint presentation on the
accomplishments for the Ringgold/Union Management Unit. Thanked everyone for coming and
have a safe trip home.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
Dixie Baker, Union SWCD Secretary
Becky Taylor, Ringgold SWCD Secretary