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For the Week of August 18-22, 2008
In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
Congratulations to Our River Friendly Farmer Award Winners. Last Wednesday, August 13, was a great day at the 2008 Indiana State Fair for the Indiana Association of Soil and  Water Conservation Districts and our 92 SWCDs! We were proudly represented by 37 River Friendly Farmer award winners at the 2008 ceremony that took place at the
4-H Exhibit Hall Auditorium on the grounds of the Indiana State Fair. Thanks to the SWCD staff and supervisors who attended the ceremony. >> Click here for the news release and photos of the recipients.
A special thanks goes to the 16 members of the Robbins Family >> click here for their photo on hand to support Jack and Ruthann Robbins, award winners from Sullivan County. They had special t-shirts made for the occasion. They also had their own float in the Farmers' Day Parade along with our two floats full of award recipients and families.
We'd also like to thank Don Villwock and Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. for their financial support of the RFF Award. And of course, we thank NRCS State Conservationist Jane Hardisty for taking part in the ceremony, along with ISDA Acting Director Ken Klemme. Thanks to the ISDA DSC for providing state fair tickets to recipients.
Thanks to the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Indiana State Poultry Association, Milk Promotion Services, Inc., and the Indiana Pork Producers Association for providing meal tickets to our recipients. Finally, we appreciate Dave Russell, Brownfield Network, our master of ceremonies. It was a great day to salute Indiana farmers for their stewardship of Indiana's precious soil and water resources! Congratulations to our 2008 award winners.
 Thanks to all who volunteered at Pathway. A special thank you to all SWCD staff and supervisors and IASWCD board and staff who volunteered to work a shift or shifts at the Pathway to Water Quality exhibit at the 2008 Indiana State Fair. If you visited the exhibit, you saw a first-class showcase of best management practices that can be incorporated at home, on the farm and in business that protect our soil and water resources in this watershed demonstration site.
New to the PWQ this year was the model home (right) that shows the rain barrel used to capture rain water for the home's flowers and garden, as well as a rain garden . . . another BMP that uses plants to absorb and filter rain water that would otherwise wash pollutants from your lawn, driveway and road into storm drains, which lead to our rivers, lakes and streams. Also new this year was a beautiful waterfall just inside the entrance behind the PWQ sign. Pathway was a great success thanks to all of the dedicated volunteers, members of the PWQ Steering Committee and the Indiana Conservation Partnership who support this great exhibit annually.
One of the most exciting things about this exhibit is that Pathway is no longer used just 12 days a year. It is now part of the Indiana State Fairgrounds State's Largest Classroom project that brings thousands of school children to Indianapolis in the fall and spring to learn about agriculture and natural resources. It incorporates an enriched learning experience while complementing school curricula and meeting Indiana academic standards. The dates for the upcoming school year are September 22 - October 24, 2008, with the Hoosier Heritage Days Festival happening the week of October 6 - 11, 2008. Spring tours will occur April 20 - May 22, 2009, with the Celebrate the Good Earth Festival on April 22 - 24, 2009. >> Click here for more information. Call 317.927.7585 for more information about the field trips.
NACD Weighs in on Proposed Farm Bill Cuts. >> Click here to read a letter NACD sent to members of Congress last week urging them oppose recently proposed cuts to the newly passed 2008 Farm Bill. NACD President John Redding says, "The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) diligently worked with Congress to help craft the recently passed farm bill. We were proud to support a bill that was so carefully written. We realize that you and your colleagues spent many hours working to develop a bill that carefully balanced so many competing interests. The final bill was a reflection of that hard work. . ."
District Exchange. The Henry County SWCD seeks a Watershed Coordinator for a grant funded contract position with a two-year completion date for the Big Blue River Watershed. This individual should be enthusiastic, self-motivated, creative, outgoing, and have both verbal and written communication skills. The individual will be responsible for organizing and initiating the development of a Big Blue River Watershed Management Plan; bringing together stakeholders to establish watershed awareness and conducting information campaign through various media sources, outreach, and educational programs. Applicants should have a bachelors' degree or equivalent experience/skills in natural resources/watershed management. Submit a resume with a cover letter highlighting experience and any other skills relevant to listed qualifications and responsibilities. Also include references. The application deadline is September 16. Submit by email to: kellie.harding@in.nacdnet.net or by mail to: Kellie Harding, Henry County SWCD, 146 E County Road 200 N, Suite C, New Castle, IN 47362.
District News. All of us would like to welcome two new additions to the Madison County SWCD. Steve Schmidt is the new director and Chanda Hiatt is the new watershed coordinator.
Deadline Reminders for SWCDs -Just wanted to remind everyone of some important deadlines nearing:
September 5 - Deadline to submit resolutions for consideration at the 2009 Annual Conference. Please visit our Web site: click here.
September 5 - Deadline to submit nominations for IDEA employee recognition awards at the 2009 Annual Conference. For application and more information click here.
September 12 - Deadline to submit nominations for the "Supervisor of the Year" award. Please remember that any staff, supervisor, or partner (or groups) can submit a nomination. Click here for more information.
2008 IASWCD Dues. A special thanks to Districts that have supported the IASWCD with payment of their 2008 dues: Adams, Allen, Bartholomew, Blackford, Benton, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, DeKalb, Dubois, Elkhart, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Franklin, Fulton, Gibson, Grant, Green, Hamilton, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Huntington, Jasper, Jay, Jennings, Kosciusko, Knox, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Noble, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Porter, Posey, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, St. Joseph, Starke, Sullivan, Switzerland, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Union, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren, Warrick, Washington, Wayne, White and Whitley. Please take the time to read over the important information in the dues brochure on how your dues support SWCD activities in the state.
And Finally. The IASWCD board and staff and our 92 Soil and Water Conservation District staff and supervisors would like to extend our deepest sympathies to District Support Specialist Dan Dunten, South-NW Region. Dan's father passed away last week and the funeral was Friday, Aug. 15. Our prayers are with Dan, his wife, and family.
We'd also like to extend are best wishes to Jim Lake, District Support Specialist, North-NE Region, who is recovering from surgery. He is on the mend and back at work.
Have a good week,
Jennifer
NWTF to Recognize Outstanding Conservation Districts
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is again seeking to recognize a SWCD or individual that has successfully partnered with a local NWTF chapter or staff to raise public awareness of conservation and wildlife management issues, improve wildlife habitat and increase hunting opportunities.
NWTF will present the second annual Outstanding Conservation District Partner award at the 2009 NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Partners are encouraged to send in nominations for the award, and Districts can self nominate. Nominations will be accepted for both Districts and individuals. To submit a nomination, please download and complete the nomination form located online >> click here. Nomination forms must be submitted before October 15, 2008.
NRCS Flood Update
Click here for an update on the flooding issues in Indiana. NRCS staff are working with producers to provide technical assistance to reclaim the soil resource in flooded fields, and are working with communities to provide assistance through the Emergency Watershed Program (EWP). As we begin to wrap up the urgent, or 'exigency' EWP projects, we are beginning to move into the remaining emergency projects classified as 'non-exigent'. We continue to operate in emergency mode, and it will be many months before this work begins to slow down.
For more information on reclaiming damaged soils, contact NRCS at your nearest USDA Service Center. Locations can be found online >> click here.
Last chance to register for the Connecting Rural Indiana 2008 Conference
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and the Indiana Office of Community and Affairs (OCRA) are hosting their 2nd annual statewide broadband conference, Connecting Rural Indiana 2008: Policy, Programs, and Progress, tomorrow, August 19, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Indianapolis. Local leaders, economic developers and any citizens interested in connecting rural Indiana are encouraged to attend.
The lieutenant governor will be on-hand to deliver the keynote address and discuss the importance of technology throughout Indiana. The conference will feature presentations on the economic impact of technology, a pilot program to connect critical access hospitals, and communities' local high speed communications initiatives.
The cost for the conference is $40 and lunch is included. Registration and sponsorship forms can be found on OCRA's Web site, www.ocra.IN.gov, by clicking on "High Speed Communications." Citizens can also call 1.800.824.2476 or email Bethany Jamison at bjamison@ocra.IN.gov to register. Organizations wishing to sponsor the event can contact Geoff Schomacker at 317.232.8909 or gschomacker@ocra.IN.gov for more information.
Funding Opportunity Available through EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces a funding opportunity of interest to Soil and Water Conservation Districts. It is the FY 2008 National Wetland Program Developmental Grants (WPDG).
EPA is currently soliciting proposals for projects that support and build state, tribal and local government wetland programs. Eligible projects must support at least one of the following three national priority areas of the WPDG Program: regulation; monitoring and assessment; and restoration. Non-profit, non-governmental organizations, interstate agencies and intertribal consortia capable of undertaking activities that advance wetland programs are eligible to apply for these grants. The closing date for applications is September 8, 2008. Click here to read EPA’s full announcement.
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
OFFICERS:
President: Jim Droege, Posey Co.
Vice President: Paula Baldwin, Marion Co.
Secretary: Ray McCormick: Knox Co.
Treasurer: Jeff Meinders, Ripley 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: Ray Chattin, Knox Co.
North-Southeast: Brad Dawson, Dearborn Co.
South-Southeast: Brad Ponsler, Jennings Co.
IASWCD STAFF:
Executive Director: Jennifer Boyle, 317.692.7519
Watershed Information Specialist: Elizabeth Trybula, 317.692.7514
Communications Manager: DeeDee Sigler, 317.692.7374
Project Assistant: Jaclyn Casale, 317.692.7325
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