Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
September 13, 2017
Conservation Update

August 31, 2017 - September 13, 2017
 

IASWCD News
Peterson Farm Brothers will be Keynote Speaker 
at the 75th  Annual Conference 
of Indiana SWCDs

The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts is pleased to announce the Peterson Farm Brothers as their Keynote Speaker at the Indiana SWCD Conference on January 8-9, 2018 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. The  Peterson Farm Brothers will share their experience of how they have taken the nation and world by storm with their educational and entertaining videos about agriculture and farming. Because of their online success, the brothers, from Assaria, Kansas, have had many opportunities to travel around the world promoting agriculture.

Greg Peterson, in his online  TED talk states that their success has led to opportunities for him to travel all over the world and that he ". . . gives presentations about how to tell agriculture's story because that's what our videos really do. They tell the story of agriculture. They give a glimpse into our farm and make people think about where their food comes from."  

During the conference, the Peterson Farm Brothers, along with 16 additional speakers, will share their expertise on a range of topics including Social Media, Invasive Species, Remote Sensing and Drones, Silver Jackets, District Business Planning, Five Behaviors of a Team, Stream Laws and much more.

Greg, Nathan and Kendal Peterson, along with their sometimes honorary "bro," Laura, are the 5th generation working on their family farm. They began creating  YouTube videos promoting agriculture in 2012. Their parody music videos have now received over 45 million total views. They will be sharing some of their story, their social media experiences and how the power of communication through social media has provided opportunities and gained attention for agriculture and conservation.

Watch the annual conference webpage for updated information on  exhibiting at the trade show, conference  sponsorship, hotel reservations, and conference registration. Registration is slated to begin on September 18. 

Region Meetings
N-NW Region Meeting
December 5
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm CST
Lake County SWCD | Crown Point

SHOUT OUT*****SHOUT OUT*****SHOUT OUT*****SHOUT OUT
Technology, a Sand Box  and Watershed Education
 This year at the Indiana State Fair in the Normandy Barn, a hands-on state of the art sandbox, assembled by the Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District,
was displayed to demonstrate how water flows. This fun and educational,high tech, 3-D exhibit modeled changing topography (the sand) and  changing rain patterns, showing how water flows within a waters hed. 
IDEA News
Indiana District Employees Association Fall Conference
October 11-13
West Lafayette, IN
IDEA
The IDEA Fall Conference is rapidly approaching and the South-Northwest region has been working hard to plan an exciting event centered on PARTNERSHIPS.   

Registration:
Before you register for the conference, please read through the conference information and agenda. You will need to make a few decisions (i.e. tours & activity participation) before you go to register. 
Register here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-idea-fall-conference-tickets-36901122250If you are registering more than one person in your office, please send an email to vermillion@iaswcd.org with a list of the names and what District you have registered. All registration checks should be mailed to Cindy Newkirk, IDEA Treasurer, at Hancock County SWCD, Attn: Cindy Newkirk, 1101 W Main Street, Greenfield, IN  46140. For bookkeeping purposes, please include a note regarding who the payment includes. For hotel reservations, please call the hotel, Four Points Sheraton, West Lafayette, IN at 765-463-5511 and tell them you are with the IDEA Conference.

And just a reminder, the Fall Conference and the IASWCD Annual Conference will once again be hosting silent auctions at both events. Districts and other attendees are encouraged to bring something to put in the auction. Proceeds from both will benefit the State Poster Contest and IDEA Staff Scholarships.
 
If you have any questions regarding registration for the Fall Conference, please contact Eric Shideler at vermillion@iaswcd.org or lorigalloway73@gmail.com for assistance.
NACD News
REGISTRATION for the National Association of Conservation District's 2018 ANNUAL MEETING IS OPEN!
January 27-31, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee

By registering online, you'll receive a $15 discount! You can also head to the  annual meeting webpage to register and find information on how to 
book your hotel room at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center with NACD's special discount price of $199 a night.
ISDA News
2017 Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2017 Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program, a compe titive grant created to help develop solutions to issues  affecting the specialty crop industry across state boundaries. To apply for the SCMP grant, please visit:  www.in.gov/isda/2474.htm Proposals are due September 18 by 5 pm  (EDT). For additional grant assistance, please contact Ann McCambridge, ISDA's Grants Program Manager, at amccambridge@isda.in.gov or 317-419-0200.
USDA-NRCS News

Districts - Do you send out a Newsletter? 
Please Add to your Newsletter Mailing List!
If your SWCD has a newsletter, the Indiana NRCS office wants to receive it. Email electronic versions to both State Conservationist Jane Hardisty ( jane.hardisty@in.usda.gov) and State Public Affairs Specialist Becky Fletcher ( rebecca.fletcher@in.usda.gov). Hard copies can be mailed to the NRCS state office at 6013 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis 46278. Thanks!  
  
Don't Miss the latest NRCS SOIL HEALTH UPDATE: 
Purdue Extension  
2018 Corn & Soybean Field Guide
Taking orders now for the first printing of custom covers of the 2018 Purdue Extension Corn & Soybean Field Guide.  The ordering deadline for the first printing is Friday,  October 27 . The completed guides will begin to ship by the  end of December 2017 The ordering deadline for the second printing is Friday,  January 26, 2018 . Completed guides will ship in late  March 2018 For details, including prices and artwork requirements, please see the webpage
Other News
The Value of Water Campaign
The Value of Water Campaign, organized by the U.S. Water Alliance, is designed to educate the nation about the need for renewed investment in water infrastructure. This is done throu gh research, polls, and special events all available on the  campaign's website This year's "Imagine a Day Without Water" is scheduled for  October 12 . Like last year, hundreds of organizations will engage their members to advocate the importance of water infrastructure (including green infrastructure) leading up to and on the day of the event. Districts can learn more about participating in this campaign and how to download ready-to-use social media materials  by clicking here .

Hoosier Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society Scholarship Available
The SWCS-Hoosier Chapter announces the 2017 Conservation Scholarship. This scholarship is intended to encourage qualified students to increase their interest in conservation, to obtain technical competence in some of conservation, and to pursue a career in this area. An info rmation sheet and an application can be found here. Applications  are due by October 1, 2017.  Feel free to contact  scholarships@hoosierchapterswcs.org  with any questions.

Prescribed Burning Field Day: Pollinator Habitat
October 7 -  10 am to 2 pm
French Lick, IN
Free, but you must register. View more information here

Wildlife Habitat Workshop with Prescribed Burn Demonstration 
September 23 @ 9:00 am
Bartholomew County

Soil and Water Conservation Society 
2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health
December 7-8, 2017, Indianapolis, IN
This meeting will be a great opportunity to learn recent developments in how cover crops are being used by innovative farmers across the country and gain important insights on improving soil health from producers, conservation leaders, and
scientists.  Whether you are contemplating cover crops for the first time, or you have years of experience and want to interact with soil health and cover cropsinnovators, this program will provide you with valuable information, networking, and learning opportunities. The conference is intended for anyone interested in the practical use of cover crops and soil health improvement, including farmers; conservation agents; certified crop advisers (CCAs) and agribusiness staff; and university, nongovernmental organization (NGO), and agency representatives. For more information and the registration link visit the SWCS Conference webpage.

Wetland Construction Training
October 7-8, 2017
Cooper Farm, Ball State University, Muncie
This hands-on restoration workshop is designed for individuals who would like to learn how to use practical, low cost techniques for building wetlands. You'll learn how to design and build wetlands that specifically provide habitat for mid-west amphibians. Attendees will discover how to select locations for building wetlands, test soil texture, choose appropriate construction techniques, work with heavy equipment operators, and establish native flowering plants. Contractors will be operating a large excavator to build a large wetland during the weekend. Lectures will be offered in the evening on the history of wetlands in the Midwest and the principles of wetland construction. Click here for more information.

Indiana's Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) Domestic Action Plan (DAP) for the Western Lake Erie Basin
Indiana's DAP Advisory Committee is seeking your input on the draft Indiana's Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) Domestic Action Plan (DAP) for the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) to reduce phosphorus to Lake Erie. The DAP public comment period has begun and will end on October 13, 2017.  Please review the  draft of the DAP  and give your comments. All comments must be submitted in writing via  Survey Monkey . Read more of this public notice at the ISDA site.

Gathering of Indiana Stakeholders in Farm Transfer/Farm Succession - SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, November 15
Hancock County Extension Office, Greenfield
10 am to 2 pm
Registration information coming in October

Indiana Envirothon
Indiana Envirothon is requesting updates for their booklet mailing list by Friday, September 15. If you have a particular high school teacher/home school group that this booklet should be sent to, please send that information to LuAnne Holeva at  luanne.holeva@in.nacdnet.net. If you have a new high school in your area, a new high school building location, or a school that is no longer in existence, please send that information so the mailing list can be updated. Also, if any SWCD office or Purdue Extension office has moved please forward your information to LuAnne.

Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy
If you're interested in water quality and watersheds, consider applying for the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy. The Academy, organized by Purdue University with support from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and  other Indiana conservation agencies and organizations, gives participants the chance to eng age in basic and advanced level watershed topics.
  • Meet, learn from, and build a network of peers
  • Interact with topic experts
  • Gain strategies, skills, and resources for successful watershed management
  • Earn a Professional Certificate in Watershed Management
Enrollment deadline: November 3, 2017
Application and more information found on the leadership website
Resources .
SARE Grant Proposals Announced
2018 NORTH CENTRAL REGION SA RE FARMER RANCHER GRANT CALL FOR PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED
There are three types of competitive grants: individual grants ($7,500 maximum), team of two grants for two farmers/ranchers from separate operations who are working together ($15,000 maximum), and group grants for three or more farmers/ranchers from separate operations who are working together ($22,500 maximum).  Interested applicants can find the call for proposals online as well as useful information for completing a proposal on the website Proposals are due on  December 7, 2017 at 4 p.m. CST.

2018 NORTH CENTRAL REGION SARE PARTNERSHIP GRANT CALL FOR PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED
Individual grants are limited to $30,000. The deadline for Partnership Program proposals is October 26, 2017 at 4pm CDT. Find more information here.
 
2018 NORTH CENTRAL REGION SARE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANT CALL FOR PRE PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED
Individual grants range from $50,000 to $200,000. 
The deadline for Research and Education Program preproposals is October 19, 2017 at 4pm CDT. More information here.

The Indiana Forestry Educational Foundation 
~Grant Funds Available~
IFEF is pleased to announce the availability of competitive grant funds to help educate and inform woodland owners and/or the public about forestry, woodland management and other Indiana forestry related topics. For more details regarding the application and requirements, visit the IFEF website Completed online grant applications should be submitted no later than  midnight on Friday, September 15, 2017 . IFEF will make grant award announcements in December 2017.
In This Issue
Quick Links
Upcoming Events
Please refer to the IASWCD Events and CCSI Soil Health Events calendars for a full list of upcoming events and more details regarding these events below: 

September 20 - Women4theLand Women's Learning Circle, Putnam County

September 27 - Small Garden & Urban Farming Networking Breakfast, Evansville

October 3 - Pasture Walk in Grant County

October 7-8 Wetland Construction Training, Muncie, IN 

October 11-13 - IDEA Conference, West Lafayette

October 18 - Grant Writing Workshop, United Way of Central Indiana, Indianapolis

October 19- Women4theLand Women's Learning Circle, Tippecanoe County

October 23-27 - Stream Simulation Training, Bloomington

November 1 - Cover Crop Field Day, Lake County

November 5 - Daylight Saving Time Ends

November 12-17 -  National Association of 4-H Extension Agents/Educators Conference in Indianapolis

November 15 - Gathering of IN Stakeholders in Farm Transfer/Succession, Greenfield

December 5 - N-NW Region Meeting, Crown Point, IN

December 7-8 - National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health, Indianapolis

January 8-9, 2018 - Annual SWCD Conference, Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

January 27-31, 2018 - NACD Annual Conference, Nashville, TN

April 29-May 6, 2018 - NACD Stewardship Week
Current Job Openings *

See Job Descriptions and/or Applications at www.IASWCD.org 

Visiting Naturalist,
Cope Environmental Center
Centerville, IN

District Coordinator, 
Franklin County SWCD

Senior Director of Marketing & Communications,
Indiana Soybean Alliance

Technical Assistant, 
Indiana School Lead Water Sampling - NW Indiana

Executive Director
Indiana Agriculture
 Nutrient Alliance

Environmental Education Coordinator, 
St. Joseph SWCD

Education and Outreach Coordinator,  Joseph Moore Museum,  Earlham College

Executive Director, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts

*(Note: please submit job openings to: 
amy-work@iaswcd.org 
and include instructions for applying, deadline and job description in a single PDF file. Thank you.)
Special Thanks to the following Districts who have paid Annual Dues as of 09/11/17:

Adams

Allen

Bartholomew

Benton

Blackford

Brown

Cass

Clark

Clay

Clinton

Crawford

Daviess

Dearborn

Decatur

Dekalb

Delaware

Dubois

Elkhart

Floyd

Fountain

Franklin

Fulton

Greene

Hamilton

Hancock

Harrison

Henry

Huntington

Howard

Jackson

Jasper

Jay

Jefferson

Jennings

Johnson

Knox

Kosciusko

LaGrange

Lake

LaPorte

Lawrence

Madison

Marion

Marshall

Martin

Miami

Monroe

Morgan

Newton

Noble

Orange

Owen

Parke

Perry

Pike

Porter

Posey

Pulaski

Putnam

Randolph

Ripley

Rush

St. Joseph

Scott

Shelby

Spencer

Starke

Steuben

Switzerland

Tipton

Union

Vanderburgh

Vermillion

Wabash

Warren

Warrick

Washington

Wayne

Wells

White

Whitley