Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Conservation District Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ada Soil & Water Conservation District outlines free and low‑cost programs for Eagle residents
Summary
The Ada Soil & Water Conservation District presented its outreach programs — including student outreach (4,000+ students reached), Waterwise workshops, the Living on the Land course, a soil food‑web test ($45/sample), a no‑till drill for lease (about $175 for up to 10 acres) and a shrub preorder/pollinator program that has distributed over 200,000 plants.
Jessica (Jess) Harold, director of the Ada Soil & Water Conservation District, gave the committee a 10–15 minute summary of programs available to Eagle residents and partners, and described several ways the city could amplify those services.
Jess said the district is a non‑regulatory, quasi‑governmental entity that provides technical, financial and educational assistance to private landowners and partners; last year the district’s education coordinator reached more than 4,000 students through partnerships with local schools. “These services are all provided for free to the community,” Jess said of student outreach and in‑school field experiences.
Programs highlighted included: • Waterwise Works workshops (eight classes each spring, well attended — roughly 50–60 people per class); • Living on the Land, a 12‑week stewardship course run in partnership with University of Idaho extension (previously sold out); • A new soil food‑web assessment service for growers ($45 per sample) that analyzes soil biology and returns a report (laboratory/microscopy work described by the director); • A no‑till drill the district leases (staff described a $175 minimum for 10 acres or less, $15/acre above that) and logistics for towing and use; and • The Treasure Valley pollinator project and a shrub preorder program for partners (the district reported it has helped plant more than 200,000 plants through outreach partners).
Committee members asked how the district can be better connected to Eagle residents; Jess suggested embedding links and program highlights on the committee’s webpage, including fall festival booths and Saturday market outreach, and the committee agreed to explore sharing the district’s newsletter and flyers. Jess also offered to provide slides and resources to be posted on city channels.
The district and committee discussed grant models and a Boise pilot where participating homeowners could apply for reimbursements; Jess said the pilot offered homeowners up to roughly $1,300 toward water‑wise landscaping through a reimbursement model tied to participation in classes.
The committee thanked the presenters and asked staff to circulate presentation slides and links for local posting.
