Gibson County Soil & Water 2019

GIBSON COUNTY

Soil & Water Conservation District ANNUAL MEETING 2019 Jan. 24, 5:30 p.m. CST Gibson County Fairgrounds 4-H Exhibit Building

2 SOIL AND WATER

Princeton Daily Clarion Sunday, January 20, 2019

Daily Clarion/Andrea Howe

Wyatt, a Harris Hawk, roosts after flying over the audience at last year’s Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District annual meeting. Birds of prey were the stars of the evening as Birds of America curators introduced owls, a falcon, hawk, vulture and bald eagle to patrons who attended the 2018 annual meeting at the Gibson County 4-H center.

Annual meeting Thursday

PRINCETON — The 2019 Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District annual meeting and program opens at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Gibson County Fairgrounds 4-H Exhibit Building in Princeton.

Ronan Cummins of Agronomy One is the featured speaker at the dinner meeting, which is catered by Carriage Inn. Across Indiana, SWCD’s help Indiana residents conserve land, water, forests, wildlife and related natural resources that encompass the state’s 23 million acres.

Daily Clarion/Andrea Howe

Patriot, an American bald eagle, checks out the room while perched on a walking stick at the 4-H Center.

Sunday, January 20, 2019 Princeton Daily Clarion

SOIL AND WATER

3

Lyles Station Historic Gibson County’s 2018 Preservation Corp. Conservation Farmer nominated for conservation award L yles Station Historic Preser vation Corp, Inc., has been selected as the Friend of Conservation Winner for Gibson County. The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ (IASWCD) Friend of Conservation Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to soil and water conservation in Indiana.

L yles Station provides education on histor y and agriculture. Ever y year, L yles Station helps with Gibson County’s Four th Grade Farm Fair — doing anything from making corn cob jelly to popping corn for the

students to sample.

Stanley Madison, Chairman of the L yles Station Historic Preservation Corp, also won the Indiana Landmark Williamson Prize for his work to rescue Lyles Station School in the 1990s. The now restored building was the only schoolhouse in the African American farming community established in the 1850s, and has since served as a museum that supplied exhibits for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

For more info on L yles Station School or museum, visit L ylesStation.org

IRELAND FARMS 2018 GIBSON COUNTY CONSERVATION FARMERS

(Perr y) Ireland Farms has been recognized as Conser vation Farmer of the Year by the Gibson County Soil & Water Conser vation District board of super visors. Perr y Ireland lives in L ynnville, and farms with his sons Ethan and Evan.

They farm approximately 100 acres in beans, corn, and wheat. The Irelands have installed field borders, WASCoBs, and also utilize conservation tillage (no-till). Per r y says it’s essential to have conservation practices on slopes, especially with the heavy rains, but they’re also using more cover crops in general, seeding complete fields, not just valleys and slopes.

Counter-Flow Grain Drying Systems

he Shivvers h

Advantage

High Capacities - up to 252,000 bushels per week High Test Weights - more profit for you High Efficiency - no one makes better use of a BTU High Accuracy - no grain leaves the bin before its time For More Information: • Pole Saw

shivvers.com

Phone: 812-386-6580

Goedde Oil, Inc. 1996

23rd

2019

“Homegrown for 23 years in Gibson County�

• Premium Farm Diesels • Gasoline • Fuel Oil • Oils And Greases For Home, Farm & Industrial Use Shell Lubricants • Petro-Canada Lubricants

1240 E. State Rd. 68, Haubstadt, IN

john@kieselent.com www.kieselent.com Mon-Fri – 7:30-4:30 • Sat – 7:30-12:00

1198 S. Kiesel Dr., Princeton, Indiana

Storage | Handling | Conditioning | Structures

7 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. M-F • Closed Saturdays until March 1st Call Anytime For Info, Ordering & Deliveries 768-5232 or 1-800-758-6196

4 SOIL AND WATER

Princeton Daily Clarion Sunday, January 20, 2019

GIBSON COUNTY SWCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, STAFF

Matt Michel was elected as a supervisor in 2010 after serving as an associate and was then elected to a second term. Matt is a graduate of Gibson Southern High School and Purdue University. He is the District Sales Manager for AgriGold Hybrids.

Matt currently serves as SWCD board chairman.

He and his wife Kassie live in Princeton with their son Henry. Matt is running unopposed for re-election.

Kenny Page is currently a supervisor and has served as a supervisor in the past. Kenny farms and lives in Oakland City with his wife, Judy. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

Kenny serves as board vice-chairman.

Dave Greubel is a farmer and school bus driver. He resides in rural Haubstadt with his wife Brenda. They are the parents of two grown children and have seven grandchildren.

Greg Obert has been an associate supervisor in the past. He says he is semi-retired from farming, living in rural Fort Branch with his wife, Rose. They have four grown children and nine grandchildren.

Dennis Simpson is a new-again supervisor as he’s served on the board before. He farms and lives in Owensville with his wife Diana. They have one grown daughter, Emily, a Purdue University grad.

MEGAN JACKSON, GIBSON COUNTY SWCD DISTRICT RESOURCE SPECIALIST

BACK ROW (L-R): DAVID GREUBEL, DENNIS SIMPSON, MATT MICHEL. FRONT ROW (L-R) GREG OBERT, KENNY PAGE

TABITHA ANTHIS, GIBSON COUNTY SWCD DISTRICT COORDINATOR

GREG S. GREG S. WEBER WEBER Owner/Operator Owner/Operator

JULIE LOEHR, LOWER PATOKA WATERSHED COORDINATOR

Marcus D. Iunghuhn CPCU® FLMI

G. TRUCKING, INC. INC. G. S. S. WEBER WEBER TRUCKING, Livestock Hauling Livestock Hauling Cell Cell(812) (812)449-6998 449-6998

TRAVIS GOGEL, NRCS DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST

4579 4579 E. E. 750 750 S. S. Fort Branch, IN 47648 Fort Branch, IN 47648

Agent 1002 S. Main Street Princeton, IN 47670-2656 Bus 812-385-2556 marcus@marcusismyagent.com www.marcusismyagent.com

The greatest compliment you can give is a referral.

Sunday, January 20, 2019 Princeton Daily Clarion

SOIL AND WATER

5

Gibson County 2018 River-Friendly Farmer

GIBSON COUNTY 2018 RIVER FRIENDLY FARMERS SHARON AND DON COLVIN

Don and Sharon Colvin of Patoka have been selected as 2018 River Friendly Farmer by Gibson County SWCD’s Board of Supervisors.

The Colvins raise corn, hay, soybeans, wheat, and beef. On their 71-acre farm, 25 acres have been taken out of production specifically for use as pasture for their rotationally-grazed livestock.

For ty acres are row crop via no-till, five acres are grassed water ways, and one acre is homestead.

Don comes from a nonfarming background, but he realizes the value of using best management practices (BMP’s) to build the soil and keep nutrients on his farm.

Don says he “tells everyone who’ll listen” about the practices they use.

We’ve been told a time or two that our agriculture bankers provide remarkable service, and that working with German American Bank feels like a business partnership; not a transaction. Our clients appreciate our commitment to local decision making, our ability to serve most any size of farm operation, and our priority to understand your business goals before we start discussing financial solutions.

Your bank for your moments.

Contact us today! (812)753-1006 • germanamerican.com

That moment when you realize your agriculture banker feels like your business partner

Greg Foster Jim McDonald Corey Heldt

6 SOIL AND WATER

Princeton Daily Clarion Sunday, January 20, 2019

Gibson SWCD sponsors poster contest Every year, Gibson County SWCD participates in the National Association of Conservation District’s 5th Grade Poster Contest. This year’s contest theme was “Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home.”

All Gibson County schools were invited to participate. Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place.

Posters were judged on conservation message and use of theme, visual effectiveness, originality, and universal appeal. The contest is judged by supervisors, staff, and conservation partnership employees.

1ST PLACE — LOGAN KUNKEL, PRINCETON COMMUNITY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL, SON OF KARA HOGGE

2ND PLACE—SHELBEE HUTCHINSON, PCIS, DAUGHTER OF TINA HUTCHINSON

Tough Boots for Tough Jobs

3RD PLACE — ADDISON ARNETT, FORT BRANCH COMMUNITY SCHOOL, DAUGHTER OF JOSH ARNETT

1/4 Mile North of I-64 on US 41 Haubstadt, IN • 812-867-6978 www.scottyslawn.com

Complete Boot and Shoe Repair

CUSTOM FOOTWEAR SINCE 1929

0%

906 N 7th St., • Vincennes 1-800-726-4770 | www.grundmanshoe.com Mon.-Fri. 8-5 (EDT) • Sat. 8-12

INSTINCTIVE PERFORMANCE 61 Inch Velocity Plus cutter deck 26hp electronic fuel injected Kawasaki engine Tiger Eye Advanced Monitoring System Up to12 mph forward cutting speed Height-of-cut adjustment from 1” to 5.25”

R&T Garage

CS-400VP-18

Car, Truck, Tractor Repair PAUL & TIM LASHBROOK OWNERS

(812) 782-3657

5839 E St. Rd. 64 FRANCISCO, IN 47649

Paul Lashbrook- Diagnostics

Financing Available

$329.99 SRM-225

PB-2520

Straight Shaft Trimmer

Hand-Held Blower

$199.99

$149.99

Chain Saw Value Pack

Sunday, January 20, 2019 Princeton Daily Clarion

SOIL AND WATER

7

‘Fab Five’ win conservation award The Soil and Water Conservation Society’s Hoosier Chapter awarded the 2018 Hoosier Chapter Group Conservation Accomplishment Award to the SWCDs of Gibson, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick County SWCDs. These SWCDs, nicknamed the Fab Five by their peers and partnering agencies, have formed a strong partnership that has been instr umental in the movement for healthier soil and cleaner water.

Over the past six years — and going strong — the partnership has hosted 40-plus workshops, roundtables, conferences and expos geared towards informing landowners and producers how to implement and improve natural resources through successful conservation practices.

From conducting workshops geared toward urban conservation to planning/playing host to

the first time the Eastern Native Grass Symposium was held in Indiana, the Fab Five have outdone themselves with top-notch education ef for ts for all ages, impacting an estimated 60,000 people over time.

The partnership has succeeded in not only hosting numerous events but using these events as a way to promote county, state and federal cost-share funding; this has resulted in the Southwest having one of the highest workloads of conser vation implementation in the state.

Over $1 million in cost-share funds have been awarded in various ways to the SWCDs, which was then applied on the ground in the five counties. With no signs of stopping, the Fab Five look for ward to continuing to educate the public and raise awareness to improve natural resources for generations to come.

Harold Thompson, SWCS president, presents the award to Chris Lee, NRCS, on behalf of the Fab 5. Tammy Swihirt, NRCS, looks on.

Serving Princeton area families and their pets since 1955.

Compassionate care for all animals, large and small.

Always accepting new patients.

725 E Broadway Street Princeton, IN 47670 812-385-2733 princetonvet.net

8 SOIL AND WATER

Princeton Daily Clarion Sunday, January 20, 2019

FARM FAIR HELPERS

Kiersten Rexing talks about her sheep with farm fair visitors.

Fourth Grade Farm Fair

The 32nd Annual Gibson County Fourth Grade Farm Fair was held at Gibson County Fairgrounds Pavilion in April, 2018.

There were 21 various tables visit. All Gibson County fourth grade students were invited to attend.

Some 370 students, teachers and school assistants visited the 21 stations. The Farm Fair is a collaborative effort between the Gibson County SWCD, Purdue Extension – Gibson County, and Gibson County FSA Master Gardeners, including June Neyhouse, Judy Dossett, Doris Glover, and Judi and Charles Miller, helped move student groups from one area to the next with a presentation on Backyard Conservation. Others assisting were Joe Padgett, Judy Dossett, Judi Miller, and Charles Miller. Princeton FFA set up stations for the event.

Thank you to everyone involved. We hope to see you on April 3!

Sunday, January 20, 2019 Princeton Daily Clarion

SOIL AND WATER

9

Soil sampling workshop held

Gibson SWCD partnered with The Nature Conservancy Nov. 15 to hold a soil sampling workshop. PARP credits and CCE credits were offered by Purdue Extension. We were fortunate enough to provide all farmers who signed up with soil sampling cost share money; funds provided by TNC.

Ferguson Agriculture Insurance

Kenny Ferguson Ag. Insurance Specialist

363 SOUTH STATE ROAD 57 Oakland City, IN 47660 Cell: 812-746-5130 BACK ROW (L-R): COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JANET AULT, CINDY DAVIDSON, JOYCE SCHMITT; FRONT ROW (L-R): KATY MULL, ANNA ELLERMAN

PARTENHEIMER, KINKLE & RICKER ™

L M A 4 6 4 1 P ™ M A 7 P119

Serving Families, Businesses, Industry and Governments in Gibson County for over 125 years

We proudly offer services for: TRUST & ESTATE PLANNING

OIL & GAS REAL ESTATE

DIVORCE & DUI

The Attorneys & Staff Verner P. Partenheimer – J. Robert Kinkle – Roman Ricker – Joni Roark – Jana Stanley – Kim LaMar www.pkrlegal.com • www.hpklawyers.com • jrkinkle@hpk-law.com 219 N. Hart St. • Princeton, Indiana

(812) 386-0050

10 SOIL AND WATER

Princeton Daily Clarion Sunday, January 20, 2019

NRCS report

BY TRAVIS GOGEL

SWCD/Purdue extension partnerships successful

DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST

Conservation is alive and continuing to grow in Gibson County. Landowners and farmers are joining in the soil health movement by implementing conservation practices such as cover crops. Many of these practices are being implemented without financial assistance.

Soil health, to me, is a no-brainer.

Why wouldn’t a farmer want to improve the soil and water quality on their land while potentially saving time and money?

Research has shown that using a conservation cropping system which includes cover crops and no-till can produce many benefits. Some of these benefits include increased infiltration, reduced weed pressure, fuel savings and possible yield increase when used in a long-term situation.

When determining how to manage your land and resources, ask yourself, “What would Mother Nature do?” Think of a forest, for example. A well-managed forest contains many species of trees and other plants and all of these plants benefit one another. The forest floor is not disturbed, and it performs better if it isn’t disturbed. These concepts should also be used in crop and pasture land uses as well. Remember the four principles for Soil Health Management: 1) Minimize disturbance 2) Maximize soil cover 3) Maximize biodiversity 4) Maximize the presence of living roots.

BY ADDIE THORNLEY

In 2019, many more opportunities will exist for collaboration in serving the citizens of Gibson County. May the partnerships between our community organizations continue, and continue to be productive, in the coming year and years to follow.

ANR EXTENSION EDUCATOR

In 2018 Purdue Extension of Gibson County and the Gibson County Soil and Water Conser vation District shared many experiences and programs together, especially as par t of the Indiana Conser vation Partnership. In particular this year, • Purdue Extension and SWCD share newsletter space and newspaper article space to allow for more publicity for each of our programs.

• Cooperating on the In Field Advantage program allowed farmers to find out more about nitrogen management on their farms.

• Purdue Extension educators, Master Gardeners, and Extension Homemakers are perennially present at the SWCD Four th Grade Far m Fair, a great educational opportunity for county youth.

• SWCD and Purdue Extension collaborated to promote various

programs in 2018, including a Soil Sampling Workshop.

• Purdue Extension promoted SWCD events including the SWCD Annual Meeting, and other exciting opportunities.

• SWCD has annually sponsored the Soil and Water Conser vation 4-H Project Special Awards.

• SWCD board meetings are attended by the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension Educator when possible.

• A member of the SWCD board ser ves on the Purdue Extension ANR Educator’s advisor y council.

• Purdue Extension and SWCD board members ser ve on the Gibson County Park Board, managing Hopkins Family Park and analyzing potential for expansion in the county’s natural recreational resources.

• The Conser vation Cropping Systems Initiative Regional Hubs include collaboration within the entire Indiana Conser vation Par tnership, of which IASWCD and Purdue Extension are members. There were multiple educational opportunities in the past year through this initiative.

In 2019, many more opportunities will exist for collaboration in ser ving the citizens of Gibson County.

May the partnerships between our community organizations continue, and continue to be productive, in the coming year and years to follow.

New invasive species management group formed This year we started a new journey by starting a CISMA group, joining with Pike County. CISMA stands for Cooperative Invasive Species Man-

agement Area. Our invasive species technician Heather Zengler worked hard to get the group started last year.

Heather has moved on to a new job

with the DNR; we will hire someone soon. We look forward to the new year and hope to grow this working group to continue fighting local invasives.

CREP tree planting in Gibson County for 2018

BY LINDA VOGLUND INDIANA STATE DEPT OF AGRICULTURE, RESOURCE SPECIALIST

In 2018 Gibson county had several landowners that chose to implement CP31 Bottomland tree practices on some of their acres in both the Lower Wabash and the Highland Pigeon watersheds.

CP31 is an excellent practice to use on smaller fields that may be cut off, subject to repeated flooding or have other issues that make harvesting crops difficult and expensive for farmers.

CRP/CREP offers great incentives for farmers by providing 140 percent of the soil rental rates as well as other incentives for installing and managing the practices. There are several practices within CREP that can be done including bottomland trees, filter strip, habitat buffers, and wetland restorations.

Gibson County had more than 25 acres of bottomland trees installed in 2018. We are always proud of the ef for ts of landowners and contractors who must plan and cooperate to

successfully install the trees or other practices within the allowed timeframe.

The unpredictable weather conditions of spring demand that tree consultants work in dif ficult conditions to complete the projects. We are also proud of the work that has been accomplished through the collaborative efforts of local, federal and state agencies Your Soil and Water Conser vation Ser vice (SWCD), Natural Resources Conser vation Ser vice (NRCS), Farm

Ser vice Agency (FSA), Indiana State Depar tment of Agriculture (ISDA), and Indiana Depar tment of Natural Resources (IDNR) all contribute their par t to ser vice requests and attain these goals.

We look for ward to planning and implementing more CREP practices in Gibson county for 2019. Anyone interested in implementing the CRP program on their farm can contact their local Farm Service Agency.

Please contact me for CREP: Office 812-635-3127 / Cell 812-698-2278.

Sunday, January 20, 2019 Princeton Daily Clarion

SOIL AND WATER

11

Daily Clarion archive photo

Gibson County 4-H Jr. Leader Joshua Georges and his peers plant vegetables at Lyles Station.

Aro u n d 1 0 4 - H e r s planted vegetables on a 1/3 acre of land near the Lyles Station Historic School and Museum.

BUYING? SELLING? TALK to LOCAL SPECIALISTS in the FIELD!

Vincennes Office

Sullivan Office

3981 S US Hwy 41

2044 W State Rd. 154

Vincennes, IN 47591

Sullivan, IN 47882

Princeton Office 1314 W 100 N Princeton, IN 47670

Don Morrow

Jenny Feagley

Owner/Broker 812-677-0140

Broker Associate 812-677-0137

dmorrow@mw.twcbc.com

jfeagley@mw.twcbc.com

You can count on our team to expertly navigate the complexities of your real estate transaction and protect your best interest.

800-882-5140 EXPRESS SERVICES 888-456-9876 WEBSITE www.winenergyremc.com

– REAL ESTATE –

914 S. Main St., Princeton (812) 386-7525

www.morrowrealestate.net

12 SOIL AND WATER

Princeton Daily Clarion Sunday, January 20, 2019

Daily Clarion archive photo

Gibson County 4-H Jr. Leaders Lexi Hunt and Katie Dunkel plant vegetables to give to local food banks and families in need at Lyles Station.

The group planed cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, radishes, beans and peas.

Dozing • Backhoe Service T-L Center Pivot Irrigation Systems • Terrace Work Farm Drainage Tubing 2”thru 48” Irrigation Power Units & Pumps • Field Tiling • Ditch Maintenance Excavator Service (1 1/4 yard bucket) • Underground Irrigation Systems • Erosion Control Fabric Complete Plastic Line, Including Tubing & Smooth Wall

C.F.C.O., Inc. 16377 St. Rt. 33 - Lawrenceville, IL - 618-928-2527 STEVE KOCHER • BILL LEE • JEFF KOCHER Serving Illinois & Indiana