Palo Alto Soil & Water Conservation District

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Good No-Till soybean video...🤔🤓

05/27/2026

Turtles are on the move right now, and they're STUBBORN. That's because they're out looking for a place to lay eggs (sometimes in gravel near the road, unfortunately). 🐢 🚧

Give them a hand during World Turtle Week (and beyond) without making them grumpier 👇

If you see a turtle trying to cross the road and it's safe for you to do so:
Pick up the turtle with both hands (with gloves if you have them) by the shell, and from behind. Do NOT pick up a turtle by its tail! (It can cause spinal damage.)

For snapping turtles, you may want to just encourage it across the road rather than picking it up. If you do pick it up, grab the snapper by its back legs with its head facing AWAY from your body. ***Trust us on the "away from your body" part.***

Always move the turtle in the direction it was already moving. Otherwise, it will just try to cross again after you leave. We said they're stubborn, remember? Do not take the turtle to a different location, and especially not home with you. They don't need to be rescued, just a crossing guard. 🐢🚸

If the turtle is sitting in gravel, leave it be, as it's likely nesting.

Wash your hands thoroughly after handling a turtle.

05/27/2026

In 2010, Iowans voted overwhelmingly to create the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund—committing to cleaner water, healthier soil, better wildlife habitat, and more outdoor opportunities for future generations. Yet years later, the Trust Fund remains unfunded.

That’s why we’re bringing people together across the state this summer. Join us at a grassroots meeting near you to learn more about the effort to Fund the Trust, connect with others, and be part of the work moving this forward.

Meetings are happening throughout Iowa, and meals will be provided. Take a look at the schedule below and RSVP for a location that works best for you. We’d love to see you there!

05/27/2026

So this young lady took the time to fill out a scholarship application, and she was awarded a 💰 $500 scholarship by Kipp Fehr, our SWCD Commissioner at WBM Schools awards night!
🎉Congratulations Ms. Hoffman!! 💐We hope your future is bright and you go far!

05/12/2026

Enrollment is now open in our cost-share for extended rotations!

This cost-share supports farmers growing oats, cereal rye, wheat, barley or triticale. There are two options:

Small grains cost-share: Harvest a small grain in 2026 and follow it with a frost-seeded or summer-planted cover crop with at least one legume species.

Reduction of applied nitrogen on corn cost-share: Reduce nitrogen inputs to 2026 corn that follows a small grain with a cover crop or leguminous hay crop.

Enroll now: https://bit.ly/4eEDwSj

05/12/2026