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Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
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June 21, 2017 |
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Conservation Update
June 8, 2017 - June 21, 2017
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IASWCD News
District Showcase Awards - nominations due July 31
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.
I
ASWCD Resolution Submission
Districts - if you would like to submit a resolution for consideration, please fill out this
Google Form. Resolutions are
due to the IASWCD office by Friday, September 8, 2017. These resolutions will be considered at the IASWCD Business Meeting on January 9, 2018 (during annual conference).
SHOUT OUT***SHOUT OUT***SHOUT OUT***SHOUT OUT
Hats off to
Trisha McClain, Watershed Coordinator of the Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District. She spent time with Tom Bechman, from Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine, and explained watersheds and how she works to increase the water quality in Clinton County's two watersheds.
Read more...
Pathway to Water Quality
Volunteer Sign Up:
All volunteers will receive a Pathway to Water Quality t-shirt and weekend volunteers will receive two tickets for fair admission.
Click here
to sign up.
Pathway Celebration: Join conservation staff, leaders and the public at the opening of the 25th year of PWQ on August 4 at 9:30 am.
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NACD News
July 15-18 SUMMER MEETING . . .
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION RATES, HOTEL DISCOUNTS
EXTENDED TO
FRIDAY!
Announcing the 2018 Stewardship Week Theme
The NACD Stewardship and Education Committee is excited to announce the release of the 2018 poster contest and 2018 stewardship week theme:
"Watersheds - Our Water, Our Home"
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ISDA News
Photo Contest to Spotlight Indiana Agriculture
ISDA is accepting submissions for the 10th annual Indiana Agriculture
photo contest
, which was created to showcase the hard work and contributions made by Hoosier farmers. This contest is open to the general public, and winning photographs will be featured during a ceremony at the
2017 Indiana State Fair
. Deadline for submission is June 30.
Read more
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USDA-SARE News
Farmer Field Day Toolkit Available
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."
More than $22 Million in Conservation Innovation Awarded
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that the agency will award more than $22.6 million to drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation. The agency is investing in 33 projects nationwide through its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which helps develop the tools, technologies, and strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop market-based solutions to resource challenges. Public and private grantees - including non-governmental organizations, American Indian tribes, academic institutions and local government entities - will leverage the federal investment by at least matching it. Read more...
Webinar: How to Improve Soil Health on Urban Farms
This webinar, recorded on June 13, discusses how a soil health management system can be implemented on a 3.5-acre mixed vegetable, urban farm to enhance microbial soil life.
Click here to view.
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
Beginning Farmer Veterans to Tour Tuttle Orchards
Veterans, active military and their families are invited to join Purdue Extension's
Indiana Beginning Farmer program for an educational session and tour of Tuttle Orchards near Greenfield.
The program will be held July 8, beginning with an educational session at Buck Creek Township Fire Department. The session will focus on basic orchard and fruit tree care followed by lunch and an afternoon tour of Tuttle Orchards. Registration is required. Cost is $10 per person and space is limited. Read more...
Got Nature? Blog
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IDEM
Seeking nominations for 2017 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence
 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.
The Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence is open to any Indiana citizen, business, nonprofit organization, school, or government agency. All projects submitted must demonstrate significant, measurable results that positively impact Indiana's environment. Nominated projects must be sustainable, innovative, exemplary, and thoroughly documented. Nominations must be received by IDEM
no later than 5 p.m. (EDT) Friday, July 28, 2017.
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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...
SWCS Annual Conference
July 30-August 2 in Madi
son, Wisconsin
Conference Agenda and Registration information can be found
here.
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. Deadline to register is August 4 or before that if the class fills - Space is limited.
67 spots remaining!
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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 species 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.
Lesson Plan: Benefits of Connecting with Nature
This resource was posted in January 2017 and authored by:
Molly Hunt; Katie Zuber, Lindsey Pedigo on the Purdue Extension Education Store. This Nature of Teaching lesson plan teaches students the relationship between outdoor experiences and mental health. Free download available.
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