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Conservation INsight
April 26, 2023
IASWCD News
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Nominations Open for 2023 River Friendly Farmers
Annually, each county Soil and Water Conservation District may nominate up to two farmers who do an outstanding job of protecting 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 through a county SWCD. Nominations are now being accepted through June 8, 2023.
IASWCD Job Board
Have an open position you want to promote on the IASWCD Conservation Job Opportunities webpage? Email job description and application deadline to Amy Work (amy-work@iaswcd.org). Check out the site for current openings.
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LAST CALL! April Lunch 'n Learns
The final one-hour long IASWCD Lunch 'n Learn is Thursday, April 27. Register to receive the link to join at 12 pm (EST).
April 27: Invasive Species GIS Tool Development via Partnership Presenter: Claire Lane, Urban Conservationist, Hamilton County SWCD
As the urban conservationist at the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, Claire Lane manages the development and delivery of backyard and urban conservation programs to Hamilton County residents. The urban conservation program offers site visits and technical assistance, a tool loan program, development of educational publications, events and workshops, and more. Claire also manages the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership. Learn more about these programs at www.hamiltonswcd.org.
Previous Lunch 'n Learns were recorded and can be viewed at iaswcd.org
CCSI News
CCSI Newsletter
Pathway to Water Quality Volunteer Sign-Up
Pathway to Water Quality (PWQ) is a conservation exhibit sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP). The exhibit is located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Every year, PWQ hosts approximately 60,000 visitors who visit our premiere conservation exhibit during the 18-day Indiana State Fair. Part of what makes the exhibit successful are all of the ICP staff who volunteer at Pathway. This year, volunteer sign-up for staffing Pathway to Water Quality at the 2023 Indiana State Fair will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1st. The state fair will run from July 28 to August 20 with the fairgrounds closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Pathway to Water Quality Art Contest
Students Grades K-12
Theme: Water Quality
Submit your artwork to be displayed at the Indiana State Fair Pathway to Water Quality exhibit.
See details in the linked flyer
Submissions due April 30
ISDA News
Indiana County Level Conservation Reports
Check out the new and improved County Reports on the ISDA site. Here you can find county level information on conservation implementation and investments made with local, state and federal funding.
Dept. of Agriculture receives over $1 million in
funding for gulf hypoxia zone
INDIANAPOLIS (April 19, 2023) — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Division received $1,713,333 from the US EPA through the Gulf Hypoxia Program created under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states in their nutrient reduction strategy efforts. 
"Indiana's water and soil are some of our most valuable resources," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "This funding will go a long way in furthering the efforts of the Indiana State Nutrient Reduction Strategy."
USDA-NRCS News
Share Your #Plant2023 Season
It’s that time of year again, and we want to showcase your planting season on social media and blogs. To participate, just send us a photo and a bit of information.
Join us for the People’s Garden webinar series!
The People’s Garden webinar series will begin on April 26 at 3 p.m. ET and will feature experts from USDA and beyond who will share planting tips and resources that benefit community gardens. We’ll also share on-the-ground stories of gardens making a difference by growing fresh, nutritious food for their communities. Webinars will be recorded and available for viewing on our website.
NRCS Offers Climate-Smart Solutions for Producers
Climate change threatens agricultural production, forest resources and the economy. NRCS offers a variety of programs, services, resources, and tools to help farmers, ranchers, private forest landowners and partners pursue voluntary conservation efforts across the nation’s working lands to deliver climate solutions that support both climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Indiana Earth Team Volunteers Help NRCS Accomplish its Mission
During National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) would like to thank its Earth Team volunteers for their dedicated efforts to conservation.
The Earth Team program is NRCS’ volunteer workforce. It allows NRCS to stretch available resources by partnering volunteers with employees to provide a wide range of services to private landowners and the public.
USDA-FSA News
Myth-Busting FSA’s New Revenue-Based Disaster and Pandemic Assistance Programs 
A Message from FSA Administrator
Zach Ducheneaux
In January, we announced two new programs designed to assist producers who experienced revenue losses from 2020 and 2021 natural disasters or the COVID-19 pandemic. These programs are revenue-based and feel a little different from our regular programs, but the goal is to better support farmers.
Indiana FSA News Bulletin
USDA Announces Grassland Conservation Reserve Program Signup for 2023
INDIANAPOLIS, April 17, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting today and running through May 26, 2023. Among CRP enrollment opportunities, Grassland CRP is a unique working lands program, allowing producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while conserving grasslands and promoting plant and animal biodiversity as well as healthier soil.
Purdue Extension News
Beginners Guide to Grant Writing
For more than 20 years, the award-winning Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing program has been helping Hoosiers improve their communities by leveraging grants of all sizes. Participants of the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing workshop draft and polish a grant proposal and learn how to navigate the grant process.
Other News
Leaders Gathering to Tackle Farmland Access and Conservation in Indiana 
Applications being accepted now through May 1.
Finding and affording farmland is the biggest hurdle to beginning farmers nationwide, including here in Indiana. At the same time, farmland owners struggle to find a way to keep family land in agriculture when younger generations leave the farm. 
 
“Many beginning and experienced farmers reach out to Extension interested in starting a new operation or expanding an existing one,” said Nathan Shoaf of Purdue Extension’s Diversified Food and Farming Systems program. “They are often seeking information and resources related to being more successful. Land access is often one of several barriers that impact their decision making and economic viability.”
Pollinator Week Shirts Now Available!
Back by popular demand! The limited-edition Pollinator Week Shirts are now available to order. This year's design features artwork from the 2023 Climate Change is in Our Hands Poster by Carol Schwartz.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
The Forest Service is requesting proposals from eligible entities that are working to provide equitable access to trees and green spaces and the benefits they provide. The funding opportunity is open to proposals spanning a broad range of investments working at a community, regional, and national scale.
2023 Indiana Invasive Species Regional Training - April, May & June
These trainings are for anyone interested in invasive plant identification & management, providing habitat for pollinators, birds & other wildlife, conservation & land restoration, and citizen science. There will be 6 trainings this spring and 2 in the fall. Each training will focus on 10 invasive plant species depending on location, a classroom session on plant identification (am), and a field session with more ID and a management technique demonstration while conducting a mini-Weed Wrangle at the host location (pm).
These trainings have limited space and are free, but registration is required. See dates and locations at link below.
America's Heartland "Leaders in Sustainable Agriculture" Now Available on YouTube
April 19, 2023
By: Sean McGovern
SARE recently partnered with PBS KVIE to produce an episode of RFD-TV's America's Heartland featuring four farmers describing their commitment to sustainability, how they plan to overcome modern farming challenges, and how SARE has impacted their farming and ranching practices. The full 24-minute episode titled Leaders in Sustainable Agriculture is now available at https://www.sare.org/resources/leaders-in-sustainable-agriculture/.
SARE Fellows Program Now Accepting Applications
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. Applications are now being accepted for the program and must be submitted by May 8.
2023 AgrIInstitute Summer Soiree
Date: June 17, 2023
Time: 5 pm registration & social; 6 pm dinner; 6:45 pm Raffle and Band
Location: Arborwood, Frankfort, IN
Live Band: Dude!
Great Food & Cash bar
Enjoy the company of great Friends and Industry Colleagues
Reverse Raffle with Prizes valued over $4,000
Dress: Smart Casual
Each ticket includes entry in Reverse Raffle
Proceeds to benefit Indiana’s
Agricultural Leadership Program
White River Report Card: Launch & Canoe Race
The White River Report Card Launch and Canoe Race is a celebration of the completion of the White River Report Card: an assessment and communication tool created to measure community progress, align partners and activities, and inspire change that improves our river and its watershed and protects our economy and way of life. Registration closes June 16.
Webinar
Conservation Matters: Climate Change Impacts on Soil and Water Conservation
Thursday, April 27, 2023 (12 - 1:30 p.m. CT)
This webinar brings together authors from the recent special issue of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. They will give brief presentations sharing highlights from their work to advance understanding of the soil-water-climate system, emerging technologies, and climate change adaptation and mitigation policies and practices. Free to attend. Registration required.
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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.
Upcoming Conservation Events:
April 26 - Indiana Envirothon State Competition
April 27 - IASWCD Lunch 'n Learn
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

For a complete list of upcoming conservation events, go to the Events Calendar on the IASWCD website.