Thanks to those who represented Soil & Water Conservation Districts in the Illinois State Fair this year.
The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts entered a float with the MAGIC of Conservation theme from the annual conference – and won third place!
In the parade were:
Tara and Erik Hopkins – Edgar SWCD
Cara Schultz – Union SWCD
Karla Smith – Peoria SWCD
Steve Warmowski – AISWCD
Michael (AISWCD) & Jaime Filio-Woods with Jaylyn, Julia, Jewel, and Ponchito
![](https://aiswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/240808aiswcd_statefair13.jpeg)
AISWCD in the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade – Michael & Jaime Filio-Woods with Jaylyn, Julia, Jewel, and Ponchito; Tara and Erik Hopkins of Edgar SWCD; Cara Schultz of Union SWCD; Karla Smith of Peoria SWCD, and Steve Warmowski of AISWCD.
Soil & Water Conservation District employees volunteered to staff a Soil Your Undies display in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Water Resources tent in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair.
Volunteers were:
Tara Hopkins – Edgar SWCD
Sarah Earles – Ford SWCD
Marissa Iverson – Woodford SWCD
Sarah Mendoun – Clinton SWCD
Emily Gaddis – Clinton SWCD
Nikki Pysson – Henry SWCD
Katie McCauley – Stark SWCD
Julie Chumbley – Piatt SWCD
Karla Smith – Peoria SWCD
Bri Gates – Piatt SWCD
Dean Farr – McHenry-Lake SWCD
Ashley Curran – AISWCD
Steve Warmowski – AISWCD
![](https://aiswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SoilYourUndies.jpg)
Tara Hopkins of Edgar SWCD and Sarah Earles of Ford SWCD in the Soil Your Undies display at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources tent in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair.
But it’s not just the State Fair. Local Soil & Water Conservation Districts participate in county fairs and parades throughout the year. Here’s some of the submitted photos . . .
![](https://aiswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Gallatin1.jpg)
Float in the Gallatin County Fair parade (aka Popcorn Days parade) in Ridgway – submitted by Nancy Kitchens of Gallatin SWCD.
![](https://aiswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Hancock.jpg)
Christmas light parade, with folks from Hancock and Knox county – submitted by Michelle Berry of Hancock SWCD.