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March 1 - 14 , 2012
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This Issue


IASWCD Celebrates AgDay

Federal Programs Digest

Conservation Events and Announcements include: New EPA website on nutrient pollution & more

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ag day
Joe Kelsay, ISDA Director, celebrates AgDay with winners of the Indiana Family of Farmers Ag Essay Contest. They were honored last week at a celebration in downtown Indianapolis. Left to Right, from back: Joe Kelsay; Ben Sheldon, Martinsville. Front Row, left to right: Emi Lou Campbell, Franklin; Rebecca Stanton, Columbus; Thomas Werstler; Larwill; Morgan Tomson, Westport.
deadlinesU p c o m i n g  D e a d l i n e s

 ICP training dates and registration deadlines: 

 

Northeast: March 22; RSVP by March 15

Central: March 27; RSVP by March 20

 

Click here for the registration form.

 

We are accepting electronic registrations only. Please contact us if you have any trouble with the form.

calendarE v e n t s  C a l e n d a r

 

Visit our Google Calendar for details about upcoming events!

You can submit events via
 
There are many new events on our calendar - too many to list! See for yourself.
quickQ u i c k  L i n k s
pubsP u b l i c a t i o n s   L i n k s
IASWCD Blog

Past IASWCD Newsletters 


Ag Grant Guru  

 

Boone Co. SWCD Annual Newsletter


Central States Forest Health Watch 


CTIC - Partners 


Chew on Dirt Blog

 

Gibson County SWCD Newsletter, The Conservation Gram

 

Indiana FSA Newsletter 

 


Indiana Lakescaping Addendum 


IASWCD News

 

Jefferson County SWCD Newsletter


NACD's "eNotes"

 

NACD's "The Resource"  

 

NACD's "Forestry Notes


NRCS: Healthy Forests & EQIP - NRCS Indiana Farm Bill Publication 


NRCS: Indiana NRCS Hoosier Headlines 


NRCS Volunteer Voice 


Outdoor Indiana Magazine 


Riffles & Pools from Hoosier Riverwatch

 

Soil & Water Conservation Society Newsletter, "The Conservogram"

 

St. Joseph Co: The Conservation Kaleidescope

 

Steuben Co.: The Conservator and Annual Report


The Woodland Steward


Wood-Land-Lakes Newsletter


West Central Indiana Watershed Alliance

I A S W C D   L e a d e r s h i p

Officers

President: Ray McCormick 

Vice President: Jeff Meinders

Secretary: Paul Cummings 

Treasurer: Jamie Scott 

 

Region Directors

Board Roster /  Region Map 

 
North-NW: Larry Strole, Newton Co. 

South-NW: Mike Starkey, Hendricks Co.

North-NE: Tom Crowe, Allen Co. 

South-NE: Bobby Hettmansperger, Wabash Co. 

North-SW: Les Zimmerman, Vermillino Co.

South-SW: Jim Droege, Posey Co. 

North-SE: Mike Schwab, Franklin Co. 

South-SE:  Brad Ponsler, Jennings Co. 

 

IASWCD Staff 

Executive Director: Jennifer Boyle Warner, 317.692.7519

 

Conservation Development Specialist: Janice Bullman, 317.692.7514

 

Project Assistant: Liz Rice, 317.692.7325

 

Communications Manager: DeeDee Sigler, 317.692.7374


exec

A Report from the Executive Director

Conservation Community Loses a Member 

Please note correct information here for the visitation and funeral service for Barry Barnett. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

The IASWCD extends our sympathies to the family of Johnson County Supervisor Barry Barnett. He passed away suddenly last weekend. He was the SWCD's chairman. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Franklin Memorial Christian Church, 1720 Graham Road, Franklin. The funeral is Saturday, March 17 at 10 a.m. also at the Franklin Memorial Christian Church. 

 

Volunteer for 2013 SWCD Annual Conference Planning Committee

I know it's hard to believe it, but planning is beginning for the 2013 SWCD Annual Conference, Jan. 7-9, 2013 in Indianapolis.  Once again, we are in need of a dedicated group of folks willing to help us plan the general and break-out sessions.  Conference has been a huge success over the past few years and it's because of the time and effort given by the planning group! We need individuals who can bring new ideas on topics, speakers, etc. and help us plan a great conference for 2013.  This will be our only face to face meeting.  Additional work by committee members will be conducted by teleconference or email. 

 

The planning meeting will be Wednesday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Farm Bureau building in Indianapolis.  Lunch will be provided.  We are also happy to reimburse mileage for those coming to the meeting. If you are interested in helping and can attend the meeting, please let Liz Rice know by April 6 so we can plan accordingly.  Email Liz at [email protected]  or call 317-692-7325. 

Have a good day,
Jennifer
agday
IASWCD participates in Ag Day
Celebration with Indiana's Family of Farmers and Indy's Tastiest Food Trucks  

The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (@iaswcd) joined Indiana's Family of Farmers (IFOF) and six of Indy's tastiest Food Trucks for From Tractor To Truck (#tractor2truck), a celebration of National Ag Day and Nutrition Month. The Ag Day celebration was held March 8 when the food trucks Indiana Government Center in downtown Indianapolis.

 

"This event has further enabled us to reach our community and share with them that quality agriculture provides not only quality food but a wide variety of food choices," said Joe Kelsay, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. "I am proud to say that the food we all can enjoy every day on every one of these food trucks or at the grocery store or farmers market or half way around the world is in part because of Indiana's 61,000 family farms."

 

Prior to lunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., a brief presentation was held to celebrate Indiana's agriculture industry. IFOF (@FamilyofFarmers), along with Indiana Humanities (@INHumanities) recognized six Hoosier students for their winning essays in the 2nd Annual Ag Essay Contest titled "Our Food, Our Farmers." This year's contest explored Indiana's role as a global agricultural leader.

 

Thanks also to Piazza Produce and Prairie Farms for their donation of milk, apples and carrots in front of each Food Truck to help Get Your Plate in Shape! 

 

More than 280 students submitted essays from across Indiana. The winning essays were selected from three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. First place winners will received an Apple iPad and second place winners received a Kodak Playsport camcorder.

 

The winning essays are posted on Indiana's Family of Farmers and Indiana Humanities websites.

fedgramsFederal Programs Digest
CRP Signup Period Ends Soon 

Producers who want to offer eligible land for CRP's competitive general sign-up can enroll March 12 through April 6, 2012, at their local FSA service center. CRP is a voluntary program that protects environmentally sensitive land.  Producers enrolling in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers in exchange for rental payments, cost-share and technical assistance. Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA service center or visit FSA's website at www.fsa.usda.gov/crp for additional information regarding CRP. 

 

Emergency Aid Available for Hoosiers Affected by Storms

The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) provides emergency funding and technical assistance to farmers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for implementing emergency water conservation measures. ECP participants may receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost to assist with debris removal from farmland and restore livestock fences and conservation structures. The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) provides emergency funding and technical assistance to landowners of private forestland.  The purpose of this program is to make payments available to owners of nonindustrial private forestland who are approved for program participation and carry out emergency measures to restore land that is damaged by a natural disaster.  These disasters include ice storms, excessive winds, and other resource-impacting events. For more information on ECP and EFRP or to signup for these programs, visit your local FSA office.

announcementsConservation Events and Announcements

EPA Unveils New Website on Nutrient Pollution

The U.S. EPA unveiled a new website on nutrient pollution policy and data. The website is designed to help individuals access information on EPA actions to reduce nutrient pollution, state efforts to develop numeric nutrient criteria, and EPA tools, data, research, and reports related to nutrient pollution.  Visit the website at epa.gov/nandppolicy.  

 

Nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems, and is caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the air and water.  EPA is also pleased to unveil a new website on nutrient pollution for homeowners, students, and educators.  The site features information explaining the problem of nutrient pollution; the sources of the pollution; how it affects the environment, economy, and public health; and what people can do to reduce the problem.  The site also features an interactive map of local case studies in reducing nutrient pollution.  Visit the website at http://epa.gov/nutrientpollution.

 
IASWCD's website includes information on a joint effort by NRCS and the SWCDs to enable and encourage producers to practice conservation. Check out the resources and contact your District Conservationist for more information.
 

The Indiana Lakes Management Society is happy to announce the 24th Annual Indiana Lakes Management Conference on March 23-24 at Brown County State Park. The conference offers a chance for our professional, lakes management, non-profit, and agency members to mix and mingle. Annually, more than 180 individuals travel through the state to learn the latest about lakes management, hear updates about on-going projects, and meet and greet friends from conferences pastFor more information and to register for the conference, please visit www.indianalakes.org. 

 

EPA Webast: History and Evolution of the Clean Water Act

Join EPA for a free Watershed Academy webcast, "History and Evolution of the Clean Water Act," on March 21, 2012 from 1-3 p.m. EDT.  The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States and 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the 1972 amendments to this landmark environmental law. This webcast is the first in a series to commemorate the anniversary of the act. The Webcast will provide a brief introduction to the CWA including an overview of key components of the act and some basic terminology. It will also include a brief history of the act and some reflections on the evolution of the Clean Water Act. To register for this webcast, please visit epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.

Environmental Education Program Assistant: CEES

The IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) is seeking an Education Program Assistant to support Discovering the Science of the Environment (DSE) an outreach environmental education program. Utilizing a mobile resource trailer equipped with interactive technology tools, web interface, and GIS mapping capabilities, the DSE program travels to local schools in Central Indiana to provide free educational programming at school ground natural areas. To learn more about the Center for Earth and Environmental Science and the Discovering the Science of the Environment program, please visit our website at http://www.cees.iupui.edu/DSE.htm.

 

Watershed Resource Specialist: Wabash River Enhancement Corporation

The watershed resource specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing watershed management plans in the Region of the Great Bend and Deer Creek-Sugar Creek watersheds in a manner that is inclusive of all stakeholders. The specialist will organize and facilitate steering, education and outreach, marketing, and other committee and subcommittee meetings; arrange logistics for public meetings and education and outreach events; prepare draft plan documents, draft implantation plans, press releases, public announcements, and project and grant reports; coordinate volunteers and educational events; promote cost-share and educational programs with individual agricultural and urban landowners; and collect water samples as necessary. Read the full description here.

  

Agricultural Program Manager: Wabash River Enhancement Corporation

The Agricultural Program Manager will be responsible for implementing the agricultural portion of the watershed management plan in the Region of the Great Bend and Deer Creek-Sugar Creek watersheds in a manner that is inclusive of all stakeholders. The manager will meet with agricultural landowners to promote the agricultural cost-share program; complete modeling calculations to determine loading rate reductions; draft agricultural project contracts, documentation forms, reimbursement forms, and any other necessary paperwork; oversee all aspects of agricultural cost-share project implementation including site visits, photo monitoring, and paperwork; and develop and promote two agricultural field days or workshops focused on demonstration of new or innovative techniques. Read the full description here.

J o i n   O u r   M a i l i n g   L i s t !

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