Executive Director's Report
Success at the Statehouse!
A special thanks to all the SWCD supervisors and staff for reaching out to your legislators this session! We were successful in getting our request for an increase in Clean Water Indiana (CWI) funding into the biennium budget. The CWI fund includes a general fund appropriation of $1 million per year (an increase of $500,000 per year over the last biennium budget) in addition to the dedicated Cigarette tax fund (approx. $3.014 million per year). We would also like to thank our lobbyist Cresswell Hizer for his efforts on behalf of the SWCDs this legislative session. Please remember that it's important to reach out to your state legislators throughout the year. Make sure to invite them to field days, workshops, basically any event your SWCD is hosting. You might also think about planning a special tour just for legislators! It's important to keep in touch with them throughout the year!
Ripley County Supervisor Honored Again
Larry Huffmeyer, who received the 2012 Indiana Conservation Farmer of the Year award in January at the Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs, was recently named the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser of the Year. Huffmeyer is also a Sygenta sales representative. The award is sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau and the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser program. Huffmeyer also was honored in January with the Career Conservation Designation at the Annual Conference because of his consistently high regard for conservation measures over his farming career. Congratulaions to Larry and his family!
319 Grants Available: Notice of Intent due June 1
IDEM has announced the solicitation of grant applications for Section 319 funds for 2014. Applications for the Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Section 319 Grant Solicitation are due August 30, 2013. In addition to the new deadline, IDEM is asking all applicants to submit a Notice of Intent by June 1, 2013. Read more here.
Ag Census
Soil and Water Conservation Districts and ICP organizations can encourage Indiana farmers to complete the current ag census. The deadline is May 31, so there is still time! The census may be completed online, which saves time by allowing the respondent to skip over questions that don't apply and calculating totals automatically. This Census is conducted every five years and is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the United States. The online site is very comprehensive and should answer all of your questions, however, you can contact the Indiana field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Comments requested on the FDA's "The Food Safety Modernization Act"
The National Association of Conservation Districts would like to encourage your comments towards conservation on the proposed new food safety rule by May 16. The FSMA rule is significant in that it asks certain specialty crop growers to monitor for intrusions from animals and also includes proposals for monitoring agriculture water for specialty crop producers. NACD would like to specifically point your attention to subparts E, F, and I. To submit comments, click on this link.
Thank You, Districts!
Thank you to the Districts who have submitted their 2013 dues. We envision the IASWCD as a leader in soil and water conservation through the coordination, encouragement and support of local SWCD activities. This in turn builds a statewide awareness of critical conservation issues. Please review our Annual Report for more information on our actions and accomplishments in 2012. View the list of Districts who have paid their dues here.
Have a great week!
