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November 8 - 20, 2012
Nov. 30 is the early-bird registration deadline for Conference! |
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Executive Director's Report
NRCS Chief Dave White to Retire in December
 Late last week it was officially announced that NRCS Chief and former IASWCD Conference Keynote speaker Dave White will be retiring next month. NACD President Gene Smith writes, "Chief White is a tremendous advocate for natural resource conservation...He understands the issues, truly cares about the mission, and knows what it takes to get locally-led conservation done on the ground." Read the full NACD statement here.Chief White's position will be filled temporarily by Acting Chief Jason Weller.
Online Training: Certified CRP Technical Provider
The path to becoming an NRCS-certified CRP Technical Service Provider (TSP) is now easier than ever with new online training options and access to local mentors. Participants complete an online Core Training, develop a CRP plan with a mentor and have access to a suite of online, in-person and hybrid supplemental courses. Learn more at FacesofCRP.info for an overview of the entire program including training availability, benefits and continuing education units (CEUs).
National Wildlife Federation Publishes Report on Cover Crops
NACD, along with two-dozen other organizations, assisted the National Wildlife Federation in the development of this new report, entitled ""Roadmap to Increased Cover Crop Adoption." It is meant to be a guideline for organizations and individuals interested in increasing cover crop adoption. Read more and download the full report here.
New Hi-Res Imagery for ArcGIS
A web service for this imagery for select counties is now available. It generally consists of high resolution data (1 ft. pixels) collected in spring-time, leaf-off conditions. To add this layer to an ArcMap session: 1) Click Add Data; 2) Navigate to F:\geodata\ortho_imagery\Web_Services; 3) Select and open the file named Indiana Hi-Res 2011 (Web, Natural Color).lyr. When the web service loads your map, check the box to turn on the layer for viewing.
"Our Food, Our Farmers"
Students in grades 4-12 are encouraged to consider the impact of Indiana foods and farmers for the third Ag Essay Contest, titled "Our Food, Our Farmers: Nourishing Generations of Hoosiers." The essay question for all ages is: "Describe how Indiana farmers 1) nourish our families, 2) our animals, and 3) our earth (soil)." Read more on the Family of Farmers website.
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The Power of Conservation: Today's Actions, Tomorrow's Rewards
Environmental Tillage Systems is a leading manufacturer of conservation tillage, integrated planting and nutrient management equipment. Their products and services enhance soil productivity and farm profitability. ETS products set the standard for in-field performance, machine durability and ease of operation.
Bronze Sponsor: DuPont Pioneer
DuPont Pioneer, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the world's
leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than ninety countries.
Bronze Sponsor: Farm Credit Services of Mid-America
Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $19 billion agriculture lending cooperative serving more than 95,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Loans are available for farm real estate financing, operating loans, equipment and livestock loans, and crop insurance.
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Featured Conference Sessions and Events
Tuesday Night Screening of "Green Fire"
"Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time" highlights Leopold's extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land. We will be screening the film immediately after the Awards Banquet on Tuesday night.
The auxiliary will again be holding their silent auction at Conference. If you would like to donate an item to be auctioned (no alcohol, please), contact Darlene Corns.
Capacity Building Sessions
This year's four capacity building sessions are designed to offer participants the opportunity to discover how they can sustain, grow, and strengthen their respective organizations.
- Strategic Board Development
- The Creation, Care and Nurturing of a Successful Partnership
- Today's Choices, Tomorrow's All-Stars
- Show Me the Money: Cost-Share Successes
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| Get In Touch |
View all region meeting dates
Dec. 4: Starkey Farms' 3rd Annual No-till Planter Clinic
Dec. 4, 5, and 11: Indy's Rain Garden & Native Planting Area Program Lunch and Learn
Dec. 12: Webinar: Integrating Long Term Hydrologic Impact Analysis (L-THIA) and High Impact Targeting (HIT): Web Tools for Watershed Analysis
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Upcoming Deadlines
Funding:
Ongoing:
The Cedar Tree Foundation
focuses on sustainable ag, environmental education, and environmental health.
Dec. 31:
The USDA Technical Assistance Training Grant program supports the provision of technical assistance or training to identify and evaluate solutions to water problems.
January 15:
Applications due for Lake and River Enhancement grants
View more grant opportunities here
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| In Brief | |
Leadership Institute: Impacting Community
The next upcoming workshop in the Leadership Institute series is "Impacting Community," to be held in Santa Claus from Nov. 30 - Dec. 1. Key skills that will be discussed at the workshop will include strategic planning, securing resources, community partnership building and managing community-level projects. More information here (PDF).
NRCS: Deadlines for Conservation Program Signup Announced
Deadlines are January 18, 2013 and March 15, 2013 in order to be considered for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Air Quality, Seasonal High Tunnels, On-Farm Energy, Organic, and the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI). Contact your local NRCS office for more information.
St. Joseph SWCD: New Address
Conservation Day - Jan. 23
Conservation Day at the Statehouse will take place on January 23, 2013. Stay updated on this annual event here.
The N-NW Region will be hosting your 2013 IDEA Fall Workshop on Sept. 24-25, on the shores of Lake Michigan at the Stardust Event Center. We'd like to know about your Great Lakes background! Please complete this short survey.
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| Job Announcements |
Coordinator: Hamilton SWCD
Contract position to administer Section 319 and work with other conservation programs. Applicant should have general knowledge of natural resources, agriculture, computers, be self-motivated, strong organizational and communication skills. Must be physically fit and able to walk on rough terrain. BS/BA in ag, environmental science, related field or equivalent experience. Send resume with cover letter and references to Judy Bengochea by Dec. 3.
Coordinator: Upper Wabash River Basin Commission
Seeking individual for a 2 year contract position as Watershed Coordinator for the Commission. BS or equivalent experience in natural resources management. Grant administration required. Excellent organizational and communication skills required. Accepting resumes through November 26, 2012 by e-mail to Stacia Henderson.
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