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For the Week of June 15 - 19, 2009
In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
District News.
- Hamilton County SWCD. Note new email addresses for the Hamilton County SWCD staff:
- Ripley County SWCD. Congratulations to Ripley County SWCD. They have a new Web site. Visit it at www.ripleyswcd.org.
- White County SWCD. We would like to welcome Laura VanMeter to the White County SWCD office as the new office assistant.
Reminder: PWQ Volunteer Sign Up. The Pathway to Water Quality is an excellent watershed demonstration site, showing how proper management practices at home, on the farm and in business can protect our soil and water resources. It is proudly sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Partnership. It is time to sign up to volunteer for the exhibit at the 2009 Indiana State Fair. The fair runs from Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 23. And yes, that is an extra five days to staff one of the fair’s best exhibits on the grounds, the Pathway to Water Quality.
- The sign up page is online at: http://iaswcd.org/pwqsignup.
- A job description for all PWQ volunteer assignments can be found online at http://www.iaswcd.org/pdfs/09PWQjobdescriptions.pdf.
- The Pathway to Water Quality Web site provides further information about the exhibit at http://www.iaswcd.org/district_tools/pwq/index.html.
The PWQ Steering Committee is asking that sign up be complete by July 22 in order to send letters and admission tickets back out to volunteers in time for opening day. If you have any questions about the volunteer form, contact Betsy Reitz, PWQ Intern, at ereitz@indianastatefair.com, or 317.927.7551. Thank you, in advance, for your participation!
Reminder: Other IASWCD Award Deadlines. >>Click here for details and deadline information on these IASWCD awards:
- District Showcase Award
- Conservation Farmer of the Year
- Friend of Conservation Award
District Dues. Thank you to all the SWCDs that have submitted 2009 dues. A list of the District dues received can be found here http://www.iaswcd.org/whatsnew/districtdues09.html.
2010 Conference Information
Have a good week,
Jennifer
Watershed Moment: EPA Webcast Scheduled For July 1
On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, the U.S. EPA Watershed Academy will sponsor the first in a series of Webcasts about the Clean Water Act (CWA). This first Webcast will provide an introduction to the CWA including a brief history of the Act, an explanation of technology vs. water quality-based approaches, and a brief overview of key components of the Act and related EPA regulations. Future Webcasts will focus on key aspects of the CWA including water quality standards, monitoring and assessment, total maximum daily loads, programs for managing point sources and nonpoint sources, and wetland protection.
The Webcast will feature William (Bill) Painter, Environmental Scientist with EPA’s Watershed Branch. Bill serves as an expert trainer on the CWA and is the author of a popular online Watershed Academy Web module, “Introduction to the Clean Water Act,” posted at http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/cwa/. Click here for registration. Archived audio versions of past webcasts are also available online.
News Briefs from NACD
Hold the Date for Webinar Training
The National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) will be holding a nationwide webinar from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2009. offering participants opportunities to learn about exemplary state programs and materials for technical employee certification and training. More details will be forthcoming at the NASCA Web site.
U.S. EPA MS4 Web site
The EPA's NPDES Stormwater Program recently posted seven new Web pages focusing on storm water running off of roadway systems. This new Web area is geared toward municipal transportation authorities that deal with stormwater issues. >>Click here for the Web pages.
Marion County Rain Barrels Still Available
Ron Lauster,
With all the recent rains, water supply does not seem to be a problem. However, in central Indiana, some folks are remembering that last summer there were concerns about rationing water in the dry times. Mark Kautz, Chair of the local Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) says, “Those who remembered last year’s rationing, probably helped increase participation in our first SWCD rain barrel sale. The SWCD sold over 100 rain barrels at their spring sale. With that level of interest and the fact our office is still getting calls from folks asking about rain barrels, the District has decided to continue their rain barrel sale throughout the year. However, those interested are encouraged to get their orders in now before the dry season gets here!”
A rain barrel (around 55 gallons in size) collects and stores free rainwater from a roof that would otherwise runoff and be diverted to storm drain or a stream. Rain barrels are connected to a home’s downspouts. Homeowners collect the water and use it later, when it is needed for lawn or flowers. Rain barrels can help reduce a homeowner’s monthly water bills in the summer! The Marion County SWCD is recycling former plastic food barrels so you can have a rain barrel at a very reasonable cost of $100 each, including sales tax. The system is sealed, so mosquitoes are not a problem. To order a rain barrel and a water saver kit with all the parts to create their own system (minimal assembly required) interested individuals are encouraged to complete a SWCD order form and send it in with payment to the Marion County SWCD. Rain water is not to be used for personal consumption.
To get more details and an order form from the District, individuals should visit the SWCD’s Web site at www.marionswcd.org or contact the SWCD office at 317.786.1776. A rain barrel fact sheet is also available on the web or from the office. The District cannot guarantee the color of the rain barrel. However, new paints especially designed for plastic surfaces, are available in almost any color needed from a local home building supply provider. Individuals are encouraged to check with their homeowners’ organization as appropriate to make sure they are complying with their local community codes and requirements. Orders need to be sent in, and the District will inform the participant when their barrel is available for pick up at the SWCD office located at 6960 S. Gray Rd, Suite C, Indianapolis, IN 46237 (just west of the Southport exit off I-65 South). The District also has instructions with a list of parts for people to make their own rain barrel. The SWCD is also providing its “Water Saver Automatic Rain Water Collection kit for $30 each. Individuals can visit the office to see these items.
Vote For Your Favorite Farmers Market
America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest is underway—have you cast your vote? Farmers markets play a key role in communities by providing a way for consumers to invest in their communities and regional economies, while enjoying food fresh from nearby farms! Farmers all across the country need your support! American Farmland Trust (AFT) encourages you to vote now for your local farmers markets to become one of America’s Favorite Farmers Markets!
Winning markets—one small, one medium and one large—will receive a free supply of No Farms No Food tote bags to give away to supporters. AFT will also feature the winners in their magazine, American Farmland. But this competition is about more than just being number one. It is about supporting farms and farmers markets. Although you can only vote one time for one market, you can vote for all the farmers markets that you want to support. Vote for your favorites! After you vote, be sure to tell your friends about the contest!
FSA county committee nominations start June 15
Don Hunton, Acting Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Indiana today announced farmer and rancher candidate nominations begin June 15 for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. The nomination period continues through Aug. 3, 2009. Elections take place this fall.
"I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the August 3rd deadline," said Hunton. "We are counting on as much participation as possible, because county committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have seen a trend in recent years of increased nominations of minority and women producers and we hope that will continue."
To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.
Producers may also nominate themselves, and organizations representing minority and women may also nominate candidates. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and other valuable information about FSA county committee elections are available online by clicking here.
Nomination forms for the 2009 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 3, 2009.
FSA county committee members make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other important agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are more than 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to five members who are elected by eligible local producers.
FSA will mail ballots to producers beginning Nov. 6th. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 7, 2009. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1, 2010.
Conservation tattoos for youth available
If you are interested in ordering conservation tattoos to pass out for youth activities, Mary Ann McQuinn, State Public Affairs Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Athens, Georgia, is offering the opportunity to consolidate orders through a company she uses. The Indiana NRCS office is passing along the information from her.
You can order 10,000 tattoos for $195. There are many designs to choose from, but you must order the design you want in at least quantities of 1,000 each (for example: 10 different designs at 1,000 each or one design of 10,000). Orders must be placed by Friday, July 11, via email or mail. You can include credit card information on the order or just provide the billing contact and informa-tion, and the company will bill you directly.
If you have questions, contact Mary Ann at (Cell) 706 207-7232. If you email orders to Mary Ann, be sure the subject line says "tattoo." Her email address is Mary.Mcquinn@ga.usda.gov. Click here for the order form. Click here for the list of tattoo designs.
Job Position Available
The Friends of the St. Joe River, Inc. seeks an individual with excellent communication and writing skills to create newsletters, maintain the Web site, assist in membership management/ development, and support the board of directors on a part-time (20 hrs/wk) basis. Experience in environmental science, natural resources, or public affairs preferred. Work from home possible. Click here for the job description. Resume, cover letter and references should be submitted on or before July 20, 2009 to: Friends of the St. Joe River, c/o Rudy Kappe, Buchanan, MI, 49107, RudyKappe@gmail.com.
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
OFFICERS:
President: Paula Baldwin, Marion Co.
Vice President: Ray McCormick: Knox Co.
Secretary: Jeff Meinders, Ripley Co.
Treasurer: Brian Campbell, Elkhart Co.
REGION DIRECTORS:
Board Roster / Region Map
North-Northwest: Larry Strole, Newton Co.
South-Northwest: Kenny Cain, Montgomery Co.
North-Northeast: Tom Crowe, Allen Co.
South-Northeast: Bobby Hettmansperger, Wabash Co.
North-Southwest: Bob Weaver, Johnson Co.
South-Southwest: Alan Weyer, Dubois Co.
North-Southeast: Brad Dawson, Dearborn Co.
South-Southeast: Brad Ponsler, Jennings Co.
IASWCD STAFF:
Executive Director: Jennifer Boyle Warner, 317.692.7519
Project Assistant: Jaclyn Casale, 317.692.7325
Communications Manager: DeeDee Sigler, 317.692.7374 |
