Annual Conference - Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
The yearly statewide conference for Indiana’s 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) provides an opportunity for professionals, researchers, academics, industry leaders, farmers, and other stakeholders in natural resource conservation to gather.
The event features an exhibit hall and sponsor booths where companies, organizations, and vendors showcase their products, services, and initiatives. Attendees can benefit from networking opportunities, workshops, and training sessions designed to foster education and idea exchange.
The conference will be held at The Westin in downtown Indianapolis January 26-28, 2025, lasting three days. Registration will open in the fall.
Introducing the guest speakers of the conference!
Erin Martin, gerontologist and Director of FreshRx Oklahoma: Erin Martin began her journey in altruism at fifteen by helping older adults. With a master’s degree in Gerontology from USC, she has extensive experience in long-term care. In 2021, she founded FreshRx Oklahoma, a produce prescription program collaborating with local farmers and clinics. Erin, a global consultant on food as medicine, is certified in Regenerative Soil Advocacy. She serves as President of the Tulsa Urban Ag Coalition, Director of FreshRx Oklahoma, and co-lead of Oklahoma’s Food is Medicine Policy Coalition, focusing on health equity through innovative approaches.
Jimmy Emmons, farmer and Trust in Food‘s Senior Vice President of Climate-Smart Programs: Jimmy Emmons, leader of conservation programs at Trust in Food, oversees initiatives like Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities and the Connected Ag Project. He and his wife, Ginger, run Emmons Farm in Leedey, Oklahoma, managing 7,000 acres and 300 cattle with a focus on water efficiency and erosion reduction. Emmons promotes conservation practices for improved resilience and efficiency. He has also served as mentoring coordinator for the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, regional coordinator for USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation, and led both the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts and the National Young Farmers Education Association.
Learn more about the event on the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts website.