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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

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

12. Roles & Responsibilities
Tell the story of conservation
NRCS

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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
: REAP and WQI rules allow for urban projects
URBAN POLLUTION !
CONSERVATION SOLUTION!

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. Rising to the Challenge: How?
Policy
Call, 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

30. 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

31. Rising to the Challenge: How?
PARTICIPATE!

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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

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

40. 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

41. 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.

42. 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

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