Annual Conference

The annual statewide conference organized for Indiana’s 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts offers a chance for professionals, researchers, academics, industry leaders, farmers, and other stakeholders in natural resource protection to come together.

The conference includes an exhibit hall and sponsor booths where companies, organizations, and vendors present their products, services, and initiatives. Networking opportunities, workshops, and training sessions are available to promote education and exchange ideas.

January 26, 2025
3:00 pm (Eastern)
Thinking Regionally About Our Water – A Review of What’s New and a Hands-On Exercise with Watershed Data
Presenters: Jill Hoffmann, Executive Director and Bill Blomquist, WRA Water Policy Coordinator, White River Alliance

During this session, the presenters will provide an update on the progress of regional water studies in Indiana, and how regional water planning can proceed from here. There will be opportunities for questions, feedback, and facilitated discussion. Session participants will engage in a small-group exercise with multiple data layers on watershed-based maps to encourage conversation about what it means to think about our water on a regional scale, followed by sharing ideas and reactions with the whole group. Participants will also identify water priorities for Indiana using an online tool (Mentimeter) for collecting and visualizing group input.

4:30 pm (Eastern)
What it Means to be a Supervisor: For the New and Not So New (4:30-6:00 PM)
Presenters: District Support Specialists, Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Start the year off right and learn more about Supervisor responsibilities, strategic planning, funding, common programs, and Partners relevant to SWCDs.  This session is geared towards both new Supervisors who want to be ready to contribute on day one, and experienced Supervisors seeking a refresher. 

January 27-28, 2025
(all times Eastern)
Opening Session begins 9 am, Monday, January 27
Closing Session ends 2 pm, Tuesday, January 28

Westin, downtown Indianapolis
241 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

NEW THIS YEAR! 2024 Indiana Conservation Awards Ceremony will be a dinner on Monday night!

Keynote Speakers

IASWCD welcomes Jimmy Emmons, farmer and Trust in Food‘s Senior Vice President of Climate-Smart Programs, and Erin Martin, gerontologist and Director of FreshRx Oklahoma, to the stage as the 2025 Keynote Speakers.

Read the Keynote Announcement for more details!

Registration Rates

Meals are included in the conference rates below.
Full conference $455
One day, Monday $335
One day, Tuesday $300
Student full conference $265
Student one day $170

Rates for Meals Only:
Awards Dinner, Monday $ 85
Breakfast, Monday or Tuesday $ 70
Lunch, Monday $ 70

IASWCD Business Meeting

January 28 at 11:00 am (Eastern)

District Delegates

IASWCD will host their Annual Business Meeting at the Westin in downtown Indianapolis, at the closing of their 2025 statewide conference. Each Soil and Water Conservation District in good standing (fully paid annual dues) with the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Inc. will have the opportunity to have one SWCD Supervisor delegate participate in the Annual Meeting. The vote of the District will be cast by the delegate or the alternate. One delegate and an alternate shall be selected by each District before the date of any Association meeting and their names shall be submitted to the Association electronically no fewer than ten days prior to the meeting. Delegates must register online. All such delegates and alternates shall be officially elected and/or appointed supervisors or associate supervisors. The delegate and alternate shall be seated at any association meeting. (Please note: If the delegate only plans to attend the Business Meeting and not the rest of Annual Conference, it is not necessary to register for the full Annual Conference.)

Resolutions

Four resolutions were submitted for consideration at the 2025 Annual IASWCD Business Meeting.

The Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) hosts the Statewide Conservation Awards, with support from numerous partners across the state. These awards are presented during the annual SWCD conference.

IASWCD invites organizations to aid in the statewide efforts of Indiana’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Sponsorship directly offsets costs and registration fees enabling participants from all 92 districts to attend.

The energetic, fast-paced conference trade show maximizes the time together for attendees and exhibitors. Don’t miss this opportunity to network and make valuable connections with over 400+ conservationists and natural resources professionals from across the state!

Become a Sponsor

Choose from a variety of sponsorship levels to best suit your organization’s needs. Sponsors of this conference are posted and shared in newsletters, Facebook, conference publications, conference announcement screens, website and more.

Sponsorship levels of $4,000 and above receive a complimentary booth space in the conference trade show.

Sponsor Benefits

Sign Up to be an Exhibitor

Join us in Indianapolis! The conference will be held at The Westin Indianapolis, offering lots of opportunity to learn and explore.