Conservation Update
January 16 - 28, 2015 
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Conservation News

Inaugural Governor's Ag Conference
Governor Pence commented on the importance of conservation in agriculture during the inaugural Governor's Ag Conference.
Governor Pence commented on the importance of conservation in agriculture during the inaugural Governor's Ag Conference.
On January 16, Governor Mike Pence hosted the inaugural Governor's Agriculture Conference at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown hotel. The event featured national level speakers who focused on the need for even higher levels of productivity in the future, but doing so on a "frozen footprint" to meet sustainability goals. 

Issues like advanced genetics, precision farming techniques, climate change, and soil conservation were all discussed. Governor Pence addressed the large crowd of agriculture leaders, expressing his support for conservation as a key component of Indiana's agriculture and emphasizing the importance of how we care for our resources.

Governor Pence also commented on Indiana's leadership in soil health, specifically in the use of cover crops.

The SWCDs were represented at this event by IASWCD President Mike Starkey, Region Director Kim Peterson, Region Director Bobby Hettmansperger, and Executive Director Jennifer Boyle Warner.


Indiana NRCS Seeks Applications for Conservation Innovation Grants 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for competitive grants to facilitate the creation of new, innovative markets for carbon credits, providing additional revenue sources for producers to use to address natural resource conservation challenges. These grants are part of NRCS' Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program. For 2015, approximately half of the $20 million available nationwide is for environmental markets and conservation projects that engage agricultural producers. 

Pre-proposals are due February 24, 2015. Read the full announcement and apply online at the USDA-NRCS website.

-- Indiana NRCS


IASWCD President Starkey Wins ASA Award

Mike Starkey, IASWCD President, CCSI Farmer, and conservation award winner.
Mike Starkey, IASWCD President, CCSI Farmer, and conservation award winner. Photo courtesy of Farm Futures.

IASWCD President and CCSI Farmer Mike Starkey was among three regional winners of the American Soybean Association's (ASA) Conservation Legacy Award. This award honors soybean farmers who demonstrate a commitment to environmental and conservation concerns in their operations.


The awards will be presented and one national winner will be selected at the ASA's Awards Banquet on February 27 in Phoenix, Arizona. Read more at Farm Futures. 

 
Soil Health News

CCSI & Partners Host Manure Workshop
Manure storage facility. Photo courtesy of Martin Co. SWCD.
Manure storage facility. Photo courtesy of Martin Co. SWCD.
Poultry producers and other farmers who use poultry litter are encouraged to attend the "MANURE: Managing All Nutrients by Using Resources Efficiently" workshop on February 2 in Loogootee to learn how to get the most out of manures as fertilizers and understand state regulations on manure. The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Martin County Fairgrounds. 

 

Speakers include:

  • Dr. Brad Joern (Purdue University)
  • Barry Fisher (CCSI/USDA-NRCS)
  • Mark Anson (Anson Family Farms)

PARP credits and Certified Crop Advisor CEUs (1.0 SW, 1.0 NM) have been requested. Advance registration for the event is required by January 28 and the event cost is $5.00 (which includes lunch and light refreshments).  For those seeking PARP credits, please bring your private applicator card and an additional $10.00 in check or cash to the event. Registration can be completed online or by calling the Martin County Soil and Water Conservation District at (812) 295-3149.
Contact Us

 

 
District News

March Region Meetings
Dates and locations have been announced for March region meetings. See below for the dates, contact information, host county, and location.

SE
Tuesday, March 3
Laura Fribley
812-595-5641
Jennings
Jennings Co. Education Center

NW
Tuesday, March 17
Geneva Tyler
317-518-4036
Carroll
Delphi United Methodist Church

SW
Thursday, March 19
Nathan Stoelting
812-320-9873
Daviess
Otterbein Methodist Church

NE
Wednesday, March 25
Jennifer Thum
260-341-6966
Whitley
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
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!
 
January 29
- Vanderburgh County Soil Conservation Breakfast
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.

CCSI - Agronomist
- Apply online at the Purdue Careers site. More details are available here, but you must apply through the Purdue website to be considered.

Daviess County - District Technician
- Download the description and instructions to apply.

Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation - Outreach & Marketing Specialist
- Visit their website for more information and to apply.

Jasper County - District Administrative Assistant
- Download the description and application.
GrantStation & Current Funding Opportunities

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