Polk Soil and Water Conservation District - IA

Polk Soil and Water Conservation District - IA Polk County, IOWA. Dedicated to Soil and Water Conservation.

Happy Wildlife Wednesday! Meet the smallest, cutest, most carnivorous nocturnal squirrel in Iowa: The Southern Flying Sq...
06/17/2026

Happy Wildlife Wednesday! Meet the smallest, cutest, most carnivorous nocturnal squirrel in Iowa: The Southern Flying Squirrel!

Despite its name, it does not fly like a bird or butterfly. Instead, they have a built in parachute and gliding system - a stretch of skin connecting their forelegs and hind legs. They spend most of their time gracefully between trees, and are a little clumsy on the ground. Flying squirrels eat most of the same staples as other squirrels, but their diet includes insects, birds, eggs, and carrion.

Glaucomys volans is one of 3 flying squirrels native to North America. There are also Northern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) and Humboldt's Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis).

Learn more about this fascinating mammal at: https://www.iowadnr.gov/news-release/2019-06-05/6-cool-things-you-should-know-about-flying-squirrels
&
https://www.iowadnr.gov/programs-services/iowas-wildlife/southern-flying-squirrel

Cuteness Rating: 100/10
Eyes: 10/10 Big, Glossy, UWU
Paws: 10/10 Dainty
Ears: 10/10 Alert, Shapely
Tails: 10/10 FLOOFY
Nose: 10/10 Boopable

📣NEXT FIELD DAY >>> Rooted in Resilience: Putting Biologicals and Livestock Impact to the TestJoin us Thursday, July 9 a...
06/16/2026

📣NEXT FIELD DAY >>> Rooted in Resilience: Putting Biologicals and Livestock Impact to the Test

Join us Thursday, July 9 at the Middleswart Lodge from 10AM -2PM

Agenda:
🌽 Introduction to Humic and Fulvic Acids
🌽 Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
🌽 How to Test New Farming Methods on Your Own Operation
🌽 Explore Available Cost Share Programs & Technical Assistance

Speakers:
Candy Thomas - Soil Health Specialist with Soil Caretaker Services LLC & Retired Regional NRCS Soil Specialist
Dana Dinnes - Retired Research Professional, USDA-ARS
Stefan Gailans - Research Director, Practical Farmers of Iowa

Bonuses:
Free Lunch when you RSVP by July 6th at: Polkswcdiowa.gov/rooted-resilience
Door Prizes, Cover Crop Funding, Q&A and Networking with Fellow Farmers and Soil Health Professionals.

Good news for the July Invasive Species of the Month: There is a native look-alike!If you have an Exotic Burning Bush (E...
06/15/2026

Good news for the July Invasive Species of the Month: There is a native look-alike!

If you have an Exotic Burning Bush (Euonymus Alatus) and adore its fall color and berries, it might be time to tear it out and plant a native Eastern Wahoo instead.

Be careful buying burning bush species! The native variety is lesser known, and the exotic invasive variety is often being sold.

Burning bush was brought to the US in the 1860s from central China and northeast Asia for ornamental planting. This shrub is unmistakably gorgeous in the fall when its leaves turn red. As beautiful as it is, like many invasive species, it easily out competes nearby native species. If you have one in your landscape, look into removal techniques and replace it with the native Eastern Wahoo instead.

Have you noticed our Cover Crop Fact Sheet Posts on Thursdays and wondered what we are going on about exactly?Every year...
06/15/2026

Have you noticed our Cover Crop Fact Sheet Posts on Thursdays and wondered what we are going on about exactly?

Every year our farmers work hard to produce while taking care of our land and water resources. Many Iowa farmers plant Cover Crops, our favorite practice to promote.

Cover crops bring a wealth of benefits to the farmer's operation. For those of us who don't farm, focus on two main benefits: 1) Preventing nutrient runoff into our water ways and 2) Preventing soil erosion.

Depending on the species, cover crop mixes can target all sorts of farm management needs like pest control, livestock grazing and nutrition, soil health and water infiltration, and flood prevention, just to list a few.

In our urban-themed posts, we talk about Native Iowa Species and how to manage different invasives. One thing we do not want to promote is introducing invasives. While non-native cover crops are not inherently invasive, they could be if not managed properly. Fortunately, farmers want to get the most out of what they put in, so it's unlikely a crop is managed so poorly it becomes an invasive issue. Everyone can get free technical advice from our office, and everyone who applies for cover crop funding receives a detailed seeding plan to help them plan their management needs.

The Iowa Cover Crop Fact Sheets provide information about NRCS approved Cover Crops. There are a few that are native to Iowa, others you find in the fact sheets are safe to plant so long as they are managed properly. If you decide to experiment with cover crops on your own in your garden, feel free to reach out to our office and get in touch with a technician. We can help you select plants that meet your goals and develop a management plan.

The purpose of us sharing the Iowa Cover Crop Fact Sheets (one at a time, on Thursdays, alphabetically) is to show that each species has a unique profile of benefits to choose from. We will make notes going forward about whether the species of the week is native and highlight management techniques.

New Field Day Coming July 9, 2026!!Rooted in Resilience: Putting Biologicals and Livestock to the TestField Day Agenda:🌱...
06/13/2026

New Field Day Coming July 9, 2026!!

Rooted in Resilience: Putting Biologicals and Livestock to the Test

Field Day Agenda:
🌱Introduction to Humic and Fulvic Acids
🌱 Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock?
🌱 How to Test New Farming Methods on Your Own Operation
🌱 Explore Available Cost Share Programs & Technical Assistance

Presentations
Meet Candy Thomas, Soil Health Specialist with Soil Caretaker Services LLC. When we hear about regenerative farming practices, we often hear about the need for livestock. So: Is it Really Regenerative Farming Without Livestock? Join us to find out.

Join retired USDA-ARS Research Professional, Dana Dinnes, to dig in to how Humic and Fulvic acids can work for you.

Meet the Practical Farmers of Iowa Research Director, Stefan Gailans, who will be discussing farmer led research and how to start conducting trials on your own farm.

Enjoy refreshments while learning about available cost share opportunities and our free technical assistance. Door prizes will be drawn at the end.

LUNCH IS ON US >>> RSVP by July 6th on our website at: https://www.polkswcdiowa.gov/rooted-resilience

Reach out to request reasonable accommodations to: [email protected]

Highlights from our Friday at the Principal Charity Classic Event! WELCOME to our new followers, thank you for being her...
06/12/2026

Highlights from our Friday at the Principal Charity Classic Event!

WELCOME to our new followers, thank you for being here! Please feel free to reach out to us or on our posts if you see topics you like or have topics you would like to learn more about.

We had so much fun interacting with homeowners, landowners, community members, farmers, and families! It was a pleasure to meet everyone, learn together, and build watersheds together 😁

We had some very creative young Wetland Engineers help us model different streams, lakes, and ponds. We hope you had just as much fun we did!

We will be back for Saturday and Sunday, so if you’re passing through be sure to stop by, say hi, and grab some goodies. 🎉

If you haven't heard of them, you've definitely seen them: High tunnel systems are enclosed structures consisting of a f...
06/12/2026

If you haven't heard of them, you've definitely seen them: High tunnel systems are enclosed structures consisting of a frame and cover. These structures improve plant health and vigor, extend the growing season, and protects plants from harsh wind, intense sunlight, and excessive rainfall.

This practice requires planting naturally into the ground or planting into raised beds.

Learn more about NRCS funding for High Tunnel Systems: 515-964-1883x3

Meandering streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands modeling in our stream trailer at the Principal Charity Classic Golf Even...
06/12/2026

Meandering streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands modeling in our stream trailer at the Principal Charity Classic Golf Event! Come by, say hi, and grab some goodies!!

Stop by and say "hi" to us at the Wakonda Club this weekend where we will have a tent for the Principal Charity Classic ...
06/11/2026

Stop by and say "hi" to us at the Wakonda Club this weekend where we will have a tent for the Principal Charity Classic Event!

We are very excited to come back for the second year. If you enter to win any prize baskets, you might see some contributions from our district in your basket. We are bringing our famous Rain Trailer to demonstrate watershed models.

We are bringing goodies to give away and fan-favorite flyers filled with urban conservation inspiration. Plus, meet our project coordinators, conservation assistant, and intern!

We hope to see you there 😁

Happy Webinar Wednesday! Join our friends at SWISH & ISU to learn about the effects of Integrating Soil Health Principle...
06/10/2026

Happy Webinar Wednesday!

Join our friends at SWISH & ISU to learn about the effects of Integrating Soil Health Principles on to the land.

Ready to enhance your operation? Give us a call to ask about funding availability for the project you have in mind: 515-964-1883x3

Address

1513 N Ankeny Boulevard, Ste 3
Ankeny, IA
50023

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+15159641883

Website

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