Chuck Gipp has been hired to head the division of soil conservation at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. He will lead the department's efforts to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey made the announcement in July. Gipp had been a member of the Iowa House of Representatives since 1991, serving House District 16. He retired following the 2008 legislative session. While in the legislature he served as majority leader from 2002 to 2006 and majority whip from 1995 to 1999. He has also been managing partner of A-G Swiss Farms Inc., a diversified dairy farming operation with his brothers near Decorah.

Has farming as well as political experience

They specialized in the breeding and milking of registered Brown Swiss dairy cattle. During his time there, the brothers implemented extensive conservation practices on their 640 crop acres that they used to grow corn and alfalfa hay.

"I'm extremely excited by this opportunity with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship," says Gipp. "I've worked in agriculture as a farmer and in the dairy industry, so I look forward to now helping other farmers expand their conservation efforts."

The division of soil conservation is responsible for administering state programs and providing leadership to farmers, landowners, communities and others to promote the protection and management of soil, water and mineral resources. The division also assists soil and water conservation districts and private landowners to meet their agricultural and environmental protection needs.

Oversees state soil conservation programs

"The division of soil conservation makes up nearly half of our state department of agriculture and I'm very confident that Chuck will provide strong and visionary leadership as we continue to address the conservation issues and opportunities facing the state," says Northey. "Both his experience as a state legislator and an actively engaged farmer in northeast Iowa will benefit both the soil conservation division and the farmers they partner with."

"Iowa is lucky to have such a great group of employees within the division of soil conservation that work very hard to advance conservation both on the farm and in town," adds Northey. "With a new division director onboard I'm confident that we'll be able to continue serving Iowans and take new steps to protect the land and water that are so very important to this state."