As used or referred to in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
 1. “Committee” means the state soil conservation and water quality committee established in section 161A.4.
 2. “Department” means the department of agriculture and land stewardship.
 3. “District” means a soil and water conservation district established in chapter 161A.
 4. “Division” means the division of soil conservation and water quality created within the department pursuant to section 159.5.
 5. “Landowner” includes any person, including a federal agency, this state or any of its political subdivisions, who holds title to land lying within a proposed district.
 6. “United States” or “agencies of the United States” includes the United States of America, the United States department of agriculture natural resources conservation service, and any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States.