Welcome to the 2026 Conservation Districts of Iowa Annual Conference!

August 25th, 2026 – Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, Ames, Iowa.

Registration for the 2026 Annual Conference is now open.

Soil and Water Conservation Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners attend free of cost. Registration and lodging will be covered, so come join us!

2026 CDI Annual Conference Schedule

*Schedule subject to change, more details to come*

Monday, August 24th, 2026 

7:00 pm: Registration

7:00 – 9:00 pm: Presidents’ Reception

Tuesday, August 25th, 2026

6:30 – 8:30 am: Registration

7:00 – 8:30 am: Breakfast Buffet

8:30 am:

Welcome speech by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig.

Morning speaker, Ruth McCabe, conservation agronomist

9:30 – 10:00 am: Networking break and visit sponsors

10:00 am – noon: Annual CDI Business Meeting

noon – 1:30 pm: Awards Luncheon

2026 Ken Wagner Award
2026 Outstanding SWCD Commissioner Award
2026 Paul Johnson Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Award
2026 Ruth Wagner Award

1:30 – 1:45 pm: networking break and visit sponsors

1:45 – 3:00 pm: Afternoon speaker, Eric Dirth, Assistant Attorney General, Environmental Division of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office

3:00 pm: snack break and visit sponsors

3:15 pm: Silent Auction Wrap Up

3:30 – 4:45 pm: Afternoon speaker, Adam Scheiders, DNR Water Quality Coordinator

4:45 pm: Conference wrap-up and dismissal

Wednesday, August 26th, 2026

Field Day Event at Helland Farms