NRCS appoints new state conservationists for Idaho and Iowa

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced new state conservationist appointments for Idaho and Iowa.

Garrett Fish has been named the Idaho state conservationist and is scheduled to begin the role at the end of November. Fish, who has worked with the NRCS since 2009 in various technical and leadership capacities across Washington, Iowa, and Utah, will provide agency leadership and support for conservation technical and financial assistance on private lands.

In Iowa, Jaia Fischer assumed the role of state conservationist on October 4, 2026. Fischer previously served as the assistant state conservationist for management and strategy, where she oversaw business operations. Her background includes experience as a soil and district conservationist.