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March 29 - April 10, 2012
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 I A S W C D B l o g |
The blog settings have been changed and now anyone may comment. Please share your thoughts!
The Association has started a blog to share stories, announcements, and ideas relevant to SWCDs and the larger community.
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| W e ' r e S o c i a l! |
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| Grant Opportunity: EPA - GLRI |
In April, EPA expects to announce its Request For Applications (RFA) seeking the submission of competitive assistance applications for FY 2012 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. EPA expects to award approximately $20 million of GLRI funding through this competitive RFA process. Complete applications will be due approximately 35 days after release of the announcement.
The implementation of projects submitted and selected pursuant to the RFA process is expected to provide numerous benefits, including:
- An increase in on-the-ground/in-the-water restoration or protection actions;
- A reduction in phosphorus loading from agricultural and urban lands that contributes to harmful algal blooms and water quality impairments;
- A reduction in the amount of toxic substances entering the Great Lakes;
- Safer Great Lakes beaches; and
- Additional invasive species control.
Additional information is available here.
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| Deadlines for FSA Programs |
Julia A. Wickard, State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that the 2012 deadline to enroll in the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment (DCP) program is June 1. DCP provides payments to eligible producers on farms enrolled for any of the 2008 through 2012 crop years. There are two types of DCP payments: direct payments and counter-cyclical payments. Both are calculated using the base acres and payment yields established for the farm.
In addition to DCP, other FSA programs also have enrollment deadlines approaching (listed below). Contact your local FSA service center for details.
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): Check with your local FSA office for dates;
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Sign-up 43 - April 13;
- Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) - June 1;
- Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payment Program (SURE) - June 1, 2012 for crop year 2010;
- 2011 ACRE Production Evidence - July 15;
- Certification of Planted Acres - Various deadlines, but no later than July 15
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| E 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
April 11 & 16: Project Learning Tree
April 13: Wabash Sampling Blitz
April 21: Unity Gardens Growing Summit
May 17: MS4 Annual Meeting
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| Q u i c k L i n k s | |
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I A S W C D L e a d e r s h i p
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Officers
President: Ray McCormick
Secretary: Paul Cummings
Treasurer: Jamie Scott
Region Directors
Board Roster / Region Map
South-NW: Mike Starkey, Hendricks Co.
North-NE: Tom Crowe, Allen Co.
South-NE: Bobby Hettmansperger, Wabash Co.
North-SW: Les Zimmerman, Vermillion 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
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| A Report from the Executive Director
Backyard Conservation Materials Available
Backyard Conservation: Lawns and the Environment is an outreach and education program for Districts who want to reach out to anyone with a lawn. The program focuses on practical lawn management techniques that promote soil conservation and protect water resources. These materials include a PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes; narrated version of the presentation; brochure; and a flyer, in color and black and white.
Thanks to the work of the Ohio Conservation Partners and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, NACD is making these materials available to Districts at no cost. A special, private web page with the downloadable materials has been set up to ensure that only Districts have access to these items. Districts can now obtain the materials from NACD by contacting Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org and requesting the Lawns and the Environment weblink. Please include your District name, city/town, state and contact information in your email.
Where Is the Publications List?
The list of partner publications normally distributed in the Conservation Update has been re-located to the IASWCD website. They can be accessed through the District Tools section at http://iaswcd.org/district_tools/pub-new.html. They will be regularly updated as we receive new editions. If you would like your organization's publication added to our list, please contact us. Web-based publications are preferable to PDFs, so if you have a link, please include it.
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Have a good day,
Jennifer
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Telling the District Story
IASWCD Directors Represent Districts in Washington, D.C.
Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts were well-represented in Washington, D.C. recently as members of the Association's board of directors met with members of Congress. The event was part of the National Association of Conservation District's Spring Fly-In in the nation's capital. The meeting was attended by approximately 85 members from 30 states and territories.
 IASWCD Treasurer Jamie Scott, Kosciusko County SWCD; South-NE Director Bobby Hettmansperger; and South-SW Director Jim Droege met with several congressional staff members over the course of two days in Washington. They attended with Indiana NRCS State Conservationist Jane Hardisty. They started their day with a breakfast meeting where Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) discussed the 2012 Farm Bill. They spent the rest of the day on Capitol Hill meeting with their Representatives and staff to discuss conservation appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013. Members also spoke out in support of Title II, the conservation title, of the 2012 Farm Bill.
On the evening of March 20, NACD hosted a reception for attendees, partners, members of Congress, congressional staffers and agency staff in an effort to strengthen the voice of conservation. Approximately 400 people attended the reception.
Photo above: Left: Bobby Hettmansperger, Jim Droege and Jamie Scott in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
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NRCS Celebrates Earth Team Volunteers
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is celebrating National Volunteer Week April 15-21 by honoring Earth Team volunteers and expressing appreciation for their dedicated service and commitment to conservation. The Earth Team is NRCS' volunteer workforce. Nationally, in fiscal year 2011, 22,000 Earth Team volunteers donated 435,653 hours of service totaling $9.3 million.
Earth Team volunteers help NRCS conservationists offer private landowners and others a range of services, from conservation technical assistance to teaching and generating awareness about conservation through the use of community projects.
"Earth Team volunteers allow us to stretch available resources and help us put additional conservation practices on the ground. Their volunteer efforts help us improve our land and wildlife habitats, clean our water and air, and help us improve the environment for everyone," said Indiana State Conservationist Jane Hardisty. "Earth Team volunteers work closely with our staff and they play an important role in our state's conservation work. They take on a variety of conservation assignments and many Earth Team volunteers tell us they find their volunteer work enjoyable and personally very rewarding."
Click here to learn more about the Earth Team Volunteer Program or by calling 888-526-3227.
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Federal and State Programs Digest
ISDA Funds Available for Livestock Promotion
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is now offering three grants to support Indiana's vital livestock industry. The deadline for all livestock grants is May 1, 2012. For more details or to fill out the electronic applications, go to the ISDA Web site. For additional information, contact John Nagle, CLPP Program Manager, at jnagle@isda.in.gov.
- The Youth Livestock Grant is an opportunity for 4-H or FFA chapters to "pay it forward" to deserving students interested in the livestock sector for the purchase of breeding stock to start a livestock enterprise or add animals to an existing operation.
- The Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant is for qualifying organizations to submit project proposals designed to promote the livestock industry in Indiana through shows, sales, exhibitions, conventions, or similar events and programs.
- The Indiana Livestock Marketing Development Grant is for qualifying organizations to submit project proposals for value added feasibility studies, research projects, market development, or other projects that encourage the development of business and industry related to livestock production, processing and distribution.
CRP Signup & Re-Enrollment Period Extended
Julia A. Wickard, State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that the sign-up deadline for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up 43 has been extended to April 13, 2012. Producers are urged to contact their local FSA service center or visit FSA's website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov for additional information regarding CRP.
Assistance Available for Tornado-Affected Counties
Several Indiana counties have received approval to implement the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) following the tornadoes that struck southern Indiana in early March. Approved counties include: Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott and Washington. FSA approval has been issued to assist producers in debris removal and to restore fencing for agricultural purposes. Applications for ECP are being accepted at these local FSA offices through April 30, 2012.
Local FSA offices will accept applications and determine eligibility based upon an on-site inspection of damage, taking into account the type and extent of damage. To be eligible, the cost to remove debris or restore fences must be in excess of $1,000. The damage must impair or endanger the land and materially affect the land's productive capacity. Cost share is limited to 75% of the cost to return the land to pre-disaster conditions (or restore fencing) and the applicant must not have the financial ability to complete the actions without assistance.
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| Conservation Events and Announcements
EPA Webcast: April 17
Join U.S. EPA for a free Watershed Academy Webcast on April 17th on the Clean Water Act. The Webcast, titled Using the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund for Nonpoint Source and National Estuary Projects, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. EDT. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a large, flexible, and largely untapped source of funding for watershed protection projects. The CWSRF provides funding each year for traditional stormwater and wastewater projects, as well as for nonpoint source projects, such as land conservation, agricultural best management practices, and clean-up of contaminated sites. Join us to hear more about how you can access the CWSRF for nonpoint source and National Estuary projects. This webcast is part of the EPA series of webcasts in honor of the agency's40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. To register for this webcast, visit www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.
Save Maumee Earth Day Celebration
Celebrating their 2011 Indiana Organization of the Year Award, Save Maumee invites all to their 7th Annual Earth Day celebration. The event will take place on Sunday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit them at the corner of Niagara Dr. & N. Anthony Blvd. in Fort Wayne. Learn more about Save Maumee and the great work this grassroots organization does. |
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CTIC Seeks New Communications Director & Project Director
Communications Director
The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) communications director will develop, deliver and monitor programs, messages and materials to promote conservation agriculture. He/she will communicate regularly with, among others, federal, state and local government agencies; agriculture industry, media and associations; conservation groups and watershed partnerships. This position will also be responsible for grant-funded projects that involve technology transfer, publications, information dissemination, media relations or other communication-related outcomes. See the job description for more info.
Project Director
CTIC project directors lead grant-funded projects, manage budgets and assume responsibility for all project-related paperwork. He/she will follow an existing work plan and strive to achieve project goals within the defined timeframe. In addition, the project director provides important in-house technical expertise and helps to answer questions from members and partners. See the job description for more info.
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