Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
November 23, 2016
Conservation Update

November 10 - November 23, 2016
 

IASWCD News
Special THANKS to 
Indiana Corn Marketing Council 
and Indiana Soybean Alliance



 for their 2017 SWCD Annual Conference Sponsorship of the Awards Luncheon

The Indiana Corn Marketing Council was established in 2001. ICMC consists of 17 farmer-directors who oversee the state corn checkoff funds. By developing a plan to grow the Indiana corn industry through market development, production research and farmer services, they work towards their mission of enhancing the value of corn for Indiana corn farmers. 

The Indiana Soybean Alliance is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Formerly known as the Indiana Soybean Growers Association, in 2007 this membership organization joined forces with the Indiana Soybean Development Council and formed the Indiana Soybean Association. Today the ISA continues to invest soybean checkoff funds and promote policies that protect and promote the interests of Indiana soybean farmers.  

Signs for the Local SWCD 2016 Annual Award Winners
Farm Credit Services is once again offering a sign to each soil and water conservation district who has a local "conservation farmer of the year" or "cooperator of the year" award. This would be for your 2016 winner and the sign would be presented at your local 2017 SWCD Annual Meeting. An online survey will need to be completed by November 30 in order to receive these signs. For more information click here

2017 Indiana Legislative Session Statehouse Visits
IASWCD is offering to coordinate visits to the Indiana Statehouse during February and March. These visits will provide an overview of the legislative process, a tour as well as a meet and greet time with your legislators. Dates, details and registration information can be found   here .

Delegates for the 2017 IASWCD Business Meeting
Each SWCD in good standing (fully paid annual dues) with the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Inc. will have the opportunity to send one SWCD Supervisor delegate to the IASWCD Business Meeting during Annual Conference in January at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.  All such delegates and alternates shall be officially elected and/or appointed supervisors or associate supervisors. If the district registers a delegate by January 14, 2017, that delegate will be required to attend the IASWCD Business Meeting on Tuesday, January 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This year Delegate Registration Forms may be submitted via mail, email or Google Form. For more details and to access the forms, please visit the IASW CD website .

************
2017 Annual SWCD Conference 
Early Bird Rate Expires December 15 

Registration page and information can be found on the IASWCD website .  

************

2017 IASWCD Business Meeting - January 24, 2017
Resolution
This business meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 24 at 9:00 a.m. (EST). One resolution has been submitted and can be viewed on the IASWCD website.

Slate of Officers
The 2017 Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts slate of officers was approved on November 4, 2016. The following individuals have been nominated.  Delegates will vote on the election at the IASWCD Business Meeting.
  • For President: Jamie Scott (Kosciusko County)
  • For Vice-President: Roger Wenning (Decatur County) and Bobby Hettmansperger (Wabash County)
  • For Secretary: Kerry Ames (Putnam County)
  • For Treasurer: Jeff Baker (Warrick County)
NACD News  
Annual Conference Registration 
Early Bird Registration Deadline: December 16
NACD's 2017 Annual Meeting will be held in Denver, Colorado, at the  Sheraton -  Dow ntown Denver  from January 28 to February 1, 2017. View more d etails and register here .

Tours at the NACD Annual Conference
Click here  to learn more about the Headwaters State tour and additional tours NACD's 2017 Annual Meeting has to offer!
USDA-NRCS News
NRCS Seeks Applications for $25 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants
Indianapolis, IN, November 8, 2016 - Indiana State Conservationist Jane Hardisty today announced that USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking new proposals for cutting-edge projects that will provide new conservation opportunities through its competitive Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. NRCS will invest up to $25 million for projects that spark the development and adoption of innovative conservation technologies and approaches in areas like conservation finance, data analytics, and precision conservation to benefit producers on private agricultural and forest lands. "Conservation Innovation Grants have played a critical role in developing and implementing creative new methods to conserve the nation's private agricultural lands and strengthening rural communities," said Hardisty. "Today's announcement builds on our support of technologies and approaches that help producers increase resiliency to extreme weather such as drought and floods." See more

Soil Data Refreshed and Available at Web Soil Survey
Lincoln, Neb.-On November 17, 2016, the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) updated the authoritative soil data for 3,270 soil survey areas. The spatial data (soil polygons, lines and points) and tabular data (physical and chemical properties data and interpretive information) for all soil survey areas are available free from Web Soil Survey (WSS) at  http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. This site is the most widely used web site for accessing soil information and is used to make important land use decisions.
Ot her News
National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA)
Webinar:  Working with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in Conservation Program Delivery 
Tips and ideas for working with Non-Government Organizations in Conservation Program Delivery. Learn from conservation organizations' leaders from across the nation as they share how they successfully built partnerships with state conservation agencies, conservation districts, NRCS and other government agencies for delivering conservation programs. View here.

US Environmental Protection Agency
Up To $26 Million Available From EPA for GLRI Projects
CHICAGO (Nov. 9, 2016) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a request for applications soliciting proposals for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants to fund new projects to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Up to $26 million will be available for grants to state, tribal, interstate and local governmental agencies, institutions of higher learning and other nonprofit organizations. Applications are due Jan. 13, 2017.

"The GLRI is getting results in reviving the Midwest's environment and economy," said Cameron Davis, Senior Advisor to the Administrator. "Investments made under this RFA will support the Great Lakes so the Great Lakes can continue to support us."
A webinar explaining the grant application process will be held at 1 p.m. CST on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016. The request for applications and information about applying for GLRI grants is available at  www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-restoration-initiative-2016-rfa.

The GLRI was launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world. The program has so far funded more than 3,000 projects to improve water quality, to protect and restore native habitat and species, to prevent and control invasive species and to address other environmental problems in the Great Lakes basin.

For more information about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative visit https://www.glri.us 

Soil and Water Conservation Society

SWCS is now accepting abstracts for their 72nd International Annual Conference. 
To view the full Call for Presentations and instructions on how to submit your proposal, click here.  

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 9, 2017
POSTER DEADLINE: March 10, 2017
For more information regarding the conference click here.

CONFERENCE SUBMISSION TRACKS
This year's conference includes four tracks for submission. Special consideration will be given to proposals addressing new insights, techniques, and/or advancements in the eight traditional areas of focus outlined under general conference submissions. 

Seeking Abstracts for Presentations
All Lake Enthusiasts and Natural Resources/Water Quality Professionals:
The Indiana Lakes Management Society is seeking abstracts for presentations at the 29th Annual Indiana Lakes Management Annual Conference.  The conference will be held March 2 and 3, 2017 at Four Winds Lakeside Inn and Marina, Bloomington Indiana. The deadline to submit an abstract is Friday, December 2, 2016.  If your abstract is accepted, you will be notified no later than December 16.
They are looking for presentations covering any of the following topics:
  •          Water Quality
  •          Fish
  •          Drawdown Logistics and Effects
  •          Grants and Fundraising
  •          Nuisance Flora and Fauna
  •          Partnerships
  •          Increasing Community Involvement
  •          Legislation
If you are involved in water quality assessment, lake community development, best management practice implementation, community water body monitoring, simply enjoy working with your lake association and/or community then consider sharing your experience and expertise at the 29th annual Indiana Lakes Management Conference.  
They invite presentations that deal with all aspects of the management, protection, and restoration of lakes, reservoirs and watersheds.  All formats (oral or poster) are welcome with oral presentations being accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation, if possible. Please submit abstracts electronically via email to Elizabeth Tompkins at [email protected]  For more details regarding submission, click here
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: 

November 29 -  Fall Region Meeting (IASWCD) for N-Northwest/S-Northwest

December 6 -  Fall Region Meeting (IASWCD) for N-Southeast/S-Southeast

December 6 - NRCS NE Area Meeting

December 7 - Fall Region Meeting (IASWCD) for N-Northeast/S-Northeast

December 7 - NRCS NW Area Meeting

December 13-14 - Indiana Certified Crop Advisers Conference

December 14 - NRCS SE Area Meeting

December 15 - NRCS SW Area Meeting

January 10-13 - National No-Till Conference

January 18-19, April 5-6, May 24 - Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy, Purdue University

January 23-24 - SWCD Annual Conference, Indianapolis

January 28-February 2 - NACD Annual Meeting

January 31 - Annual Southern Regional Soil Health Workshop

March 2-4 - Small Farm Conference

March 2-3 - Indiana Lakes Management Society conference

July 30-August 2 - SWCS Annual Conference
Current Job Openings *

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


Office Administration/Education Coordinator - Cass County SWCD 

Urban Conservationist - Marion County SWCD

*(Note: please submit job openings to: 
and include instructions for applying, deadline and job description in a single PDF file. Thank you.)
2016 Conservation Farmer of the Year
Congratulations to Billy and Mary Beth Comer of Scottsburg, Indiana for receiving the 2016 Indiana Conservation Farmer of the Year award sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. Bill and Mary Beth will be featured and honored at the 2017 SWCD Annual Conference on January 24 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Special thanks to Scott County SWCD for submitting their application!