Do you work with a producer or forest landowner who already practices conservation on their land, but would like to do more? Are you a landowner who wants to take additional steps to improve the resources on your land?
The USDA Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is now accepting applications, and $100 million will be made available this year. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the list of conservation activities that are included in the CSP program such as cover crops, rotational grazing, and wildlife-friendly fencing.
Those who are interested are encouraged to apply by February 27, 2015 to be considered for funding for 2015 (although you can apply at any time throughout the year). You can take the CSP self-screening test online to determine if the program is right for you. Then, submit your application to your local USDA-NRCS office.
District Spotlight
As part of a periodic series, we are highlighting interesting and successful projects from the districts in the Conservation Update. Send your story idea from your district to emily-neitzel@iaswcd.org.
The Dubois County SWCD has been working since 2012 on a lasting partnership with the Vincennes University Jasper Campus (VUJC), the VUJC Land Stewardship Initiative. The partnership aims to demonstrate and promote sustainable land use on the campus in a variety of settings including crop fields, prairies, and forests.
The three main goals guiding the project are: improving natural resources, ensuring ongoing programming, and developing a demonstration and education center. They started by focusing their first two years on establishing their organization, implementing conservation practices, and conducting tests of their practices' results. Then, they began to seek out business partners and sponsors as well as community partners.
The Dubois SWCD and the VUJC Land Stewardship Initiative look forward to continued growth in the coming years by relying on their diverse partnerships and community participation.
Soil Health News
CCSI/SARE Trainings
CCSI and SARE have teamed up to offer Advanced Conservation Cropping Systems and Advanced Cover Crops training again this spring. If you are an ICP employee who works with producers and provides guidance on conservation practices, this is a great refresher course or way to increase your understanding of the most up to date information on soil health.
Registration is now open for Advanced Conservation Cropping Systems in two locations: Southeast (March 10) and Southwest (March 11).
Registration will be open once agendas are finalized for Advanced Cover Crops (April 8 and 9), but topics and location details are available now.
Great Soil Health Info for District Social Media Posts
If you're looking for interesting multimedia to share on your district's Twitter or Facebook page, check out this new radio ad and other great resources from USDA-NRCS to interest and inform your followers about soil health. As part of the "Unlock the Secrets in the Soil" awareness and education campaign, USDA-NRCS is releasing public service radio spots, visual graphics, and more throughout the year, to entertain and educate followers about the living soil and four agronomic principles to keep it healthy.
Dates and locations have been announced for March region meetings. Basic details are below; online registration and a full agenda are available on Eventbrite.
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
These and many, many more events are listed on our
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.
