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Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
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February 14, 2018 |
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Conservation Update
February 1 - February 14, 2018
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IASWCD News
DISTRICTS: AgLearn Security Awareness Training Reminder
Any SWCDs using AgLearn need to complete the Information Security Awareness Training
by Feb. 16. The due date in AgLearn may reflect a later date, but NRCS has an internal deadline of Feb. 16.
Legislative Updates Posted on IASWCD Website
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NACD News
NACD Responds to President Trump's FY19 Budget Proposal
February 12, 2018 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) released the following statement regarding
 President Donald Trump's budget for conservation programs in the 2019 fiscal year.
"Once again, this administration is calling on American producers to do more with less," NACD President Brent Van Dyke said. "The President's budget proposes cuts to almost every area of USDA's discretionary and mandatory budgets, including nearly $15 billion in cuts to farm bill conservation programs and over a 20 percent reduction to Conservation Operations."
Read more..
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Urban and Community Conservation Webinar
February 15
12 pm - 1 pm EST
Topic: The George Barley Water Prize
Scotts Miracle-Gro will share about its commitment to solving the problem of harmful algal blooms (HABs) that are driven by excess nutrients and affecting fresh waterbodies in all 50 U.S. states. The webinar will focus on Scotts' sustainability commitments, partnerships with local groups around the country, and its sponsorship of the $10M
George Barley Water Prize competition, a global race for a lasting solution to excess phosphorus in freshwater. Participants will have access to resources and case studies of how to address HABs in their districts and opportunities to ask questions of the presenters. To register, email 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.
NACD Announces Conservation Award Winners
More t
han 1,000 leaders in conservation from across the coun
try
gathered in Nashville, Tennessee
to celebrate the 2018 NACD Annual Meeting. During that meeting, NACD presented several awards including the 2017 Earth Team Award to Indiana's Monroe County SWCD.
Read more
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Accepting the award on behalf of the Monroe County SWCD is Jane Hardisty, retired State Conservationist; Jill Reinhart, Acting State Conservationist; and, Jennifer Boyle Warner, IASWCD Executive Director
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ISDA News
About the Indiana State Department of Agriculture
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture was established as a separate state agency by the Legislature in 2005.
The Director of ISDA is appointed by the
Governor
and is a member of the Governor's Cabinet. Administratively, ISDA reports to the
Lt. Governor
, who also serves as Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state. Read more...
Next State Soil Conservation Board Meeting (SSCB)
March 20
9:30 am - 12 noon (EST)
NRCS Indianapolis Office, 6013 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46278
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USDA-NRCS News
Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance Hires Executive Director
 (Indianapolis) - February 5, 2018 - Indiana Farm Bureau and the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Indiana announced that Ben Wicker started his new role as the executive director of the Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance (IANA), a partnership of agriculture groups, government agencies and academia working to improve soil health and nutrient management practices. Wicker holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and crop science from Purdue University and is an active member of his family's diversified grain, forage and cattle operation in Rush County.
Read more...
Indiana NRCS Accepting Second Round Applications to Improve Water Quality in Mississippi River Basin
Indianapolis, February 9, 2018-Jill Reinhart, Acting State Conservationist for Indiana's USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that NRCS is accepting applications until March 16 to be considered for second round funding to improve water quality in targeted high priority watersheds in the Mississippi River Basin. This program helps fund conservation practices that will reduce loss of nutrients and sediment to waters that eventually flow into the Gulf of Mexico.
Read more...
Retirement Party for Jane Hardisty
Honor Jane at her official retirement party
February 24
Reception: 4:30 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm
Primo Banquet Hall and Conference Center, Indianapolis
Reservations being taken now!
Information and registration form can be found
here
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You can still make a reservation until February 16 (this Friday)!
Read the Latest Soil Health Update
USDA Seeks Applications for $10 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants
USDA is offering grants for innovative ideas for conservation strategies and technologies. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest $10 million in the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, funding innovative conservation projects in three focus areas: grazing lands, organic systems and soil health. Grant proposals are due Feb. 26, 2018.
Read more...
FY18 Information Security Awareness Training in AgLearn
All NRCS Employees and Partners with USDA Access - this course must be completed by February 16. Information here.
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Other News
Red Gold Stewardship and Conservation Award
ELWOOD, Ind. - Red Gold has announced that Harold and Tom Parker of Parker Farms, in La Porte, Indiana, were recognized as the 2017 Red Gold Stewardship and Conservation Award recipients.
The award is presented each year to one of Red Gold's growers who exemplify exceptional stewardship and conservation of their land and natural resources on their entire farming operation.
The Parkers started growing for Red Gold in 2012 and grow roughly 200 acres of tomatoes. Read more...
Call out to all Indiana SWCDs
Women4theLand has received a CIG grant to host Urban Women's Learning Circles in 2018 and 2019. The emphasis is on urban absentee landowners. Women4theLand is seeking districts who are interested in partnering with them and hosting these circles as well as rural landowner circles. Please contact Heather Bacher for more information or to get your district's circle scheduled now at
hbacher@women4theland.org
o
r
317-514-4634
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Our Farms, Our Future Conference
August 3-5, 2018
St. Louis, Missouri
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