 I A S W C D B l o g |
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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| NACD Asks for Local Input |
Outdoor Classroom Questionnaire
Soil to Spoon Survey
Please fill out the stewardship & education survey by May 25 to be eligible to win one of four $50 coupons good for education materials from the NACD Marketplace. Send your stewardship and education outreach events and photos to susan-schultz@nacdnet.org.
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| AgriVision Award Nominations Open |
The Office of Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is currently accepting nominations for the annual AgriVision Award. Now in its sixth year, the award is given to a Hoosier who has demonstrated exemplary leadership to maximize the potential of Indiana agriculture. It will be presented by the Lt. Governor at the Indiana State Fair on Farmer's Day: August 15, 2012. The AgriVision application is due July 1, 2012.
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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
May 30-31: CTIC Conservation In Action Tour
June 6, 7, 8: Food Hub Feasibility Study
June 8: Hoosier Chapter of SWCS
June 9: Lakes and Agriculture Forum
June 14: Cass Co. SWCD Spring Cover Crop Meeting
June 15: Developing Sponsorships Workshop
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| U p c o m i n g D e a d l i n e s |
June 27: River Friendly Farmer Award Nominations
July 3: District Showcase Award Applications
Sept. 28: Conservation Farmer of the Year Award
Sept. 28: Friend of Conservation Award
Sept. 28: Supervisor of the Year Award
Please email us to receive an application for any of these awards at info@iaswcd.org.
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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
Congratulations to CCSI and Nicole Messacar
Last weekend, the Indiana Wildlife Federation hosted their annual Conservation Awards Banquet. Conservation Cropping Systems INitiative (CCSI) and Nicole Messacar, Education Coordinator for the LaPorte County SWCD, were both recognized for their significant contributions to conservation and environmental issues contributions in improving conservation in Indiana. CCSI received the Conservation Agriculture Award; Nicole was recognized as Conservation Educator of the Year. Congratulations! Read more on our blog, or see the official news release.
All IASWCD Awards Now Available
All five of the annual IASWCD award applications for the 2012 year are now available. The five awards are: District Showcase, River Friendly Farmer, Friend of Conservation, Conservation Farmer of the Year and the Supervisor of the Year. If you have not yet received them, please request them via email. If you would like assistance with filling out and/or submitting the form, please do not hesitate to call us at 317-692-7325 or email. The application deadlines are listed in the sidebar.
Landmarks of Conservation
We are looking for a copy of a historical Indiana SWCD document called "Landmarks of Conservation". We do not know the date of the document, but so far we have been unable to locate a copy. Most likely someone would have it as a "hard" copy version. If anyone does have this document, could you please scan it in and send to Jennifer at Jennifer-boyle@iaswcd.org. Thanks for taking some time to see if we can locate this document!
Thank You, Districts!
Thanks to the 41 Districts who have paid their 2012 dues. View this list of SWCDs on our website.
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Have a good day,
Jennifer
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Sap-sucking Insects Mar State Tree
Indiana's state tree, the tulip poplar, is experiencing an onslaught from the tulip tree scale insect. The insect feeds on the tree's sap and excretes a sticky waste product called "honeydew," which is eaten by other insects. A fungus called0 "sooty mold" also grows on the honeydew, which while not harmful is unappealing.
The scale insect's feeding can kill tulip poplars. It is particularly problematic this year because our warm winter allowed a greater number of scales to survive, particularly in the southern part of the state.
Phil Marshall, director of the DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, said certain insecticide treatments can help control the scale, but if improperly applied can cause problems with other insects. Right now, it may be too late treat with a soil-applied systemic insecticide, which takes 2-3 weeks before it moves up to the feeding site of the scale. Such treatment tends to be more effective in the fall or next spring, Marshall said.
"Tulip tree scale is in the crawler stage in late July and August and is most susceptible to a foliage-applied systemic insecticide at that time" Marshall said. "This treatment would need to be done by an arborist who has the equipment and knowledge to spray to the top of the tree."
For more information call the Indiana DNR toll-free at 1-866-NO EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684) or their Purdue County Extension office at 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636) from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. EDT.
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| Conservation Events and Announcements
NRCS Celebrates 150 Years
 Last week, the Natural Resources Conservation Service turned 150 years old. President Abraham Lincoln created the US Department of Agriculture on May 15, 1862. Even as the Civil War raged, Lincoln "signed additional legislation that expanded and transformed American farming, including the Homestead Act, and the establishment of the Land Grant agricultural university system" (NRCS). Learn more here. Health Rivers INitiative Celebrates Second Anniversary Join the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and The Nature Conservancy of Indiana (TNC) on June 12, 2012 to celebrate the Healthy River INitiative's two-year anniversary at 1:00 p.m. The celebration will be at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute. Governor Mitch Daniels will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of Interior, TNC of Indiana and the NRCS to talk about HRI's accomplishments. Following the speakers, you are invited to stay for an electroshocking demonstration on the Wabash River by DNR fisheries biologists. Light refreshments will be served. Farmers/Growers Meet to Discuss Food Hub The Hancock County office of Purdue Extension is conducting a study to assess the need for and feasibility of a Food Hub for Central Indiana. Farmer input is a vital component in the success of a feasibility study. Food hubs increase market availability that farmers might not otherwise explore or be able to access. A total of three meetings will take place at 6pm on June 5, 6, and 7. Farmers will have the opportunity to provide input and ask questions. Basic background on food hubs will be discussed. Farmers and others with an interest can attend any meeting. Learn more here. Lakes and Agriculture Forum
The Lakes and Agriculture Forum is a new component to the Northern Indiana Lakes Festival on June 9th in Warsaw. A great panel of agricultural experts will be available to answer questions of participants. The panel will also provide insight as to current innovations in agriculture which promise to protect our local streams and lakes as well as how lake and watershed groups might work with local farmers to implement these innovations. Learn more.
Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights
The future of conservation and stewardship of our natural and cultural resources depends on engaging America's children today. The DNR's Indiana Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights aims to encourage kids to participate in outdoor activities and explore their cultural heritage. The Bill of Rights is a list of 11 activities such as "the right to plant a seed and watch it grow" and "the right to climb a tree" to help get kids outside. Thirty-five sponsors from around the state, including local governments, the IASWCD and other conservation organizations and businesses, have partnered with DNR to help make the Bill of Rights happen.
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| USDA Program Announcements
DCP and ACRE Signup Ends June 1
Enrollment for the 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) ends on June 1, 2012. Producers who choose to participate in either the revenue-based ACRE safety net or the price-based DCP safety net must enroll their farms each year.
Report Crop Acreage to FSA
Producers should submit their annual report of acreage to their local FSA county office. Accurate acreage reports are necessary to determine and maintain eligibility for most programs administered by FSA, including demonstrating eligibility for future conservation and disaster relief. Check with your local FSA office for more information and region-specific deadlines.
SURE Program Signup Ends June 1
June 1, 2012 is the deadline for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) for crop year 2010. The SURE program compensates producers for production and/or quality losses during times of disaster. All producers who have experienced crop production and/or crop quality losses during the 2010 crop year must apply for SURE program benefits by the June 1 deadline. In addition to other eligibility requirements, producers must have purchased crop insurance through the Federal Crop Insurance Act or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). |
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