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Soil Health News
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Photo credit: USDA-NRCS
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USDA Joins Global Partners to Kick Off International Year of Soils in 2015
Earlier this month, the USDA joined nations from across the globe to kick off the International Year of Soils, an effort to highlight the importance of soil in everyday life.
"We are excited to be working with the United Nations to help raise awareness and promote the importance of conservation of our soil resources," said Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie. "USDA is embracing this unique opportunity to tell the world about the importance of soil conservation and how we've worked with private landowners since 1935 to protect and improve this priceless natural resource."
UN's Food and Agriculture Organization spearheaded the global International Year of Soils campaign within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership. The year of awareness aims to increase understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. Soils play a crucial role in food security, hunger eradication, climate change adaptation, poverty reduction and sustainable development.
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Sponsor Spotlight
Friends of IASWCD Sponsors
The IASWCD would like to thank the following Friends of IASWCD sponsors for their support of Annual Conference. Click the links (where available) to visit their websites and read more:
McCormick Farms
Contributing Sponsors
We also would like to recognize the following Contributing Sponsors for their support. Click the links (where available) to read more about each company:
Applegate's Seed House
Droege Farms
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Conservation Partner News
Indiana NRCS Announces Opportunity for Public Comment on New EQIP Rule
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is publishing a rule that outlines how it will improve the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), one of NRCS's largest conservation programs. The interim final rule includes program changes authorized by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill.
NRCS has established a 60-day comment period for the rule. Beginning Friday, December 12, public comments can be submitted through www.regulations.gov or by mailing them. Comments are due by Feb. 10, 2015. You can read the full rule here. "This interim final rule provides a roadmap to help streamline and simplify EQIP for Hoosier farmers," Indiana NRCS State Conservationist Jane Hardisty said. "We strongly encourage agricultural producers, private forest landowners and stakeholders to provide comments on our implementation processes. This feedback will help us improve our operation and deliver technical and financial assistance more efficiently to Indiana's agricultural producers and forest landowners."
Visit the NRCS website for the full announcement and more details.
LARE Applications for 2015 Grants Due January 31
2014 has been a very successful year for LARE projects throughout the state, as there are many success stories of habitat improvement, logjam removal, invasive vegetation management, sediment removal, and reduced sedimentation and nutrient input into rivers and lakes through watershed land treatment projects.
Applications for 2015 grants are now being accepted, through January 31, 2015. You can submit your application via email or by mail (though email is preferred). More detailed information on the application requirements and process is available on the DNR website.
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January 6
January 11-13
January 13-14
January 14-17
January 20-22
January 27
January 30
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Job Openings
In addition to this section of our newsletter, we now have a new page on the IASWCD website where job opportunities with Districts can be posted. Please email job descriptions, instructions for applying, and a deadline in one PDF to emily-neitzel@iaswcd.org to have it posted on the website.
Pike County - Agronomic Technician
ISDA - Resource Specialist -Download the description here. There are 2 open positions. These can be located in the SPD Job Bank by searching their ID numbers: Southwest Position, 593729; Southeast Position, 593730.
CCSI - Agronomist - Apply online at the Purdue Careers site. More details are available here, but you must apply online to be considered.
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GrantStation & Current Funding Opportunities
Grantstation
View the latest GrantStation on the IASWCD website. Several other current grants are also posted there. |
Other Resources
Purdue "Got Nature?" Blog
Check out this Purdue blog with great reads on all things forestry and nature. You can ask questions, find how-to guides, and download their podcast as well. |
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