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New Auditorium Launched in Luanda 6/30/23, 9:00 PM This item is connected to a text field in your content collection. Double click to add your own content. Click the Content Manager icon on the add panel to your left. This item is connected to a text field in your content collection. Double click what you want to edit and then select "Change Content" to open the collection. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click the Content Manager icon on the add panel to your left. In the Content Manager, you can update items, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your content collection is already set up with fields and content. Add your own by editing each field, or import CSV files to your content collection. You can create fields for rich content, images, videos and more. Use input elements like custom forms and fields to collect info from your site visitors and store it in your Content Collections. Make sure all your elements are Connected to Data, and make sure to Preview your Site to check that everything is connected correctly. Back

Recent Classrooms Renovations 7/31/23, 9:00 PM This item is connected to a text field in your content collection. Double click to add your own content. Click the Content Manager icon on the add panel to your left. This item is connected to a text field in your content collection. Double click what you want to edit and then select "Change Content" to open the collection. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click the Content Manager icon on the add panel to your left. In the Content Manager, you can update items, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your content collection is already set up with fields and content. Add your own by editing each field, or import CSV files to your content collection. You can create fields for rich content, images, videos and more. Use input elements like custom forms and fields to collect info from your site visitors and store it in your Content Collections. Make sure all your elements are Connected to Data, and make sure to Preview your Site to check that everything is connected correctly. Back

The Role of Sports in the Education System 10/31/23, 10:00 PM This item is connected to a text field in your content collection. Double click to add your own content. Click the Content Manager icon on the add panel to your left. This item is connected to a text field in your content collection. Double click what you want to edit and then select "Change Content" to open the collection. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click the Content Manager icon on the add panel to your left. In the Content Manager, you can update items, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your content collection is already set up with fields and content. Add your own by editing each field, or import CSV files to your content collection. You can create fields for rich content, images, videos and more. Use input elements like custom forms and fields to collect info from your site visitors and store it in your Content Collections. Make sure all your elements are Connected to Data, and make sure to Preview your Site to check that everything is connected correctly. Back

Back Our Commissioners Dallas County SWCD is a legal subdivision of state government that is managed by a board of five elected commissioners. We work together with our partners (including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality) to address local natural resource concerns in our district. Chair Craig Fleishman Vice-Chair Ken Herring Treasurer Pat McNorton Co-Treasurer Michael Mitchell Commissioner Veronica Lack Conservation Assistant Emily Gibson Interested in Joining the Team as an assistant commissioner? Come find out the steps at one of our regular monthly meetings!

WQI Statewide Cover Crops We are currently in the middle of processing claims for Cover Crops through the WQI Statewide Cover Crop Program. Currently we have processed 16 of the 25 application, benefitting 1,227 acres, with a cost share total of over $18,000.00.

2024 Supporter Iowa Envirothon is back! We at Conservation Districts of Iowa are excited to welcome the next great group of young Iowans from all over the state for our annual competition, a chance for youth to deep dive into valuable environmental and natural resource problem- solving, teambuilding and leadership experiences! And we ask for your help! As someone who is close to, or works with young students, we count on your support to help recruit and guide our young learners through the phases of competition. Will you help us out? Envirothon challenges students to hone critical thinking skills and create inventive solutions to the complex local and global environmental and natural resource issues facing our world today. Experiencing Envirothon can open the way to a life-enhancing future. Students feel empowered to educate others, take action in their local communities, pursue higher academic study in environmental disciplines, and work toward careers in the environment, natural resources and conservation. Mark your calendars: the Iowa Envirothon state competition will be held April 29th at Jester Park . But to get there, your teams will first be challenged in Regional competition tests, which in 2024 will be held virtually in an online testing format. These tests will be open to take starting Monday, March 18th through Friday, March 29th . More information and directions for how the online process will work will be sent out closer to the Regionals testing dates. We hope you’ll share this great chance to take part in a rewarding and fun group event with your local young people – high school students grades 9-12 or ages 14-19. This will be their chance to meet others from around Iowa who share our passion for conservation and sustainability. Check online for updates and more information, including registration form, sample study guide and tests, rules and regulations, and links to the national event: https://cdiowa.org/get-involved/envirothon . Registration forms are now online on CDI’s website and can be found HERE . PLEASE HAVE YOUR REGISTRATION FORM AND TEAM MEMBER INFORMATION FORM TURNED IN BY FRIDAY, March 2nd . Please let me know if you have any questions, and we’re looking forward to another fun and successful Envirothon! CARLEE SABUS Program Manager Conservation Districts of Iowa 2015 Grand Ave Box #15 Ste LL2 Des Moines, IA 50312 Visit the website at Envirothon - Conservation Districts of Iowa (cdiowa.org) for more information. Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what your team does and what your site has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement.

Annual Agriculture in the Classroom 5/31/23, 9:00 PM Perry Middle School hosted the third annual Agriculture in the Classroom on Tuesday, October 17. Dallas County District Conservationist Aaron Eggert and Soil Conservationist Tyler Reams did a demonstration land management and the benefits of good soil health. Perry Middle School hosted the third annual Agriculture in the Classroom on Tuesday, October 17. Dallas County District Conservationist Aaron Eggert and Soil Conservationist Tyler Reams did a demonstration land management and the benefits of good soil health. Back

How Conservation Districts Work Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are legal subdivisions of state government. SWCDs in Iowa are managed by a board of five elected commissioners serving four-year terms. With assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS ) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS ) – Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality, commissioners address the natural resource issues that are most critical in their districts. The board of commissioners is responsible for carrying out state laws and programs within district boundaries, including erosion and sediment control laws, conservation cost-sharing (IFIP, REAP, WQI, etc.), State Revolving Fund loans, and water quality protection projects. The general statement of powers, duties, and specific provisions of Conservation Districts are contained in Iowa Code Chapter 161A . The Role of Commissioners Commissioners help decide the direction of soil and water conservation programs in the county and have the opportunity to influence state and national conservation programs. Commissioners are expected to take part in regular monthly meetings, become knowledgeable of the SWCD laws and programs, develop and carry out soil and water resource conservation plans, and help direct financial incentives programs. Commissioners’ roles include activities such as establishing conservation priorities for the District, resolving soil loss complaints, establishing acceptable soil loss limits, publishing an annual report, approving soil conservation plans, and assisting in the management of district funds and personnel. Assistant Commissioners may be appointed by the board to assist with the activities of the District. Assistant Commissioners may act in an advisory capacity and offer suggestions or comments, but do not have a vote on the board. How to Become a Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner Commissioners may come from all walks of life; all you need is an interest in protecting our natural resources. If you are qualified to vote in a general election and reside in Dallas County, you are eligible to be a candidate for election to the board of the Dallas County SWCD. Five commissioners are elected at general elections on a nonpartisan basis for staggered four-year terms. Up to two commissioners may reside in any one township. The position is voluntary (unpaid), though commissioners are reimbursed for expenses and protected from personal liability. To run for election, candidates must file a Nomination Petition (with at least 25 signatures of eligible voters) and an Affidavit of Candidacy with the Dallas County Auditor no later than the 69th day before the general election. Elected commissioners take an oath of office and begin their four-year term on the first business day in January (that is not a Sunday or holiday) following the election. For more information on becoming a commissioner, visit Conservation Districts of Iowa’s website here . Conservation District Organizations Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) supports the soil and water conservation districts through public education, acknowledgement, commissioner development, policy, on-the-ground conservation, conservation practice promotion, events and more. CDI’s mission is to inform, educate and lead Iowans through our local soil and water conservation districts to promote conservation of natural resources. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. NACD’s mission is to promote responsible management and conservation of natural resources on all lands by representing locally-led conservation districts and their associations through grassroots advocacy, education and partnerships. Back

Federal Financial Assistance Programs Programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Learn more about EQIP EQIP: Environmental Quality Incentive Programs EQIP is a voluntary conservation program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. (Note: as of the 2014 Farm Bill, the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program [WHIP] was combined with EQIP.) This program is available to farmers, and offers financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. Applications for EQIP can be made at local NRCS offices. The EQIP application is based on assistance and decisions reached with producers during the conservation planning process. EQIP applications are prioritized for funding using a state or locally developed ranking worksheet that generally considers cost-effectiveness, resources to be treated, meeting national EQIP priorities, compliance with federal, state or tribal environmental regulations or reducing the need for future regulations and, to a degree, the location of the contract. Funded EQIP applications result in a contract which lists the practices to be applied along with an application schedule and federal funds committed. Conservation practices applied with EQIP funds are to be maintained for the service life of the practice, which may be longer than the term of the EQIP contract. The minimum contract length is one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice with a maximum length of ten years. The implemented practices are subject to NRCS technical standards. Farmers may elect to use NRCS or a Technical Service Provider for EQIP technical assistance. Please give us a call or stop by our office for more program information and eligibility requirements. Learn more about CSP CSP: Conservation Stewardship Program CSP is designed to help producers build on existing conservation efforts (such as no-till farming and rotational grazing, for example) and take their land management goals to the next level. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to eligible producers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest lands, agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, and other private agricultural land (including cropped woodland, marshes, and agricultural land used for the production of livestock) on which resource concerns related to agricultural production could be addressed. Learn more about ACEP ACEP: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program As of the 2014 Farm Bill, former easement programs including the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) have been combined into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. ACEP provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, NRCS helps Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps to restore, protect, and enhance enrolled wetlands. Learn more about CRP CRP: Conservation Reserve Program The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are 10-15 years in length. The long-term goal of the program is to re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat. Participants can enroll in CRP in two ways. The first is through a competitive process known as CRP General Sign-up. General CRP sign-ups are announced on a periodic basis by the Secretary of Agriculture; they do not occur according to any fixed schedule. The second way to enroll is through CRP Continuous Sign-up which offers on a continuous basis. All enrollment offers are processed through your local FSA office. The General Sign-up typically allows landowners to apply to put large tracts of highly erodible land that meet cropping history requirements into CRP. These applications are ranked, and the top-ranking applications are accepted into the program. Continuous Sign-up is available for practices that protect highly sensitive environmental areas, and include practices such as filter strips, buffers, grassed waterways, wetlands, etc. Because Continuous Sign-up CRP has standardized rental and cost share rates, landowners can see if their ground is eligible and estimate what their payments will be before even applying.

Soil Health Learn More About Soil Health Iowa Soil Health Resources

Contact Us 1918 Greene St. Suite 2 Adel, IA 50003 Emily Gibson - Conservation Assistant 515-933-3413 ext 3 Emily.Gibson@ia.nacdnet.net Follow Us Facebook Instagram Dallas County Natural Resource Conservation Service Tyler Reams, Soil Conservationist (tyler.reams@usda.gov) Aaron Eggert, District Conservationist (aaron.eggert@usda.gov) 515-993-3413

Water Education Visit Clean Water Iowa Website Incredible Wetlands This award-winning documentary by Water Rocks! explores the biologically productive, and diverse, nature of wetlands and the vital role they play to life on Earth. The film highlights several Iowans who are involved in wetland restoration or construction in Iowa. It explores the wealth of biodiversity in wetlands, their importance for migratory birds and their water quality improvement benefits. Through video and images, this film is witness to the beauty of wetlands.