Managing for Soil Health at the Local Level

There will be two sessions for this event in early February: One in both northern and southern Indiana. SWCD supervisors and staff, along with other ICP employees, are invited to join with our NRCS District Conservationists to develop a "road map" for a central focus on advancing soil health within the Indiana Conservation Partnership Field Office and Regional Hubs. View the flyer for more information. 

A Reminder to Share Your District's Accomplishments Online; Only 17 Received So Far

The Indiana Conservation Partnership Outreach and Education Committee has a new web-based program for Districts to upload your 2011 District success stories and photos to the ICP Accomplishments website. 

 

To date, only 17 Districts have submitted success stories. This is a very important opportunity that each Soil and Water Conservation District has to show your legislators and local county officials how you work to make conservation programs successful at the local level. The success stories will be accompanied data showing state and federal funding levels, and by funding for specific programs by county, showing how your District has leveraged dollars to make a bigger impact on soil and water conservation. 

 

The SharePoint tutorial (PDF) will walk you through how to submit the story and photo. If you have any questions, contact Deb Fairhurst or DeeDee Sigler. Please submit your information as soon as possible.

 

EQIP Funds Available

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced over $26 million available to help Indiana farmers implement conservation practices. The funds are available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for practices such as nutrient management, reduced tillage, cover crops, rotational grazing systems and others. Applicants must meet EQIP eligibility criteria. Applicants can sign up at their local NRCS service center.

 

Last Conservation Update Until January 16

This will be our last Conservation Update until after the Annual Conference of Soil and Water Conservation Districts January 7-9. Look for additional news releases coming about conference. In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The IASWCD is excited to feature two additional companies who are sponsors of the 70th Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs. Please thank them by showing your support for their products and services! You will find all of our 2013 conference sponsors featured on our conference website.  

 

Silver Sponsor: Cover Crop Solutions

Cover Crop Solutions, a new silver sponsor this year, is a seed company that stands for something new in agriculture, a fresh approach to cover cropping and how they can make a positive contribution to the farm's bottom line. "Good things happen when we work in harmony with nature. For us, we believe soil is meant to be covered, and the practical results of that belief are what we're all about." Cover Crop Solutions can show you how cover crops are proven to reduce input costs without compromising high yields, and why they produce and supply "cover crops that pay." Visit their website at www.covercropsolutions.com.

 

The IASWCD is pleased to have Beacon Credit Union back this year as a Bronze Sponsor. Beacon "Guides the Way" by being the preferred provider for a lifetime of financial products for all. The mission of Beacon Credit Union is to provide fair and competitive financial products and services responsive to the needs of all member-owners. Beacon is online at www.beaconcu.org.  

Legislative Breakfast

The annual Legislative Breakfast gives Conference participants and their legislators the opportunity to share a meal and bring to their attention issues of critical importance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Legislative Talking Points have been developed to help you prepare important discussion items to talk over with your legislators.

 

Technical and Conservation Implementation Sessions

This year's technical (T) and conservation implementation (CI) sessions are designed to give participants the opportunity to learn how to advance conservation in their communities through direct, on-the-ground work.

• Cover Crop Profitability (CI)
• The Urban Connection (T)
• Ag 101 (CI)
• An Update on Herbicide Resistant Weeds in Indiana and the Midwest (T)
• No-Till Mythbusters (CI)
• From Generating to Applying (T)

    

Contact staff 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Dec. 21: Hotel reservation deadline

 

Dec. 30:

Annual Business Meeting Delegate form due.

 

View this year's proposed Resolutions, No. 1 and No. 2

 

Conference Brochure & Agenda