News : Open House to honor Jim Brown's retirement from USDA/NRCS office

Jim Brown, District Conservationist with the USDA-NRCS in the Vinton office, is retiring after 38 years of service. He has spent the last 33 years in Vinton, and his passion for protecting the soil and water resources clearly show on the landscape of Benton County.

Jim helped introduce and promote reduced and no-till systems through the Eastern Iowa Conservation Tillage Show. This was an educational conference for the public held in Cedar Rapids for many years in the mid-1980’s. He was instrumental in establishing Wetland Reserve Projects along the Iowa River Corridor that eventually became a Scenic By Way and tourist attraction in the southern part of the county. Jim also promoted the use of native grasses and wildflowers in seeding mixes for CRP acres throughout the county. Jim worked closely with the Benton SWCD Commissioners to establish many terrace and waterway projects. During the past three years, he helped found and secure funding for the Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project and began work through the Middle Cedar Partnership Project that will involve several counties to protect the waters of the Cedar River. Both of these projects are focused on protecting our water quality and will greatly benefit Benton County.

An Open House honoring Jim will be held Monday, December 28th at the USDA Service Center in Vinton from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The staff and Benton SWCD Commissioners wish Jim a Happy Retirement.