Clayton County Soil and Water Conservation District Elkader, IA

06/01/2026

Interested in pasture management and virtual fencing? Make plans to attend the virtual fencing pasture walk!

🗓️ Date: Saturday, June 6

🕰️ Time: 1:00 p.m.

📍Location: Robert’s Creek, located at 18869 Dalmatian Ave, Saint Olaf, IA 52072

📨RSVP: https://go.wisc.edu/336fm5

🐑Hosts: The Iowa Sheep Industry Association (ISIA), in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, UW–Madison Division of Extension, Clayton County NRCS, and NoFence Virtual Fencing (invited)

More Information:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18o3T6rPdb/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18endyj2KF/

04/30/2026

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited Clayton County in March to review Jason Klinge's grazing system.

03/26/2026

Congratulations to Steve Kiley on his retirement today after an incredible career of public service. Steve has dedicated over 18 years to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in the Clayton County Field Office and an additional 6 years to the Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District, leaving a lasting impact on conservation efforts and the communities he has served.

Steve is a truly exceptional coworker and employee. He is kind, patient, respectful, and brings a sense of fun to the workplace. His positive attitude and steady demeanor make him someone others naturally turned to for guidance and support. Over the years, he has built strong and meaningful relationships with landowners, producers, contractors, and partner agencies.

Professionally, Steve’s expertise and dedication are evident in the quality of his work. He has provided outstanding technical assistance in the design and implementation of conservation practices, including windbreaks, terraces, waterways, water and sediment control basins, and grade stabilization structures. His contributions have helped shape the landscape in meaningful ways, including laying out miles of buffer and filter strips that will benefit the land and future generations.

Steve’s passion for the outdoors is reflected in the pride he takes in every project he completes. His work was not just a job, it was a reflection of his values and commitment to conservation. In addition, his faith and character serve as an inspiration to those around him, making him not only a valued employee but also a role model and a friend to many.

While Steve will be greatly missed, we celebrate his many accomplishments and the legacy he leaves behind. Congratulations Steve!

12/16/2025

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION AWARDS 2025

The Clayton Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) recognized the outstanding conservation efforts of local farm families during their December 11, 2025, awards banquet at the Osborne Conservation Center near Elkader. This year’s award winners showcase a variety of conservation systems. Each recipient provides an outstanding example of what we can do to protect the natural resources that we enjoy in northeast Iowa.

-Scott Hilgerson
Scott and Suzy Hilgerson received the Owner-Operator Award for the Clayton SWCD. Their farm is located along Highway 128 in Read Township northeast of Elkader. Scott operates three hundred and eighty acres of cropland and has been a dairy farmer for over forty years. The Hilgersons installed a new pond in 2015 and buffered the pool area with over three acres of native grasses and pollinators. Their crop rotation includes corn and hay, some of the steepest slopes are protected by a stripcropping system and the original contour lines have been in place for over thirty years. Scott uses a no-till planting system and seeds cover crops each fall following harvest. The transition to no-till wasn’t smooth, he first experimented with no-till in 2012 and swore he would never do it again. After attending a soil health workshop in Monona in 2020, Scott modified his planter to increase the down pressure on the planting units. He’s had success with the system and even utilizes no-till on his continuous corn acres.

-Dave Monroe and Derk Radloff
Dave and Linda Monroe & Derk and Emily Radloff were selected for recognition in the Landlord/Tenant Division. This division highlights the cooperation necessary to achieve the common goal of conserving our natural resources. The Monroe farm includes about two hundred and fifty acres of cropland and pasture south of Luana. Derk Radloff has operated the farm for five years. He rotates corn, soybeans and hay and uses a no-till planting system. Derk’s beef cattle graze the pasture. He typically seeds cover crops on soybean stubble and the corn acres where he chops silage or bales stalks. Dave completed his first terrace project in 1992 and was active during the Silver Creek Watershed Project. He reshaped two acres of grassed waterways, stabilized two eroding streambanks and built over 13,000 feet of terraces. Derk’s use of no-till and cover crops complements the structural practices completed by Dave and ensures that very little soil ever leaves the farm.

-Paul Carroll
The Clayton SWCD’s New Cooperator Award was presented to Paul and Andrea Carroll. Paul operates over four hundred acres of cropland near Pike’s Peak south of McGregor. Paul rotates corn and soybeans utilizing no-till and plants cover crops each fall following harvest. In 2025, he retained sixty acres of cereal rye and harvested the grain in August. The objective is to lengthen the crop rotation and improve soil health. Hay acres provide forage for the Carroll’s beef cattle. Twenty acres of fragile slopes were seeded to permanent cover and entered into the Conservation Reserve Program. Paul continues a tradition of conservation work; his father Mike completed an extensive system of terraces and was the Clayton SWCD’s owner/operator of the year in 1979.

-Clayton SWCD Windbreak Award
Rod and Jill Kulper received the 2025 Clayton SWCD Windbreak Award. Their windbreak is located in Mallory Township southeast of Garber. In 2007, the Kulpers planted rows of Norway Spruce, White Pine and shrubs and entered the area into CRP. The windbreak protects their farmstead from winter winds and adds beauty and diversity to their property. Their work to maintain the windbreak is evident in the outstanding growth and appearance of the trees.

-Woodland Owner of the Year
The 2025 Woodland Owner of the Year Award was presented to Travis Anderson. Travis’ farm is located in Boardman township northwest of Elkader near Big Spring. The property is a mix of cropland and trees with a stream flowing through the woodland. Travis has undertaken a series of projects to add diversity and wildlife habitat to thirty acres of timber. The stream is protected with a filter strip and a riparian buffer. Travis’ first project involved planting fifty trees and installing tubes to protect the seedlings. He’s expanded his work each year and his latest project included over two thousand five hundred shrubs. District Forester Dave Asche noted, “There are landowners with bigger woodlands, but there are few that match Travis’ passion for improving what he has”.

-Other Honorees
On September 18th, forty-four students from five local high schools gathered at the Osborne Pond near Elkader for the 49th annual Clayton Soil & Water Conservation District soil judging contest. Participants judged soil profiles, tested their pacing ability and flagged contour lines. Individual and team winners were recognized at this year’s banquet.

Bernard Hanson served as a Clayton SWCD Commissioner for over twenty-four years. Awards in his name are presented to the top individual soil judge and pacing contest winners. Tyce Zittergruen from the Central FFA was the top individual soil judge for 2025. Cortlyn Grawe from Starmont placed first in the pacing contest. Zane Embretson, Caden Fette, Owen Walz and Tyce Zittergruen were the first-place soil judging team from Central. Halie Shepley from Starmont took first place in the contour layout contest.

This year marked the seventy-second annual awards banquet for the Clayton Soil and Water Conservation District. Current commissioners include Mark Glawe, Gerry Ommen, Robert Sass, Tina Troester and Travis Anderson. Assistant Commissioners are Ron Kaiser and Agnes Kenney. While the commissioners honor selected nominees each year, they celebrate the combined stewardship efforts of landowners and farm operators throughout Clayton County.

10/01/2025

09/30/2025

On September 18th, forty-four students from five local high schools gathered at the Osborne Pond near Elkader for the 49th annual Clayton Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) soil judging contest. Members of the Central Elkader, Clayton Ridge, Ed-Co, MFL MarMac, and Starmont FFA chapters judged soil profiles, tested their pacing ability, flagged contour lines and completed a written quiz on soil properties. The contest provides an opportunity for participants to develop and practice skills needed to evaluate and protect our natural resources.

This year’s top soil judging team was from Central. Team members included Zane Embretson, Caden Fette, Owen Walz and Tyce Zittergruen. MFL MarMac placed second. Team members were Ashtyn Dundee, Rachel Keehner, Landon Meyer and Tyler Pecinovsky. Ethan Cornwell, Nolan Gaul, Kara Knipper and Miley Walz from Ed-Co placed third. Soil judging contestants complete a written quiz and evaluate soil profiles from three different sites. Contest questions are based on the properties of the soils and appropriate management practices. Tyce Zittergruen from Central was the top individual soil judge. Zane Embretson from Central placed second. Kara Knipper from Ed-Co placed third.

For the contour layout competition, contestants attempt to mark a level contour line over a long and uneven slope. Top honors went to Halie Shepley from Starmont. Rashell Westhoff and Brooklyn Wilcox from Clayton Ridge placed second. Caden Heidemann and Dominique Mast from Clayton Ridge; and Brooklynn Audet, Briella Schutte and Kinsley Young from MFL MarMac tied for third. Halie’s contour line was within five hundredths of a foot of being level.

Cortlyn Grawe from Starmont placed first in the pacing contest. Caden Heidemann of Clayton Ridge took second. Marcus Stoddard from MFL MarMac placed third. Cortlyn judged the length of the 1,014-foot pacing course within six feet.

Soil Health Specialist Alisha Sedlmayr used a rainfall simulator to compare the impact of typical tillage systems. Students were able to witness the relative stability of soils with no-till systems and the benefits of improved soil health. Ray’s Excavating, Edgewood, donated time and equipment to construct the soil pits. Technical assistance was provided by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff: Pat Schaefers, Eric Palas, Steve Kiley, Gina Parker, John Berlage and Jesse Matt. Soil Scientist Neil Sass was official pit judge. This year’s contest was hosted by the Clayton County Conservation Board Director Jenna Pollack.

08/14/2025

Eric Meyer's field day drew a crowd from several states. The attached news release provides a summary of the field day discussion.

10/31/2024

The seeding date has been extended to Dec 21st for Cereal Rye, Winter Triticale, and Camelina.

10/23/2024

Are you a Clayton County landowner? Plan to attend the meeting at Osborne Nature Center to share your thoughts and ideas on the new CRP Menu web tool. Those who participate will receive a $75 Wal-Mart gift card.

09/27/2024

48th Annual Soil Judging Contest

On September 19th, fifty-one students from five local high schools gathered at the Tom & Agnes Kenney farm near Elkader for the 48th annual Clayton Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) soil judging contest. Members of the Central Elkader, Ed-Co, MFL Mar-Mac, North Fayette Valley and Starmont FFA chapters judged soil profiles, tested their pacing ability, flagged contour lines and completed a written quiz on soil properties. The contest provides an opportunity for participants to develop and practice skills needed to evaluate and protect our natural resources.

This year’s top soil judging team was from Central. Team members included Ty Berns, Derek Deitchler, Owen Walz and Tyce Zittergruen. The team from MFL Mar-Mac placed second. Team members included Dylan Kurth, Aidan Meyer, Adrianna Schoulte and Rylan Schroeder. Logan Grefaller, Nathin Lane, Aliya Miller and Keegan Weidemann from North Fayette Valley placed third. Soil judging contestants complete a written quiz and evaluate soil profiles from three different sites. Contest questions are based on the properties of the soils and appropriate management practices. Tyce Zittergruen from Central was the top individual soil judge. Derek Deitchler and Ty Berns from Central placed second and third.

Two teams tied for the top contour layout award. Contestants attempt to layout a level contour line over a long and uneven slope. Top honors were shared by Will Wiskus and Carter Battin from Ed Co and Lucas Walz, Ty Berns and Kaeden Jameson from Central. Noah Lang and Hunter Ball from Starmont took third. The first-place teams were within one tenth of a foot from being level.

Will Wiskus from Ed Co placed first in the pacing contest. Rylan Schroeder of MFL Mar-Mac took second. Owen Walz from Central placed third. Will judged the length of the 929-foot pacing course within two feet.

DNR District Forester Dave Asche provided a woodland management clinic for the contestants. NRCS Soil Scientist Neil Sass served as official judge of the soil pits. Ray’s Excavating, Edgewood, constructed the pits. Tom and Agnes Kenney provided time and equipment to prepare the contest site. Technical assistance was provided by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff: Pat Schaefers, Eric Palas, Steve Kiley, Gina Parker, John Berlage and Jesse Matt.