Conservation INsight September 11, 2019

IASWCD News

Thank you Special thanks to all who were able to join us at the 2019 District Summer Trainings in August in Fulton, Orange, Delaware and Putnam Counties! Joe Schmees, Executive Director, IASWCD, opened each meeting with the presentation, YOUR Association, Not Your Ordinary Association . His presentation slides are now posted on the IASWCD website . We are planning to record this presentation soon and post it for districts to share with their staff and supervisors.

Thank you to the 82 Indiana Soil & Water Conservation Districts who have paid their membership dues to IASWCD. Due date: September 30.

Adams Allen Bartholomew Benton Brown Carroll Cass Clark Clay Clinton Crawford Daviess Dearborn Decatur DeKalb Delaware Dubois Elkhart Floyd Fountain Franklin Fulton Gibson Grant Greene Hamilton Hancock Harrison Hendricks Henry Howard Huntington Jackson Jasper Jennings Johnson Knox Kosciusko LaGrange Lake LaPorte Lawrence Madison Marion Marshall Martin Miami Monroe Morgan Newton Noble Ohio Owen Parke Perry Pike Porter Posey Pulaski Putnam Randolph Ripley Rush Scott Shelby Spencer St Joseph Starke Steuben Sullivan Switzerland Tippecanoe Tipton Vanderburgh Vermillion Wabash Warrick Washington Wayne Wells White Whitley

Soil Testing and Interpreting Results Training for ICP Employees September 18: Jennings County, Southeast Purdue Ag Center, deadline to register September 11 September 19: Whitley County, Northeast Purdue Ag Center, deadline to register September 12 September 24: LaPorte County (CENTRAL TIME), Pinney Purdue Ag Center, deadline to register September 17 September 25: Knox County, Southwest Purdue Ag Center, deadline to register September 18 September 26: Hendricks County, Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds Complex, South Hall, deadline to register September 19 (Note: Registration for the September 17 date is closed now.)

Registration Flyer

Presented by Dr. Jason Ackerson, Purdue Extension Agronomy Specialist; Joe Rorick, Conservation Agronomist, Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative; Tony Bailey, State Conservation Agronomist, USDA-NRCS; and Ben Wicker, Executive Director, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance (IANA); and Purdue Extension staff. Danny Greene, Crop Consultant with Greene Crop Consulting will be presenting at each session except September 17.

NACD News

NCF-NGLI Now Accepting Applications National Conservation Foundation (NCF) announced the opening of the application period for the inaugural cohort of the  Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI). NGLI, a program of the NCF, will train seven applicants over the course of 2020, with one participant selected from each of NACD's regions. During the year-long NGLI program, currently-appointed conservation district officials will be equipped for leadership at the local, state and national level through several in-person trainings focused on personal, civic and organizational leadership development. The in-depth program features: Exclusive content: Specific for conservation district leaders across the US Exceptional investment: A low tuition fee for a high value experience Diverse settings: Five different sessions to create broader development Engaging instruction: Teaching that strengthens and inspires Limited offering: A select number of seats for accepted applicants Applications are due  Friday, September 20, 2019 . Read more and apply Submit Your Nomination for Hugh Hammond Bennett Award The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) is seeking nominations for  the 2020 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence . The 2020 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence will honor an outstanding producer and an outstanding conservation planner for their dedication to conservation planning and implementation. Award memo Award guidelines

74th NACD Annual Meeting Registration Now Open Registration for the National Association of Conservation Districts' (NACD) 74th Annual Meeting is now open! Hosted in partnership with the Nevada Association of Conservation Districts(NVACD), this year's annual meeting will be held in Las Vegas, Nev., from February 8-12, 2020, at the Bally's Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. This year's meeting theme, “Conservation Innovation: Working from the Roots Up,” will explore innovative techniques and how they help deliver conservation on the ground.  Read more Topic Change: Sept U&C Webinar The topic for the NACD Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation webinar, scheduled for Sept. 19, 2019, from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Eastern, has been changed. The webinar will now feature two of the NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) grant recipients. In “Partnerships, Pollinators and Cover Crops in Urban Conservation,” the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Ohio will discuss how it tackles partnerships and grant writing with a wide net, using real-life examples and stories. Register here Leslie Johnson from University of Nebraska Extension talks about an activity to explain soil texture and water infiltration.

ISDA News

Gov. Holcomb Announces Farmers in All 92 Counties Eligible to Receive Assistance INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 30, 2019) — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced that Indiana farmers are eligible for assistance under a secretarial natural disaster designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This was in response to a letter Gov. Holcomb sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in July, requesting assistance due to the excessive rain and flooding farmers experienced during planting season. Read more

August newsletter

IDEM News

August 2019 issue

USDA-NRCS News

The National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) is a nationwide partnership of Federal, regional, State, and local agencies and private entities and institutions. This partnership works to cooperatively investigate, inventory, document, classify, interpret, disseminate, and publish information about soils. NCSS standards are common or shared procedures that enhance technology transfer, data sharing, and communications among soil survey participants. August Newsletter Dan Olsen, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Indiana Announces Funding for Partner Conservation Projects Indianapolis, Sept. 6, 2019 – USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Jerry Raynor announced today the launch of the updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Potential partners are encouraged to submit proposals that will improve water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.   “The new RCPP provides opportunities for partners and NRCS to work together develop and implement unique conservation solutions that engage farmers and forest landowners,” Raynor said. “These projects can include just about any conservation activity that NRCS is authorized to carry out. We’re really looking forward to what our partners in Indiana propose to do with these new flexibilities.” Read more

USDA-FSA News

USDA Resources Available for Farmers Hurt by 2018, 2019 Disasters Signup Begins Sept. 11 for More Than $3 Billion in Aid WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 9, 2019 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian, can apply for assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Signup for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will begin Sept. 11, 2019. “U.S. agriculture has been dealt a hefty blow by extreme weather over the last several years, and 2019 is no exception,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.  Read more

IDNR News

Indiana Urban Forest Symposium September 12-13 The state of urban forestry is constantly changing. To help you with the new challenges, new innovations, and new faces, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Community and urban Forestry (DNR CUF) program invites you to attend an Urban Forestry Symposium. Read more September issue

Other News August 27 eNewsletter Monthly eNewsletter Upcoming Webinar: Conservation Finance Wednesday, September 18, 2019 from 2-3pm CT Tune in to this month’s webinar as we explore different strategies for funding critical conservation work. We will hear from Ryan Smith of The Delta Institute and Greg Olson of Sand County Foundation who will discuss a recently released guidance document they co-authored on the pay-for-performance approach of conservation funding, and Ellen Tarquinio of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center.   (Sponsored by The North Central Region Water Network and Extension Directors from all 12 North Central states.) Read more and register Women's Learning Circles: Conservation Conversations Three upcoming circles - dates and locations: September 18 - Holliday Park Nature Center, Indianapolis September 19 - Tippecanoe County Extension Office September 19 - The Ostrum Workshop, Bloomington, IN See flyer and registration site for more details. Flyer with details Register Summer 2019 newsletter e-Newsletter

Pledge of the Month: Water Conservation Read more 2020 Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy applications now available We are pleased to announce that the online application for the 2020 Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy is now available. If you’re interested in water quality and watersheds, consider applying for the 2019 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:  Engage in basic and advanced level watershed topics covering leadership principles, watershed science, organization and communication, technology and GIS, stakeholder involvement techniques and policy skills. Format : Training includes three face-to-face group sessions and distance learning, online (approximately 3-4 hrs/week). The Academy runs from January to May, 2020. Specific workshop dates are January 8-9, March 31-April 1, and May 20, 2020. For more information and to fill out the application, please contact Sara Peel,  speel@purdue.edu , or see   the Academy Web page. Academy website SARE Grant Programs North Central Region SARE administers several grant programs, each with specific priorities, audiences and timelines. The focus for all of NCR-SARE grant programs is on research and education. Funding considerations are based on how well the applicant presents the problem being addressed, its relevance to sustainable agriculture in the 12-state North Central region, and how well it aligns with NCR-SARE's goals. NCR-SARE's Grant Programs: Farmer Rancher  Research and Education  Professional Development Program  Graduate Student  Youth Educator  Partnership Grant program info

Grant Funding Available from the Indiana Forestry Educational Foundation IFEF is pleased to announce that we have funding for  $500.00 competitive grants , which are available for projects that align with our mission and vision of educating about forestry stewardship and forestry management. In addition, this year, we are offering  up to $1,000.00  grant opportunities for projects that feature and promote outreach and communication specifically about young forests and their importance to create forest diversity.   If you have great ideas for a project (may include, but is not limited to field days, video, flyers, advertisements, photos with captions, other multi-media, etc.) to promote Indiana forestry initiatives, let us know! We are interested in evaluating your project!    Grant applications are open August 2 and close on October 6.  More information

Seeking applicants for Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program Class 19 Interested in growing your leadership ability? Now is the time to make that happen. Do you know a colleague or employee who could benefit from expanding their skills? Encourage them apply for ALP Class 19.  We are seeking individuals who will step forward to lead agriculture and rural communities for today and tomorrow. We are seeking individuals who want to advance their skills and expertise in leadership. We are seeking individuals who desire to be more knowledgeable about those areas of public policy that impact agriculture and the process for impacting decision making at local, state and federal levels. We are seeking individuals ready to be a "Difference Maker" for agriculture. Read more

Job Postings  : Current list of Conservation Job Opportunities now posted on the  IASWCD website. District Coordinator, Marshall County SWCD Note: Job Postings can be submitted to Amy Work at:  amy-work@iaswcd.org .  Please include job description and deadline to apply in a single PDF file or with a link.

Upcoming Conservation Events  : September 14 - Native Plant Sale September 17 - State Soil Conservation Board meeting September 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 - ICP Soil Testing Training (six dates, six locations) September 18 and 19 - W4L: Conservation Conversations October 1-3 - IDEA Fall Conference, Clifty Inn October 8 - Women's Learning Circle, Clinton Co. October 10 - Women's Learning Circle, Lawrence Co. October 12 - Forestry Field Day, Orange Co. October 29 - State Soil Conservation Board meeting October 29 - Learn the Dirt on Soil, Monroe Co. November 5 - Learn the Dirt on Soil, Monroe Co. November 12 - Learn the Dirt on Soil, Monroe Co. 2020: January 12-14 - Annual Indiana SWCD Conference, Indpls. For a complete list of upcoming conservation events,  go to the Events Calendar on the IASWCD website .

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