The Posey County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has had great success partnering with surrounding counties on a variety of projects. Most of these initiatives were funded through Clean Water Indiana (CWI) grants. By partnering, we are able to combine resources to bring in well-known speakers and experts. We also are able to broaden our horizons by developing new partnerships with local businesses and offices.
In recent months, the Quad Counties which include Gibson, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Pike, offered a cover crop cost-share program. We also partnered with Purdue Cooperative Extension to offer the Area Corn and Soybean Day. The District hosted a cover crop breakfast and offered a variety of workshops on pond maintenance and soils quality. We also hosted a conservation breakfast.
The cover crop program has been a huge success. The District originally received a 2008 CWI grant for sediment and nutrient reduction. This grant allowed the District to cost-share on cover crops planted either traditionally or by aerial seeding. Of course, people saw the planes and then decided that they too would plant a cover crop.
Posey County ended up with over 1,000 acres of cover crops planted. We spent the original $10,000 and added District funds to the program. The cover crop program has been such a huge success that the Quad Counties have designated a portion of their 2011 CWI grant funds to this project. We have begun a list of interested parties!
We were able to secure Hans Kok, coordinator, Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, as our annual meeting speaker. He did such a great job sharing his message on cover crops, that we have had non-farming residents call the office asking for more information!
Because of our work with our local Area Plan office, our county representatives were able to better understand the District's need for a technician who would work on District projects, as well as USDA conservation projects. We are now given an annual allotment that has enabled us to hire a part-time technician whose main responsibility is Rule 5. This has been a great asset for our county. It also has increased awareness about the SWCD. We have been able to work with the city of Mt. Vernon on several projects as well. This has been our first experience working with the urban community of our county.
A few years back, we were awarded an Emergency Conservation Assistance Program grant due to extensive flooding and damage to our community. We used these funds for cost-share projects on repairs due to flood damage. An original grant of $83,005 was spent and we were able to receive an additional $12,000.
The District is thankful for the grants we receive, the partnerships we are building, and the dedication of our staff and supervisors. We also appreciate the Districts with whom we partner to promote the conservation of our natural resources.
In recent months, the Quad Counties which include Gibson, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Pike, offered a cover crop cost-share program. We also partnered with Purdue Cooperative Extension to offer the Area Corn and Soybean Day. The District hosted a cover crop breakfast and offered a variety of workshops on pond maintenance and soils quality. We also hosted a conservation breakfast.
The cover crop program has been a huge success. The District originally received a 2008 CWI grant for sediment and nutrient reduction. This grant allowed the District to cost-share on cover crops planted either traditionally or by aerial seeding. Of course, people saw the planes and then decided that they too would plant a cover crop.
Posey County ended up with over 1,000 acres of cover crops planted. We spent the original $10,000 and added District funds to the program. The cover crop program has been such a huge success that the Quad Counties have designated a portion of their 2011 CWI grant funds to this project. We have begun a list of interested parties!
We were able to secure Hans Kok, coordinator, Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, as our annual meeting speaker. He did such a great job sharing his message on cover crops, that we have had non-farming residents call the office asking for more information!
Because of our work with our local Area Plan office, our county representatives were able to better understand the District's need for a technician who would work on District projects, as well as USDA conservation projects. We are now given an annual allotment that has enabled us to hire a part-time technician whose main responsibility is Rule 5. This has been a great asset for our county. It also has increased awareness about the SWCD. We have been able to work with the city of Mt. Vernon on several projects as well. This has been our first experience working with the urban community of our county.
A few years back, we were awarded an Emergency Conservation Assistance Program grant due to extensive flooding and damage to our community. We used these funds for cost-share projects on repairs due to flood damage. An original grant of $83,005 was spent and we were able to receive an additional $12,000.
The District is thankful for the grants we receive, the partnerships we are building, and the dedication of our staff and supervisors. We also appreciate the Districts with whom we partner to promote the conservation of our natural resources.