Conservation Update
July 30- August 13, 2014 
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Top News

Elected Officials Visit Pathway to Water Quality 
Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann enjoys fresh well water from PWQ.
Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann enjoys fresh well water from PWQ. Photo: ICP

Pathway to Water Quality had two special visitors last week: Senator Joe Donnelly and Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann. They toured the exhibit and learned about soil health, water quality, and conservation. Both elected officials have been advocates and supporters of conservation and responsible management practices.
Senator Donnelly and PWQ volunteers.
Senator Donnelly and PWQ volunteers. Photo: ICP

IASWCD Executive Director Jennifer Boyle said, "The ICP is proud to have showcased the Pathway to Water Quality exhibit to two individuals that are very supportive of the conservation work we do in Indiana.  It was a great opportunity to demonstrate the strong partnership we have in the state."

Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Ellspermann and Senator Donnelly for your continued support!


USDA Receives 500+ Pre-Proposals for New Program to Provide Support for On-the-Ground Conservation Efforts

The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) drew an overwhelming response from conservation partners. Of the almost 600 pre-proposals submitted from around the country in July, two Indiana-based projects were selected to continue with a full proposal. Five additional proposals that include work in Indiana were selected-- two in critical conservation areas and three in the multi-state/national-level category. 

 

RCPP provides a way for private companies, tribes, local communities and non-government partners to collaborate and invest in cleaner water and air, healthier soil and enhanced wildlife habitat. It will enable NRCS to focus on critical conservation areas, and leverage private sector funding to maximize conservation investments.

 

"The number of pre-proposals from Indiana and across the nation show a like-minded determination to improve the quality of our lands and their ecosystems," said State Conservationist Jane Hardisty. "As the program grows, we expect to see Indiana's forward-thinking and proposal counts grow with it."

 

You can read more about the RCPP in the official press release from USDA-NRCS.

 

 
Important Notice
 
Civil Rights Compliance

If your SWCD is planning an event in conjunction with USDA-NRCS, all event materials need to include an Equal Opportunity Employer/Provider statement. Please include one of the following statements on your event brochures to remain compliant:

· USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

· Helping People Help The Land/USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

· USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll Free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal Relay), (866)377-8642 (Relay Voice Users).
 
CCSI News

Livestock, Forages, and Cover Crops for Healthier Soils

The "Livestock, Forages, and Cover Crops for Healthier Soils" field day on September 15 in Connersville will offer livestock producers, those who harvest hay and silage, and anyone who pastures animals a day of learning about methods to improve their soil health. 
Hollen Family Farms raises grass-fed beef and uses cover crops as part of a transition from row-crop to permanent pasture. Photo credit: Chris Hollen
Hollen Family Farms raises grass-fed beef and uses cover crops as part of a transition from row-crop to permanent pasture. Photo credit: Chris Hollen
Fayette County SWCD Supervisor Terry Hillman remarked on the importance of soil health: "Purchasing new farmland is not always an option for your operation, but improving your soil health is one for every farmer. If we can take care of the "livestock" underground, we can improve efficiency above the ground." 

The "Livestock, Forages, and Cover Crops for Healthier Soils" field day will be hosted by Steve Wollyung at his Connersville farm. The event will run from 10 am - 3 pm. A full agenda, directions/map, and free registration is available at the online registration site: www.LivestockSoilHealth14.eventbrite.com. Alternate registration is available by telephoning Purdue Extension - Franklin County at (765) 647-3511.

This event has been organized by the Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, the Soil & Water Conservation Districts of Fayette, Union, and Franklin Counties, and Purdue Extension - Franklin County, and the USDA-NRCS.

The agencies and organizations of the Indiana Conservation Partnership are Equal Opportunity Providers and Employers.

 

Keep updated with CCSI events on Facebook and Twitter, or sign up to join our mailing list! 
Other Conservation News
 
Women Farmland Owners Invited to Learn About Conservation at Upcoming Events

 

Central Indiana women who own or manage farmland are invited to learn more about conservation issues on their farm through a free discussion and field tour.

 

Women Caring for the Land meetings bring together women landowners in an informal, discussion-based learning format for a morning discussion followed by a more in-depth look at two or three topics of high interest.  Female conservation professionals are on hand to answer questions and share resources.

 

The meetings will take place in several locations on varying dates. Please view the press release for complete event details:
  • Monday, August 18, Russiaville
  • Tuesday, August 19, Lebanon
  • Wednesday, August 20, Danville
These sessions of Women Caring for the Land are sponsored by American Farmland Trust in partnership with the Women, Food and Agriculture Network and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Boone, Hamilton, Clinton, Howard, Hendricks and Marion Counties. Funding for the project comes from a Conservation Innovation Grant from the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.


45th Annual Environmental Education Association of Indiana Conference, September 26-28
EEAI Event Logo
The Environmental Education Association of Indiana Conference is for formal and informal educators interested in the interdisciplinary world of Environmental Education.

The theme this year is "Land Ethic."  Participants will learn about techniques, resources, and the status of Environmental Education with an integrated approach using Aldo Leopold's philosophy of a land ethic while learning what a land ethic is and developing one's own land ethic. The conference will help participants learn about their own land ethic and learning about others.

To find out more information and to register, please visit the EEAI website.
Contact Us

 
Upcoming Deadlines

Supervisor Scholarship Application Now Available

November 3:
- Supervisor Scholarship for Annual Conference Applications Due (scroll to the bottom of the page at link for form and instructions)

Annual Awards & Resolutions Due Soon

 

Deadlines are quickly approaching for awards and proposed resolutions. Please see below for links to the necessary forms and instructions. Feel free to contact us with questions at info@iaswcd.org. 

 

September 9:
- Friend of Conservation Award applications due
- Supervisor of the Year Award applications due
 
September 19:
- Proposed Resolutions due (scroll to the bottom of page at link for past resolutions and forms)
 Upcoming Events

Look! These and many, many more events are listed on our statewide events calendar.

Planning an Event? Get it on our calendar using this form!

August 15:

August 21:

August 26:

August 27:

September 5-6:

September 26-28:
CCSI Events

August 22 
Delaware County Fairgrounds

August 26
Wenning Farm, Greensburg

September 15
Wollyung Farm, Connersville
GrantStation & Current Funding Opportunities

Grantstation
View the latest GrantStation on the IASWCD website. Several other current grants are also posted there.  
Funding Opportunity
 

Indiana Forestry Education Foundation Grant

 

The Indiana Forestry Education Foundation (IFEF) is pleased to announce the availability of competitive grant funds to help educate and inform the public about forestry and Indiana forestry related topics. The opportunity for award of IFEF grants, which are available as $500.00 awards, is available for consideration to those organizations/groups meeting the following conditions and at the discretion of IFEF: 

  • Completion of the online IFEF grant application
  • Must be Indiana-based
  • Grants funds used on projects related to forestry
  • Educates the general public and/or woodland owners
  • Project begins and ends between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. (Start and end dates reviewed on a case-by-case basis and due to the nature of forestry, weather, and other outdoor conditions, IFEF may ask for additional information if the project is set to begin or end outside of the specified dates.)
For any questions that occur after reviewing all materials, e-mail questions to IFEFgrants@gmail.com . An e-mail response is provided within approximately four business days.

Completed online grant applications should be submitted no later than 12 am on Wednesday, October 1, 2014. IFEF will make grant award announcements in December 2014.