Indiana Conservation leaders met on Capitol Hill last week for the annual NACD Fly-In to advocate for conservation and the preservation of our nation's natural resources. 

Sarah Delbecq, IASWCD Board member, was one of four representing the Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD). She states, "The concept of conservation essentially gets universal support from Indiana policymakers, and they all recognize and want to maintain Indiana's status as a conservation leader in the nation. Being on the same page like that makes conversations during a fly-in to Washington, DC so much more productive than they would be if we had to convince them that conservation was a good thing. When IASWCD sits down for a meeting, policymakers are ready to engage and listen as we tell them what is working and what is most important."

Jamie Scott, Roger Wenning, and Gene Schmidt were also there representing the Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts; along with Jill Reinhart, Acting Indiana State Conservationist, NRCS; and the North Central Region NACD Representative, Beth Mason. This group visited all eleven congressional offices to discuss the new Farm Bill, 319 grant program and other natural resources issues. They also had the opportunity to meet with Anne Simmons, Democratic Staff Director for the House Agriculture Committee, and Ted McKinney, prior Director of ISDA and currently serving as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. 

The link to this webinar is now live.  Hear updates from ISDA Divison of Soil Director, Jordan Seger; IASWCD Executive Director, Jennif er Boyle Warner; Ben Wicker, Indiana Ag Nutrient Alliance; Dave Scott, Office of Indiana State Chemist; Jennifer Chen, NRCS; and Steve Yaninek, Purdue professor, giving an update on Purdue's efforts with Invasive Species.