Conservation INsight
May 22, 2019
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Nominate a River Friendly Farmer Now Through June 14
This annual statewide initiative, River Friendly Farmer Award, recognizes farmers, who through good production management practices, help keep Indiana’s rivers, lakes and streams clean. Each county Soil and Water Conservation District may nominate up to two farmers who do an outstanding job of protecting their rivers, lakes and streams through their every day conservation management practices on the farm. Watershed organizations also may nominate farmers for the award by submitting an application to a county SWCD. The 2019 River Friendly Farmer Award Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Visit the IASWCD website for nomination forms and more information.
Deadline to submit nominations and the required signature page: June 14, 2019.
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SAVE THE DATE:
District Supervisor and Staff Summer Training
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. This year's August training will provide a time for networking, partner updates, State Association news, technical training and a Digital Ready program offering from Purdue Extension.
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2020 Annual Conference of SWCDs: Early Bird Rates Now Available for Exhibitor Space
The 2020 Annual Conference will take place January 13-14, 2020 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Exhibitors can now reserve their spots in the trade show at the early bird discounted rate. Booths are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you reserve early for the best price and spot!
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Pathway to Water Quality
This year, volunteer sign-up for staffing Pathway to Water Quality at the 2019 Indiana State Fair will open at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 3. Indiana State Fair is August 2-18.
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Submit an Event
Add your conservation district's tree sale, state association meeting, field day or celebration to NACD's calendar. Events will be reviewed by the website administrator and published to
NACD's online calendar
when approved.
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NACD Encourages Local Input for ESA Delistings
Washington
– The National Association of Conservation Districts submitted
comments
to the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the proposed delisting of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Gray wolf populations have been federally protected under endangered species legislation since 1967. “NACD is encouraged by the agency’s decision to review releasing the gray wolf from the ESA’s endangered and threatened list,” NACD President Tim Palmer said. “The nation’s conservation districts and landowners know the land and its natural resources and are best-equipped to make decisions regarding its management.”
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NACD Announces 2020 Stewardship Theme
The NACD Stewardship and Education Committee announced the release of the 2020 Poster Contest and Stewardship Week theme:
“Where would we BEE without Pollinators?”
The 65th Annual Stewardship Week will take place Apr. 26 – May 3, 2020. Rules, entry forms and other resources for the 2020 NACD Poster Contest will be available for download later this summer.
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Spring 2019 Edition of
The Resource
has Arrived and Focuses on Partnerships!
At NACD, as with conservation districts across the nation, they know that partnerships offer us strength, providing us with an avenue to explore new, mutually beneficial ideas. Find inspiration for new projects for your district or state or territory association in this latest edition.
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NACD to begin Conducting Listening Sessions
In summer and fall 2019, NACD will be hosting a series of listening sessions, giving our members the opportunity to provide feedback on our programs and guidance of how we can improve our value as a national association. These member-focused listening sessions will be hosted across the country, giving our members the opportunity to learn more about NACD and its services while expressing their views to NACD’s leadership and staff.
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U&C RPG Seeks Webinar Topics, Speakers
Is there a conservation topic you would like to learn more about? The NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group (RPG) invites your input for the urban and community (U&C) webinar series beginning in October 2019. Email your proposals and topic/speaker ideas to NACD Senior Advisor Debra Bogar at
deb-bogar@nacdnet.org
by July 1, 2019.
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2019 IDEA Fall Conference
October 1-3
Clifty Inn, Madison, IN
It's time to register and reserve your room! Please view the agenda with breakout sessions prior to registration as you will need to choose your sessions at registration. Registration deadline: August 30.
Hotel rooms can be reserved at Clifty Inn by calling 1-877-LODGES-1 or online at
www.indianainns.com
. Rate is $91/night with group code 1001 ID. Space is limited.
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Conservation Districts Awarded
$900,000 to Improve Water Quality
INDIANAPOLIS (May 15, 2019)
—The
Indiana State Department of Agriculture
and the
State Soil Conservation Board
awarded more than $900,000 in matching grant funds to Indiana’s 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Each district will receive approximately $10,000, which will be used to support their local conservation efforts. “Improving water quality takes considerable time, energy, but, especially, resources,” said
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch
, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I applaud the State Soil Conservation Board for making this funding available, as well as Indiana’s conservation districts for the work they’re doing to conserve our natural resources.”
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Grant Writing and CWI Networking Sessions
The District Support Specialists are hosting another grant writing workshop in July 2019! Amy Shankland from Grants Avenue, LLC, will present again this year. Time will also be available to get started on a CWI grant project application. If you missed the training last year, we hope you can join us this year. District Supervisors and ISDA Resource Specialists are encourage to attend as well! Register by July 12. Special thanks to Clean Water Indiana and the State Soil Conservation Board for making this a FREE training. Two dates available: July 18 and July 23. See flyer for details.
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Agronomy "Crib" Notes
Indiana NRCS Conservation Agronomists provide technical assistance to Indiana's Conservation Partnership Field Service Centers in all phases of the agronomy program. See the latest pdf regarding "Dealing with Wet Spring Soils."
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May 29, 2019 3:00 pm US/Eastern
Participants will join to learn about a new opportunity included in the 2018 Farm Bill that provides eligible entities an opportunity to apply to collaborate with NRCS to implement innovative on-farm conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials On-Farm Trials supports more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices and systems on working lands.
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USDA Opens Signup for New On-Farm Trials Effort
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2019
– USDA is investing up to $25 million per year over the next five years to help support the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through July 15, 2019, for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials), a new, additional sub-program created by the 2018 Farm Bill for the USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. On-Farm Trials include a Soil Health Demo Trial, also created by the 2018 Farm Bill.
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From our family to yours,
Indiana's Family of Farmers
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Event Planned for June 9
Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN), Indiana Farmers Union and Indy Women in Food are combining forces to bring a
Plate to Politics
event to downtown Indianapolis. Designed to encourage Hoosier women working in the food and agriculture industries to run for leadership positions throughout the state.
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USDA-Farm Service Agency
Now Accepting Applications to Help Cover Producers’ Costs for Organic Certification
WASHINGTON, May 6, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
(OCCSP). Applications for fiscal 2019 funding are due Oct. 31, 2019. “Producers can visit their local FSA county offices to apply for up to 75 percent of the cost of organic certification,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce.
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In-Service Workshop for ICP Employees:
Using Native Warm-Season Grasses in a Grazing System
June 20
9 am - 3:30 pm
Southern Indiana Purdue Agriculture Center
Participants will learn the latest research-supported methods for reliable native forage establishment and grazing management to maintain grass vigor and animal performance through the summer. This training is being presented by
The Center for Native Grasslands Management
and NBCI through a grant provided by Quail Forever and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in support of the Working Lands For Wildlife: Bobwhite in Grasslands project.
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2019 Conservation in Action Tour
The 2019 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour will be held August 20-21, 2019 in central Iowa. From our starting point in Des Moines, we will examine a wide range of edge-of-field systems, in-field solutions, and management practices.
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USDA-NASS Mid Year Surveys
During the first two weeks of June, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will survey over 2,500 farmers across Indiana to determine crop acreage and supplies levels in 2019.
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Producer Workshop:
Using Native Warm-Season Grasses in a Grazing System
June 21
8:30 am - 12 noon
Southern Indiana Purdue Agriculture Center
Participants will learn the latest research-supported methods for reliable native forage establishment and grazing management to maintain grass vigor and animal performance through the summer.
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RSVP for an Upcoming Public Funds Management Seminar
Join Treasurer of State, Kelly Mitchell, and key staff members to learn more about a host of timely and important subjects. Topics will include investment options for local governments, assessment of risk, finding low-cost financing when borrowing, and today’s economy. Three dates in June available.
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Host a Women’s Learning Circle in Your County
Women4theLand can help provide an opportunity for you to host a Women's Learning Circle with resources, templates and trained facilitators. For more information, please contact
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Pollinator Week is Next Month!
Pollinator Week is quickly approaching and will take place from June 17 - 23.
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Plant, Spray, Fertilize, Till? Working Through a Busy Spring
Indianapolis, IN - May 9, 2019
As we sit in early May, it has been a struggle for many Indiana farmers to get out and begin much fieldwork. With many of us feeling the calendar begin to bear down, we know that when the window of opportunity opens, it will result in a flurry of activity. However, for many, planting the crop is not the only spring operation that needs to be completed. Here are some thoughts around prioritizing your springtime operations.
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Applications for the
Indiana Agricultural
Leadership Program
due January 17, 2020
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.
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Job Postings
:
Current list of Conservation Job Opportunities now posted on the
IASWCD website.
- Conservation Technician, Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District
- Soil Health Program Manager, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
- Program Manager, Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative
- Office Manager, Kosciusko County SWCD
- District Coordinator-Treasurer, Wayne 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.
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Upcoming Conservation Events
:
May 27 - Memorial Day
May 28-June 5 - Stewardship Week
May 30 - Pond Clinic, Wayne Co.
June 14 - DEADLINE: River Friendly Farmer nominations
June 17-23 - Pollinator Week
June 20 - Using Native Warm Season Grasses/Grazing
June 20 - Women's Learning Circle, Boone Co.
June 21 - Women's Learning Circle, Hamilton Co.
June 26 - Women's Learning Circle, Gibson Co.
July 16 - Agronomy Field Day, DeKalb Co.
July 16 - State Soil Conservation Board meeting
July 18 - Grant Writing and CWI Networking Session
July 23 - Grant Writing and CWI Networking Session
July 25 - Woodlands Mgmt Workshop, Boone Co.
August 14 - River Friendly Farmer Awards event
August 20-21 - Conservation in Action Tour
September 17 - State Soil Conservation Board meeting
October 1-3 - IDEA Fall Conference, Clifty Inn
October 29 - State Soil Conservation Board meeting
2020:
January 12-14 - Annual Indiana SWCD Conference, Indpls.
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