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Indiana Conservation Awards: Nominations due Sept 15 | |
Nominations are being accepted through September 15 for statewide Conservation Awards given at the Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs in January.
Friend of Conservation Award
Supervisor of the Year
Conservation Farmer of the Year Award
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SWCD Resolutions due Sept 15 | SWCDs can submit resolutions for consideration at the 2024 IASWCD Business Meeting in January. Resolutions should be submitted online no later than September 15. |
Pollinator Training for ICP Employees: August 31 | |
Location: Martell and the Purdue Wildlife Area, Tippecanoe County.
Space is limited, register soon.
See flyer for registration details.
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July 11 ICP Leaders Webinar Recording |
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Summer Summit Region Meetings
You can still register for the 5 remaining meetings!
Here's what attendees are saying:
“It was a very worthwhile event and I do hope more supervisors make your remaining meeting dates. I believe Phil connected very well with the crowd and his message was very timely. Great job!”
"Very productive meeting"
"Great opportunity to share ideas"
"I feel like it was one of the better ones that you have had. Hopefully word gets around and more supervisors and staff will sign up for the remaining ones available.”
Register and join us for any of the following:
August 22: S-NW region
Thorntown Public Library, Thorntown
6-8 pm Eastern
August 24: N-SW region
Putnam Co Fairgrounds, Greencastle
6-8 pm Eastern
August 29: N-SE region
Greensburg City Hall, Greensburg
6-8 pm Eastern
August 31: N-NW region
Rensselaer Carnegie Center, Rensselaer
6-8 pm Central
September 7: N-NE region
ParGil Learning Resource Center, LaGrange
6-8 pm Eastern
Hosted by IASWCD and ISDA.
Cost: $25/person (includes pizza or sub sandwich dinner, venue and speaker fee)
Questions? Please contact an ISDA District Support Specialist or Amy Work, IASWCD.
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DIG IN and GET THE DIRT about soil health on small farms! This full-day event is for conservation and agricultural professionals* (ICP staff) who work with urban and small farms, vegetable growers, and diversified farms.
Click on the button below for the full agenda and all details.
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90th Anniversary Celebration of the Coon Creek Watershed Project | |
This "first" project included Hugh Hammond Bennett and Aldo Leopold.
Celebration - September 9:
- Historic Coon Creek Watershed Bus Tour 11:00am - 5:00pm
- 90th Anniversary Celebration Program at 5:30pm
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Nationwide Study on 30 U.S. Farms Shows Positive Economic Impact of Soil Health Management Systems | |
MORRISVILLE, N.C., August 9, 2023 – Today, the Soil Health Institute and National Association of Conservation Districts announced the results of a nationwide study that demonstrates how improving soil health can help farmers build resilience and improve profitability across a diversity of soil types, geographies, and cropping systems.
“We know practices like cover crops and no-till benefit the environment by storing soil carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving water quality,” said Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, President and CEO of the Soil Health Institute. “However, investing in soil health is also a business decision. This project provides farmers with the economic information they need to feel confident when making that decision.”
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eResource: Weekly Newsletter | Weekly electronic newsletter that provides NACD conservation district members and partners the news and insights they need to stay current on all things conservation. |
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NACD Targets Locally-Led Climate Smart Conservation Projects with $90 Million USDA Grant
Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced a call for concept papers today as it launches the first phase of a $90 million program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.
NACD’s program will advance grassroots efforts to ensure producers and local communities are prepared to meet growing demand for climate-smart commodity markets.
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Recognize Outstanding Conservation Efforts with NACD Awards
The 2023 NACD Awards Season begins with opening nominations for the Distinguished Service Award and the Friend of Conservation Award. These awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation. Nominations due August 31.
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New Conservation Record Set by Hoosier Farmers | |
According to a recent conservation survey, Indiana farmers have set a conservation record this year by planting an estimated 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers.
“Protecting our most vital natural resources is top of mind for our Indiana farmers and this year’s record breaking cover crop acreage is a testament to that,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Through the implementation of cover crops and other conservation efforts, farmers are ensuring our land and water resources remain healthy and productive.”
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Indiana Grazing Bites
By Victor Shelton,
Retired Agronomist/Grazing Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Moisture, or rather the lack of sufficient amount of moisture, is still an issue for quite a bit of the Midwest. Some areas have certainly been blessed with more rain than others, but I must remind you and myself that we’re only about two weeks away from a drought from about any time period. We should always strive to take advantage of and conserve any moisture we receive.
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For SWCDs: District Support Specialist Update |
2024 Clean Water Indiana (CWI) Grant
Submission deadline: September 8 at 12 pm (Eastern)
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2023 Fall Conference for Indiana SWCD Staff | |
October 4-6, 2023
French Lick Resort, French Lick, IN
Registration Now Open! Deadline August 30.
Tour and session descriptions, the full agenda and the hotel reservation link are now available!
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Learn to be a Leader in Watershed Management | |
Sign up now to improve your watershed management skills.
If you’re interested in water quality and watersheds, consider applying for the 2024 Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy.
The Academy, organized by Purdue University with support from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and other Indiana conservation agencies and organizations, gives participants the chance to:
- Engage with watershed topics covering leadership principles, watershed science, organization and communication, technology and GIS, stakeholder involvement techniques and policy skills
- Meet, learn from, and engage with others who work in watershed management
- Interact with topic experts
- Gain strategies, skills, and resources for successful watershed management
- Earn a Professional Certificate in Watershed Management
Enrollment deadline: November 3, 2023
Format: The program includes three face-to-face group sessions, plus distance learning and online networking (approximately 2 hrs/week). The Academy will run from January to May, 2024, with workshops on January 3-4, March 27-28, and May 22, 2024.
Recognition: Participants who complete all requirements earn a Purdue University Continuing Education Professional Certificate in Watershed Management.
For more information, please contact Sara Peel, speel@purdue.edu, or go to the Academy Website (button below).
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Indiana agriculture leaders honored by Purdue Extension
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Three Indiana women were recognized by the Purdue Women in Agriculture Team for their dedication and leadership during a ceremony at the Indiana State Fair on Thursday (Aug. 3).
“Each year, Purdue Extension has the honor of awarding three Indiana women who contribute to the success of agriculture in Indiana. It is a pleasure to highlight each of these women and their many accomplishments,” said Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture.
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Purdue Women in Ag Programming Survey
The Purdue Women in Ag Team is seeking your input via this programming survey available through August 31.
If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact Jenna Nees at smith535@purdue.edu or 765-653-8411.
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Tree Steward Training Workshop | |
The city of Richmond Parks & Recreation is hosting a Tree Steward training workshop Oct. 26-27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET at its offices at Glen Miller Park, 2200 E Main St, Richmond, IN, 47374.
This workshop is for representatives of Indiana tree boards, local municipalities, and volunteers. Only 30 spots are available for this event, which is expected to sell out quickly.
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Each year the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) program has a Community & Urban Forestry Assistance (CUFA) grant provided by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) Northeastern Area. We encourage communities throughout Indiana to advance their urban forestry goals through application to this program. Grant applications for fiscal year 2023 will be announced later this summer. | |
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INPS Biodiversity Grants: Applications Being Accepted Sept 1 - Oct 1 | The Indiana Native Plant Society will be making biodiversity grant awards ranging from $400-$1,500 this fall for projects to be completed in 2024. Additional funding may be considered on larger projects. |
Forestry Education Small Grant Applications Open through Sept 15 | The Indiana Forestry Educational Foundation (IFEF) is pleased to announce the availability of competitive grant funds to help educate and inform woodland owners and/or the public about forestry, woodland management and other Indiana forestry related topics, with a special interest in young forest projects. |
SARE Now Accepting Grant Applications for Four Programs | |
The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) currently has open application windows for four grant programs:
- the Research and Education Grant Program, due on October 5, 2023
- the Partnership Grant Program due on October 19, 2023
- the Youth Educator Grant Program due on November 9, 2023, and
- the Farmer Rancher Grant Program due on December 7, 2023.
Every grant program is tailored to cater to distinct groups and adheres to varying prerequisites. However, the overarching purpose of these grants remains consistent – to bolster research and/or education initiatives that propel the ecological, financial, and societal sustainability of agriculture within the Midwest region.
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Recorded Webinar -
A Future Focused on Water: A Look at New and Expanded Funding Opportunities
This edition of The Current Webinar Series explored additional State Revolving Fund dollars and new funding and expanding program flexibility for conservation ag programs and how water professionals can take advantage of these opportunities!
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Pledge for the month of August is Water Conservation! | |
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Webinar: Healthy Habitats for Healthy Wildlife
Sept 7
12:00 pm (Eastern)
Habitat biodiversity and connectivity are intricately tied to species populations and the ability to mitigate many wildlife diseases. From backyard songbirds with conjunctivitis to white-tailed deer with hemorrhagic disease, forests and their stewards can play an important role in the health of native wildlife.
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Environmental Education Association of Indiana: Annual Conference
Pokagon State Park
Angola, Indiana
November 10-12, 2023
Featuring Keynote Speaker Chad Pregracke, 2013 CNN Hero of the Year and President/Founder of Living Lands & Waters.
| August: Indiana Nature News | |
Webinar: Nutrient and Water Management in Climate-Smart Soil and Water Conservation
August 24
1:00 pm (Eastern)
In this webinar, presenters will address the importance of nutrient management, as well as water management, when planning climate smart agriculture to maximize benefits and minimize off-site losses of nutrients in the practical implementation of climate-smart conservation agriculture.
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Two Locations: Water Quality Field Days
Join us to learn how nutrient & sediment management systems
work to improve overall water and watershed quality. Registration required by August 21.
August 29: Chuck Howards' Farm, Hamilton, IN
8 am - 12 pm
August 30: Lake Santee, Clarksburg, IN
8 am - 12 pm
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