Des Moines, Iowa A former state conservationist is Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack’s choice to lead the Iowa DNR.

Jeff Vonk has been the state conservationist for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service
in California since 1998. From 1990-94 he served as the agency’s
state conservationist in Iowa.

Vonk, whose nomination must be confirmed by the Iowa Senate,
would replace Paul Johnson, who resigned last May. It was Johnson
who recommended Vonk to Vilsack. Vonk is expected to begin his new
job March 14. The deadline for his confirmation by the Iowa Senate
is April 15.