The Dirt on Soil Conservation

The Division of Soil Conservation is the “boots on the ground” body of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), and its largest division.

Employees of this division provide agronomic assistance and conservation expertise to Hoosiers across the state on a daily basis, as well as assist in the technical and educational workload of the conservation partners in the field.

One of the most significant roles the Division fills is to support and empower the members of the Indiana Conservation Partnership.

Whether working with government entities, conservation districts, or educational organizations – even individual land owners and farmers – the Division of Soil Conservation strives to further conservation in Indiana, and help partners across Indiana reach their goals.

The Division of Soil Conservation tracks the impact of conservation all over Indiana – not just by totals of acres, dollars and practices on the ground – but by estimating the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that is kept out of waterways and kept on productive farmland.

“This is how we tell the story of conservation in Indiana: showing Hoosiers and partners what is actually happening on the landscape as a result of collective work, funding and coordination,” says Jordan Seger, director of the Division of Soil Conservation. “Conservation partnerships are essential to achieving meaningful impacts on a landscape. Their effect is synergistic. Whether a project is local or regional, whether partners include state and federal agencies, municipalities, corporations or grassroots organizations, it is the spirit of partnership that ultimately gathers resources and drives successful efforts – and keeping that momentum comes down to telling stories.”

The Division of Soil Conservation works diligently to contribute to that effect. By doing the real work on the ground, but also by showing partners and their constituents the real results, they gain momentum, set goals and achieve successes that are truly statewide.

“We are greater than the sum of our parts, not just because of our role as a Division, but because of our role service to that larger partnership,” Seger says.

Learn more at in.gov/isda.