The Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proud to announce that Jim Gillespie was presented the Ruth Wagner Award Honoring SWCD Assistant Commissioner on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the 79th Annual Conference of Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Iowa.
After Jim Gillespie retired from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality in 2018, he continued to be involved in soil and water stewardship. First, by working as a Conservation Consultant in Cedar Lake Watershed in Madison County, and then as an Assistant Commissioner with Madison SWCD since 2021.
Jim’s background, including his career with IDALS and being a vocational ag teacher. Before that, he has made him an incredible asset to the Madison SWCD board. He has been able to provide guidance to the commissioners and staff on a wide variety of topics, which has been valuable in itself, but Jim’s participation with the SWCD board and its activities goes beyond just attending board meetings.
Jim has assisted the district by participating in the Annual Financial Review each year since he became an Assistant Commissioner. He encouraged the district to review its 5-year Soil & Water Resource Conservation Plan on a regular basis, and has served on the committee responsible for that since it was established in 2023. He has also participated in Watershed Management Authority meetings.
Jim has also made a difference with the district’s education and outreach activities. In 2022, he volunteered an entire day to speak to Madison County 5 th graders as part of Ag4Kids Day. When Madison County offered the Master Conservationist program in 2022 and 2023, Jim co-presented the Watersheds module both years. He has helped staff the district’s booth at the Madison County Fair for several years. Jim has also assisted with providing nominations for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award and helped with the district’s annual Conservation Award.
Jim has been involved in a variety of activities and functions of Madison SWCD, and the district has benefited greatly from his knowledge and willingness to participate. In addition to all of the things he has done and helped with, he is also a genuinely nice person and someone the district can count on. Jim shows up, is present, and offers not only his time, attention, and knowledge, but brings with him a passion for agriculture and conservation that isn’t just admirable; it’s inspiring.
