NRCS Employees Receive Honors for Contributions to Award-Winning Campaign
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Becky Fletcher, Jane Hardisty, Barry Fisher. Photo: NRCS
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USDA's Natural Resources
Conservation Service recently honored three employees with a Conservation Legacy Award for their contributions to the agency's national "Unlock the Secrets in the Soil" awareness and education campaign.
Jane Hardisty, state conservationist, Barry Fisher, state soil health specialist, and Becky Fletcher, public affairs specialist have been involved in the development of the campaign since its start in late 2011.
"Thanks to people like Jane, Barry and Becky, a growing number of Hoosier farmers and the NRCS staff in Indiana, a new legacy of conservation is being forged that will benefit generations of Americans," said Ron Nichols, the campaign's national coordinator.
Visit www.nrcs.usda.gov for more information on the Unlock the Secrets of the Soil campaign or read the full news release.
Volunteer for Pathway to Water Quality!
Volunteer signup for Pathway to Water Quality is under
way, and there are still many open slots 
to fill! Volunteer opportunities include demonstrations with a rain simulator and soil health demonstrations. Information on all opportunities as well as expectations are available here.
All volunteers receive a free admission ticket to the State Fair (2 tickets if you volunteer for a weekend position). If you have any additional questions, contact DeeDee Sigler, PWQ Coordinator, at pathwaytowaterquality@gmail.com.
Leadership Institute Board Development Workshop September 5-6
You are invited to attend the Leadership Institute Board Development Workshop in French Lick, Indiana, September 5-6! The workshop will address topics including serving on SWCD boards and committees, better meeting management, and supervisor recruitment and retention.
Friday evening will include a two-hour dinner boat cruise and tour of Patoka Lake. Spouses and guests are welcome as well. 20 rooms are being held for Friday night at Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park and Resort under the block "SWCD Leadership Institute." Please visit the event page for more details.
Those interested should sign up soon as space is limited!
You're Invited to the 2014 Drainage School
The 2014 Drainage School will take place Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Building in Indianapolis.
Drainage School promotes an understanding of the laws impacting drainage decisions in Indiana. Farmers, public officials, agency personnel, attorneys and members of the general public are invited. Continuing education credit for attorneys and surveyors is being sought.
Those interested are encourage to register early as space is limited. Registrations will be accepted until August 8 or until the school is filled.
NACD Marketplace Sale
The NACD Marketplace is offering a 50% off sale on all of NACD's Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats materials! These materials are great resources for your summer outreach at camps, fairs, and other community events. Visit the NACD Habitat Education page to view a sample packet and educators' guides.
The USDA recently announced that farmers, ranchers and landowners committed to protecting and conserving environmentally sensitive land may sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The Secretary also announced that retiring farmers enrolled in CRP could receive incentives to transfer a portion of their land to beginning, disadvantaged or veteran farmers through the Transition Incentives Program (TIP). Both the CRP and TIP were reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. 
