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The Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) invites the public to visit our one-time vendor booth at the Madison County Farmers Market on June 20 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Farmers Market is held on the courthouse lawn; Madison SWCD will be set up in booth space number 65 on the southeast corner of the square.

In celebration of Pollinator Week (June 22-28), the booth will focus on pollinators (bees, butterflies, birds, etc.) and the habitats that support them. There will be an interactive exhibit to show how deep some native plants’ roots can grow, temporary tattoos, as well as information about native plants, pollinators, and Rainscaping practices. We will also be offering free prairie plants (through our partnership with Cultivating Connections) to help visitors get a jumpstart on creating their own pollinator garden!

The Iowa Learning Farms’ Conservation Station will also be at the Madison County Farmers Market on June 20! The Conservation Station will be parked near the food trucks on the southeast corner, and will feature a rainfall simulator, Enviroscape, and poo toss game.

Learn more here:

Conservation Station:
https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/conservation-station
https://www.facebook.com/ialearningfarms

Madison County Farmers Market:
https://www.madisoncofarmersmarket.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MadisonCoFarmersMarket

Pollinator Week:
https://pollinator.org/pollinator-week
https://www.facebook.com/PollinatorPartnershipOfficial

Cultivating Connections:
https://www.madisoncountyparks.org/cultivating-connections/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1159416045071180

The Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to welcome Emma Shields as the 2026 IDALS Conservation Technician Intern! The summer intern position is employed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), but Madison SWCD is providing 20% local cash match for the position.

Emma began her position on May 26 and shared this introduction:

“Hi! My name is Emma Shields and I am the 2026 Madison County – IDALS Conservation Technician Summer Intern! I am from Lamoni, Iowa but currently living in Indianola for school. I just finished up my junior year at Simpson College where I am studying Marketing Communication. I have always found interest and passion in agriculture. I have been involved in groups such as the Lamoni High School FFA chapter, an AG Business club, and the Iowa Corn CAT Team, which have all taught me so much. I am excited to spend my summer in Madison County learning even more! I am excited and blessed to have this internship opportunity and I am looking forward to all this summer has to offer!”

To learn more about the IDALS Summer Internships, visit:
https://iowaagriculture.gov/dscwq/summer-internships

The Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) commissioners would like to congratulate Marissa Ford as the 2026 Conservation Scholarship recipient! The commissioners presented a certificate and check to Ms. Ford at their monthly meeting on May 13. Ms. Ford plans to continue her education at Southwestern Community College in Creston this fall. Her application was forwarded to CDI Region 6 to be considered for a statewide scholarship.

Madison SWCD received two strong applications this year, and the commissioners also awarded a smaller scholarship to the second-place candidate, Cael Hirsch. Madison SWCD has been accepting scholarship applications on behalf of Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) for many years, but has only been offering its own local scholarship award since 2023.  The scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors pursuing programs of study in conservation or agriculture. 

For more information about the scholarship and other opportunities for students, visit
www.madison-swcd.org/for-students/