Decatur County Soil & Water Conservation District

06/19/2026

Decatur Co. SWCD - State cost share for Cover Crops through the State Water Quality Initiative (WQI) is now accepting applications. Stop by the NRCS office at 303 SW Lorraine in Leon for details. Cover crops must be planted with in accordance of NRCS planting guidelines.
$30/acre New User
$20/acre Previous User
Up to 160 acres per applicant (individual or entity)

Interested in learning more about cover crops and soil health practices?

The Midwest Cover Crops Council is offering a FREE virtual course, Cover Crop Essentials, designed to provide foundational knowledge and practical strategies for integrating cover crops into regional farming systems.

This course is a great opportunity for farmers, educators, and agricultural professionals looking to deepen their understanding of cover cropping and soil health practices.

📅 Course Dates: August 2026 – November 2026
📝 Application Deadline: June 22, 2026
💻 Format: Virtual
💲 Cost: Free

Learn more about the course:
https://www.midwestcovercrops.org/covercrop_essentials_course/

Apply here:
https://forms.gle/T2CGk8znps5HCiEL9

This educational opportunity is funded by NCR-SARE (Project -250).

06/15/2026

Today, Deputy Secretary Grant Menke presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award on behalf of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig to T-Boy Dairy in Decatur County. The award presentation was held in conjunction with during an event at the dairy near Weldon. Owners/operators Merlin Troyer and Austin Troyer oversee a farm that includes approximately 200 predominantly Holstein dairy cows, a small beef herd, and the production of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Congratulations to the Troyers!

06/10/2026

06/03/2026

For over 35 years, the Resource Enhancement & Protection Program (REAP) has served as Iowa’s premier conservation program, investing in the enhancement and protection of the state’s diverse natural and cultural resources. REAP has supported over 15,000 projects across the state and in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.

Iowa's REAP program is unlike other similar efforts throughout the country in that it provides many opportunities for people to get involved. Every two years, Iowans gather for Regional Assemblies to direct the future of our state’s natural and cultural resources.

This year we are reimagining the Assembly by putting local voices and proven projects that have transformed our communities and improved quality of life at the center of the conversation. This is your chance to learn about REAP, connect with like-minded Iowans who are interested in natural and cultural resource work, and voice how REAP can better serve your community and your region.

Please join us at your Regional Assembly to share ideas for how Iowa’s premier funding program for outdoor recreation, conservation and historic preservation can assist your county and communities.

05/29/2026

We would like to congratulate Blake Boyd of Leon as the recipient of the 2026 Decatur County Soil & Water Conservation District's Conservation Scholarship. Blake is a recent graduate of Central Decatur High School. we would like to congratulate him on all of his accomplishments.

05/21/2026

05/13/2026

South West Iowa Soil Health Summer Tour
June 9th - 5:30-7:30 pm
Hosted by: Lyndon Miller
18438 255th Ave, Leon

RSVP Requested - see details below

04/30/2026

State cost share for Cover Crops through the State Water Quality Initiative (WQI) is now accepting applications. Stop by the NRCS office at 303 SW Lorraine in Leon for details.

$30/acre New User
$20/acre Previous User
Up to 160 acres per applicant (individual or entity)