Iowa Lakes RC&D adds Osceola, O'Brien counties

Des Moines -- Iowa Lakes Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) is adding Osceola and O'Brien Counties to its existing five northwest Iowa counties. Iowa Lakes RC&D is one of 17 councils in Iowa that works to create jobs, protect the environment and improve the quality of life in rural communities.

The two additional counties join Dickinson, Emmet, Clay, Buena Vista and Palo Alto counties to make up Iowa Lakes RC&D. Based in Spencer, Iowa Lakes RC&D was authorized in 1996. Jeff Kestel, RC&D Coordinator, is excited about the addition of these two new counties.

"Osceola and O'Brien will fit nicely into our existing RC&D program," Kestel said. "Many of the projects we work on have a direct connection to natural resources and these two counties share many of the same natural resource characteristics and concerns of our current five-county area."

The national RC&D program started in 1962, and received permanent authorization as part of the 2002 Farm Bill. The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the RC&D program. "With this addition, only Lyon and Sioux Counties remain outside of an RC&D service area," said Rich Sims, state conservationist for NRCS in Iowa. "Citizens in nearly every Iowa county can now benefit from RC&D services."

Typical RC&D projects relate to land conservation, community development, and land and water management. A sampling of Iowa Lakes RC&D projects includes:

* Rain Garden Demonstration Area -- A rain garden design and implementation in Storm Lake reduces and filters urban runoff.

* Dew Drop Drill -- Assistance provided to Little Sioux Prairie Company in the product design of a small scale native seed planter, along with help in business start-up.

* Solar Pumping for Livestock Systems -- Through a grant funded by the USDA-NRCS, provided cost-share for producers to assist with the installation of solar powered watering systems to better utilize pasture lands.

Kestel says the Iowa Lakes RC&D works on a variety of diverse projects, and he looks forward to assisting people in the new area.

"We invite anyone to give us a call or stop in to learn more about ways we can help," he said.