The Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative was recognized in a recent publication from the National Wildlife Federation for its role in promoting conservation cropping systems, particularly cover crops. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service's 2011 numbers, 68,141 acres of cover crops were  planted through their cost-share program. The report also highlighted the Clean Water Indiana program, as well as Jasper, Newton, Fountain, Parke, and Vermillion County SWCDs' fantastic successes in conservation. Read the full report here; Indiana's story begins on page eight.

Tools for Talking When Stakes are High 

In short, when the stakes are high, opinions differ, and emotions run strong, the best individuals, teams and organizations speak up and encourage others to do the same, no matter the topic or sensitivity of the subject. But, in these situations, what do you do? Where do you turn as an organization? We'll find out at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, at the General Session II. This "Crucial Conversations" session is titled "Tools for Talking When Stakes are High: Get Unstuck with Best Practice Skills for High-Stakes Interactions." Speaker Justin Hale will present this program, which is based on the award-winning "Crucial Conversations" training program and book. Justin's session will guide us through the steps to master crucial conversations to achieve alignment, agreement and execution! 

 

The best individuals, teams and organizations speak persuasively, and not abrasively. Justin has been a Master Certified Trainer for over three years at the Center of Trainer Development at VitalSmarts. He has a bachelor's degree in social psychology from Brigham Young University. This will be an excellent session for Districts, watershed organizations and conservation partners.

 

Lunch Presentation: Wisconsin Discovery Farms

Our Welcome Luncheon on Monday features the exciting work Discovery Farms is doing in Wisconsin. This session starts at 12:15 p.m. on January 6, 2014. The Discovery Farms' mission is to develop on-farm and related research to determine the economic and environmental effects of agricultural practices on a diverse group of Wisconsin farms. Representatives will discuss how their work determines the effects of environmental rules and regulations on the environment, farm profitability and farm management; and provides accurate information to producers, consumers, policy makers and agency personnel so positive steps can be made to protect both the environment and production agriculture.