The first application cutoff for Iowa farmers and other private landowners to apply for conservation practices in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 through USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs is Nov. 22.

NRCS accepts conservation program applications on a continuous basis but sets application cutoff dates as funding allows. Iowa agricultural producers and private landowners can apply for NRCS conservation program funding by visiting their local NRCS office. Iowa has 100 NRCS field offices, located at USDA Service Centers in every county.

The Nov. 22 application cutoff includes the following NRCS Farm Bill programs:

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

To read the full News Release on the NRCS website, visit: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/iowa/news/iowa-nrcs-sets-nov-22-cutoff-for-conservation

The North Thompson River Water Quality Project, which is overseen by the Adair, Madison, and Union County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), has an opening for a Project Coordinator.  The position can be full-time or part-time, and the duty station is negotiable between the USDA Service Centers in Madison County (Winterset) and Union County (Creston). 

The primary objectives of the project are to improve water quality in the North Thompson River by reducing sediment delivery from erosion on cropland and pastureland by installing planned Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as Grassed Waterways, Terraces, Water and Sediment Control Basins, and Grade Stabilization Structures.  Some of the main job duties include outreach activities, assisting with planning, implementing and certifying BMPs, evaluating environmental benefits of practices, helping to update the watershed assessment, and tracking and reporting progress.   

More details about the position, including instructions on how to apply, can be found in the position announcement below. 

The application deadline is Wednesday, October 30, 2024. 

To learn more about the North Thompson River Water Quality Project, visit this page.

Madison County SWCD is pleased to welcome Triston Davidson as the District Soil and Water Resource Technician.  Triston started his new position on September 16, 2024, and shares this introduction:

“Hello, my name is Triston Davidson. I am the new District Technician here in Madison County. I live in Winterset with my girlfriend Madilyn, but am originally from Orient, Iowa. I was in the FFA for all four years of high school and a part of their soil judging team where we were able to succeed and go to state. Growing up only a half hour away I am familiar with the area and most of the people. After graduation, I attended Southwestern Community College majoring in wildlife management for a year until I started in the workforce where I have had multiple agricultural jobs. Agriculture has always played a big part in my life coming from such a small town and I look forward to joining the team and seeing what the future of the SWCD holds.”

We are happy to have Triston on the team to help us conserve, protect, and enhance our resource for current and future generations in Madison County!