Protecting the Hawkeye State’s soil and water resources is important both to the economic future of Iowa and the quality of life of everyone who calls this state home. That’s why a recent reminder from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture should be heeded.

Northey has called upon people throughout the state to consider running for an important office that gets little publicity – soil and water conservation district commissioner.

“Each of Iowa’s 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts is managed by five volunteer commissioners who help their community meet their conservation priorities,” Northey said in a statement released in late July. “Commissioners help oversee the distribution of federal, state and local conservation aid in their community.”

There is a soil conservation district in each of Iowa’s 99 counties plus a second district in Pottawattamie County. Each district has five commissioners. According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the districts are “the local legal subdivisions of state government responsible under state law for soil and water conservation work within their boundaries.” The commissioners are key players in addressing the natural resource issues most pertinent to each local area. Both the Iowa and federal departments of agriculture provide support to the local districts in pursuing this important work.

Anyone interested in becoming a commissioner should contact the local Soil and Water Conservation District for details. The posts are filled by election on a nonpartisan basis. Nomination papers must be filed by Aug. 31. Additional information is also available at cdiowa.org/ (Click on the link “Become a Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner”).

The Messenger urges anyone with the knowledge and experience to serve effectively as a commissioner to give serious consideration to becoming a candidate.