Soil and water 2017

Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY SWCD’S ANNUAL MEETING Thursday, January 26, 2017, 6 p.m.

Fort Branch Senior Community Center 112 N Railroad St, Fort Branch SPEAKER: Justin Schneider, Farm Bureau

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Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

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2016 Gibson County SWCD Board of Supervisors, staf 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 Ann Ice, Gib- Southern High School son County and Purdue University.

SWCD EduHe is the District Sales cation Coor- Manager for AgriGold dinator Hybrids. Matt serves as board chairman.

Kenny Page was elected as a supervisor in 2014 and has served as a supervisor in the past. Kenny farms and lives in Oakland City with his wife, Judy. They have Tabitha three grown children Anthis, Giband two grandchilson County dren. Kenny serves as SWCD Oice board vice-chairman Manager and is running unopposed this year.

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.

Travis Gogel, Greg Obert has NRCS Disbeen an associate trict Conser- supervisor in the past. vationist

photos provided

Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors l-r Dave Weber, Greg Obert, Chairman Matt Michel, Vice Chairman Kenny Page and Dave Greubel.

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.

Dave Weber is a new supervisor, appointed in 2014. He farms and lives in Francisco with his wife, Mary.

They have four grown children and two grandchildren.

Jim Buck (not pictured) is a new associate supervisor, coming on the board in 2014. Jim lives in Oakland City.

Dave Gress (not pictured) is an associate supervisor and has been a supervisor in the past. He is a crop insurance agent and livestock/grain farmer. He and his wife Karen live in

rural Princeton.

Cleoramae G Stunkel (not pictured) is currently an associate supervisor. She lives in rural Haubstadt on her family farm and has served as a supervisor in the past. She is a retired minister and has installed numerous conservation practices.

Annual SWCD meeting Jan. 26 Gibson County Soil & Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) 70th annual meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at the Senior Community Center, 112 N Railroad Street in Fort Branch. Farm Bureau’s Justin Schneider will be the speaker.

The SWCD will share 2016’s accomplishments and plans for 2017. Award presentations for 2016 will include: River Friendly Farmer, Dave McKinney;

Conservation Farmer, Don Sollman; and Friend of Conservation, Gibson County Master Gardeners.

Tickets cost $8. Call the SWCD at 385-5033, option 3, to reserve tickets or email Tabitha.anthis@in.nacdnet. net. Tickets are payable at the door.

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Indiana SWCD survey shows accomplishment and power of districts Adult events: 1,113 (reaching 175,240 adults) School programs: 6,583 (reaching 340,233 children) 319 grants: 58 LARE grants: 28 Grant participants: 656 (180,624.34 acres)

Equipment of 92 SWCDs: (rented to 2,829 people): 65 no-till drills, 11 straw blowers, 7 crimpers, 9 wildlife food plot seeders, 25 tree bars

Other: Brillion seeder, erosion control blanket stapler, reduced tillage equipment, tree planter, pasture harrow, survey laser & rod, earthmover, grader/grader blade, power seeder, auger, measuring wheel, loader tractor, chain saws, tree transplanter, lat wagons, fence post driver, conventional crill, invasive species kit, hay probe, soils probe, root plow, hand seeder, box scraper, sub-soiler, vertical tillage tools, air seeder, strip-till tool, outback

guidance systems, manure spreader

Of the 92 SWCDs: • 37 sell or give away rain barrels, • 43 sell or give away trees or seedlings, • 12 have ish sales, 16 have plant sales, • 57 sell lags, 11 sell tile probes, 61 sell plat books, • 64 complete Rule 5 on erosion control • 21 sell garden cover crops or give away cover crop seed

Other: Pollinator/wildlower seeds, quarterly newsletters, Facebook, websites, fundraisers, blogs, midwest cover crop guides, community garden, soil sampling, well water testing, geo-fabric, Don’t Farm Naked t-Shirts, newspaper articles, mass mailings, wildlife food plot seed, white pine seedlings, bluebird houses, bird feeders, cover crop seed, grazing plans, organic certiication services, nose pumps, fair booth, festivals, Rule 13, rain

gardens, annual ag outlook meeting, lood meetings, parades, radio PSA’s, two-stage ditches, reduced tillage, tree giveaway, worm compost bin, Indiana Landowner’s Guide to Native Prairie Plants, giveaway seed packets (milkweed & native forbs), aerial & topo maps, downspout diverters, riverwatch training, family nature fest, duck race, raised bed cover crop display, rain simulator, agricultural awareness days, ag in the classroom, wetland & HEL determinations, water testing.

Number of people reached: 718,646

Number of SWCD employees: 212 (full or part-time, District or contract): 92 are multi-position/coordinator, director, administrator, manager, secretary, tech, educator; 43 technicians, 23 educators, 54 other (watershed coordinator or technician, interns, stormwater, outreach, conservationist (rural & urban), grant writer

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Gibson County’s 2016 Conservation Farmer

Grass Symposium Stephen Ball speaks to a group at Angel Mounds State Historic Site about the history and culture of the people and their relationship to plants and soil.

Don Sollman has been recognized as Conser vation Farmer of the Year by the Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District board of supervisors. He lives in Haubstadt and farms 360 acres with his son Trent; they raise corn, soybeans, and wheat.

Don and wife Marilyn have been married for 45 years and are parents to Trent, Tara Steebly, and Tiffany Eastman.

Don has installed several conservation practices, including: field borders, windbreaks, terraces, and maintains residue cover. When asked about the benefits of conser vation practices, Don said, “You just try to save all the soil you can and hope the things we’re doing improve everything.”

Don will be honored at the 2016 Annual Meeting.

John Foster explains his bee hives at Angel Mounts State Historic Site. His bees love goldenrod. photos courtesy Chris Lee, NRCS

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Gibson County Master Gardeners nominated for conservation award

BY HANS SCHMITZ PURDUE EXTENSION EDUCATOR, GIBSON COUNTY

The Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District has nominated the Gibson County Master Gardeners for the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Friend of Conservation Award in 2016. This award recognizes champions of soil and water conservation in Indiana in one of three categories. The Master Gardeners fall into the Nonprofit category. This nomination is a major recognition of the collaborative work that the SWCD and Gibson County Master Gardener Association have

achieved.

Every year, the Gibson County Master Gardeners coordinate multiple educational projects around Gibson County. Some of the displays are demonstration garden projects that exist in perpetuity as education to the community of landscape design and plant selection.

Some projects are consultations with community groups. Some of the projects involve traditional presentations for youth and adult groups on various aspects of horticulture. Now, horticulture itself is a very broad term, covering everything from plant nutrition to soil chemistry to disease and pest

management. The skills of the various members of the Gibson County Master Gardeners equal that breadth. For demonstration gardens, projects include locations at the fairgrounds, Princeton Welcome signs, Francisco Welcome Sign, volunteerism at the Azalea Path and around the Town of Haubstadt.

Consultations with Oakland City Cemetery and Hopkins Family Park, among others, exist to ensure those organizations have the horticultural education they need to maintain their own facilities. Speaking engagements include fourth grade farm fair, seventh grade science sensations, Fort Branch Health Fair, and other

invited presentations at the local libraries or for community groups.

Meanwhile, the Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District provides citizens with additional educational opportunities.

Workshops have been held in the recent past on cover crops, rain barrels, tillage practices, and many other topics of concern to farmers and landowners in Gibson County.

In addition to adult programs, Ag in the Classroom programming for elementary schools and Fourth Grade Farm Fair lead administration is provided by the district. District staff also provide consultation services for landowners concerned

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Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017 about soil and water issues on their property. Grant funding secured by the district allows for landowners to experiment with alternative cropping, tillage, or ground cover practices that conserve both soil and water.

Soil and water conservation efforts combine the SWCD and GCMG. Large efforts like Seventh Grade Science Sensation and Fourth Grade Farm Fair require time from both organizations. Consultation projects like Hopkins Family Park likewise require a share of expertise from both organizations.

These collaborations provide the basis under which the Friend of Conservation Award was nominated and applied. Collaborations like these, with or without an award, make water cleaner and lives healthier in Gibson County. For more information on collaborative conservation, contact Hans Schmitz at the Purdue Extension office via hschmitz@purdue.edu or 812-385-3491.

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photo provided

Gibson County Master Gardeners, seated l-r Judi Miller, Charles Miller, Karen Knapp, Judy Dossett and Ann Ice. Standing l-r Chris MacKay, June Neyhouse, Nancy Harper, Cheryl Walker, Shelia O’Maley, Bonnie Rehnquist, Doris Glover, Cathy Green, Vicki Whitaker, Linda Asbury and Joe Padgett. Not pictured: Mary Betty Arburn, Jill Larson, Kanda Walden, Laura reising, Linda Cornelius, Lili and Stu Swenson, Hans Schmitz, Betty Farris, Sarah Gipson, Susan Hill, Bob Hughes, Diane Jines, Elaine Ready, Becky Richeson, Julie Schmidt and Carol Slinker.

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Gibson County’s 2016 River Friendly Farmer help. To me, if I can use cover crops Dave McKinney of Francisco and get 1-2% better organic matter, that has been selected as the 2016 River should be the goal.”

Friendly Farmer for Gibson County The River-Friendly Farmer award Soil and Water Conservation District.

This selection was made by the Board was initiated in 1999 as a statewide initiative recognizing of Supervisors. “ To me, if I can use farmers who, through Dave farms in the good production Highland/Pigeon and cover crops and management, help keep Patoka watersheds, get 1-2% better including Indian Creek Indiana’s rivers, lakes and organic matter, streams clean. This award and Keg Creek. He conserves through no-till, that should be the is made possible by the Indiana Association of Soil cover crops, WASCOBs goal.” and Water Conservation (Water and Sediment Control Basins), and filter — Dave McKinney Districts, Indiana’s strips. He estimates that 2016 River Friendly ninety-two SWCDs, Indiana Farm Bureau, 80-90 percent of the land Farmer for Gibson Indiana State Department he farms is no-tilled. He County Soil and Water of Agriculture, Division of raises corn, soybeans, and Conservation District Soil Conservation, Purdue wheat.

Cooperative Extension When asked how photo provided conservation practices have improved Service, and the USDA Natural Gibson County’s Dave McKinney received the River Friendly Farmer award at Resources Conservation Service the quality of water that leaves his the Indiana State Fair in 2016.

(NRCS). ground, Dave said they’re “bound to

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30th Farm Fair hosted at fairgrounds pavilion

BY ANN ICE GIBSON COUNTY SWCD EDUCATION COORDINATOR

G

ibson County SWCD held their 30th annual Fourth Grade Farm Fair at the Gibson County Fairgrounds Pavilion.

Students visited 23 sessions on various topics given by tri-state volunteers. All Gibson County fourth grade students are invited to attend. Over 400 students, teachers and school assistants attended the Farm Fair. This event was coordinated by Ann Ice. Farm fair sponsors were Farm Bureau Inc., Princeton & Gibson County and Farm Credit Ser vices of Mid-America.

Presenters’ door prizes were donated by Taco Tierra, F&M Hardware, Dick Clark’s Family Restaurant, First Place Trophies, Make Your Mark, and Gibson County SWCD. New presenters for 2016 were: Mar y Stiker and Casi Studer, Indianapolis Homeland Security, radiation; Mayorga Dimi Elah and Hannah Somme , Evansville Red Cross, emergency awareness; Magen Brothers, Purdue Extension, nutrition; and Aveona Goodwin, assisting with goats.

Volunteers gave lessons on many topics, Hans Schmitz, Purdue Extension, soils; Darlene Cromer, laundr y and housekeeping in the past; Kanda Walden, recycling; Megan Hoffherr, dair y products; Bill Tuley, Gibson County Health Department, assistant to radiation presentation; Stan Madison, Gar y Schmidt, and Krista Hadley, L yles Station School; Chuck Froehle, conser ving currents; Julie Loehr, Watershed Coordinator, water quality; Tim Jones, Consolidated Grain and Barge, farm safety; and Dave Kunkel with his antique John

photo provided

Adults l-r are Casi Studer and Mary Sticker from Homeland Security performing a demonstration about radiation. Gibson County Health Department’s Bill Tuley assisted.

Deere tractor. June Neyhouse, backyard conser vation, and CJ Sauer, blacksmithing, were returning presenters.

Returning livestock presenters were: Matt and Emma Robling, pygmy goats; Diane Hadley, horses; John Feutz, DVM, bovine provided by Henr y Rexing and Fravel Farms; Justin and Kiersten Rexing, sheep; Chris and Jennifer MacKay, chickens; and Colt Hadley, miniature donkey. Mike, Ethan, and Luke Ice provided horse-drawn wagon rides.

Additional helpers were: SWCD super visor Kenny Page, Tabitha Anthis, Dennis Hadley, Henr y Rexing, photographer Stacy Ice, and Leafy White. Gibson County Master Gardeners assisting were: Doris Glover, June Neyhouse, Joe Padgett, Karen Knapp, and Chris MacKay. It takes many willing people

photo provided

Master Gardener June Neyhouse has helped at the Farm Fair for many years. for this event to be a success, each taking time from work and busy schedules. Thank you to the Princeton FFA and fair staff for

help with the facilities.

Call Ann Ice if you are interested in participating or helping at 812-385-5033, x110.

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Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Gibson County SWCD, Gibson Southern FFA team up Together with Gibson Southern High School’s Future Farmers of America, Gibson County SWCD purchased a Great Plains no-till drill.

This 12-foot, 3-point drill (model 3PNG-12-197515) has 7½ inch spacing, 3x13” press wheels, three seed boxes (main, native grass, and small seed), center pivot hitch, and 12’ markers.

This drill will be available for rental soon by contacting the SWCD office at 812-385-5033, ext.

3. Rates are $15 per acre with a $100 deposit/ minimum rental.

T

his year, Gibson Southern used the drill for their no-till beans at the high school field, with very good results. GSHS FFA head Richard Ritter says, “It is a nice piece of equipment which will benefit many Gibson County landowners in the years to come. I think it will bring no-till capability to many and will prompt more interest in cover crops because it can plant nearly any kind of combination of seeds. It will also be useful for renovating pastures, and it has a box for native grasses, which some of us are interested

in. We are very glad the FFA can play a part in promoting soil conservation in the county by helping make this drill available.

Plus, the students will get to use it every year at Gibson Southern High School, so cover crops and no-till will be part of their FFA experience, not just something they read about.”

Gibson County SWCD thanks Richard Ritter, GSHS FFA, and South Gibson School Corporation for helping to make this purchase possible.

photo provided

Gibson Southern High School’s FFA chapter uses a no-till drill on high school property.

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Cover crop breakfast

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Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Gibson and Knox Counties hosted an informational breakfast for farmers on cover crops. Betsy Bower, agronomist with Ceres Solution, discussed how farmers can accomplish their goals by using the right seeds mixture for the weather to control weeds and termination of the cover crop. The discussion was held on types of nozzles to use for improved coverage of burn down and to reduce drift. She showed comparisons when mixing chemicals, how water quality my afect the need to adjust the amount of chemicals used during the mixing process. photo provided

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Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Invasive weed workshop ofered

BY ANN ICE EDUCATION COORDINATOR

The Gibson and Pike County Soil and Water Conser vation Districts partnered with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Purdue Extension, and Indiana Department of Natural Resouces to coordinate an information meeting to educate the public on invasive weeds.

The morning begin with Ron Rathfon, Purdue University Extension Forester, and discussion of invasive species and how they have become a tremendous problem in Southwest Indiana. Many were initially sold and still are as landscape plants such as Bradford Pear trees and some were used for mine reclamation and highway banks like the Russian Olive shrubs. He discussed how the invasive weeds can spread by wind or wildlife into

the forest understor y and impact timber production.

Management strategies are in three steps: 1) Prevention, 2) Early detection and Rapid Response, and 3) Strategic Control Dave Wadsworth from One Way Tree and Land Service spoke to the group about his service and equipment he uses to eradicate the different invasive during the different stages of the weeds life cycle.

Dave Eckstine, Property Manager for Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife area, showed some areas in the park where they have battled Phragmites (water weeds). It is a very difficult species to control and once it has become entrenched they have to use helicopter spraying and fire to eradicate. It has become necessary to do so because the weeds completely surround ponds and lakes and making fishing virtually impossible.

SWCD Merit BadgeÂ

photo provided

 Boy Scouts Southern Indiana Boy Scouts participated in the Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge workshop at Posey County Fairgrounds, planting a pollinator habitat, discussing how to address erosion and pollution issues and learning about soil and water conservation. Fourteen Scouts from Mount Vernon Troop 375, Poseyville Troop 387, Fort Branch Troop 242 and Evansville Troop 350 attended. The annual workshop is held by Posey and Gibson SWCDs and coordinated by Ann Ice and Carrie Parmenter. Scouts attending were Evan Rice, Brady Bowman, Joseiah Anderson, Tyler Simpson, Mikey Bulla, Bryce Simpson, Evan Birch, Bryson Davis, Dalton Kuhn, Isaac Bollinger, Isaac Parmenter, Zane Beard, Thor Georgeses and Landon Epley.

Instructers were Parmenter, at left, of Posey County SWCD and Ann Ice, at right, of Gibson County SWCD.

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FSA Gibson County Committee advisor included in newest Smithsonian Museum exhibit successful. Today he has around 100 head of cattle on ground that Gibson County FSA Program has been in his family for four Technician generations. Glenn also has his pilot Glenn Raye Morris of rural license and has recently sold his Princeton Indiana has been a farmer fixed wing Cessna. for over 57 years in Gibson County.

In September, Glenn and his wife Since March 2009, he has done an were part of a group of 56 traveling excellent job as a Gibson County by chartered bus to Washington Committee Farm Service Agency.

DC to mark the dedication of the The Gibson County Committee and the USDA office enjoy his wit, charm, Smithsonian Institution’s newest and 19th museum: the National and calm demeanor. He is happily married to wife Julia, father to three, Museum of African American History & Culture. The Lyles Station and grandfather to four. Glenn is a community was recognized in an grain and cattle farmer in the Lyles Station area, farming 430-pus acres of exhibition called “The Power of Place” documenting the life, history, corn, beans, wheat, and alfalfa. and culture of the community.

From 1959 to 1994 he operated a hog farm. In 1994 he traded in Lyles Station has been a farming hogs for cattle, and has been quite community since its inception in

BY ANNA ELLERMAN

the early 1800s, founded by freed slaves, and was haven for free black pioneers. At its high point, the community of 800 residents featured a railroad, post office, two churches, lumber mill, two general stores, and a school. The melon industry helped put Lyles Station on the map. Having a railroad to ship the melons direct from the field didn’t hurt either. The well-drained sandy soil in the Wabash river bottoms was perfect for growing cantaloupes and watermelons. Timber farming was also a big source of income for many families in Lyles Station, felling trees for barrels, blocks, and even making railroad ties. Raising hogs, cattle and grain were also primary sources of food and income in the area. A major

flood came in 1913 from the Patoka and Wabash rivers, wiping out much of the community.

Morris farms his grandfather Wayman Stewart’s ground, which has been in the family for 161 years.

Glenn was born in 1938; he has seen the beginning of mechanical farming and the end of farming by hand. He’s watched the segregation era come to an end, and has even heard Martin Luther King’s voice live. We don’t have many people with a treasure trove of memories like this left. We need to glean as much from these wells of knowledge as possible. Gibson County Farm Service Agency is stronger and better because of Glenn Morris and his dedication.

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Funds available in Lower Patoka Watershed

BY JULIE LOEHR LOWER PATOKA WATERSHED COORDINATOR

Perhaps you’d like to modify your no-till drill so that you can plant cover crops on your farm…I can help with that through a 319 cost-share program.

Maybe you want to modify your equipment for precision agriculture farming…I can help with that.

Perhaps you’ve driven past fields green with cover crop this fall and thought, “I’ll do that next fall….”

I can help with that, too.

We will soon wrap up this costshare grant, but there are still a few dollars available for producers in the Lower Patoka River watershed critical areas of Trip-

pett, Indian, Houchins, Yellow & Goose creeks. Don’t forget—as we near the end of the grant, competition for funding means those who request funds first will get funded first. And when the funds are gone, they are gone.

Not sure if your land is in this watershed? Call me and I’ll find out for you! Or if you have questions regarding this cost-share grant or regarding details of funding you can receive for what, please don’t hesitate to call.

Questions? More details? Call Julie Loehr, Patoka River Watershed coordinator, at 812-385-5033 ext. 111 or cell 812-779-7924. Or leave your name & number with Tabitha Anthis at the SWCD office and I’ll return your call.

Tim Mason Farm Land

17

Gibson County SWCD Roadside Bufer program continues intersections, 900 curves on roadside and/or field erosion. The first step is to identify the areas that qualify for The roadside buffer stabilization this type of natural resource protecprogram is not connected with any tion and will enhance water quality other conservation programs but and public safety. can be implemented into your curThe Roadside Buffer Program was rent conservation plan. Along with started in 2001. This countywide proincreasing public safety, the grass strips promote healthy soil by slowing gram is offered to owners and producers of acreage currently in production. water runoff, trapping sediment, and enhancing water infiltration in the buf- With input from the producer, potenfer. Roadside stabilization buffers can tial sites are evaluated to determine length, width and size of the buffer that be increased in size to help reduce erosion on the field edge. The grassed will be the most beneficial for public safety and natural resource protection. strips can also offer a natural habitat If selected, applicants are offered a for small wildlife. All these benefits two-year “Voluntary renewable” agreecan add up to better air quality.

Buffer payments range from a min- ment with the Gibson County SWCD. Selected producers or landowners are imum of $50 a year for a 0.2 acre bufpaid in advance for a two year contract. fer, or a maximum of $225 per year, For additional information contact Ann plus an additional flat rate seeding cost of $10. . The buffers for roadside Ice: 385-5033, extension 110, or ann. ice@in.nacdnet.net . stabilization are limited to dangerous

BY ANN ICE

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

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Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

5th grade poster contest sponsored by Gibson County SWCD Gibson County SWCD is sponsoring the Fifth Grade Poster Contest for 2017. This year’s theme is “Healthy Soils are full of life�. The contest is open to all fifth grade student in public, private, or home school. Designing a poster and researching the theme can give you a voice in your community on important conservation issues. Good posters tell important stories, capture people’s attention with a powerful graphic, and inspire with a message for your community.

RULES: ¡ Any media may be used to create a flat or two-dimensional effect (paint, crayon, colored pencil, stickers, paper

or other materials). Poster size must be between 8.5â€? x 11â€? and 22â€? x 28â€?. Poster board must be used, no paper; students needing poster board contact Ann at the SWCD office. ¡ Posters should be packaged so they remain flat when sent for judging. ¡ All posters must be created by an individual student rather than a team of students. ¡ The 2017 theme “Healthy Soils are Full of Lifeâ€? must be on the poster. ¡ Attach a poster entry form to the back of posters, the winning poster will need an entry form signed by a parent to be eligible for the state and NACD contests. ¡ Every entry must be the

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contestant’s original creation and not be traced from photographs or other artists’ published works from computer printouts or magazines. We encourage each student to do as much of the work as possible by him/herself.

Entries completed by students in their handwriting and coloring will score better than those designed, drawn and colored by adult assistance.

 LOCAL DISTRICT RULES: • Posters will be judged by the SWCD staff and board of supervisors. • Winners will be notified before the end of school. • All posters except the winning entry will be returned to the respective

schools for display after judging.

The winning entry will be sent to the stateposter contest to be judged in August. An attempt will be made to return all posters.

Cash prizes for the local contest are donated by the Gibson County SWCD. Prizes are: First: $50, Second, $30, and Third $20. The local winning poster will be sent to the State Poster Contest to be judged in the summer of 2017.

For additional information, visit www.gibsonswcd.org. Posters are due April 1, 2017. Questions? Please contact Ann Ice, Gibson County SWCD, 229 S Second Ave, Princeton, IN 47670. You may also call 812-385-5033 ext. 110 or email ann.ice@in.nacdnet.net

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Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

4-H Soil & Water Poster Winner

19

Performance review meeting Deven Pohl was the 4-H Soil and Water Science Division Champion at the 2016 Gibson County Fair.

He was awarded a plaque

by Gibson County SWCD Education Coordinator Ann Ice. He attends Gibson Southern High School and is in FFA. photo provided

On Feb. 22, a lunch meeting at Dick Clark’s Restaurant ofcused on performance reviews and how to increase comfort in the role of supervisor of employee. The program was presented jointly by Purdue Extension of Gibson County, Gibson County SWCD and Gibson County Chamber of Commerce.

Michael Manning, Purdue Extension, gave a slideshow presentation. photo provided

It all starts with

A conversation.

Positioning your family business for the next year has never been more critical. Let’s face it, today’s market presents new challenges and relying on the past does not guarantee a sure path forward. That’s where the conversation starts.

Beacon Ag Group was founded on the promise of sharing expert knowledge with the members we serve. As ag people serving ag people, we know that making the right decision means having more options. We listen to your unique challenges and guide the way toward financial success. Let’s talk.

CONTACT BEACON AG GROUP AG LOAN OFFICERS BRANDON DECKER AND MIKE CECIL OR BEACON AG SERVICES* CROP INSURANCE SPECIALIST KALLIE BURKE-SCHUCKMAN TODAY AT (800) 825-6703 OR BEACONAGGROUP.ORG | Beacon Ag Group is a department of Beacon Credit Union. Each account insured up to $250,000 by American Share Insurance. By members’ choice, this institution is not federally insured. *Crop and livestock insurance and equipment leasing are offered by Plan One Financial Services, LLC DBA Beacon Ag Service, a wholly owned affiliate of Beacon Credit Union.

20

Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

FSA 2016 review, 2017 highlights Wheat-$46.23, Grain Sorghum-$47.94, and Oats $7.22. Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite as good coming in at $.09 for corn and $.64 he 2016 Crop Year for Gibson County started out for grain sorghum. All payments are based on very wet for the planting season. As the season 85% of established bases by farm number. And, all continued, the county became very diverse payments were sequestered by 6.8%. with the east part of the county battling storms and Speaking of ARC-CO and PLC payments, wet weather and the north and south parts of the enrollment for the 2017 ARC/PLC program has county becoming dry. By the time wheat harvest was begun and will continue through August 1, 2017. upon us, those producers that had wheat seemed Farms that want to participate have to be enrolled to be pleased with their yields and test weight. The every year. Signature requirements are the same grain prices may not have been where producers as in previous years. All participants sharing in the preferred as the year progressed, but those that crop must be on the program contract and sign for had selected the Agriculture Risk Coverage-County their share to participate. Farms that are being cash (ARC-CO) at the beginning of the 2014 Farm Bill rented by a tenant may be enrolled and a cash-rent photo provided certification can again be used if the same tenant and found their ARC-CO payments to be helpful before Gibson County Farm Service Agency staf In front, l-r, landowners have been on the farm in previous years. the year was through.

ARC-CO and Price Loss County (PLC) payments Katy Mull, Anna Ellerman. In Back, County Executive With the winter weather upon us, now is a good time Director Janet Ault, Cindy Davidson and Joyce Schmitt. to contact the Gibson County Farm Service Agency are based on the 12 month national average price for each crop. The marketing year for corn and (FSA) at (812) 385-5033. Ext 2, to get an appointment and PLC payments were made in October of soybeans is September 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 31 of each to get your farms enrolled for 2017. If there are 2016. 2015 ARC-CO Payments for Gibson County year. Any potential payments are determined in any changes to farming operations, the FSA Office will need to be contacted right away to get the were as follows: Corn-$85.70, Soybeans-$11.05, October of the following year. So, 2015 ARC-CO

BY JANET AULT

GIBSON COUNTY FSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

T

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Talk to our agriculture experts about acquiring or refinancing, purchasing capital equipment or livestock, making improvements, or securing production loans.

Ag Services Office 7990 S. Professional Dr. Fort Branch, IN 47648 (812)753-1006 germanamerican.com

Greg Foster

Jim McDonald

Nick Fueger

Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017 corrections made before you sign up.

Another program of interest is the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

This program assists agricultural producers with the cost of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat. The 2014 Farm bill reduced the national limit to 24 million acres, from a high of 32 million acres in past years. As a result, enrollment into the CRP program has become very competitive and somewhat limited. Landowners/ operators offering continuous enrollment type practices such as CP-8A Grassed waterways, CP-21 Filter Strips adjacent to streams, CP-33 Quail Habitat Field Buffers, and CP-38 SAFE (Upland bird habitat) may offer the acreage and select an effective date of as soon as acres become available in 2017 (if and when acres become available from the national limitation), or October 1, 2017.

Questions about all Farm Bill Programs?

USDA’s Farm Service Agency

(FSA) Offers Farm Bill Website and Online Overview of Farm Bill Programs The Agricultural Act of 2014 (the Act), also known as the 2014 Farm Bill, was signed by President Obama on Feb. 7, 2014. The Act repeals certain programs, continues some programs with modi¬fications, and authorizes several new programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Most of these programs are authorized and funded through 2018.

For the latest on 2014 Farm Bill programs administered by FSA, please visit our Farm Bill website at www.fsa.usda.gov/farmbill and for an FSA program overview please read, download and/or print our recently posted FSA Farm Bill Fact Sheet titled, What’s in the 2014 Farm Bill for Farm Service Agency Customers?

For more information on FSA, please contact your local USDA Service Center at the Gibson County USDA Service Center at 229 S. 2nd Ave, Princeton, IN 47670, or call at 812-385-5033, ext. 2, or visit us online at www.fsa.usda.gov.

21

photo provided

Gibson County Farm Service Agency Committee Seated: Glenn Morris and Shirley Strickland. Standing l-r, Kenny Page, Todd Teel and Mark Marvel.

22

Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

CES, SWCD partner in projects Meeting, and other exciting opportunities.

• SWCD has annually sponsored In 2016 Purdue Extension of the Soil and Water Conservation 4-H Gibson County and the Gibson Project Special Awards.

County Soil and Water Conservation • SWCD board meetings are District shared many experiences attended by the Agriculture and and programs together, especially Natural Resources (ANR) Extension as part of the Indiana Conservation Educator when possible.

Partnership. In particular this year, • A member of the SWCD board • Purdue Extension and SWCD serves on the Purdue Extension ANR share newsletter space and newspaper Educator’s advisory council. article space to allow for more • Purdue Extension and SWCD publicity for each of our programs. board members serve on the Gibson • Cooperating on the In Field County Park Board, managing Advantage program allowed farmers Hopkins Family Park and analyzing to find out more about nitrogen potential for expansion in the county’s management on their farms. natural recreational resources.

• Purdue Extension educators, • The Conservation Cropping Master Gardeners, and Extension Systems Initiative Regional Hubs Homemakers are perennially present include collaboration within the entire at the SWCD Fourth Grade Farm Indiana Conservation Partnership, Fair, a great educational opportunity of which IASWCD and Purdue for county youth.

Extension are members. There were • SWCD and Purdue Extension multiple educational opportunities in collaborated to promote various the past year through this initiative. programs in 2016, including a In 2017, many more opportunities Performance Management workshop will exist for collaboration in serving and a timely Emerald Ash Borer the citizens of Gibson County.

Informational meeting.

May the partnerships between our • Purdue Extension promoted community organizations continue, SWCD events including cost-shares, and continue to be productive, in the coming year and years to follow. grant projects, the SWCD Annual

Legislative Training

BY HANS SCHMITZ GIBSON COUNTY CES

An Emerson Family Tradition for three generations

photo provided

44 Southwest employees attended a legislative training day in February.

The morning was spent at the Farm Bureau building listening to speakers and the afternoon was spent at the Statehouse. Special thanks to speakers Peggy Welch, Cresswell Hizer, Paula Baldwin, Les Zimmerman, Judi Brown and Eric Shideler.

Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. CGB offers a wide range of delivery opportunities and contracting options.

Lyles Station also buys beans for the Soybean Processing Plant in Mt. Vernon Indiana.

4928 W. 100 N. Lyles Station Rd., Princeton, IN 47670 812-385-4524 • www.cgb.com

Emerson Cattle Company received Grand Champion Bull, Grand Champion Female, & Reserve Grand Champion Female at the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville in November Quentin B. Emerson, M.D. • 5910 S. 750 W., Owensville, IN 47665 • 812.661.9241

Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

23

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Soil & Water Conservation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Future Farmers of America PCHS FFA Chapter Established December 1, 1941

PCHS FFA Oficers Sentinel Lane Deputy, Treasurer Hunter Riley, President Colton Hadley, Secretary Austin Schafer, Vice President Riley McConnell, Reporter Jonathan Anslinger