Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner Training John Whitaker Executive Director Conservation Districts of Iowa

Agenda Role & Responsibilities of Soil and Water Conservation Districts & Commissioners The Story of Soil & Water Conservation Rising to the Challenge: Filling the Role & Upholding the Responsibilities The Partnership: Partner roles in supporting commissioners Resources available and must attend events

Roles & Responsibilities Empowered through Iowa Code 161A Elected official 5 elected commissioners per board/appointed assistant commissioners Four year terms, non partisan, even numbered years during general election No compensation, reimbursed for actual expenses as funding allows Protected from personal liability in the discharge of duties

Roles & Responsibilities Hold monthly meetings Abide by Iowa Open Meetings Law Send out a notice of meeting with agenda 24 hours in advance Have a quorum (3 commissioners) when conducting official business Maintain complete and accurate meeting minutes Conduct meetings under standard parliamentary procedures Create and publish an annual report The Commissioner Handbook provides a copy of the open meeting codes as well as Suggested parliamentary procedure

Roles & Responsibilities Commissioners should: Adopt and follow financial policies annually on: Separation of Duties Disbursements Receipts Petty Cash (avoid cash transactions) Carefully reviewing the Districts monthly financials Conducting annual audits of the Districts financials

Disbursement suggestions Two signatories required on checks over $$$$ with the exception of payroll checks. All SWCD financial records should be kept in a locked cabinet. Pre-signed checks or signature stamped checks should not be used. Checks should not be written for cash. Records of voided checks should be retained and filed. You do not have to adopt these suggestions but they are intended to show you good financial management of public funds

Disbursement suggestions continued All disbursements must be supported by appropriate documentation including a valid invoice which identifies: Vendor name and address Date of service Itemized list of goods or services provided Amount due Travel vouchers with proper documentation are required for reimbursing employees: Mileage documentation (Google™ Maps, State of Iowa Travel Voucher, etc.) Itemized receipts for meals, lodging, and miscellaneous travel expenses. As the slide before, you do not have to adopt these suggestions but they are intended to show you good financial management of public funds

Receipt suggestions - A pre-numbered receipt book will be used to issue all receipts. - A duplicate copy of the receipt will be retained and filed. - Treasurer and Co-treasurer will reconcile the receipt book monthly with the original bank statement and treasurer’s report. - All checks will be endorsed “For Deposit Only” upon receipt. - All funds will be maintained in a secure locked location until deposited. As the slide before, you do not have to adopt these suggestions but they are intended to show you good financial management of public funds

Roles & Responsibilities Managing funds in the District In District Account 1M funds for commissioner expenses Funds from District fundraising activities (tree sales, equipment rental, donations, etc.) – use as commissioners like Funds from grants such as DNR 319, WPF, WSPF,WIRB & WQI for administration including salary, benefits, education and outreach, supplies, equipment, travel and training, etc. - monthly requests for these funds required In FARMS (Financial And Resource Management System) All practices receiving state cost share, DNR 319, WPF, WSPF, WIRB, WQI, No interest and low interest loans NRCS Systems (Pro Tracts) All practices receiving federal cost share, EQIP, CSP, CRP etc.

Roles & Responsibilities Commissioners are bonded under the state’s bond. The commissioners shall provide for the execution of surety bonds for all employees and officers who shall be entrusted with funds or property; shall provide for the keeping of a full and accurate record of all proceedings and of all resolutions, regulations, and orders issued or adopted; and shall regularly report to the division a summary of financial information regarding moneys controlled by the commissioners, which are not audited by the state, according to rules adopted by the division. - Iowa Code 161A

Roles & Responsibilities Get practices on the land to conserve soil and water Cover Crops Rain Gardens No Till IDALS www.forevergreengrows.com/landscaping Wetlands Bioreactors Pasture Mgmt IDALS NRCS NRCS

Roles & Responsibilities Tell the story of conservation NRCS

Story of Soil & Water Conservation: Father of Soil Conservation Hugh Hammond Bennett Born April 15, 1881, Anson County, North Carolina on a 1200 acre cotton plantation 1903: Graduated from University of North Carolina, specialized in geology and chemistry Became a soil surveyor with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) immediately upon graduation Hugh Hammond Bennett 1881-1960

Story of Soil & Water Conservation: Legislation for Loam 1937: Bennett presents to congressional subcommittee in favor of Public Law 46: The Soil Conservation Act Bennett known for evangelical zeal, showman Timed presentation to congressional subcommittee to coincide with arrival of great dust storm in D.C. “Gentleman, Get ready because here comes Oklahoma” Passed by Congress, signed by President same year Established SCS as permanent agency within USDA, Bennett remains director First constitutional act in the history of this or any other nation that sought to control and prevent soil erosion, flooding, and other threats to natural resources

Story of Soil & Water Conservation: Districts in Iowa 1939: Governor Wilson passes FDR’s Soil Conservation Districts Law, State Soil Conservation Committee and Agency is formed, is transferred to Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) in 1986 1940: Iowa’s first district if formed by three townships in Marion, Montgomery County becomes first county wide Iowa soil district 1952: All counties are represented by districts

Story of Soil & Water Conservation: Stressing Soil Stewardship 1939: First major plowing match 1941: Governor Wilson proclaims first Iowa Soil Conservation Week 1946: First major Conservation Field Day held in Marion in conjunction with plowing matches, Bennett, speaker, praises event as one of the most significant ever held in the interest of conservation 1948: President Truman delivers campaign speech to 100,000 Iowans at National Plowing Contest, Dexter 1949: First Soil Conservation Recognition Programs by WMT of Cedar Rapids Above: 100,000 Iowans , 1948 Left: National Plow – Terrace Building Contest, 1946 We have come a long way in conservation from sponsoring the plowing contest

Story of Soil & Water Conservation: Cost Share for Conservation 1950: Iowa Legislature made available first tax money for soil conservation work in Iowa 1973: Iowa becomes the first state to appropriate state cost-share funds for conservation

Story of Soil & Water Conservation: Iowa Legislation, First in Nation Establishes a soil loss limit Mandates soil conservation if a complaint is filed and district and others determine soil loss is greater than established limits 75% of mandated cost share be paid by the states cost share appropriations First law of its kind in the nation 1979: Legislation challenged Law found valid and constitutional by Iowa Supreme Court

Story of Soil & Water Conservation: Urban Conservation in Iowa 1970: Amendment is passed by Iowa Legislature that all cities and towns in Iowa must be included in soil districts and urban residents in the county could vote and could become commissioners as well 1997: NRCS State Conservationist created NRCS Urban Conservationist Position 2000: IDALS creates first Environmental Specialist Position tasked with doing Urban Conservation 2008: Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey introduces five new Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship employees focused on conservation of soil and water in urban areas 2012: $1 million requested by Northey in budget to Governor for Urban Conservation 2013-2016: REAP and WQI rules allow for urban projects URBAN POLLUTION ! CONSERVATION SOLUTION!

Rising to the New Challenges: Variable weather patterns Increase in population-increase pressure on the land Soil losses Nearly 600 of Iowa’s streams, rivers & lakes are impaired or highly polluted, contributing to Dead Zone in Gulf of Mexico Over 50% of land in Iowa is rented Decrease in government resources More partners

Rising to the New Challenges: Why conserve Iowa’s soil & water? Protect agricultural industry in Iowa Protect tourism industry and quality of life for Iowa’s visitors and Iowans For Iowa’s natural heritage, plants, fish & wildlife For Iowa’s future, children ISU DNR

Rising to the Challenge: How? Plan District plans 5 year Soil and Water Resource Plan District Annual Work Plan Consider partner, local, and WMA plans IDALS-DSC Nutrient Reduction Strategy NRCS Strategic Plan NRCS local Business Plan Watershed Management Authority Plan Surveys, investigations, research

Five year plans Should be renewed every five years and reviewed annually Information in plans used to fulfill EPA nonpoint source Management plan Public input into plan development is critical District wide plan but should consider individual watersheds Plans should contain achievable goals The plan should be flexible to account for changing conditions Consider how local Watershed Management Authorities fit into plan

District Annual work plan Use five plan as a starting point Seek public input to prepare plan Identify major concerns in your District Determine your objectives and goals for the year Analyze all of the resource data you have available Analyze which activities will help you accomplish your goals Be flexible, conditions may change Share your plan publicly

Rising to the Challenge: How? Public and Partner Participation Locally led process Identify representatives of all stakeholders in county Invite representatives to a meeting to provide input Ask representatives to complete survey Compile results Use results in district plans and actions; pass on input to state leadership

Rising to the Challenge: How? Prepare Understand the tools & resources available to you Learn what state, federal and local resources are available Attend Spring Regional Commissioners Meetings and the Commissioner Annual Conference Ask questions of office staff & partners

Rising to the Challenge: How? Promote Lead by example, you are conservation role models in your District Demo projects, field days, workshops, tours, legislative events Websites, social media Awards Signage Presentations in the community, schools Participate in expos Reach out to the media Give Champions a platform

Rising to the Challenge: How? Pay Provide financial assistance Require maintenance on cost share practices Utilize existing federal and state funding available Grants Fundraisers (tree and flower sales, sell ads in newsletters, etc.) Acquire property, receive income from property Acquire soil conservation equipment and rent to landowners Accept donations

Rising to the Challenge: How? Policy Call, e-mail and mail letters to your legislators Invite legislators to commissioner meetings and district activities Hold a legislative meeting, tour of the office for legislators Attend the annual commissioner legislative event in Des Moines, Iowa Conservation Partnership Day (January 15, 2019) Have a relationship with your legislators

Rising to the Challenge: How? Prioritize Set goals for the district and yourself as a commissioner to accomplish Set action items for those goals Example Goal: Have a relationship with my legislator Example Commissioner Action Item to accomplish goal: Call legislator and introduce myself, invite my legislator to our conservation field day, speak with my legislator at the capitol in January during Iowa Conservation Partnership Day Choose goals and action items to accomplish for the year

Rising to the Challenge: How? PARTICIPATE!

The Partnership: …you don’t have to go it alone!

Partners in Conservation The Partnership: Partners in Conservation Core Partnership Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) State Soil Conservation and Water Quality Committee (SSCWQC) Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship-Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS-DSC) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Other Partners Other government agencies, academic institutions, environmental, non profit organizations, wildlife, hunting, commodity, service groups, agribusiness, landowners

The Partnership: Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) 1946: Iowa Association of Soil Conservation District Commissioners is formed and incorporated (now Conservation Districts of Iowa) A nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to representing and supporting commissioners and districts in their efforts Funded by dues from the district, grants, contributions and administrative funds from partnership agreements www.cdiowa.com

The Partnership: Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) 9 Regions 1 Director & up to 2 Alternates elected per Region 5 Officers: Pres., VP, Past Pres., Sec., Treasurer Staff: 3 in state office and 10 in the field

The Partnership: Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) Commissioner Development Organize commissioner events and offer commissioner leadership opportunities Supporting and Developing Districts Administer funds to Districts for staff, hire staff, offer staff training opportunities & currently exploring providing additional staffing human resource, grant writing and communication services to Districts Policy Resolution process, support commissioner legislator outreach, annual legislative event, lobbyist, lobby at state and federal level

The Partnership: Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) Representation & Leadership Staff and Board represent CDI and Districts at meetings and on national and state boards and projects Resources & Tools Toolkits & templates, retaiN kits, pictorial directory, conservation media library Education & Acknowledgement Poster contest, scholarships, Envirothon, Soil and Water Conservation Week and Awards CDI Organizational Obligations Office, budget, audit, grant, payroll and other administration

The Partnership: National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) 1946: Representatives from 32 Districts met in D.C., 1600 districts in 48 states at the time Today, NACD serves the 3,000 districts & 17,000 commissioners in the nation National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is formed to deliver unified message on national policy Work through various partnerships, projects & programs to support districts, commissioners & staff www.nacdnet.org

The Partnership: State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC) Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS-DSCWQ) www.iowaagriculture.gov

The Partnership: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 1994: Soil Conservation Service (SCS) becomes Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to reflect broader scope of agency Today, NRCS employs approximately 12,000 people in 2,900 offices, 90% outside of Washington D.C. Focus includes stewardship of soil, water, air, plants and wildlife www.nrcs.usda.gov

Partnership Local 5 elected Commissioners District employees Soil and Water Conservation District State Staff; state conservation assistant & technician Funding Federal Staff; district, resource and soil conservationists Funding Office space, computers, cars, supplies, equip.

Resources &Networking Opportunities Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner Handbook Soil and Water Conservation District Policies and Procedures Manual Employer & Employee Handbook Iowa Conservation Partnership Day Spring Regional Commissioner Meeting Annual Commissioners Conference

Leave a Legacy! Be the change you wish to see in the world! -Gandhi