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Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
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July 5, 2017 |
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Conservation Update
June 22, 2017 - July 5, 2017
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IASWCD News
District Showcase Awards - nominations due July 31
We want to hear about your success
and showcase your District!
Indiana's District Showcase Award is designed to highlight the success of four local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in the Hoosier state. The award focus allows Districts the opportunity to share new project ideas or better ways to design and implement existing conservation projects and more. The award is sponsored by the
Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP).
In addition, the winners will be provided the opportunity to showcase their work during a visit by the ICP leaders in the fall and at the annual SWCD conference in January 2018. So . . . tell us your story! Brag about what's happening in your district! We want to hear all about it. Application and more information here.
River Friendly Farmers will be Honored on August 16
Indiana's 2017 River Friendly Farmers will be honored at the Indian
a
State Fairgrounds on W
ednesday, August 16. Check-in for the farmers and their families begins at 11 am with the ceremony at 1 pm in the 4-H Exhibit Hall. All are welcome to attend!
Pathway to Water Quality Volunteer Sign-Up
A few spots left to volunteer . . .
| Saturday, Aug. 5 |
1 spot |
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Sunday, Aug. 6 |
3 spots |
| Saturday, Aug. 12 |
2 spots |
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Sunday, Aug. 13 |
4 spots
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| Monday, Aug. 14 |
2 spots |
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Friday, Aug. 18 |
1 spot |
| Saturday, Aug. 19 |
5 spots |
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Sunday, Aug. 20 |
5 spots |
All volunteers will receive a Pathway to Water Quality t-shirt and weeken
d
volunteers will receive two tickets for fair admission.
Click here
to sign up.
IASWCD Resolution Submission
All resolution information, including submission forms or online submission form link can be found on the
IASWCD website. Due September 8, 2017.
SHOUT OUT***SHOUT OUT***SHOUT OUT***SHOUT OUT
projects in which conservation practices were used
to successfully improve water quality. The report finds that relying on local conservation districts, among other factors, is key to project success. Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation District
was featured in this report for their
extensive work with several partners on the Shatto Ditch Project. Widespread cover crop promotion and adoption, along with the installation of a two-stage ditch lead to a documented
80 percent reduction in nitrate-
N loss from tile drains through year-round sampling at the watershed scale. Read the full report and more...
Also - see article below in the NACD section...Steve Wallpe, Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor receives a Farmer Spotlight Award from Field to Market! Congratulations!
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NACD News
NACD Participates at Field to Market Session
Field to Market - an organization supported by a long list of agricultur
al and conservation partners, including NACD - seeks to engage 20 percent
of U.S. commodity crop acres in its supply chain sustainability program by 2020.
Several conservation district leaders were honored by Field to Market as well. One of the
Farmer Spotlight awards - which are presented to produ
cers who use Field to Market's Fieldprint Platform to track their operation's stewardship improvements - went to Steve Wallpe, a producer and member of Indiana's Benton County Soil and Water Conse
rvation District (SWCD
) Board.
Wallpe and his wife Lana raise corn, soybeans, wheat, and cattle on their 1,800-acre operation. (pictured L to R: Diane Herndon, Steve Wallpe, David Schemm)
Now accepting 2017 NACD Service Award Nominations
Winners of the following awards will be honored at the NACD 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 30, 2018 and highlighted in NACD publications. Nominations accepted through August 31, 2017.
Read more ...
- The NACD Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the association, a conservation district, or a state association that has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation's natural resources. Nominees can be involved with districts or the association at any level, including past NACD officers. Nominations are also accepted for individuals posthumously.
- The NACD Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation's natural resources. Any individual, business, organization or agency that is not directly associated with conservation districts at the local, state, or national level is eligible to receive this award.
 2018 Stewardship Week Theme
Mark Your Calendars: April 29-May 6
The NACD Stewardship and Education Committee is excited to announce the release of the 2018 poster contest and 2018 stewardship week theme:
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ISDA News
Indiana Agriculture Strategic Plan
For the past 18 months, various leaders of Indiana's agriculture
community and representatives from agricultural boards, universities, non-government and
government organizations.have been meeting and developing the
Indiana Agriculture Strategic Plan
.
This plan, which was unveiled
on June 26 at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, provides direction for Indiana agricultur
e over the next 10 years and will help drive success for farmers, the industry and the state's ec
onomy.
Read more
...
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USDA-SARE News
Great Resource - Farmer Field Day Toolkit!
Looking for some tips on how to host successful field days or on-farm demonstrations? This new digital toolkit resource released by USDA-SARE includes sections on working with the media, creating press releases, hosting a successful field day tips, a suggested timeline and much more! Downloadable tools, templates and more information
here.
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USDA-NRCS News
Technical Resource: The Soil Survey Manual
The newly updated Soil Survey Manual provides the major principles and practices needed for making and using soil surveys and for assembling and using related data. It is now
available online as a downloadable PDF and you can print or view the entire manual or specific chapters.
Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool (RSET)
RSET is a free service that allows farmers and ranchers to assess how they are addressing key natural resources thresholds for water quality and quantity, soil health, air quality, and wildlife habitat through their stewardship practices on cropland, grazing land, and range land. This tool enhances the conservation planning process. Read more...
NRCS has archived several educational webinars for districts on the Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool.
Go to this YouTube playlist to view
"RSE Overview," "Cropland RSE: How-To Guide," "Range RSE: How-To Guide," "Pasture RSE: How-To Guide," and "Science Behind RSE."
Webinar: High Tunnel Systems
August 2 at 2 pm EST.
Participants will learn about techniques used in high tunnel cropping systems to address issues with salinity, nutrient management, and pest management.Click here to join webinar.
Science & Technology Training Library: ALL Webinars
Click here for the calendar view of past and upcoming Conservation Webinars
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Pur
due Extension
Purdue Teams Up with Indiana DNR:
Invasive Species Workshops
Cliff Sadof, Purdue University professor of
entomology and
Purdue Extension pest management specialist, and Carrie Tauscher, state community and urban forester at the
Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will lead three workshops on invasive forest pests that pose a significant threat to Indiana's urban and rural forests. Each workshop will include presentations on the biology, signs and symptoms, and management of invasive forest pests. Participants will also learn about technology used by citizen scientists to report these pests across the state. Light refreshments will be provided.
Gardeners, professional foresters, concerned citizens and anyone interested in learning more about Indiana forest pests are welcome.
The workshops are free and open to all ages and levels of knowledge, but please register here. Pesticide applicator CCHs, ISA CEUs, and SAF CFEs will be available.
The workshop schedule is as follows:
- July 11, 6-8 p.m. EST at the Purdue Extension-Monroe County office, 3400 S. Walnut St., Bloomington.
- July 12, 6-8 p.m. EST at the Purdue Extension-Dearborn County office, 229 Main St., Aurora.
- July 13, 6-8 p.m. EST at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 802 Memorial Drive, Nashville
Beginning Farmer Veterans to Tour Tuttle Orchards on July 8
Registration is required. Cost is $10 per person and space is limited. Read more...
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IDEM
Seeking nominations for 2017 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence due by July 28
 The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is seeking nominations for the 2017 Indiana Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. This award is the state's most prestigious environmental recognition.
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Other News
AgrIInstitute: Seeking Applicants for the "Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program" (Class 18)
AgrIInstitute is seeking individuals who will step forward to lead agriculture and rural communities for today and tomorrow. They are seeking individuals who want to advance their skills and expertise in leadership; and, 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. Are you ready or do you know someone ready to be a "Difference Maker" for agriculture?Applications must be submitted by January 12, 2018.
Read more...
2017 Drainage School
August 23 from 8:30 am to 4 pm
Indiana Farm Bureau Building - downtown Indianapolis
Drainage School promotes an understanding of the laws and regulations impacting drainage decisions in Indiana. Seminar attendees will gain a greater knowledge of drainage law and dispute resolution. Farmers, public officials, agency personnel, attorneys and members of the general public are invited.
Registration, Agenda and other information can be found here.
Sign up ends August 4 or before that if the class fills - Space is limited.
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Resources
The Pulling Together Initiative, a program of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is intended to help local communities throughout the country promote the conservation of natural habitats by preventing, managing, or eradicating invasive and noxious plant species. This program provides grants to develop or advance Cooperative Weed Management Areas and Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas. Priority will be given to projects that include partnerships with a wide cross-section of invasive speci
es stakeholders including private landowners, local nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and federal agencies. Grant awards will range from $10,000 to $100,000. All grants require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services from non-federal sources. Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, Indian tribes, and educational institutions are eligible to apply.
Pre-proposals must be submitted online by July 12, 2017; full proposals are due September 19, 2017.
Visit the NFWF website to review the Request for Proposals.
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