Conservation Update  
 
October 24 - November 6, 2013 
Executive Director's Report
 
Supervisor Scholarship for IASWCD Conference

Funding is available for approximately 10 supervisors to attend the 2014 Conference of Indiana SWCDs. Applications are due November 14! Read the instructions and submit an application soon to take advantage of this annual opportunity. 

 

Op-Ed: A Different Kind Of "Healthcare" Taking Root On Indiana Farms

By State Conservationist Jane Hardisty

Full story

There's a potentially game-changing movement coming from America's heartland. It has broad implications regarding the vitality of our farms, the health of our planet and our ability to feed more than 9 billion people who will be coming to dinner by the year 2050.

 

This movement continues to grow thanks to a different kind of "healthcare"-the health and care of our precious soil. Previously, most of us have looked at soil in terms of its "quality." But as one farmer observed recently, "Anything can have quality, but only living things can have health...." Read the full op-ed here.

 

LARE Update: Application Deadline Extended

LARE (Lake and River Enhancement) application forms for logjam removal, aquatic vegetation management, biological and engineering, and sediment removal projects have been updated. Additionally, the application deadline has been extended to January 31, 2014. All forms can be completed and submitted electronically. You can access the LARE website at www.lare.dnr.in.gov.

 

Region Meetings

It's region meeting season for Soil and Water Conservation Districts! A region map is on the IASWCD website. Two are currently scheduled:

  • The South-Northeast region meeting will take place on November 13 at the Dining Commons of Taylor University in Upland, IN. The meeting will go from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and participants can buy dinner for $9. Email tjhattery@earthlink.net to RSVP. 
  • The North-Northwest region meeting will take place on November 20 at 6 p.m. at the Jasper County SWCD office in Rensselaer. 

CRP Conference Call

If you're interested and your schedule allows, please join NRCS, FSA and the IASWCD on Thursday November 14 from 9 to 10 a.m. (EST) for a conference call to discuss the contribution agreement that NRCS entered into with the IASWCD to complete CRP status reviews. Dial-in: 888-858-2144; Code: 9946698#.

 

Upcoming Webinars from NACD

  • November 13, 1pm - 3pm EST: EPA 319 Informational Webinar: Lynda Hall, Chief of the Nonpoint Source Control Branch at the U.S. EPA, will be presenting this special webinar for NACD members to learn more about the latest on the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program. Call-in number: 888-537-7715; Passcode: 44910442#
  • November 21, 12pm - 1pm EST: Disaster Planning. This webinar will take a look at what can be done to prepare for and possibly reduce damages from devastating natural events. Email deb-bogar@nacdnet.org to register.
Watershed Initiative Receives "PrimeTime" Attention

From Terri Michaelis, Watershed Coordinator

The Manchester University Environmental Studies Program / Middle Eel River Watershed Initiative was invited to an interview with PrimeTime 39 out of Fort Wayne. Watch the video here!

 

N-NE Region Director Presents at National Conference

From NACD

Last week, NACD Forest Resource Policy Group member [and IASWCD N-NE Region Director] Tom Crowe presented at the 2013 Society of American Foresters Annual Convention in Charleston, SC. Crowe's presentation highlighted ways in which forestry professionals can work with conservation Districts and other state and local partners; Crowe has been a consulting forester in Indiana for nearly three decades. "The forester can provide the conservation resource professional with a better understanding for general management concepts, so the professional is informed when discussing program options with landowners," Crowe said.

 

Have a great week!
Jennifer Boyle Warner, IASWCD Executive Director
CCSI News 

Photo Credit:
South Bend Tribune
Cover Crops Featured in the South Bend Tribune
The front page of the business section of the South Bend Tribune featured a story entitled, "Benefits of 'soil biology;' More farmers planting winter cover crops." Featured in the article are Porter County SWCD Supervisor and Keith Gustafson, Jasper County SWCD technician Dan Perkins (who has a great YouTube channel), and Purdue Agronomy Professor Eileen Kladivko.

Watch and Learn on CCSI's Website
We all learn differently. Some people learn best by reading, some by listening, some by doing, and some by watching. For those visual learners out there, head over to CCSI's "Watch and Learn" page for handy videos showing conservation in action!

 

Keep updated with CCSI events on Facebook and Twitter, or sign up to join our mailing list! 
Annual Conference News: Sponsor Showcase
 
The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) will showcase our 2014 Conference sponsors as a prelude to the January 6-8 event set for the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Join us in showing support and patronage to these companies and organizations that support and value Indiana conservation.

 

In the two October editions of the Conservation Update, you met our Platinum Sponsor, Saddle Butte Ag, Inc., and our Awards Banquet Sponsor, KB Seed Solutions.

 

Silver Sponsor
The IASWCD is pleased to welcome back Advanced Ag Resources once again as a Silver Sponsor. In November 2008, Brodbeck Seeds joined forces with Dow AgroSciences to form a partnership. At the same time, Advanced Ag Resources and Accelerated Ag Distribution were established. Advanced Ag Resources is responsible for production of the Brodbeck seed while Accelerated Ag Distribution delivers the seed. Advanced Ag Resources has what the giants in the industry don't, a personal relationship with growers.  

Tote Bag Sponsor

We are proud to have Brodbeck Seeds as our Tote Bag Sponsor again this year! Farming is a risky business. At Brodbeck, they are constantly working to lower that risk. While they can't promise miracles, the company promises you'll get a partner who is willing to do whatever it takes to help you get the most out of your field. That's because to Brodbeck Seeds, it's more than just business as usual. When you work with Brodbeck, you become part of their family. And, just like you, they look out for their own; it's the same family values that they try to keep at the heart of Brodbeck. And by teaming up with the innovative products and traits of Dow AgroSciences, you get an honest shot at winning harvests, year in and year out.    

 

 

Annual Conference News:
Conservation Implementation Track
 
Urban Tour
On Monday, a special tour of urban gardens with Growing Places Indy will take place. Pre-registration is required for this tour. Growing Places Indy is a non-profit organization with a mission to cultivate the culture of urban agriculture and healthy lifestyles. We will tour two sites near downtown Indianapolis, including a greenhouse, raised bed gardens, and the new Sky Farm at the Eskenazi Hospital.

Livestock Agriculture, Grazing and Forages: What SWCD Technicians and NRCS Staff Need to Know

Presenters: Robert Zupancic, NRCS, & Mike Hoopengardner, Redbud Farm LLC

Positive relationships between producers and agency staff can produce great benefits for livestock operations. In this session, Zupancic and Hoopengardner share their grazing and forage expertise and discuss how NRCS and SWCD programs can best serve producers.  

1 CEU; Crop Management

 

Irrigation: Water Rights, Lessons from the 2012 Drought, and New Technology

Ginger Korinek and Mark Basch, IDNR Division of Water

Ginger and Mark will provide a brief overview of Indiana's water use and water rights programs, a recap of 2012 and 2013 domestic well failures reported to the IDNR and ground water level impacts, as well as discuss new irrigation systems added during the past year or two.  

1 CEU; Soil and Water Management

 

Three Perspectives on Two-Stage Ditches

Paul Dorsey, Farmer; Kent Wamsley, TNC; Greg Lake, Surveyor

This increasingly popular conservation practice is known to reduce erosion and improve wildlife habitat. In this session, a county surveyor, farmer and Nature Conservancy project manager will all share their views on the benefits of two-stage ditches, as well as their experiences in installing them.

1 CEU; Soil and Water Management
Annual Conference:  
January 6-8, 2014
 

Registration is Open!

Register online here. 

 

Supervisor Scholarship

The IASWCD has funding for approximately 10 supervisors to attend Conference. Apply by November 15!

Conference Brochure

Includes sessions, keynote speakers, and sponsors. View it here.

 

Delegates

Who will represent
your District at the Annual Business Meeting this year? Register your delegate online.

Submitted Resolutions
Get In Touch

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Upcoming Events

View the full calendar

     

  November 8:

Hoosier SWCS Fall Meeting,  How Economics and New Technology Affect Adoption of Conservation Practices

 

November 13:

South-Northeast Region Meeting

 

November 13 - 16:

Northwest Indiana Fall Cover Crop Days

 

November 14:

Cover Crop Field Days in Delaware and Wabash Counties

 

November 20:

Cover Crop Summit: Conservation Technology Information Center

 

November 20:

North-Northwest Region Meeting

 

December 3:

State Board of Accounts Training for SWCDs (register)

 

January 6-8

Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs

 

December 5

World Soil Day


CCSI Events
 
November 12: 
Advanced Cover Crops

January 29:
Slug Control in Cropping Systems (save the date!)
Other News

EQIP Now Open for Signups 

From NRCS; full story here

Indiana is accepting applications for the general EQIP which includes practices such as fencing, animal watering systems, pasture planting, wildlife habitat, erosion control structures, manure storage structures, crop and pest management, plus soil health practices such as no-till and cover crops. Included in this year's sign up are the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, National Water Quality Initiative, Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative, and Western Lake Erie Basin Initiative. Farmers have until February 21, 2014 to submit an application.

   

Grazing Bites: New Issue 

The latest issue of Grazing Bites by Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist / Grazing Specialist, is now available.

Always best to maintain good cover; even after grazing stockpiled forage.
Photo credit: Indiana NRCS
    

Indiana Certified Crop Adviser Conference Dec. 17-18

Improving crop stress tolerance, enhancing water quality, maximizing yield and decreasing the risks associated with shifting weed, disease and weather constraints to crop production are the themes of this year's Indiana Certified Crop Adviser Conference on Dec. 17-18 in Indianapolis. The annual two-day conference is designed to allow Certified Crop Advisers, or CCAs, the opportunity to earn up to 16 continuing education credits. Sessions will be presented by experts from companies and eight universities, including Purdue. More information on the presentation topics and speakers is available online. Interested persons can register online as well.

   
Upcoming Grants: 
 

 

EXTENDED to 

November 12, 2013: 

Grants for Cover Crop Research from the National Wildlife Federation. Proposals should not generally exceed $5,000. All proposals and questions should be sent to Trisha White at white@nwf.org.

 

January 14, 2014

The National Forest Foundation's Matching Awards Program provides support to engage in on-the-ground conservation and citizen-based monitoring projects benefiting National Forests and Grasslands. Funded projects must address one or more of the following program areas of emphasis: Wildlife Habitat Improvement, Recreation, Watershed Health and Restoration, or Community-Based Forestry. All grants require at least a one-to-one cash match through non-federal donations.

 

December 31, 2013:

Celebrate Urban Birds mini-grants are open to organizations, educators, and youth. Proposals should integrate the arts, greening, birds and community involvement. All mini-grant applicants are offered materials and training to support their events (even if their proposals are not funded). Organizations working with underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. No experience with birding needed. Mini-grants average $100 to $500. 

 
2014 annual conference
Position Open
CTIC Seeks Project Director
A new project director position is open. The project director will implement CTIC's projects, which encourage greater adoption of priority conservation practices, technologies and systems on agricultural lands. Applications are due November 15, 2013. Read the full job description here.
 
Lost River Watershed Coordinator
The Orange County SWCD seeks a watershed coordinator. Review the job description here. Send a cover letter and resume via e-mail to orangeswcd@gmail.com. Paper copies of the above documents may also be mailed to: Orange County SWCD, Attention: Michael Wilhite, 573 SE Main St., Paoli, IN 47454. Questions may also be emailed to
orangeswcd@gmail.com