White County Soil & Water Conservation District 103 Country Lane - Monticello, IN 47960 MINUTES OF THE 2015 WHITE COUNTY SWCD ANNUAL MEETING February 26, 2016 The White County Soil and Water Conservation District held their 2015 annual meeting on February 26, 2016 at the White County 4-H Community Building in Reynolds. There were 41 people in attendance. The morning began with a breakfast prepared by Custom Select Catering followed by the annual business meeting. Chairman Larry Kilmer called the meeting to order and asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the 2014 Annual Meeting printed in the Annual Report and claims received. Motion was made by John Fielding and seconded by Ralph Zarse. Motion carried. Election of supervisor was held with David Lachmund running for election. There being no nominations from the floor, nominations were closed. Motion Ralph Zarse seconded by John Fielding. Motion carried. David Lachmund was elected by a show of hands to serve a three year term. He was then sworn in by John Fielding. Also sworn in for the vacant appointed position was John Demerly. Bruce Furrer of Furrer Crop Farms was presented the White County Conservation Farmer of the Year sign from Mark Taulman representing the Farm Credit Service that donated the signs this year. John Fielding recognized the River Friendly Farmer recipient, Michael McLeland. Michael planted trees on his tillable acres to use for wildlife and recreation. Sharon Watson gave out going Supervisor, Ralph Zarse, a plaque for his 12 years of service to the District. He plans to continue serving the District as an Associate Supervisor. Sharon then recognized the Outdoor Education Grant recipients. Two power point presentations were run during the breakfast showing the projects from Meadowlawn and Frontier Elementary Schools. Julie Hart, Cindy Isom, Teresa Sommers and Jane Rubesch all shared their projects with the group. The speaker for the morning was Dr. Hans Kok, Agriculture Conservation Consultant working with the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative with the State Department of Agriculture. He spoke on the INField Advantage program. The morning ended with the drawing for door prizes. Submitted by: Ryan Howard, Board Secretary & Sharon K. Watson, Office Manager/Education Coordinator
PURPOSE OF THE DISTRICT Conservation Development Self-Government is the theme of the district movement. Symbolizing the dedication of district officials to purposeful, constructive action in the field of conservation and resource development fundamental to American growth and prosperity. The White County Soil and Water Conservation District was organized by the rural landowners of White County in 1951. It is a legal subdivision of the state government. The district is responsible for leadership in the conservation of soil, water and related resources within the county. The district is managed by a board of supervisors, all county residents, serving without pay, who are familiar with conservation needs of the county. Three of the supervisors are elected by the landowners of the district, and two are appointed by the State soil and Water Conservation Board. Present Supervisors are Larry Kilmer, David Lachmund, Ryan Howard, John Fielding, and John Demerly. Associate Supervisors are Bruce Reynolds, Ed Stangle, Ralph Zarse, and Sharon & Steve Carlson. The purpose of the district is to determine the conservation need and develop programs for White County. The District assists both the rural and urban groups to develop and carry out these plans and to make the best use of all natural resources. This is accomplished through an effective program of assistance to landowners from the services available from local, state and federal agencies. Across the United States, the nearly 3,000 conservation districts are working to conserve and develop land, water, forests, wildlife, and related resources for the benefit of all. Over 17,000 men and women serve on the governing bodies of districts.
2016/2017 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS In 1998 the White County Soil & Water Conservation District initiated an Environmental/Outdoor Lab Grant Program. All schools, teachers, and youth organizations in White County were eligible to apply for funds up to $1000. Funds from the Affiliate Membership donations and State Grants were used. To date the District has awarded over $58, 600 in grants. Five Education Grants were awarded for the 2016/2017 school year: Meadowlawn Elementary Angie Alexander Butterfly Explorations. Students will observe different stages of the life cycle of a butterfly. Eastlawn and Oaklawn Elementaries Julia Hart Insect Investigations-Nature in the Classroom. Students will observe, journal, and photograph different stages of insect life cycles. Oaklawn Elementary Teresa Summers Birds and Butterfly Garden. Students will continue to work on the butterfly/bird garden. Butterfly boxes and bird houses will be added. Meadowlawn Elementary Beth Elwood Meadowlawn Metamorphosis. Students will work adding wildflowers to the garden and improving tree line/wildlife habitat. Twin Lakes High School Barb Alletto Community Health Profile. Create educational posters to educate citizens about methods utilized to keep our community safe in air, water, and waste disposal.
ARROWHEAD COUNTRY RC&D EDUCATION Envirothon On March 16 th, 2016 the Education Committee hosted an Envirothon Competition for 8 teams with 40 students at Camp Buffalo. Four teacher/advisors and 16 volunteers also participated. Winners from Covington and Knox High Schools went on to the state competition that was held at the Beck Center at Purdue. 2016 Tippecanoe River Expedition On September 6, 2016, the Arrowhead Country RC&D kicked off their 23 rd Annual River Expedition and for the third year, students from the Twin Lakes High School had the opportunity to join in the experience. The expedition is an educational river raft trip for high school students down the Tippecanoe River through Tippecanoe River State Park. Held on six days over a two-week period, the expedition is filled with resource learning sessions on Watersheds, Forestry, Water Quality, History of the Tippecanoe River as well as River Otters and Mussels. In addition to learning about the importance of the natural resources, the students learned to work as a team to answer test questions and to navigate the river on a raft. Indiana academic standards covered in this day of learning include Biology, Earth & Space Science, Integrated Chemistry-Physics, Natural Resource and Plant & Soil Science. At the end of the approximately three and one half mile journey, the rafts are pulled out at the nature center in the state park. Test scores for the day are tallied and the students on the raft with the highest score win a River Expedition shirt. More than 500 high school students, teachers and volunteers participated in this year s event.
Clean Water Indiana (CWI) Cover Crop Grant The SWCD was once again able to cost share with farmers to encourage the planting over cover crops. This a 50/50 match from the State of Indiana Clean Water Fund and White County Soil and Water Conservation District. We were able to provide $16,760 in cost share assistance for the establishment of cover crops on approximately 1,406 acres. Lake and River Enhancement Grant (LARE) The District received a LARE grant this year from the State of Indiana to help landowners/producers in the Big Pine Creek Watershed install conservation practices. This year $17,190 was provided with a total of 515 acres planted in cover crops. INfield Advantage INfield Advantage (INFA) began 2016 by holding a Winter Meeting to discuss the 2015 growing season. Our group was formed by local growers in the county to improve their nitrogen use efficiency in corn. This year, we had 7 local growers participate in INFA. Our local group is part of the state-wide program coordinated by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Updated District Website In an effort to meet increasing use by cell phone and other portable device users, the District redesigned its website so it would be more compatible with mobile devices. Other improvements were added, including updated navigation tools, more pertinent links and other valuable resources. The site can be found at the same web address as its predecessor: whiteswcd.org
Bick Family Farm BioTown AG Craig E. & Kathy Blume Greg & Betsy Bossaer Brooks Farms, Inc. Mary Alice Burget T & M Cain Enterprises LLC Ginger Cartmell Coonrod Family Farms, LLC Cosgray Christmas Trees, LLC Diener Bros. Inc. John & Nancy Demerly Dittman Farms, Inc. Joe & Tinie Dunbar John P Erickson Loren & Theresa Farney 2016 AFFILIATE MEMBERS The Farm Clinic-Soil Analysis John & Barb Fielding Furrer Crop Farms Charles & Treva Gish Horton Farms Inc. Howe Insurance Agency Wayne & Becky Hunt L. E. Klink Farms, Inc. Doug & Billie Kyburz Jerry & Nancy Kyburz David & Teresa Lachmund Lehe Farms Inc. Mike & Connie Lehe Clarence & Denise Lopp H.B. & Mary McClellan Farm Trust Bill McFee Mike & Kay McLeland BECOME AN AFFILIATE MEMBER Meents Farms, Greg & Jennifer Meents Morehouse Ag Inc. O Farrell Family Farms, LLC Don & Brad Parks Farm The Reynolds Family Trust Rice Grain Farms, Inc. Steve & Tracey Simmerman Smolek L&G, Inc. Sommers Farms, Inc. Teresa Sommers Tolen Crop Services, Inc. Wilbur Vondokkenburg John L Warner Clay & Sharon Watson Yerk Farms, Inc. Since the White County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was organized in 1951, we have assisted land users throughout the county. We have provided technical services such as surveys, designs, plans, practice layout, consultation, soil survey information, and opportunity for cost-sharing. We have also provided educational opportunities to area school children, land users and agribusinesses as well as the walk-in patrons to our office. We greatly appreciate the affiliate members that have been so supportive of our efforts in the past and are again offering affiliate memberships to those people or businesses interested in seeing our efforts continued. To become an affiliate member of the White County Soil and Water Conservation District, please consider one of the following memberships: Basic: $5.00 - $25.00 Distinguished: $25.00 & up Your yearly affiliate membership will be listed in our annual report. The tax-deductible contribution may be sent or brought to the White County SWCD office at 103 Country Lane, Monticello, IN 47960. Your membership will help us to continue our assistance to you and further our program activities. Membership Donation for 2017 (make checks payable to White Co. SWCD) Name (as it should appear in print) Address City State Zip Email Address