Resilient Indiana: Technical and Outreach Assistance (RITA) for Soil and Water Conservation Districts
About
(RITA) Technicians provide soil and water resource-related technical assistance to agricultural, woodland, and urban land users within a regional team consisting of members of local, state, and federal partners. They are expected to primarily focus on SWCD projects. Their assistance will take many forms, ultimately facilitating the implementation of measures that protect and enhance the quality of soil, water, and other natural resources.
RITA Technicians have four primary responsibilities:
~Support local SWCD boards and staff efforts to promote best management practices.
~Support public outreach on the benefits of measures that enhance the quality of natural resources.
~Coordinate with partners and others to expand knowledge of programs to increase soil health and improve water quality.
~Provide technical assistance and education in collaboration with other Indiana Conservation Partners.
RITA is an initiative of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD), an Indiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enabling the conservation of Indiana’s natural resources through the combined support of its 92 member Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).
RITA is made possible through the support of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Clean Water Indiana (CWI) program.
Resilient Indiana was launched in late 2023 to deliver three key benefits to the state of Indiana:
- Technical and Outreach Support – Provide prompt technical assistance, training, and outreach focused on reducing soil erosion, enhancing soil health, improving water quality and quantity, and enhancing wildlife habitat.
- Capacity Building – Ensure staff availability to support individual Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in program outreach and implementation, while expanding service offerings to local communities.
- Workforce Development – Focus on training and mentoring young professionals with the goal of cultivating long-term commitment to work in the fields of environmental conservation and sustainable practices.
and connecting with conservation partners.
Your Input Matters!
Resilient Indiana (RITA) has reached the midpoint of its current funding and is beginning strategic planning to guide the program’s future. Launched in 2023 with support from NRCS and Clean Water Indiana, RITA provides technical assistance, outreach, capacity building, and workforce development through a team of regional staff serving SWCDs, partners, and landowners across the state. As part of this effort, IASWCD is seeking input from all conservation partners—regardless of prior involvement with the program—to evaluate its impact and shape next steps. Please complete the survey by May 31, 2026, to help inform the future direction of RITA.
Resources
- Indiana Conservation Partnership
- NRCS’s list of climate mitigation activities
- NRCS Field Office Technical Guide for Indiana
- Clean Water Indiana
Resources for SWCDs
Resources for RITA Techs
Contact Us
RITA in Action!
Articles written by Resilient Indiana staff
Press Releases
- IASWCD Announces New Indiana Resilient Program Director
- New Indiana Resilient Program Begins (Meet the Techs)
Annual Report
RITA Tech Areas
“Shall we not proceed immediately to help the present generation of farmers and to conserve the heritage of posterity…” – Hugh Hammond Bennett, 1928.