Recognitions And Awards At SWCD Annual Meeting
Each year the SWCD recognizes the top four high school individuals in the area of soil judging. This year, as in a number of years past, the top four are from Wawasee High School. Recognized were Christy Carson, Harmony Schlabach, Michael McCulloch and Chase Ritter. Also recognized were Phil Cripe and Mike Pyle as two of the 48 state wide named River Friendly Farmers. Dick Kemper was named the recipient of the distinguished service award.
Conservation awards were presented to Tom Parker for nutrient management, John Camden for grazing management and the Conservation Farmer award was presented to Paul Mullet.
Farmers who volunteered to participate in the Shatto Ditch Watershed Project were also recognized. These individuals included Creighton Brothers Farm; Garwin Eaton; Robert Foltz, Mike Long, Brian Romain; Jeff Wise; Bryan and Ronald Severns.
Year In Review
“It was a very busy year for us,” said Darci Zolman, SWCD program administrator. “We are the busiest and most active district in the state.” Zolman presented the annual year in review. She noted there was common themes throughout the year: cooperative projects, partnerships to improve quality water, watershed basins and team work.
Projects reviewed included: the Clean Water Indiana project, which received a $75,000 grant; Lake and River Enhancement Project, receiving grants of $40,000 and $17,000; SIG Conservation Innovation Grant, which received $368,000; Regional Conservation Partnership project, involving Shatto and Kirkpatrick ditches, receiving a grant in the amount of $1.26 million; St. Joseph Watershed project, a multi state project, which received a grant of $6.8 million; the Clean Water Project, which received a 319 EPA grant totaling $200,000; the Middle Eel River Watershed Initiative involving 6,620 acres, receiving a $191,000 grant, and Yellow River Project.
Zolman reported education is still a key component of SWCD. She reported over 3,500 students received classroom instruction and 1,500 participated in field activities. This was the 22nd year for river safety programs on Grassy Creek and Tippecanoe Lake and on Tippecanoe River. Adult education workshops, a pasture walk, cover crop workshop, contractor workshop, Eel River Canoe Float and forestry field day were some of the educational programs.
New events in 2015 were noted and included programs on invasive species, woodland field demonstration, and Women Caring for the Land project.
A program titled INField Advantage will be offered for farmers wanting to participate and the master naturalist program offered March through November, is full with a waiting list. “If all goes well it will be offered in 2017,” said Zolman.
It was also noted the 2016 tree sales program is underway with April 8 as the deadline.
Additionally two supervisors were given the oath of office. Jon Roberts was sworn in as an appointed supervisor and Stan Moore became the newly elected supervisor. Both will serve a three year term on the boar.