Mark your calendars for September 18 and join us in Washington County, Indiana for the first (in a long time) Indiana Conservation Farm Tour, featuring Hackman Family Farms, the 2024 Indiana Conservation Farmer of the Year Award recipient!

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (ET), attendees will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at this multigenerational family farm known for its commitment to soil health and water quality. The day will include an overview of the farm, hands-on exploration of their conservation practices in action, and meaningful networking with fellow conservationists, SWCDs, and partners.

Lunch Highlight: We’re bringing back a tradition with an old-fashioned cookout of crick bank taters—a nostalgic favorite from the days when conservationists gathered around a fire to share ideas, stories, and a hearty meal.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate conservation success, enjoy a delicious meal, and reconnect with Indiana’s conservation community. More details coming soon!

Sowing Success: Advancing Conservation with No-Till Technology in Clark County

Thanks to the support of Clean Water Indiana (CWI) grant funds, the Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) made a

significant step forward in supporting local conservation efforts and sustainable agriculture practices.

Within the first six months of the grant project, the Clark County SWCD organized a No-Till

Drill Workshop during the 2024 Clark County 4-H Fair. The workshop was designed to introduce the new drill to local producers, many of whom had previously participated in the SWCD’s equipment rental program. Promotion was widespread—via local newspapers, the SWCD newsletter, 4-H Fair programs, and on-site flyers distributed at the fair entrance.

Washington, D.C.(May 27, 2025) – The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) applauds the appointment of Jimmy Emmons to serve as Assistant Chief of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

As Assistant Chief, Emmons will help lead conservation programs that provide critical resources and technical assistance to America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to improve working lands conservation, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture, and improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitats. 

“Jimmy Emmons is a trusted and steadfast voice for soil and water conservation,” said NACD President Gary Blair. “A third-generation farmer and cow-calf operator, Jimmy brings to this role vast experience implementing conservation on his own land and educating others about conservation benefits. NACD and our nation’s conservation districts look forward to working with Jimmy in his new role to continue to grow participation and trust in our nation’s voluntary, locally led conservation delivery system.”  

Join the NRCS Soil Health Division on June 26th at 2pm EST to learn about NRCS Conservation Evaluation Monitoring Activity 216 – Soil Health Testing. This webinar will cover topics such as such as soil health indicators, difference between soil health and soil fertility testing, and planning considerations. The webinar will provide detailed planning information for CEMA 216 implementation. The webinar will conclude with a Q+A session.

INDIANAPOLIS (June 5, 2025) - In March, Governor Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1149, which was the first bill he signed into law. This new law tasks the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) with creating a “one stop shop” for Hoosier farmers, agribusinesses and consumers. The first step to creating this ag portal is hearing from you!

“This new online portal was part of my Freedom and Opportunity agriculture agenda and is a win for Hoosier farmers,” said Braun. “It’s a one-stop-shop to help Hoosier farmers navigate state and federal agencies, avoid red tape, and communicate to state government what we can do better to help them be successful.”

INDIANAPOLIS (May 30, 2025) - Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 AgriVision Award , the highest agricultural honor presented by the State of Indiana. This award, now in its 18th year, was established by the lieutenant governor and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to recognize Indiana’s agricultural leaders who are ensuring Indiana is, and remains, a global center for food and agricultural innovation and commercialization. Any person or organization may submit a nomination through July 1, 2025.

National Employee Association, NCDEA, Hosting Training: Innovative District Programs, June 26

All conservation district employees and partners are welcome to join monthly virtual trainings focused on a range of topics addressing most pressing district needs.

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Join us for a conversation on innovative district programming to meet the needs of your local communities and bring in new customers. Alec Smith from the Oakland Conservation District in Michigan will be with us to talk about their Backyard Habitat Certification program. ​​​​​​June 26, 12 pm ET

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is inviting Hoosiers to provide input on environmental regulations and policies that may be overly burdensome to individuals, businesses, communities, or industries across the state.

On March 12, 2025, Governor Braun signed Executive Order 25-38 , “Creating Opportunity through Reduction of Excessive Environmental Regulation,” (“EO 25-38”) which provides that “[t]he State of Indiana shall not adopt any new environmental rules, regulations, or programs that are more stringent than an applicable federal requirement or limitation unless explicitly required by Indiana state law or deemed necessary by the Governor’s Office.” EO 25-38 directs agencies responsible for environmental regulations to “report opportunities to revisit or rescind” certain environmental regulations and policies to the Governor’s Office by July 1, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in 15 counties to address damages from flooding. ECP provides cost-share and technical assistance to producers to restore farmland to pre-disaster conditions. ECP signup started on May 19, 2025, and ends on July 18, 2025. 

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2025— The Trump Administration recently appointed Steve Brown as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana. Brown joined the Indiana FSA team on May 5, 2025.

Our annual State of the Lands publication is a collection of stories from the past year. It highlights the impact of land conservation across Indiana and celebrates the work of land trusts to connect us across counties, communities, and generations.

Follow along on this 23-episode introduction to the world of water. Visiting topics with a variety of guests from all over the water sector, this podcast looks at every facet of water from recreation to wildlife to manufacturing. 

Veterans, first responders, and their families are invited to the inaugural Veteran Farming Conference, happening July 11–12, 2025, in Shipshewana, Indiana.

This two-day event offers hands-on workshops in sustainable agriculture, business planning, beekeeping, soil health, mental wellness, and more—organized by eight trusted nonprofit partners serving veterans in agriculture.

Veterans may qualify for $20 registration thanks to AgVet support.