The Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) invites fairgoers to stop by their booth in the Farm Bureau building during the 2025 Madison County Fair.

Since 2015, the Madison County Farm Bureau has shared their space with Madison SWCD, which will be staffing a booth Wednesday through Saturday.

This year, visitors can learn about native plants and habitats, and the wildlife that rely on those resources. There will be free posters available, and kids (of all ages) can get a conservation-themed temporary tattoo. Cultivating Connections, a project of the Madison County Conservation Board, will also have free native plants to give away on July 18 and 19.   

Madison SWCD also encourages the public to attend the Conservation Awards presentation on Wednesday, July 16 at 5:45 p.m. at the North Show Ring (before the Queen and King Contest). 

In addition to presenting the 2025 Conservation Award, Madison SWCD will also be drawing the winner of the raffle for a pair of 3-Day General Admission Tickets to the Hinterland Music Festival in St. Charles on August 1-3. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $20 up until the drawing at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16. 

Madison SWCD’s booth at County Fair is a great place to learn more about the Conservation District and its programs and activities in Madison County; or visit www.madison-swcd.org for more information. Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is celebrating National Soil Health Day by
holding a field day at McLaughlin Farms on Monday, June 23, 2025.

McLaughlin Farms is located at 3272 140 th Street in rural Cumming, Iowa. Registration will open at 9:00a.m. and the program will begin at 9:30 a.m.

The field day will feature Dennis McLaughlin, the 5 th generation farmer hosting the field day on his family’s farm; the Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Station and a demonstration of the rainfall simulator; Ruth Blomquist, NRCS Soil Health Specialist for the SW Iowa Area; Erin Van Waus, Conservation Easement Director with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation; and a tour of the pasture with soil health demonstrations in the field. A complimentary lunch of hamburgers and all beef hot dogs will be provided by the Madison County Cattlemen, with additional support for the meal provided by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council.

The basic principles for improving soil health are: 1) maximize soil cover, 2) minimize soil disturbance, 3)
keep living roots growing in the soil as much as possible throughout the year, 4) maximize diversity, and
5) incorporate livestock. The farming operation at McLaughlin Farms, which includes row crops, hay and
forage, and beef cattle, uses a variety of conservation practices that not only conserve soil by reducing
erosion, but also build and improve soil health.

This event is free and open to the public. Madison SWCD requests that attendees pre-register by
Tuesday, June 17.  Attendees can register online (see link below), or by calling Madison County SWCD at
515-462-4884 extension 3, or sending an email to Anna.Golightly@ia.nacdnet.net.  If accommodations
are needed, please indicate when registering.

Register online: https://forms.gle/NZLu45YPJMqLqcj8A
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1218134890098765
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ba61ewN6LoJzjuLTA

The Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is holding a fundraising raffle for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Hinterland Music Festival.

The Hinterland Music Festival is taking place in Saint Charles, Iowa the weekend of August 1-3, 2025, and Madison SWCD is offering a chance to win a pair of 3-Day General Admission tickets to the event (valued at $600). Headlining artists include Lana Del Rey, Kacey Musgraves, and Tyler, The Creator.

Raffle tickets cost $20.00 each, and Madison SWCD is limiting sales to only 50 raffle tickets. The drawing will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 during the Conservation Award presentation at 5:45 p.m. in the North Show Ring at the Madison County Fair.

Madison SWCD can only accept cash and checks. Until all 50 tickets are sold, they will be available to purchase at the Madison SWCD office (please call ahead to ensure the Conservation Assistant will be available); and at upcoming events such as the Ensuring Your Land’s Legacy Workshop on June 3, the Prairie Walk on June 7, and the Soil Health Field Day on June 23; and Madison SWCD’s booth at the Farm Bureau building the day of the drawing if tickets remain. Additionally, tickets can be purchased from some of the Madison SWCD commissioners.

This raffle supports Madison SWCD in its efforts to conserve, protect, and enhance our resources for current and future generations. Donations, including raffle ticket sales, help provide funding for staff (such as our summer intern, technicians, etc.), the student scholarship award, information and education activities and materials, and other endeavors that further soil and water conservation in
Madison County. All contributions are greatly appreciated!

To learn more about Hinterland Music Festival and see the full lineup, visit: www.hinterlandiowa.com

To learn more about the raffle, call Madison SWCD at 515-462-4884 ext. 3, visit the website: www.madison-swcd.org, or follow Madison SWCD on Facebook and X @madisonswcdiowa

Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District is an equal opportunity provider and employer.