Welcome to the 2026 Conservation Districts of Iowa Annual Conference!
August 25th, 2026 – Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, Ames, Iowa.
The 80th Annual Iowa Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners Conference is a forum for elected soil and water conservation district commissioners that serves as a bridge and beacon: connecting commissioners with resources, programs, and knowledge, while providing a space to advocate for sound, science-based policy. The 2026 event invites farmers, conservationists, and local leaders to work side by side to empower conservation initiatives that safeguard the natural resources sustaining both Iowa agriculture and communities.
Silent Auction Fundraiser for Scholarships
The CDI Scholarship Program is funded by your donations, including funds raised in the annual conference “Silent Auction”.
Please consider donating items for the Silent Auction and/or making a cash donation. Your donations help keep our scholarship program going!
What to donate to this year’s auction? Here are some starter ideas!
- Products specific to your county or region make great auction items!
- Compile a basket of local goods. Local wines, beers, honey, and other items go over great!
- Consider bringing a craft from a local artisan, for example, a wildlife painting, bird house, yard art or quilt.
- Request a donation of an agricultural or conservation product or service from your local co-op or other agribusiness such as corn, bean, cover crop or native grass and forb seed, equipment rental, etc.
- Go green…or red! John Deere, Case, and other branded items, new or old, are always a hit!
- Promote the great outdoors with your donation! Ask a local store to donate hunting or fishing gear for the auction.
- Show your school pride by donating Cyclone, Hawkeye or your favorite team’s gear and items!
Please bring your auction item on the day of the 2026 CDI Annual Conference, or send it into the office ahead of time:
Attn: 2026 CDI Annual Conference
Conservation Districts of Iowa
2015 Grand Ave, Box #15, Ste LL2
Des Moines, IA 50312
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, Heartland Cooperative 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
2026 CDI President’s Recognition Award
2026 CDI Honorary Member 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 – Legal Updates for Commissioners plus Q&A
3:00 pm: snack break and visit sponsors
3:15 pm: Silent Auction Wrap Up
3:30 – 4:45 pm: Afternoon speaker, Adam Schneiders, DNR Water Quality Coordinator
4:45 pm: Conference wrap-up and dismissal
Wednesday, August 26th, 2026
Field Day Event at Helland Farms
