Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] – Introduction Todd discusses a focus group that shaped the Pay Dirt event. "We really want to take away the excuse of 'I didn’t know.' We wanted them to be comfortable knowing the regulations and why they exist." – Todd Clark [00:02:00] – About Todd Clark Todd shares his background in conservation, stormwater management, and agriculture. He discusses his experience managing Elkhart County’s stormwater and MS4 regulations. [00:08:00] – The Birth of Pay Dirt How COVID-19 forced them to rethink contractor education. Bringing together stormwater and agriculture under one event. "Why do farmers get a pass? We realized stormwater affects both industries, and we needed a conversation between them." – Todd Clark [00:15:00] – Branding the Event for Success The importance of giving the event a unique identity. "We wanted people to ask, ‘When is Pay Dirt next year?’ That’s when you know you’ve built something lasting." – Todd Clark [00:20:00] – Structure of the Event Two-day event: One day for agriculture, one for stormwater. Unexpected crossover—stormwater professionals interested in agriculture topics and vice versa. [00:30:00] – Changes for Pay Dirt 2025 Moving to a larger, upgraded venue. Combining agriculture and stormwater tracks for more interaction. "Some sessions will force people to make tough choices—because they apply to both stormwater and ag." – Todd Clark [00:33:00] – Expanding the Conversation A speaker from Minnesota will present on large-scale stormwater retention projects in agriculture. Collaboration with the University of Notre Dame to identify ideal retention locations. [00:36:00] – The Vendor Experience & Evening Reception How vendors play a crucial role in stormwater innovation. Pay Dirt 2025 will include a networking reception with a keynote from the former superintendent of Indiana Dunes National Park. [00:40:00] – Water Quality = Quality of Life "In Elkhart County, it’s about water quality of life—because good water quality means a better quality of life for everyone." – Todd Clark [00:45:00] – The Future of Pay Dirt Balancing growth with maintaining a meaningful, impactful event. Expanding digital access so more people can benefit from Pay Dirt. "We have to erase county lines, erase state lines—water doesn’t care about borders." – Todd Clark Key Quotes "We really want to take away the excuse of 'I didn’t know.' We wanted them to be comfortable knowing the regulations and why they exist." – Todd Clark "Why do farmers get a pass? We realized stormwater affects both industries, and we needed a conversation between them." – Todd Clark "Water doesn’t care where agriculture stops and an MS4 starts. It’s all connected, and we need to work together." – Todd Clark "In Elkhart County, it’s about water quality of life—because good water quality means a better quality of life for everyone." – Todd Clark In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Todd Clark from the Elkhart County SWCD about Pay Dirt 2025, a unique event that brings together agriculture and stormwater professionals to address water management challenges. Todd shares how the event started, its impact on bridging gaps between industries, and the changes coming in 2025, including a larger venue, combined educational tracks, and a stronger focus on collaboration. He emphasizes the importance of water quality as a foundation for community well-being and the need for proactive stormwater solutions. With growing attendance and national interest, Pay Dirt is shaping up to be a must-attend event for stormwater and agricultural stakeholders alike. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Todd Clark: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-clark-2b3859329/ Email: tclark@elkhartcounty.com Pay Dirt Website: https://www.elkcoswcd.org/pay-dirt/ Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP: Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
