Conservation INsight
March 29, 2023
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SWCDs: Time to Update District Directory Information in Conservation Link
Updates to IASWCD's email database lists are made late spring/early summer based on the information in ISDA's Conservation Link site. Please verify that your District Staff and Supervisors' names are current in Conservation Link, so that communication from the association reaches everyone. If you need assistance updating this information, please reach out to your District Support Specialist.
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April Lunch 'n Learns
One each week in April
These one-hour long Zoom learning sessions are geared towards Indiana SWCD Staff and Supervisors. All are welcome to attend!
Each presentation will include time for Q&A.
Please register for each session individually to receive the Zoom link. (These sessions will be recorded and posted on the IASWCD website.)
April 5: Source Water Protection & The Farm Bill - Presenter: Toby Days, Source Water Specialist, Alliance of Indiana Rural Water
April 12: NACD: Advocating for Districts Nationally as One Voice - Presenter: Beth Mason, North Central Region Rep, National Association of Conservation Districts
April 19: Resources and Assistance for Woodland Owners - Presenter: Liz Jackson, Forestry Extension Specialist for Purdue University Dept of Forestry & Natural Resources; Executive Director, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Assoc and the National Walnut Council
April 27: Invasive Species GIS Tool Development via Partnership - Presenter: Claire Lane, Urban Conservationist, Hamilton County SWCD
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LAST CALL! Submit Abstracts for the
2024 Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs
Due: March 31
The Annual SWCD Conference offers a unique learning and training opportunity for Indiana's Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors, Staff, and Conservation Partners. We anticipate over 350 attendees representing local/state/regional/national organizations, public agencies, businesses and more. Oral presentations are invited to be considered on topics relating to three session tracks: On the Ground (conservation implementation/technical), District Management, and Outreach & Education.
2023 Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Conference
January 8-9, 2024
The Westin Indianapolis, 241 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Abstracts for consideration can be submitted by March 31, 2023 via the link below.
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Indiana Delegation Participates in National Fly-In
By Ethan Truax, Hendricks County SWCD Supervisor and IASWCD Board Member
On March 22-23, several Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) board members and Liz Rice, Executive Director, participated in the National Association of Conservation Districts' (NACD) Fly-In in Washington D.C. For the first time in three years, delegations from all regions of the United States gathered in the Capitol to advocate for our nation’s natural resources.
The Indiana delegation included IASWCD Board members Roger Wenning, Gene Schmidt and Ethan Truax. Dan Hovland and David Doctorian, from Indiana’s state office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), joined IASWCD to provide technical information.
During both days, this Indiana group met with several Indiana senators and congresspeople as well as the staff of 10 of the 11 members of Indiana’s congressional delegation. In these meetings, we educated our representatives and senators on the ways that Indiana benefits from robust federal conservation programs. We specifically focused on how demand is outpacing the supply of cost share dollars; and the need for increasing the availability of technical assistance across the state. Additionally, we shared updates on IASWCD’s efforts to increase support for districts in the upcoming state budget and how that will allow districts to better leverage available federal dollars.
Together, we stressed the need to maintain localized leadership of conservation programs. The group discussed the importance of producer led cost-share projects; and, the importance of NRCS conservationists, based in district or local working groups, determining what environmental issues are the priorities facing their districts.
While our congresspeople were grateful for the information we provided on the impact of the Farm Bill, we cannot let advocacy stop there. I encourage you to reach out to your local offices to share your personal experiences with federal conservation programs or how technical assistance has helped you develop conservation practices in your own communities. Invite them to see firsthand how important these efforts are for Indiana. Building relationships locally and in DC will ensure that we will continue to make progress for the next ten years.
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L to R: Roger Wenning, Ethan Truax, Liz Rice, Gene Schmidt |
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IDEA 2023 Membership Drive
Due March 31
Dues for membership in the Indiana District Employee Association must be received no later than March 31. See membership form for membership benefits and more information.
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ISDA-Division of Soil Conservation |
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Indiana NRCS Newsletter:
Hoosier Headlines
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Indiana NRCS Accepting Second Round Applications to Improve Water Quality in Big Pine Watershed
INDIANAPOLIS (March 15, 2023) – David Doctorian, acting state conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Indiana announced today that applications are still being accepted to improve water quality in the Big Pine Creek watershed located in northwest Indiana.
Dollars are available for farmers through the Big Pine Creek Watershed Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The Big Pine Creek watershed covers almost 210,000 acres in northwestern Indiana including 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.
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USDA Collecting Responses for 2022 Census of Agriculture
The Census of Agriculture allows producers to tell the story of U.S. agriculture and it’s not too late to respond. Since data collection began last fall, over 1 million ag census recipients across the country have returned their questionnaires. USDA will continue to collect completed 2022 ag census forms through the spring to ensure all producers have the chance to be represented in widely used census data.
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NRCS Refines Nutrient Management Strategies to Improve Conservation Outcomes
By Terry J. Cosby, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, March 16, 2023
In 2022, NRCS developed a strategic operational plan to address changing trends in agriculture, enhancing our existing nutrient management conservation efforts. This plan includes promoting SMART Nutrient Management planning and highlighting the importance of comprehensive, site-specific assessment of nutrient loss risks. It also includes several science-based nutrient management and water quality strategies for improving conservation outcomes, and NRCS continues to move this work forward.
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Fridays on the Farm: Tapping into Conservation
By Brandon O’Connor, NRCS, Indiana
March 24, 2023
This Friday meet Rich Hines of Springboro Tree Farms in Brookston, Indiana, where he works with his family and friends. The land was primarily used for hunting and fishing until a forester from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources recommended they try making maple syrup due to the high number of sugar maple trees on the property. Intrigued by the opportunity, Rich tapped a few trees and started boiling. (Photo: Brandon O'Connor, NRCS)
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USDA Announces Cooperative Agreements for Compost and Food Waste Reduction
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of up to $9.5 million for Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2023. The cooperative agreements support projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. They are part of USDA’s broader efforts to support urban agriculture.
USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) – led by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service – will accept applications on Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 15, 2023. Projects should span two years with a start date of Dec. 1, 2023, and completion date of Dec. 1, 2025.
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Photo credit: Brandon O'Connor, NRCS |
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Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition Mentorship Program
The Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition is launching a Mentorship program. Mentors and Mentees are paid for this pilot ($1,000 each), thanks to grant funds. Mentors get to share what they've learned on their farms so far, and Mentees get to connect with someone who's walked in their shoes. This year's program is for "specialty crop growers" - you know, folks who raise veggies, fruit, honey, maple syrup, etc.
Apply by March 31.
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NCR-SARE Hero Nominations
To bring awareness of, recognize, and pay tribute to those who have made significant contributions to sustainable agriculture in the North Central region, the NCR-SARE is accepting nominations for the “NCR-SARE Hero” recognition. Nominations are due March 31, 2023.
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Tell Your Story: Creating Your Narrative and Leadership Presence
March 31, 2023
Indiana Soybean Alliance
8425 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis 46240
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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Indiana Envirothon Looks Forward to the State Competition
The 2023 Indiana Envirothon Competition is underway. Teams across Indiana competed in the Regionals in March and top placing teams from each region will compete in the Indiana State Envirothon to be held on April 26th at Camp Illiana in Washington, Indiana.
Special thanks to the people listed below and SWCDs for their coordination of the Regional Envirothon competitions and dedication to the Indiana Envirothon. They, and the counties they work for, go the extra mile for Indiana High School students.
- Jennifer Lute, Northwest Contest, Laporte SWCD
- Nadean Lamle, Northeast Contest, Whitley County SWCD
- Mary Lou Watson, North Central Contest, Miami County SWCD
- Jan Came, West Central Contest, NRCS-USDA, Greencastle
- LuAnne Holeva, East Central Contest, Wayne County SWCD
- Susan King, Southwest Contest, Warrick County SWCD
- Hannah Martin, South Central Contest, Monroe County SWCD
- Stephanie Baker, South Central Contest, Lawrence County SWCD
For a complete list of winning teams, click the button below.
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The 2023 Professional Development Program Grant Call for proposals is now available. Proposals are due at 4pm central on April 6, 2023.
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SARE Fellows Program Now Accepting Applications
Applications are now being accepted for the SARE Fellows program. The SARE Fellows program provides an immersive educational experience for participants to enhance their understanding of sustainable agriculture through broad-based training and interpersonal interactions at unique agriculture operations nationwide. Participating Fellows build professional relationships, improve their teaching and technology transfer skills, and are better prepared to develop programs that meet the needs of their local agricultural communities.
Applications must be submitted by May 8, 2023.
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Job Postings :
Current list of Conservation Job Opportunities now posted on the IASWCD website.
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:
March 31 - Deadline for SWCD Conference Abstract Submission
March 31 - IDEA Membership Dues deadline
April 26 - Indiana Envirothon State Competition
July 10-11 - Conservation in Action Tour
August 6-9 - SWCS International Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA
August 9 - River Friendly Farmer Award Ceremony, Indianapolis
October 4-6 - Indiana District Employee Fall Conference
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