The Division of Soil Conservation is administered in accordance with policies established by the State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC). Primary authorities of the State Soil Conservation Committee are to:

• Establish policy for the administration of Division of Soil Conservation programs
• Approve rules of the Division prior to adoption
• Recommend annually, to the Secretary of Agriculture, a budget for the Division
• Call upon agencies and education institutions of the state for reports, surveys, or studies necessary to carry out its functions
• Perform acts and hold public hearings as necessary for the execution of its functions
• Appoint commissioners to fill vacancies in soil and water conservation districts
• Provide a forum for the discussion of soil and water conservation issues and the development of policy and program initiatives
• Review district soil loss limits every five years

The SSCC as authorized in Iowa Code Section 161A.4 consists of nine voting members appointed by the Governor. Of these voting members, six are farmers geographically distributed across the state, and the remaining three represent the constituencies of cities, the mining industry, and tree farming. Ex officio, non-voting members of the committee include representatives of the Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa State University Cooperative Extension Service. Non-voting advisory members of the committee include representatives of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Iowa County Engineers Association. Current members are:

Appointed, Voting Members

Jean Eells  (North Central Region Rep)  jceells@wmtel.net
2550 Stagecoach Rd., Webster City, IA 50595
FAX (515) 832-1771; PH (515) 832-1771 OR 832-4687

Vance Hjelm vancehjelm@evertek.net
1230 200th St. Lake Park, IA 51347
PH (712)-832-3580

Jody Kerns (Tree Farming Rep) kernscabin@aol.com
2142 – 110th St., Edgewood, IA 52042
PH (563) 928-7226

Keith Lau  (Northeast Region Rep) kevinlau@alpinecom.net
305 E. Watson St., Garnavillo, IA 52049
PH (563) 964-2747

Jeani Leyda
24050 Hwy 63 Bloomfield, IA 52537
PH (641)-92-3318

Todd Scott  (Mining Industry Rep) tscott@riverproducts.com
2247 Cae Dr., Iowa City, IA 52246
FAX (319) 338-8510; PH (319) 338-1184 or 341-9537

Duane Sand  (Cities and Towns Rep) dsand@inhf.org
8998 Golden Valley Dr., Norwalk, IA 50211
FAX (515) 288-0137; PH (515) 288-1846 or 287-5546

John Sellers  (South Central Region Rep) jsellers@sirisonline.com
1458 – 160th St., Corydon, IA 50060
FAX (641) 872-2966; PH (641) 872-2657

J. Kelly Tobin (Southwest Region Rep) keto@myfmtc.com
2056 Forest Ave., New Market, IA 51646
FAX/PH (712) 585-3369

Ex Officio, Non-Voting Members

Richard Leopold, Director, Department of Natural Resources
Wallace Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319
FAX (515) 281-6794; PH (515) 281-5384

Jack M. Payne, Director, Cooperative Extension Service
2150 Beardshear Hall, ISU, Ames, IA 50011
FAX (515) 294-4715; PH (515) 294-4603

Advisors

Richard Sims, State Conservationist, NRCS
210 Walnut St., Ste. 693, Des Moines, IA 50309
FAX (515) 284-4394; PH (515) 284-6655

Kris Katzmann, Guthrie County Engineer,  Engr39@netins.net
2211 215th Road, Guthrie Center, IA 50115
FAX (641) 747-3604; PH (641) 747-2274