Conservation Districts of Iowa

SHI Launches Slakes App - Soil Health Institute In celebration of World Soil Day, SHI releases a free phone application, Slakes, to empower and engage citizens to measure aggregate stability.

Land trust group finishes planting of first 'working buffer' farm in Dubuque County The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust recently planted 5,800 shrubs and trees along Catfish Creek as its first working buffer — meant to improve water quality, increase flood resilience and produce

In the latest edition of “CDI Connections”:
CDI is reaching out to hire 25 new administrative support positions across the state – check out the latest on these openings, including website links to each position … Two popular Iowa conservation district programs for young people are ready to launch for a new year – invite your local youth organizations and schools to join! (And please help spread the word!) … Plus: CDI Planners take one quick glance back at a remarkable few years made possible by each and every Iowa Soil & Water Conservation District!

CONNECTIONS – NOVEMBER 2023 Please check out CDI's November issue of our newsletter, CONNECTIONS! CDI CONNECTIONS November 2023

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has a new summer internship position with Choose Iowa! Check out this great opportunity to work in this exciting new program and gain outstanding experience!

https://lnkd.in/gAEVrubm

We would like to take a moment to give thanks to America's farmers who provide us with all the 🦃🥔🍠🎃🌽 that make it from the farm gate to our dinner plates this time of year.

Soil health means water quality!

REMINDER! Grant pre-applications for Urban Water Quality Projects are due Nov. 17 at 4:30pm. This is an excellent vehicle to help communities manage stormwater, reduce runoff & improve water quality. https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/secretary-naig-announces-urban-water-quality-grants

Conference will be held December 4 and 5, 2023. Note the change of venue this year to The Meadows Events Center at Prairie Meadows Racetrack, Casino and Hotel in Altoona, Iowa.

Registration Open for 2023 Integrated Crop Management Conference Registration is now open for the 34th Integrated Crop Management Conference. The ICM Conference brings together a diverse range of topics, slate of expert presenters and results of the latest Unive…

Check out this report that presents data collected through the 2022 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll (IFRLP) on farmer use of and perspectives on precision farming techniques.

In the latest edition of “CDI Connections”:
CDI and NRCS announce 25 new Administrative Support positions now open to help alleviate admin workloads for local districts statewide – but help is needed to get the word out and recruit! … Plus, a northeast district is awarded a special 3-year grant from IDALS to implement a perennial grain into crop rotations!

CONNECTIONS – OCTOBER 2023 Please check out CDI's October issue of our newsletter, CONNECTIONS! CDI CONNECTIONS October 2023

Save the Date! National Ag Marketing Summit, November 12-14, 2023 in Washington D.C. For full details: agsummit.org

The joint call for proposals for the Food Distribution and Research Society (FDRS) and the Ag Summit are now open! ❗ Proposals due August 15 at https://bit.ly/AgSummitCall

The Food Distribution Research Society, Inc.

Women Marketing Grain begins Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Greene County Extension Office in Jefferson, Iowa. Don't miss this opportunity to grow, network, and excel in your agricultural journey.
Register soon! https://go.iastate.edu/VXJ9RS

REAP Public Participation Iowa's REAP program allows for public involvement, whether that is joining a county REAP committee or spreading the word about what REAP offers.

Collecting seed from plant species ready to harvest for future habitat restoration sites is an effective way to help conserve this unique and important landscape.

Following the harvest, we’ll gather around a campfire to enjoy s’mores and celebrate autumn in good company under the waxing moon. Ages 0 – 99 are encouraged to don a costume and partake in Trunk or Treat activities, with a conservation spin, at the bonfire for candy!

Register by October 20, click the link: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/moonlight-seed-harvest/

Imagine a Day Without Water is October 19, 2023 - US Water Alliance Join our ninth annual community-powered campaign for continued investment in our collective water future.

Why should farmers care about carbon?

Climate-Smart Commodities NACD recognizes the role farmers and private landowners can play in carbon sequestration or methane capture to reduce the impact of climate change.

Today is National Farmer Day. While we should thank a farmer every day, today is a day to truly thank them and the hard work and dedication to the land that they make every day to provide us with the food, fiber, and fuel we need for our every day lives. So, to our farmers, THANK YOU!

We're announcing $27.6 million in grants to provide training, outreach and technical assistance to help underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters. Funding is made through USDA’s 2501 Program, which is administered by USDA's Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

Projects funded under the 2501 Program include, but are not limited to, conferences, workshops and demonstrations on various farming techniques, and connecting underserved farmers and ranchers to USDA resources and services. Since 2010, the 2501 Program has provided more than $221 million dollars to fund more than 657 projects. Learn more: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/10/04/usda-announces-276-million-support-underserved-and-veteran-farmers

In the latest edition of “CDI Connections”:
Action alert for district commissioners regarding proposed changes at the state level that may affect conservation initiatives in Iowa … CDI Annual Conference resolutions now move into the policy arena … What strategies, projects and programs does Iowa’s “Soil and Water Conservation District of the Year” promote – and how? … In the coming few days, the public – and district commissioners – will assemble together to add their voice, concerns and proposals to state lawmakers … Plus, “Monarch Magic in Ames!”

CONNECTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2023 Please check out CDI's September issue of our newsletter, CONNECTIONS! CDI CONNECTIONS September 2023

* but first nectar * ☕🦋

Monarch butterflies travel roughly 3,000 miles on their migration to Mexico for the winter - fueled solely by nectar!

Help provide some pit stops for our friends by planting native nectar plants in your yard. You'll of course want milkweed for earlier in the summer - it's the only host plant and food for monarch caterpillars - and then at least three different plants in bloom at all times from early spring to late fall, so something is always available.

5 more ways you can help monarchs: https://bit.ly/2S0ejoN

District and Partner Job Opportunities:
CDI Wildlife Specialist Job Announcement. Fall2023. (2 Positions Available) Algona, Iowa/Corning, Iowa. See link for details.

www.cdiowa.org

USDA Celebrates First Year of Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Market Opportunity Milwaukee, Wis., September 13, 2023 – This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity’s initial project selection. Joining producers, project leaders, and project partners, Agriculture Sec...

Welcome to the ultimate gathering of nature advocates and organizations! Join us for a two-day event -- November 16-17, 2023: The "Iowa Nature Summit 2023" at Drake University Olmsted Center. This event brings together a broad spectrum of nature enthusiasts and organizations who share a common goal - to preserve and protect nature's diversity. Join us for an unforgettable two-day gathering that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.

Home | Iowanature Org Welcome to the ultimate gathering of nature advocates and organizations! Join us for a two-day event that brings together a broad spectrum of nature enthusiasts and organizations who share a common goal - to preserve and protect nature's diversity.

New book examines the importance of the Loess Hills A pair of events this week at Briar Cliff University and Book People in Sioux City will showcase a new book which looks at just how important the Loess Hills are to Siouxland.

In the latest edition of “CDI Connections”:
Commissioners, assistant commissioners and guests – state and federal partners – and CDI leadership and staff all gathered from around the state for the 2023 CDI Annual Conference in Ames – read about new leadership for CDI, observations from featured speakers, and view a photo page of activities (including a link to a 2-minute ‘photo montage’) … Outgoing Executive Director John Whitaker offers some encouraging thoughts about the future of Iowa conservation in a special Q&A session … A just-released cover crops report challenges assumptions … Plus: the 2023 CDI Poster Contest winners!

CDI News News Archive

Congratulations to Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year Dan Voss, & his wife Susan! The award - sponsored by Iowa Farm Bureau and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship - was presented at Conservation Districts of Iowa’s Annual Conference. Dan also received free use of a tractor for a year from Van Wall Equipment in Perry & John Deere.