Conservation INsight
July 17, 2019
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Last Call! District Showcase Award
Apply now through July 26
Your team works hard and we want to hear about it. Nominate your District for the Indiana District Showcase Award so we can help you tell your story and share your successes. This award, sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, highlights the successes of up to four local Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). The winners will be recognized at the Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs' Conservation Award Banquet on January 14, 2020.
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IASWCD Resolution Submission
Districts - if you would like to submit a resolution for consideration, please fill out this
online form
. Resolutions are
due to the IASWCD office by Friday, September 6, 2019
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District Supervisor and Staff
Summer Training
August 20 - Fulton County
August 22 - Orange County
August 27 - Delaware County
August 29 - Putnam County
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
ISDA and IASWCD are combining the past "region meetings" that took place in the spring and fall into one summer training for SWCD staff and supervisors. All four summer trainings will be identical and take place on four separate dates in four separate locations throughout the state. Feel free to attend the date and location that best fits your schedule. $20 per person with dinner included.
AGENDA:
4:30 pm
Registration
5:00-5:45 pm
IASWCD Presentation
6:00 pm
Dinner & Networking
6:30 pm
Partnership Updates (during dinner)
7:00 pm
Breakouts (Working with Local Officials/Cress Hizer; Planning Your Website: Do You Know What a Good Website Takes?/Purdue's Digital Ready program; Developing a Cost Share Program and Tracking It/DSS or RS)
8:00 pm
Adjourn
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Upcoming Training Sessions
for ICP Employees
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Pollinator Training
August 22 - Allen County
Key topics include pollinator/beneficial insect habitat needs, how to plan pollinator habitat, planting and maintaining habitat, and field observations.
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Soil Testing
and Interpreting
Results Training
This training will be offered in six different counties on six different dates
September 17-26.
See link for details.
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Wetland Restoration Workshop
This hands-on restoration workshop is designed for individuals who would like to learn how to use practical, low cost techniques for building wetlands.
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Pathway to Water Quality - 35 volunteer spots left!
Please consider volunteering for PWQ at the State Fair, August 2-18. For those who have already signed up, thank you!
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July 9 Annual ICP
Webinar
The webinar of ICP leader updates and information was recorded and can now be viewed via video. The slideshow is also available at the link below or on the
ICP website
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NACD Forestry Notes and the Forestry Resource Policy Group (RPG) is interested in helping facilitate conservation district-relevant forestry discussion through their LinkedIn group. The group will allow for conservation district forestry professionals in states and territories across the country to share ideas and solutions to common issues and forest resource concerns. The Forestry RPG regional representatives will help facilitate the conversation On LinkedIn.
Log in and join the group here
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NACD Applications for Breakout Sessions
This year, NACD is seeking proposals that fit within three themes:
- District Operations and Partnerships
- Natural Resources Policy and Protection; and
- Stewardship and Outreach
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NACD Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation Webinar Featuring Indiana District
Scheduled for 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Eastern on July 18, 2019, this webinar will focus on urban soil health. The soil health initiative of the
Marion County SWCD
in Indiana
provides technical, financial and educational services to small farmers and gardeners in Indianapolis. The district will share its experiences in implementing the program and take a look at how cover crops, mulching, reduced tillage and accompanying conservation practices are being utilized in Indianapolis urban agriculture.
To register, click
here
and fill out this online form. If you have difficulty, please contact NACD Senior Advisor
Debra Bogar
at
deb-bogar@nacdnet.org
with your name, title, district or business name, state and email address. Information to access the webinar will be sent by email.
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NACD Seeking Award Nominations
Nominate your conservation leaders today! Show your appreciation for their work and dedication by sending in a nomination for one of NACD’s national conservation awards. Due August 31.
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Indiana State Soil Conservation Board Meeting
The July SSCB meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, July 29 at 9:30 AM at the Indiana Farm Bureau Building Assembly Hall B (225 S. East Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202).
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Indiana NRCS Accepting Applications to Improve Water Quality in Big Pine Watershed
Jerry Raynor, State Conservationist for Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced they are accepting applications to improve water quality in the Big Pine watershed located in northwest Indiana. Dollars are available for farmers through the Big Pine Watershed Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The Big Pine watershed covers almost 210,000 acres in western Indiana which includes portions of Benton, White, Warren, and Tippecanoe counties. The partnership is working with farmers in the area to increase the number of nutrient and sediment reducing practices on cropland. While applications are accepted on a continuous basis, August 9 will be the cutoff date this year to be considered for funding for this partnership project.
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Extended Deadlines to File Acreage Reports
USDA is extending the deadline for agricultural producers in states impacted by flooding and heavy moisture. The new July 22 deadline applies to producers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin for reporting spring-seeded crops to USDA’s Farm Service Agency county offices and crop insurance agents.
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Covered Bridge & Soil Health Tunnel, Pathway to Water Quality
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Partnership Agencies Encourage Farmers to Consider Monarch and Pollinator Habitat
With an August 9th sign-up deadline approaching, Pheasants and Quail Forever and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced they are accepting applications to establish habitat for monarch butterflies and other wildlife. To accelerate conservation benefits to pollinators with a focus on monarch butterflies, Indiana is participating in a multi-state Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project which directs additional funds to these habitat efforts, including the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
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USDA seeks new priority watersheds for the Mississippi River Basin Initiative and National Water Quality Initiative
Jerry Raynor, State Conservationist for Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced they are accepting proposals to designate new priority watersheds for the Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) and National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI). Known as “America’s River,” the Mississippi River is North America’s largest river, flowing over 2,300 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed not only provides drinking water, food, industry, and recreation for more than 18 million people, it also hosts a globally significant migratory flyway and home for over 325 bird species.
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Registration is Now Open for the Indiana Land Use Summit
Purdue Extension, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and the Indiana Land Resources Council (ILRC) invite you
to this one-day community planning workshop to be held on August 28 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex located at 1900 E. Main Street in Danville, Indiana.
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2019 Purdue Extension-Organic Agriculture Summer Program Series
Don't miss this summer series of programs to build knowledge in key areas of certified organic field crop production!
Visit Indiana farms to learn about their organic transition strategies, crop rotation, nutrient management, weed management, and markets. You’ll have the opportunity to network with other organic and transitional farmers and agricultural professionals from Indiana.
- July 24-25 Organic Agronomy Training Series (OATS), Crawfordsville, IN
- July 31 Hemp Research and Organic Grain Transition Field Day, Noble Organic Grains, Wawaka, IN
- August 2 Klemp Family Farms Organic Field Day, Wheatfield, IN
- August 8 Ramerview Holstein Organic Field Day, New Paris, IN
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2019 Purdue Rainscaping - Two Workshops Planned
The
Purdue Rainscaping Education Program’s goal
is to increase rainscaping in residential and small-scale public spaces. This workshop will teach master gardeners, landscape professionals, and agency staff how to promote community awareness and education for bioretention/rain garden planning, installation, and maintenance.
Purdue Rainscaping workshops are for:
• Purdue Master Gardeners
• Members of conservation agencies and organizations
• Stormwater professionals
• Landscape professionals and consultants
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September 5-6, 2019
Purdue Rainscaping – Posey County
Alexandrian Public Library
Register by August 26
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September 26-27, 2019
Purdue Rainscaping – Johnson & Marion Counties, Purdue Extension – Johnson County
Register by September 16
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Fridays in the Forest 2019
July - September
As a part of the DNR Invitation to Conservation (I2C), the Indiana DNR Division of Forestry will be hosting several events this summer to provide the citizens of Indiana an opportunity to learn more about Indiana’s forests and forestry. An RSVP to the stated contact person is requested for each program. All programs will have an outdoor component, so please wear appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes for hiking.
Urban Tree Pruning
July 26
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Indiana Government Center South
Yellowwood State Forest Backcountry Harvest: One Year Later
August 16
6 – 8 p.m.
Forest Archaeology
September 13
1 – 3 p.m.
Horse Campground
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Division of Fish and Wildlife
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Outdoor Indiana
, the state's premier magazine, delivers the wonders of the Hoosier outdoors to subscribers' homes and offices six times a year in 48 pages of vibrant color. For the best of state parks, lakes, wildlife, forests, trails, hunting, fishing, wildflowers and outdoorsy people, plus inside information from DNR experts,
subscribe
for $15 per year or $28 for two years. More information
here
.
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National Agroforestry Center Launches
New Website
The National Agroforestry Center has launched a new website that is easier to navigate and offers a responsive design to accommodate mobile and tablet users. The website offers a wealth of agroforestry publications and webinars benefiting resource professionals and land managers.
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Seeking Nominations for Certified Crop Adviser Conservationist Award
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) is seeking nominations for its Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Conservationist of the Year Award.
The CCA Conservationist of the Year Award annually recognizes a certified crop adviser who delivers exceptional conservation advice and results, customer service, is highly innovative, has shown that they are a leader in conservation, and has contributed substantially to the exchange of conservation ideas and the transfer of conservation knowledge within the agriculture industry. The deadline to submit nominations is
Thursday, Aug. 15, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern
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The 2019
CTIC Conservation in Action Tour
will be held August 20-21, 2019 in central Iowa. This year's tour will explore how Iowa farmers are at the leading edge of conservation practices—from the heart of the state's rich cropland to the edges of its fields and the banks of its rivers. The conservation farming systems we'll see are scientific, reasonable and cost-effective, helping farmers protect the environment and strengthen relationships with their non-farm neighbors while also improving the economics of their operations.
Registration closes July 26.
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SWCS-Hoosier Chapter, Summer Field Day
August 1
8:30 am
Wenning Farms, Greensburg, IN
Free, but register by July 25
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2019 Indiana Water Summit
Registration Now Open
The Indiana Water Summit is an opportunity to increase our collective understanding of statewide water resources, learn from national experts and other communities, and find the best ways to protect our water assets.
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SHI Releases Progress Report on Adoption of Soil Health Practices
The Soil Health Institute (SHI) has released PROGRESS REPORT: Adoption of Soil Health Systems Based on Data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture. The analysis includes a state-by-state breakdown of both cover crops and no-till production. The 2017 Census of Agriculture was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on April 11, 2019. The Census represents the most thorough overall assessment of a number of agricultural metrics that is conducted in the United States. Due to the time and expense involved with the Census, it is conducted only once every five years. Periodically, new questions are added, such as a question on cover crop acres that appeared for the first time in 2012 and was repeated in 2017.
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Award Nominations
The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) and Pollinator Partnership (P2) are pleased to solicit nominees for five prestigious awards.
Nominations due July 31.
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Funding Opportunity - National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - Conservation Partners Program
A funding opportunity is available for working lands conservation through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This funding program is called the
Conservation Partners Program
and the RFP is now open for applications. Please consider applying as well as passing along to anyone who you think may have an interest in applying. The application deadline is August 7.
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Pledge of the Month:
Waterfowl Management
No Crackers for Quackers
It's the middle of summer and people are spending a lot of time around the water - lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds. Our feathered water friends, too, are hanging out around these areas and the desire to feed them is often strong. But before you run into the house to grab a loaf of bread, let's rethink the issue and the problems that can arise from feeding ducks and geese.
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Indiana Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award for 2019
This award recognizes an individual who has performed superior service in nutrient management, soil and water management, pest management and crop production. Nomination forms due October 31, 2019.
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Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule FAQ Sheet
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Special thanks to the 68 Indiana Soil & Water Conservation Districts who have paid their membership dues to IASWCD
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Adams
Allen
Benton
Brown
Carroll
Cass
Clark
Clay
Clinton
Crawford
Daviess
Dearborn
Decatur
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DeKalb
Delaware
Dubois
Elkhart
Floyd
Fountain
Franklin
Fulton
Gibson
Hamilton
Harrison
Hendricks
Henry
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Howard
Jackson
Jasper
Jennings
Knox
Kosciusko
LaGrange
Lake
LaPorte
Lawrence
Marion
Martin
Monroe
Morgan
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Newton
Noble
Owen
Parke
Perry
Pike
Porter
Posey
Pulaski
Putnam
Ripley
Rush
Shelby
Spencer
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St Joseph
Starke
Steuben
Sullivan
Tippecanoe
Vanderburgh
Vermillion
Wabash
Warrick
Washington
Wayne
Wells
White
Whitley
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Job Postings
:
Current list of Conservation Job Opportunities now posted on the
IASWCD website.
- Fayette & Union County District Coordinator, Fayette and Union County Soil & Water Conservation Districts
- Floodplain Manager, City of Columbus
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.
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Upcoming Conservation Events
:
July 18 - Grant Writing and CWI Networking Session
July 23 - Grant Writing and CWI Networking Session
July 24 - Organic Agronomy Training
July 25 - Organic Agronomy Training
July 25 - Women's Learning Circle, Starke/Pulaski Co.
July 25 - Woodlands Mgmt Workshop, Boone Co.
July 27 - Eel River Clean Up, Wabash Co.
July 29 - Women's Learning Circle, Wabash/Miami
July 31 - Hemp Research and Organic Farm Tour
August 1 - SWCS-Hoosier Chapter, Summer Field Day
August 2 - Organic Grain Field Day
August 14 - River Friendly Farmer Awards event
August 14-15 - Indiana Water Summit
August 16 - Big Pine Creek Watershed Historical Tour
August 20-21 - Conservation in Action Tour
August 20 - Supervisor and Staff Summer Training
August 22 - ICP Pollinator Training
August 22 - Supervisor and Staff Summer Training
August 27 - Supervisor and Staff Summer Training
August 27 - Cover Crop Workshop, Miami Co.
August 28 - Indiana Land Use Summit
August 29 - Supervisor and Staff Summer Training
September 5 - Organic Grain Field Day
September 5 - Women's Learning Circle, Huntington Co.
September 10 - Frank Gibbs, Wabash and Grant Co.
September 17 - State Soil Conservation Board meeting
October 1-3 - IDEA Fall Conference, Clifty Inn
October 10 - Women's Learning Circle, Lawrence Co.
October 29 - State Soil Conservation Board meeting
2020:
January 12-14 - Annual Indiana SWCD Conference, Indpls.
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