Dubuque Soil & Water Conservation district 

News and Information

 ​​ 2025 CDI Scholarship Winner

​The Dubuque Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Commissioners are pleased to announce the 2025 Conservation District of Iowa (CDI) Scholarship applicant, Charissa Heisler of Beckman High School, Dyersville, IA, has been selected for submission to the Conservation Districts of Iowa Regional Director. CDI is partnering with SWCDs to foster the higher education endeavors of Iowa students interested in conservation and agriculture by offering scholarships. Iowa High School Class of 2025 students pursuing programs of study in any field of conservation or agriculture qualifies for the Conservation Scholarship. While this is a wide field and many studies qualify, preference will be given to students pursuing programs of study in conservation.

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The scholarship application will be submitted for further judging at the regional level (there are nine regions within the State). The successful applicant from the regional level will advance on for a chance to win at the State level. After final selections, the top three scholarships will be awarded at the state level in the amounts of $3000, $2000 and $1000. Winners from the remaining six regions will each receive $500. First, second and third place awards will be paid directly to the applicant’s school of choice in two equal installments, one upon enrollment at the beginning of the year and the second at midterm. The six other scholarships will be paid directly to the students.  The scholarship must be used for the student’s first year of college education. 

Father Norman White Scholarship

​The Dubuque County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently accepting applications for their $500.00 Father Norman White Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship honors Father Norman White, who was an advocate – socially, politically and spiritually for the family farm and helped promote soil and water conservation. Father White worked for the survival and preservation of the small family farm. His passion for rural life began when he spent part of his childhood on the family farm. He learned about sustainable agriculture firsthand, and went on to champion the efforts of small, independent farmers who practiced good soil and water stewardship. Father White was the former Director of Rural Life for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. He was presented with the Friend of Conservation Award in 1994 by the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation. Former Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, hailed Father Norman White as “caring, compassionate man, a tireless advocate for the family farms and a crusader for social justice.” Father White passed away August 28, 1996.

The scholarship is for students interested in an agriculture or natural resources related field. The scholarship will be awarded to a Dubuque County High School current graduate who plans to enroll or a previous graduate already enrolled into an agricultural or natural resources related field at the University of Dubuque, Clarke University, Loras College, University of Wisconsin - Platteville, Iowa State University, or Northeast Iowa Community College – Peosta or Calmar Campus for the 2025-26 school year. One $500.00 scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-26 school year. This is the 25th year for the Father Norman White Scholarship.

​The deadline for submitting the application is Friday, April 11, 2025. The recipient of the Father Norman White Scholarship will be announced in early May. The scholarship will be presented to the recipient at the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District August meeting. The scholarship will be awarded for enrollment in the 2025-26 fall semester. Click here for more information.

"Home is Where the Habitat is" CDI Poster Contest

​The Dubuque SWCD is pleased to announce the annual CDI poster contest. The poster contest is open to public, private and home-schooled students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This years’ theme is “Home is Where the Habitat is”. Each year winning posters highlight the work of Conservation Districts and the state conservation associations, auxiliaries and agencies to protect and enhance natural resources. The posters will be displayed as part of a national conservation outreach initiative.

The SWCD Commissioners will choose one winning poster from each of the five divisions. The five divisions are as follows: Division 1 – Grades K and 1; Division 2 - Grades 2 and 3; Division 3 - Grades 4 through 6; Division 4 – Grades 7 through 9; Division 5 – Grades 10 through 12. The posters are judged based upon the following criteria: 50% for conservation message; 30% for visual effectiveness; 10% for originality and 10 % for universal appeal. The winner of each division will receive a prize of $25. The Commissioners will then advance the winning posters to the state level and if selected, the poster will be sent on to the national level.Click here for entry forms  and rules. Entry forms and rules are also available online atwww.cdiowa.org/get-involved/poster-contest. Entry forms are also available at the Soil and Water Conservation District’s office or by emailing helen.backes@ia.nacdnet.net . Entry forms must be legible and complete including parental/guardian signature and with the Dubuque SWCD information. Poster entries should be mailed or dropped off at the District office – 210 Bierman Road, Epworth, IA by Friday, May 2, 2025. If anyone has any questions regarding the poster contest, rules, deadline or to submit their poster entry contact the Dubuque SWCD office at 563-876-3418 ext. 3.

​​​​​Dubuque Farmer to Farmer Conference

The Dubuque County Watersheds hosted the 2nd Annual Farmer to Farmer Conference on January 29 & 30, 2025. We would like to thank everyone who attended and made the days a success.

Upcoming Field Days

Check back for upcoming field days! 

Century and Heritage Farm Program ​
This program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. It recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in the case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms. Deadline to apply is June 1st. Click here for more information 

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Awards
IDALS, CDI, and NRCS along with many of our valuable partners are joining efforts to sponsor a number of awards this year for farmers. Click here for more information about the awards available and nomination forms. 

Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award​​​​
The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award is a joint effort of the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the exemplary voluntary efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality. Deadline to apply is May 4th. Click here for more information