Conservation Update
February 13 - 26, 2014 
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Top News

March Trainings - Registration Open!

Register now at https://march2014trainings.eventbrite.com

These annual trainings are geared toward SWCD supervsors and staff, though all Indiana Conservation Partnership employees are welcome to attend. Dates and locations are below. Each workshop runs from 5:30 - 8:00pm. Registration is $20 and includes dinner.

  • March 6: Columbia City, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 
  • March 11: North Vernon, Jennings Co. Education Center
  • March 13: West Lafayette, Riverside Covenant Church
  • March 18: Washington, Antioch Christian Church

Farm Bill Comparison: 2008 vs. 2014

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) produced a side-by-side comparison of the conservation provisions of the Farm Bills passed in 2008 and 2014. It is a useful resource for those looking to better understand the recently-passed Farm Bill, and how it affects conservation.

 

Educational Materials for Stewardship Week Now Available

Susan Schultz of NACD sends this message: "'Dig Deeper - Mysteries in the Soil' materials, which can be used for the 59th NACD Stewardship Week (April 27-May 4, 2014) and more, are available for order online. Products include student booklets, activity sheets/placemats, bookmarks, and a poster with art work from National Geographic artist Ned M. Seidler. Visit the NACD Marketplace  to place your order."

CCSI News

CCSI Requests Assistance in Reaching Out to Agronomists, Ag Dealers, Advisors
Recent research shows that the top four resources farmers consider most influential in their agricultural practices and strategies are family, chemical dealers, seed dealers, and consultants. With this in mind, CCSI wants to take the next step in sharing the soil health message through reaching out to these advisors and dealers. Can you help? 
In March, CCSI is offering several advanced-level workshops specifically for farmers and their advisors (info here). This includes:  Oct2013 Seeding Cover Crops at Brocksmith Farms
  • Agronomists
  • Fertilizer plant managers
  • Implement dealers
  • Seed dealers
  • Consultants
  • And more!
These workshops are an excellent opportunity for advisors to learn about the benefits of soil health!
  • If you already have a relationship with these professionals, please share the news release and flyers below - Perhaps they would like to attend with a couple of their clients?
  • If you don't have a relationship (yet!), the flyers and news release could be a form of introduction. You could tell them you've been asked to share the brochure and news release with regional advisors. Think of how you can use this to build a relationship - to where your office might be invited to give soil health presentations at planter clinics, sprayer clinics, and more!

If you have any questions, please email ccsi@iaswcd.org. 

Keep updated with CCSI events on Facebook and Twitter, or sign up to join our mailing list!
 Conservation News

Farm Bill Implementation and Education Webinar Series

NACD is working with American Farmland Trust and other conservation and agricultural partners to provide a series of Farm Bill webinars. Every Wednesday through March 12, they will feature a Farm Bill webinar at 4 PM EST. Topics include: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Conservation Compliance. Please register here to reserve your spot in advance and to find out additional dates and topics.

 

Women in Agriculture regional meeting to be held in Indiana

Purdue Extension Women in Agriculture will sponsor a regional meeting in White County for those who were unable to attend the Midwest conference. The meeting will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST on March 11 at the Purdue Extension White County office at 12 N. 25 E, Reynolds (map). This regional meeting will explain the role of women in making a family farm profitable and give attendees an opportunity to network and share experiences with others in similar positions. Registration forms and more information are available here.

 

USDA Announces New Grant Opportunities to Help Communities Meet Water Challenges

USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will be providing $6 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2014 and up to $30 million over the next five years to help find solutions to agricultural water challenges. The grants will be used to develop management practices, technologies and tolls for farmers, ranchers, forest owners and citizens to improve water quality and quantity. Projects that receive funding will most likely receive additional funding in the following four years. NIFA has identified three critical topics that will be funded:
  • Ensuring the water security of surface and ground water needed to produce agricultural goods and services 
  • Improving nutrient management in agricultural landscapes focused on nitrogen and phosphorus 
  • Reducing impacts of chemicals and the presence and movement of environmental pathogens in the nation's water supply 

For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

 

Groundwater Awareness Week

The 16th Annual National Groundwater

Awareness Week is March 9-15! As a promotional partner, NACD is helping to spread the word to well owners and the  public at large about the importance of groundwater for human health and the environment. Find resources here! Also available are free online well-owner lessons and webinars, a private well owner hotline, and a free monthly Private Well Owner Tip Sheet. Visit WellOwner.org for more information.
Contact Us

 
Upcoming Events
 
March 6:
-- Ripley Co. SWCD 21st Annual No-Till Breakfast
-- Hamilton Co. Well Management Meeting

March 7:
Southwest Indiana Crop Seminar

March 11:
Webinar: Soil Health and Production Benefits of Mob Grazing

March 14:
Tippecanoe Co. Cover Crop Luncheon

March 11
CCSI Advanced Soil Health Workshops

March 21:
Spring Film Series of the Eastside Creation Care Network, "Chasing Ice"

Hardwood Lumber Workshops: Producing, Using and Selling
  - April 2 in W. Lafayette
  - April 5 in Elkhart
  - April 9 in N. Vernon
  - April 16 in Jasper
CCSI Events
 
March 2014:

Eight different Advanced Conservation Cropping Systems and Cover Crop Workshops. See registration details here.  

**There are separate workshops for farmers and non-farmers **

 

ICP Staff, Cover Crops:

SW:  March 10 

SE:  March 13

 

Farmers/Advisors, Cover Crops:

SW:  March 11

SE:  March 12 


ICP Staff, Cropping Systems:
NE:  March 17
NW:  March 19

Farmers/Advisors, Cropping Systems:
NE:  March 18
NW:  March 20
Other News
 
SWCDs: Have You Used the EPA Stormwater Calculator?
NACD's Deb Bogar is looking for a district that has used the EPA Stormwater Calculator in their urban and community conservation work. I'd like to know what their experience was, and then invite one or more individuals to share their perspective on an NACD U&C Webinar as a co-presenter with EPA. Email Deb for more information.
GrantStation & Current Funding Opportunities
 
View the latest GrantStation on the IASWCD website. Several other current grants are also posted there.  
Job Board
 
Johnson Co. SWCD: Ag Resource Specialist
The Johnson County SWCD is seeking applicants for a full time position as an Agriculture Resource Specialist who will provide technical assistance to federal, state and local agricultural cost share programs. Read the full job description here.

Watershed Outreach Coordinator
Ogeechee Riverkeeper, in Savannah, Georgia, has an opening for an outreach coordinator who will produce flyers, posters, brochures, and other marketing materials, represent the organization at outreach events, recruit volunteers, lead paddle trips, and conduct other activities in the community. Read the full job description here.

Associate Director of Communications, American Rivers
American Rivers seeks applicants with at least 4 years of experience to plan and execute communication programs in support of their river conservation work. Read the full description here.