2025 IDEA Conference Wrap-Up

The 2025 Indiana District Employees Association (IDEA) Conference was held in mid-October at the scenic Monroe Lake—an important distinction emphasized by opening speaker Jill Vance of the Indiana DNR, who shared the lake's history and clarified its correct name. The conference featured a range of educational sessions, including "Soil Health Kits and How to Use Them" and "Indiana's Native Pollinators" presented by Olivia Fry of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. A panel of SWCD staff and partners offered valuable insights into office administration, planning, and key deadlines. Thursday evening concluded with a lively celebration of IDEA’s 35th conference anniversary, complete with games, networking, and live music by the Buck Rogers Clark Band. The event wrapped up on Friday with an inspiring message from retired NRCS leaders Jane Hardisty and Chris Lee, who encouraged attendees to "thrive, not just survive" and reminded them of the critical impact their work has on local communities and conservation across Indiana.​

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Future Fall Conference Region Locations

Year	Region
2026	North-Northeast
2027	North-Southwest
2028	South-Southeast
2029	South-Northeast