We’ve reached the end of Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week. The Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District is the oldest in the state; it was formed in 1940 as a result of legislation passed after the Dust Bowl. County NRCS Director Jeff Matthias says this is also the 40th year of Iowa’s Cost Share program, in which the state assists landowners in helping protect soils. He adds that they continue local efforts as well – they just completed a tree sales fundraiser and will be awarding scholarships to students in agriculture or natural resources fields with those funds.