Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District

The 2016 IASWCD Annual Conference was held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown on January 13-15 this year. Attending from Greene County was GCSWCD District Manager Casey Kennett, Supervisors Rita Sharr, Steve Crowe, and Reece Booher, and NRCS District Conservationist Tammy Swihart.

The keynote speaker for the conference was Dr. Robin “Buz” Kloot. Dr. Kloot is from South Africa and he holds degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and an MBA and a PhD from the University of South Carolina where he and his family now reside. Buz has a passion for soil health projects and working directly with farmers. This has led him to talk about his journey across the world and record web videos of his findings. His documentary “Under Cover Farmers” and his recent series on the “Science of Soil Health” are examples of his work and passion. Check out this video!

There were many sessions for all to attend.  The ‘On the Ground’ sessions included information on monarch butterflies and how to use conservation to preserve this threatened species. For more information or how you can help contact your local SWCD office. Other topics included soil health, media outreach, Farm Bill updates, water quality, zoning, providing technical assistance, and agriculture education in the classroom. If you would like more information on any of the following topics contact the GCSWCD.

The GCSWCD staff and supervisors are ready to help with your conservation questions or needs! We gained a lot of valuable information to bring back to Greene County from the IASWCD Annual Conference.

Contact us today! 812-384-4781 Ext. 3 or email casey-kennett@iaswcd.org

The Annual meeting of the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District was conducted at the Lyons Community Center, on February 24^th at 6:30 PM this year.  There was a relaxed atmosphere as Greene County farmers, Commissioners, Council members, conservationist, board members and guest speakers ate a delicious meal catered by Three Generations.

The WRV FFA Soil Judging team was recognized for their accomplishments.  Along with several booths representing various agencies that serve Greene County Citizens.

Luke Rhodes was recognized as Greene County Conservation Farmer of the Year.  Matt Morris, from Farm Credit Service’s presented him with a metal sign for him to display on his farm.  Rhodes and his wife, Arlene, have seven children (Six sons and one daughter). Three of his sons work full time with their dad on the farm and the other three help out part-time. Their farm is located near Newberry. Rhodes along with his wife and children, purchased their current farm in Greene County in 1986.  In 1992, he changed the entire farm over to pasture and hay.  The family originally started with only Dairy cows, but in the last nine years have also added pasture raised hogs, chickens and sheep which are rotated across the fields.

Greene County Conservation Teacher of the Year, Kenna Slough, was also recognized for her exceptional conservation educational outreach. She works hard every day inside and outside of the classroom teaching her students the importance of conservation for future generations. She continues to ensure that not only the program but the students in the program will be a strong and productive force in the community for many years to come.  Her father received the award of Conservation Farmer of the Year for Clay County SWCD this year also.

Randy Koenig was re-elected to the Board of Supervisors.  Greene County SWCD meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at the USDA Service Center in Bloomfield.  These meetings are open to the public, for more information contact Greene County SWCD District Manager, Shelby Britton at (812) 384-4781 Ext. 3.

Indiana Conservationists Recognized at Annual Conservation Awards Ceremony

INDIANAPOLIS, IN –On Monday, January 12, the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD)  honored farmers, county employees, educators, and volunteers for outstanding work in conservation at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown during their Annual Conference of Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). The individuals and groups who received the awards made exceptional commitments to protecting Indiana’s natural resources and educated their communities about the importance of protecting water quality and soil health.

The awards ceremony held a special meaning as 2015 marks the 75th anniversary of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Indiana. IASWCD President Jeff Meinders explained, “Thanks to the work of these award winners and other Hoosier conservationists, we have been able to make great progress in the protection of Indiana’s natural resources in our first 75 years. Continued efforts by SWCD employees, supervisors, and engaged citizens will be the key to sustainable agriculture and sustainable communities for years to come.”

Among those recognized were:

– The Parke and Vermillion County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Earth Team Award) for their work in soil health education

– Jack Welp (Conservation Farmer of the Year Award) of Dubois County for his use of conservation farming practices that reduce erosion and runoff and improve organic matter in the soil

– Bill Fuller (Friend of Conservation Award) of Greene County for efforts in water quality monitoring, native plant installations, and volunteering with his local SWCD

– Dr. Alan Johnson (Friend of Conservation Award), dean of the Vincennes University Jasper Campus (VUJC), for the VUJC Land Stewardship Initiative, which serves as a site for research into conservation agriculture

– Reverend Neil Ainslie (Friend of Conservation Award), for education programs on the science of the Wabash River and water quality monitoring

– The Clay and Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (District Showcase Award) for their natural resource conservation outreach programs

– James (Jim) Brown (Supervisor of the Year Award) for his outstanding leadership in conservation and natural resource protection

The IASWCD also recognized National Association of Conservation Districts past president Gene Schmidt with the

IASWCD President’s Award and IASWCD past president Jeff Meinders with the Outgoing President Award.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts are county-level units of government that manage and direct natural resource management programs at the local level. Indiana has 92 SWCDs, one for each county. Their focus is responsible and wise management of private land and natural resources.Together with the 92 SWCDs and more than 400 volunteers statewide, the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts coordinates technical and financial assistance in an effort to develop locally-driven solutions to natural resource concerns. The IASWCD seeks to enable the conservation of Indiana’s natural resources and to improve the environment and quality of life for future generations.