MARSHALL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Beane, Smith, Hilleman, White,

Holl

About Us

WHO WE ARE:

 

The Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, a legal subdivision of state government, was organized June 22, 1945.  Five commissioners are elected in the general election and serve four-year terms.  Present commissioners are:

 

Daniel C. Beane                        Marion Township

Mark Hilleman                          Minerva Township

Kevin D. Holl                             Vienna Township

Steven J. Smith                         LeGrand Township

James F. White                          Logan Township

 

 

WHERE WE ARE:

 

The District includes all of Marshall County, Iowa.

 

 

WHAT WE DO:

 

Commissioners serve without pay as volunteer promoters of conservation in the county.  We are responsible for carrying out state laws and programs within district boundaries. 

 

This includes:

-  Iowa’s sediment control law

-  Conservation cost-sharing through the Iowa Financial Incentive Program

-  Conservation revolving loan funds

-  Water quality protection projects

-  Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program

 

We work in cooperation with other groups and agencies, including:

- Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

- Division of Soil Conservation

- Natural Resources Conservation Service

- Farm Service Agency

- Iowa State University Extension Service

- Iowa Department of Natural Resources

- Marshall County Board of Supervisors

- Marshall County Conservation Board

- Conservation Districts of Iowa

- National Association of Conservation Districts

SOIL SURVEYS

 

The major fieldwork for the Marshall County soil survey was performed in the period 1974-1977.  The published soil survey book has details about all of the soil types present in our county.  Soil survey books are available at no charge to anyone who comes to the office to request one.

SOILVIEW

 

An interactive CD version of the soil survey of Marshall County, Iowa, was digitized in 2004 using ortho photography from 2002.  There is a small charge for the SoilView CD, to defray our costs of copying them.

SOIL COMPACTION TESTER

 

The Soil Compaction Tester is a penetrometer that measures the firmness of soil.  Use of the tester BEFORE YOU TILL will show whether or not you have a compaction layer and how deep that compaction layer is.  Detailed instructions will be provided to anyone borrowing this piece of equipment.

SOIL MOVER

 

The soilmover can be used to repair waterways, smooth driveways, level uneven areas, or improve feedlots.  It can also be used to move soil for landscaping and/or new construction.  A utility tractor of 75-100 horsepower would be needed to operate the 8-foot wide mover.  Rental of the soilmover is available by the day or half-day.

MARKING FLAGS

 

Marking flags are available in assorted colors, usually sold in bundles of 100.

Fabric Layer Machine

 

Installing fabric check strips to prevent gully erosion, the fabric layer machine creates a furrow and installs the fabric in one pass.  The fabric is 36 inches wide, and is installed with one-half of the fabric buried and anchored with compacted soil.  The remaining 18 inches of fabric drapes down the watercourse in the direction of the water flow.  Spacing of the fabric check strips depends on the steepness of the grade of the waterway.  The machine requires a tractor of at least 75 horsepower to pull it.  The rental fee is based on the number of feet of fabric installed, and includes the cost of the fabric and the use of the machine.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE