The Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to welcome Levi Tschetter as the 2025 IDALS Conservation Technician Internship. This year, the SWCD’s summer intern is employed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), and Madison SWCD is responsible for providing 20% local cash
match for the position. Levi began his internship on June 6 th and provided this introduction:

“Hello, my name is Levi Tschetter and I am the new intern with the Madison County SWCD for the summer of 2025. I am a junior at Iowa State University majoring in Aerospace Engineering, but am staying with my parents outside of Indianola for the summer. I don’t have much of a background in agriculture but I am excited to learn
about conservation and land management.”

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

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.