CNA-SS-02-19-2016

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District 2015 Annual Report Region 8 Conservation Poster Contest Winners Micha Stephens was selected as the Division 4, Grades 7-9, Region 8 Conservation Poster Contest winner.

She received a Certificate of Award and a cash prize courtesy of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company

Brodie Wallace was selected as the Division 3, Grades 4-6, Region 8 Conservation Poster Contest winner.

He received a Certificate of Award and a cash prize courtesy of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company.

Look inside for:

• Conservation Awards • North Thompson River Water Quality Project • 2015 Report of District Funds

Friday, February 19, 2016

Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Message from the Chairman

By Mike Eblen

ally took their toll on many terraces and waterways in Union and the surrounding Well another year has counties. passed Hopefully area farmers and with have contacted their conspring just tractor to make necessary around repairs to the erosion probthe corner lems that stemmed from soil conlast fall’s heavy rains. The servation soil loss from last year’s once again rainy weather was horrific. takes cen- Eblen Many farmers have comter stage. mented that they had ten Last year’s heavy rains re- years of erosion in just the

Chairman, Union SWCD

Creston Field Office

Left to Right: Jodi Hitz, District Soil Conservation Aide: Dixie Baker, Conservation Assistant; Amanda McNees, NRCS Soil Conservationist; James Walsh, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician; Kayla Creek, District Conservationist; Bill Bolinger, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician; and Kelsey Drey, Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist. Not pictured – Phil Patterson, North Thompson Watershed Project Coordinator

NRCS AREA PERSONNEL

Jamie Carpenter, Asst. State Conservationist (FO); Shane McNaughton, Acting Area Resource Conservationist; Jeff Godwin, Civil Engineer; Kristy York, Area Program Specialist; Brian Hickman, Private Lands Biologist and Margaret Henderson, Area Administrative Management Assistant

OTHER PERSONNEL ASSISTING THE DISTRICT

Other personnel located in the USDA Service Center in Creston are: Rick Sprague, Area 4 Grassland Specialist; Catherine Janiczak, Area 4 Wetland Specialist; Tim Mensing, Engineer; Bruce Dake, Civil Engineering Technician; Amanda Kissel, Clerical Specialist; Jane Dawson, IT and Randy Goerndt, DNR District Forester

Informational Websites Iowa Department of Agriculture – www.iowaagriculture.gov IDALS-Division of Soil Conservation – www.iowaagriculture.gov/soilconservation USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service – www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov Conservation Districts of Iowa – www.cdiowa.org Iowa Department of Natural Resources – www.iowadnr.gov

last year alone.

We would like to encourage all landowners to be sure to stop in at the NRCS/ SWCD office and see what help is available. Once topsoil washes away there is no chance of getting it back so good conservation planning is very important and our dedicated staff can help anyone out with a conservation plan.

Thanks to everyone.

Mike

The Union SWCD board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the USDA Service Center Conference Room at 7:30 A.M. Notification and Authorization to Release Information

Landowners - if you are considering selling or renting your farm or would like to authorize certain individuals to view your file, please be aware that NRCS/SWCD cannot release information contained in your Conservation Plan to anyone without your written permission.

Committed to your Agriculture Success.

Commitment you can bank on.

Creston  Main Bank  101 W. Adams St.  641.782.2195 Consumer Bank  801 W. Taylor St.  641.782.5599 Afton Bank  100 E. Railroad  641.347.8423  fnbcreston.com

L-R: Rick Schmitz, Steve Crittenden, Dan Waigand, Chris Eaton (Main), Staci Heaberlin (Afton)

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016 — Page 3c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners

We, the Commissioners of the Union County Soil and Water Conservation District are proud to present our annual report of activities and accomplishments for your information. As Commissioners, we are charged with the restoration and conservation of the county’s resources, but have looked to you, the landowner and land user, for ideas and action to make the duties of our job a reality. We would like to thank all those whose contributions of time and money have enabled us to carry out a successful program: soil conservation cooperators, conservation contractors and businesses.

We also wish to thank the Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency; Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Iowa State University Extension Service; USDA Rural Development Service; Union County Board of Supervisors; Union County Conservation Board, State Legislators and many others. A special thanks goes to our local newspapers and radio station for their support.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship/Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS/DSC) and the Union Soil and Water Conservation District are an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Pictured left to right: Commissioners Mike Eblen, Chairman; Vicki Allen, Vice Chairman; Charles Western, Assistant Commissioner; Mike Brentnall, Commissioner and Steve Crittenden, Assistant Commissioner. Not pictured Commissioners James Allen and Matt Brown and John Tapken, Assistant Commissioner

Thank You Farmers!

We are proud to support the Union Co. Soil & Water Conservation District

NAPA - CRESTON 221 N. Pine, Creston, Iowa 641-782-2125 or 1-800-721-2125 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. M-F 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sat.

Creston...

A Great Place to Visit, Work and Call Home CRESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 208 W. Taylor/Hwy 34 • 641-782-7021 www.crestoniowachamber.com chamber@crestoniowachamber.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Proud Supporter of the Union County Soil & Water Conservation District

B

oyd Appliance Center Inc.

220 N. Pine • Uptown Creston, IA • (641) 782-2163

Selling Amana, KitchenAid, Maytag, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Speed Queen and Traeger Grills

Servicing most makes and models ~ Locally owned and operated Weekdays: 8:30-5:30 • Saturdays: 9:00-12:00 www.boydappliance.net

Ponds • Terraces • Conservation Work Demolition • Rock Hauling • Etc.

WENZIG

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY —Rich & Ann Wenzig—

641-782-4266 CELL 641-344-3213

2015 Financial Report

Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016

2015 Financial Report

TimberPractices Stand Imp Timber Imp TOTALStand Spent

Jobs1 1

TOTAL Spent

20 Ac Amt Installed 20 Ac

Cost Share$8,250.00 $8,250.00 $8,250.00 $8,250.00

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

1-M FUNDS No InterestLoan Loan Program No Interest Program (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) 1-M FUNDS a program that landowners can borrow to $20,000 at noforinteres This is a program thateligible eligible landowners borrow up to up $20,000 at no interest up to 2015Mileage Financial Report 2015 Financial Commissioners and Report Expenses $ 872.43 This is No Interestcan Loan Program (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices. a ten-year periodThis to isconstruct soil conservation practices. a programpermanent that eligible landowners can borrow up to $20,000 at no interest Postage 245.00 Commissioners Mileage and Expenses $ 872.43 1-M FUNDS for up to a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices.

Supplies 121.50 Jobs Completed in 2015 1-M FUNDS (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) Postage 245.00 Jobs Completed in 2015 Dues 900.00 (Commissioners Expenses) Supplies Expenses and Office Supplies and 121.50 Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share MiscellaneousMileage and Expenses 117.50 Commissioners $ 872.43 Dues 900.00 Terraces 2 7,310 Practices Jobs Amt FtInstalled$40,000.00 Cost Share Total 1-M Expenditures $ 2,150.68 Postage 245.00 TOTAL Spent $40,000.00 Miscellaneous 117.50 Terraces 2 7,310 Ft $40,000.00 Supplies 121.50 Total 1-M Expenditures $ 2,150.68 TOTAL Spent $40,000.00 Dues 900.00 LocalLocal Water Protection 3-M BUDGET Water Protection Program Program Miscellaneous 117.50 This is a program which provides low-interest loans (no more the for installation Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) Cost Share 50% This is a program which provides low-interest loans (nothan more3%) thanfor3%) the in- of Total 1-M Expenditures $ 2,150.68 3-M BUDGET conservation practices that enhance water quality.

The loan amount may be from stallation of conservation practices that enhance water quality.

The loan amount$5,000 may to a Financial Incentives Cost Share with private landowners is the cornerstone of soil and Local Water Protection Program and may be for up to fifteen years.

It may be used alone to fund a conservation Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) - Cost Share 50% $500,000 be from $5,000 to $500,000 and may be for up to fifteen years. It may be used alone onservation practice application in3-M Iowa and evidence of the program’s effectiveness canwhich BUDGET practice or in aand conjunction with other or cost programs. has spent overinst $3 This is of a program provides low-interest loans (noUnion more thanprograms.

3%) for The the a Financial Incentives Cost Share with private landowners is the cornerstone soil to fund conservation practice inshare conjunction withThe other cost SWCD share Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) - Cost Sharestructures 50% million since the program began in FY 2006. n across the landscape in terraces, waterways, erosion control and other conservation practices that enhance water quality.

The loan amount be from SWCD spent ove $3 million since the program began in FY 2006.may 3 Mile Lake – Public Owned Lakes onservation application inShare Iowa and evidence of the program’s effectiveness can has 3-M BUDGET Iowa practice Financial Incentives Cost with private landowners is the cornerstone of Union vation practice applications Following is the dollar amount of Low Interest Loans used in Union County: andThis may be for fifteen years.

Itused may be used alone fund a co isupforto areas above publicly owned lakestoand reservoi soil and water conservation practicewaterways, application Iowa and-control evidence of the $500,000 program’s across the landscape in terraces, erosion structures and other Iowa Financial Incentive Programin(IFIP) Cost Share 50% Following is theprogram dollar amount ofwatershed Low Interest Loans in Union County: Union County has been given allocations totaling over $5 million for use in cost sharing effectiveness can beCost seen Share across the landscape in landowners terraces, waterways, controlor of reservoirs having watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less FY 2006 2007cost share FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 practice in soil conjunction withaFY other programs.

The Union SWCD hasthan spe vation practice applications nancial Incentives with private is theerosion cornerstone and 7/1/057/1/06 – 7/1/07 – 7/1/08 –the state 7/1/09 – manent soil and conservation practices since the program wasmillion started since in 1973. structures andwater other conservation practice applications by an Iowa county, municipal government or by of Iowa are eligible program began6/30/07 in FY 2006.

UnionUnion County hasapplication been given allocations totaling overof$5the million for useeffectiveness in costthe sharing ervation practice in Iowa and evidence program’s can 6/30/06 6/30/08 6/30/09 6/30/10 County has been given allocations totaling over $5 million for use in cost sharpractices that have been completed in Union County in 2015. $526.615.39 $25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 manent soil and water conservation practices since the program was started in 1973. ross ing theonlandscape in terraces, waterways, erosion control structures and other permanent soil and water conservation practices since the program was started Jobs Completed in 2015 Following is the dollar amount of Low Interest Loans used in Union County: in 1973. applications on practice Practices Jobs Amt Installed Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share FY 2011 2012 FY2013 FY 2008 FY2014 FY2009 2015 FY2016 FY 2006 FY FY 2007 FY FY 2010 Cos Jobs Completed in 2015 ion County has been given allocations totaling over $5 million for use in cost sharing 7/1/10 – 7/1/11 – 7/1/12 – 7/1/14 – 7/1/14 – 7/1/15 – Terraces 2 4,400 Ft Grade Stab Structure 1 1Installed EA $14,461.76 Mile6/30/2013 Public Lakes 7/1/05- 6/30/1237/1/06 –Lake –7/1/07 – Owned 7/1/08 – 7/1/09 – Practices Jobs Amt Cost Share 6/30/10 6/30/14 6/30/15 12/31/15 ent soil and water conservation practices since the program was started in 1973.

TOTAL This program is for $597,746.06 watershed areas above publicly owned$98,731.46 lakes and reservoirs 6/30/06 6/30/07 6/30/08 6/30/09 6/30/10Only lake Terraces 91 22,150 43,248.42 $85,120.60 $551,085.02 $261,443.22 $125,102.16 Grade Stab Structure 1 EAFt $14,461.76 reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less$526.615.39 than 80 to 1 and $25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 Water & Sediment Basin 49 10 EaFt 15,885.60 3 Mile Lake – Public Owned Lakes Terraces 22,150 43,248.42 Jobs Completed in 2015 by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible.

Following Mile Lake - Public Owned $73,595.78 This program is for watershed areas3above publicly owned lakesLakes and reservoirs Only lakes or WaterPractices &TOTAL Sediment Basin Jobs 4 10 Ea 15,885.60 practices that have been completed in Union County in 2015.

Amt Installed Cost Share This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs.

Only 12 Mile - Public reservoirs acreage-to-lake surfaceLake area ration of less Owned than 80 to 1Lakes and owned FYhaving 2011 a watershed FY 2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY 2015 FY2016 lakes or reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than TOTAL $73,595.78 Grade Stab Structure 1 1 EA $14,461.76 This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoi by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible.

Following are 7/1/10 – 7/1/11 – 7/1/12 – 7/1/14 – 7/1/14 – 7/1/15 – REAP - Practices 80 to 1 and owned by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the stateCost of Iowa are Am Practices Jobs Amtsurface Installed Share reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake area ration of less than practices that have been completed in Union County in 2015.

TerracesEnhancement and Protection 9 22,150 Ft are available 43,248.42 6/30/10 6/30/14 in Union 6/30/15 in 2014.

12/31/15 eligible.

Following are practices6/30/2013 that2have been completed Resource funds to landowners for soil 6/30/12 Terraces 4,400 Ft state County $are14,416.50 REAP -(REAP) Practices REAP Practices by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the of Iowa eligible $98,731.46 $85,120.6 $551,085.02 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 $125,102.16 Water & Sediment Basin 4 (REAP)districts 10 Ea aredesignate 15,885.60 ter conservation practices.

Soil conservation high priority watersheds TOTAL 14,416.50 Resource Enhancement and Protection funds available to landowners Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share $Amt Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are available to landowners for soil practices that have been completed in 2015.

TOTAL $73,595.78 forREAP soil and water conservation practices.Union Soil conservation districts designate highPlatte pri- River ch funds can be expended.

County has designated the Terraces 2 4,400 Ft $ 14,416.50 terthe conservation practices.

Soil conservation districts designate highhas priority watersheds ority watersheds in which the REAP funds can be expended.

Union County desighed as their priority watershed.

TOTAL $ 14,416.50 Cost S Practices Jobs Amt Installed h thenated REAP fundsRiver can Watershed be expended.

County has designated the Platte River the Platte as theirUnion watershed.

REAP -priority Practices Terraces 12 Mile Lake - Public 6 Owned Lakes 26,175 Ft $ 107,08 hed as their priority watershed.

12 Mile Lake Public Owned Lakes This program is for watershed areas above publicly lakes and reservoirs. Only6,67 lak source Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are available to landowners for soil Jobs Completed in 2015 Gr Waterway 2 owned 3 Ac This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs.

Only 12 Mile Lake Public Owned Lakes reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 and conservation practices. Soil conservation districts designate high priority watersheds TOTAL $113,76 Jobs Completed in 2015 reservoirs having watershed acreage-to-lake area of less than isorcounty, for watershed areasagovernment above publicly andIowa reservoirs.

Only lakes or byprogram anlakes Iowa municipal or owned by the lakes statesurface of areration eligible.

Following he REAP funds can be expended.

Union Amt County has designated theThis Platte River Practices Jobs Installed Cost Share 80 to 1 and owned by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are reservoirs having watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 and owned practices that ahave been completed in 2015. as their priority watershed. eligible.

Following aregovernment practices that in 2015.

Terraces 7 9,170 Ft $29,256.03 by an Iowa county, municipal or have by thebeen statecompleted of Iowa are eligible. Following are Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share practices that havePractices been completed in 2015. Jobs GrTerraces Waterway 17 1 Ac 1,497.50 Amt Installed Cost Share 9,170 Ft $29,256.03 Jobs Completed in 2015 TOTAL $30,753.53 Terraces 6 26,175 Ft $ 107,085.67 Gr Waterway 1 1 Ac 1,497.50 Practices

Gr Waterway (Forestry/Native Grasses) TOTAL REAP-F $30,753.53 Terraces REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses) TOTAL Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share 1990 the District has received fundingfunding for theforResource Enhancement Since 1990 the District has received the Resource Enhancementand andProtection Pro-Gr Waterway P-F) tection program.

Theseprogram. funds areThese used to support practices promote installation of (REAP-F) are used to support to the promote theTOTAL Terraces 7funds 9,170 Ft topractices $29,256.03 installation of woodlands, native grasses and forbes, and farmstead windbreaks. ands, native grasses and forbes, and1 farmstead windbreaks.

Gr Waterway 1 Ac 1,497.50 TOTAL $30,753.53

Jobs 1

Amt Installed 20 Ac

No Interest Loan Program

Amt Installed Cost Share 3 Ac 6,675.00 26,175 Ft $ 107,085.67 $113,760.67 3District Ac 6,675.00 Funds District Funds $113,760.67 January 1, 201531,– 2015 December 31, 2015 January 1, 2015– December

2

District’s Regular Checking Account

Jobs Completed in 2015

Practices Timber Stand Imp TOTAL Spent

Jobs 6 2

Cost Share $8,250.00 $8,250.00

Balance brought forward January 1, 2015 RECEIPTS EXPENDITURES District Funds

$24,674.96 + $30,432.49 - $19,412.10 $35,695.35 31, 2015

District Funds Balance endingJanuary December 2015 1,31, 2015 – December January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015 District’s Regular Checking Account

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016 — Page 5c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Protecting Our Resources - the Soil and Water

By Jim Gillespie

Directory, Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality

Iowans continue to make continual commitments to protecting the soil and water resources of our state.

It is evident by the strong partnership between the landowners, farmers, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and many other partners locally

working together to address soil health and water quantity and quality.

In State Fiscal Year 2015 Iowa set another record with the Iowa Financial Incentives Program (Cost Share) with a landowner/ farmer contribution of $12.8 million, a state investment of $9.8 million with the total investment of $22.6 million. To put in perspective what that meant in numbers for four conservation practices, it was 515 miles of terraces, 1,264 miles of waterways, 96 grade stabi-

EARTHWORK & TILE Eblen Construction Inc. 1676 E. Adams, Creston, IA 50801 641-782-4029 641-344-0793 (Don’s Cell) 641-344-3796 (Mike’s Cell)

David Downey Construction 2429 Tulip Ave., Afton, IA 50830 641-340-0219

Giza Construction Jesse Giza 1670 US Hwy 34, Creston, IA 50801 641-344-3072 (Cell)

Jordan & Sons Construction 2926 130th St., Lenox IA 50851 641-340-5805 641-333-4259

Lamb Tiling 2751 Marion Avenue, Greenfield, IA 50849 641-743-8312 515-250-8440 (Cell)

Ruth Construction 206 N. Broad, Orient, IA 50858 641-344-9690 (Cell)

lization structures, and 471 water and sediment control basins. These conservation practices are effective, long term practices that trap sediment and phosphorus in the fields. This reflects a commitment of landowners and farmers making an investment with the state where they are contributing $1.50 or more for each dollar invested by the state.

The impacts of the various cost share programs offered locally is that it continues to get more conservation practices in-

stalled.

The numerous benefits of these conservation practices are that it reduces erosion, soil losses and nutrient runoff. It continues to improve soil health and water quantity and quality issues. They reduce storm water impacts on public and private property and protect infrastructure. These programs help in protecting watersheds above and water quality in Iowa’s publicly owned lakes. They also help local economies benefiting local communities.

Your operations are businesses that depend on healthy soils, the water on your property is well managed and utilized, the nutrients are well managed for crop production, and your livestock operation is managed effectively. The challenges that go with these elements of your businesses are important to insure that you can operate effectively and profitable. When you evaluate these components of your business throughout the year and identify needs

and opportunities to make improvements, please don’t hesitate to stop in the field offices in your area to find out how we can help with your soil and water issues.

These offices have great technical assistance and usually have financial assistance programs that can help put scientifically proven conservation practices on your land to help with improving your soil health, water quantity and water quality. Stop in any time and let us help you.

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION BUSINESS DIRECTORY EARTHWORK

SURVEYING

K.M. King, Inc. Kevin King

Mid-State Surveying Jim Norman & Greg Shawler

306 N. Sumner, Creston, IA 50801 641-782-8063 641-344-7328

Wenzig Construction Company 1542 Beechwood Avenue, Creston, IA 50801 641-782-4266 641-344-3213 (Cell)

FINANCE First National Bank 101 W. Adams 100 E. Railroad Creston, IA Afton, IA 641-782-2195 641-347-8423 www.fnbcreston.com

ISSB Creston 401 W. Adams 901 N. Sumner 504 W. Taylor

Additional Locations: Corning Diagonal Lenox

500 E. Taylor, Creston, IA 50801 641-782-4004

SUPPLIES Farm & Home Supply 408 S. Sumner Creston, IA 50801 641-782-2317

116 N. Taylor Mount Ayr, IA 50854 641-464-3991

Farmers Cooperative Co. 1000 E. Mills • Creston 641-782-7202

TILE Magnum Trenching System 2488 Tulip Avenue, Lenox, IA 50851 641-333-4462

Gerald Kinyon Construction 1431 Uban Avenue, Creston, IA 50801 641-345-2853 641-344-0739 (Cell)

Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

2015 Award Winners The annual Union Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Awards Banquet was held February 9th.

Three awards in recognition of efforts to protect and improve the natural resources in Union County were presented to landowners by the commissioners.

Steward of the Land Award Dale & Judy Eklund have farmed in Highland Township for all of their working career. Over the years, Dale has installed over 2500’ of terraces and over 140 intakes. He also farms on the contour, uses field borders and waterways where needed, and practices crop rota-

tions and conservation tillage. Even though Dale rents his farm out now, he still takes an active part in checking waterways, intakes, and tile outlets. Because of Dale and Judy’s lifetime commitment to conservation, they are our Stewardship Award winners in 2016.

Dale & Judy Eklund

Owner Operator Award Matt and Kim Waigand purchased a farm a few years ago and have done a lot of conservation work on it. In the last two years, they have seeded down steeper highly erodible slopes and installed terraces and waterways. They

plan to install a prescribed grazing system, do some brush clearing to establish more productive pasture, and build a pond for a water source. Their efforts will help ensure their farm’s productivity and sustainability in the future.

Matt & Kim Waigand

12-Mile Watershed Stewardship Award The 12-Mile Watershed project was initiated five years ago due to concerns about poor water quality in the Lake. Lowell and Janet Pettit farm in the 12-Mile watershed near 12-Mile Lake. Over the life of the watershed project, they have installed over 12,000 feet of terraces, seven water and sediment control basins, one

grade stabilization structure, and three acres of waterways. These practices keep approximately 640 tons of sediment and 850 pounds of phosphorus from reaching 12-Mile Lake. The Pettits’ commitment to keeping soil on their farm and out of the water make them our 12Mile Watershed Stewardship Award winners.

Lowell & Janet Pettit

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016— Page 7c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District 12 Mile Lake Watershed Project

By Jodi Hitz Union SWCD

The 12-Mile Lake Watershed project has had a busy four years. 12-Mile Lake serves as one of the water sources for the city of Creston and eight counties served

by SIRWA. Landowners in the nearly 15,000 acre watershed have installed 6 grade stabilization structures, 5 water and sediment control basins, 45,200 feet of terraces, 10 acres of waterways, and 11 acres of streamside filter strips since 2013. These practices have reduced sediment delivery by 2240 tons and phosphorus delivery by 3200 pounds.

Why does this matter?

Sediment--soil particles transported by water--is the largest nonpoint source pollutant in the United States.

Excess nutrients, like phosphorus, and bacteria and other organisms are often attached to sediment particles. These nutrients are essential for plant growth, but when too much of them are washed into rivers and lakes, it increases eutrophication (the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water is decreased, affecting fish populations poorly) and increases water treatment costs. Landowners in 12Mile Watershed have kept over 100 dump trucks of soil from reaching the lake.

The district is currently accepting applications for cost share for conservation practices. If you are interested or have any questions, stop by the NRCS office at 904 E. Taylor. For more information, you can call the office at (641) 782-4218 ext. 3.

Poster contest

By Vicki Allen Commissioner

Each year the Union County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) along with Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, sponsor a poster contest.

Posters submitted for the contest are first judged at the local level and the winners are forwarded on for regional competition. Posters winning the regional competition are then forwarded on for state competition.

The theme for 2015 was “Local Heros-Your Hardworking Pollinators”.

Local poster contest winners were; 6th grade 1st place Brodie Wallace, 2nd place Samantha Dunphy, 7th grade 1st place Hannah Walsh, 2nd place Danika Schultes, 8th grade 1st place Micah Stephens and 2nd place Rachael Wignall. All were students at St. Malachy School in Creston.

Brodie Wallace was selected as the Division 3, grades 4-6 Region 8 winner and Micha Stephens was selected as the Division 4, grades 7-9, Region 8 winner.

The theme for the 2016 poster contest is “We All Need Trees”.

All public, private and home school students, residing in Iowa, in grades K-12 grades

6TH GRADE

SWCD Scholarship

By Vicki Allen Commissioner

The Union County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Conservation Districts of Iowa are sponsoring Powers scholarships for seniors again this year who are pursuing their education in the field of agriculture, natural resources

or environmental issues.

Applications are available at each school or at the NRCS office at 904 E. Taylor in Creston. Applications need to be returned to the District office

by February 26, 2016. One application may be chosen to be sent into regional competition for the Conservation District of Iowa Scholarships.

The Union County SWCD scholarship for $500 will be awarded to eligible seniors that live in Union County or attend Creston or East Union Schools.

Selection is made based on school activities, organizations and community involvement.

The 2015 Union County Scholarship recipient was Jacob Powers, graduate of Creston Community Schools.

Jacob is the son of Kendall and Ann Marie Powers of rural Creston. After college Jacob plans to become a farmer.

For more information or to get a scholarship application contact your school or call Dixie at the NRCS office in Creston at 782-4218 ext. 3.

are eligible to take part in the poster contest.

For more information on the poster contest rules and dead-

lines please go to the Conservation Districts of Iowa web site or call Dixie at the NRCS office in Creston at 782-4218 ext. 3.

7TH GRADE

8TH GRADE

Meet the new Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist Kelsey Drey is the new Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist covering Adair, Madison, Ringgold and Union counties. Specifically, her duties entail assisting landowners and producers with conservation planning to protect our water and soil resources and improve wildlife habitat on the landscape. She is a native to Northwest Iowa, received her B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University and attended

Mississippi State University to conduct her thesis research on bobwhite quail.

Prior to moving back to her home state, Kelsey worked in Nebraska for Pheasants Forever as a Coordinating Wildlife Biologist.

If anyone wishes to discuss habitat projects or knows others who are interested; please contact Kelsey at 641-343-7033 ext. 302 or kdrey@pheasantsforever. org.

Page 8c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

North Thompson River Water Quality Project Adair, Madison, and Union SWCD’s By: Phil Patterson, Project Coordinator

Fiscal Year 16 (FY16) was the 12th year of the North Thompson Water Quality Project which is primarily funded by the Iowa Department of Agriculture/Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality with Watershed Protection Funds (WSPF). It is also supplemented by a number of other Iowa Department of Ag and USDA funding sources.

The North Thompson River Watershed includes 111,600 acres located in Adair, Madison, and Union Counties with primary resource

concerns of degraded water quality caused by sediment and nutrients entering the North Thompson River.

In FY16 the watershed originally received $153,480 WSPF funding. The funding is continually being supplemented by numerous other fund sources from the DSCWQ and multiple federal funded programs through the NRCS. At this time a total of 8 applications are approved for funding to construct 4 grade stabilization structures, 10,950 feet of terraces and 1 water and sediment basin. When these practices are completed they will be keeping another

2692 tons of sediment from reaching the North Thompson River per year.

There continues to be positive interest in the North Thompson with several quality projects yet to construct this fiscal year.

Let’s hope time, weather and funding allow us to complete them.

The watershed was originally divided into 34 subwatersheds throughout the three counties and prioritized using soil loss calculations to determine the most critical sub-watersheds to begin work. To date the sub-watersheds eligible for cost share are in all three

Soil Conservation Field Tiling • Earth Moving

counties. The map above shows the total watershed with the shaded ones being eligible for cost share at this time. The entire watershed will be eligible for cost share in the future as the goals are obtained and more sub-watersheds are prioritized.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the North Thompson Project, contact your local NRCS office or: Phil Patterson IDALS/DSCWQ Project Coordinator North Thompson River Water Quality Project 641-782- 4218

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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016 — Page 9c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District NRCS planning for water quality improvement Kurt Simon

State Conservationist

As the new State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Iowa, I feel Simon honored to be part of the conservation TEAM in one of the most productive agricultural states in the nation. As a conservationist, I will continue the movement toward improved water quality and soil health, and more strategically planned conservation.

I have 31 years of experience in conservation with USDA, most recently serving as Tennessee NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations in Knoxville. I take pride in the variety of positions I have held throughout the agency, including starting off as a District Technician in Ohio.

I have also worked in West Virginia, South Carolina, Washington D.C., and Alabama, and served as a national liaison to the National Wild Turkey Federation and The Nature Conservancy.

As you all know, there is

a great deal of attention focused on improving water quality in Iowa. In addition to the already significant contributions we are making towards water quality improvement in the state, I am committed to accelerating our positive results. We can do this in several ways: • Prioritize and focus our conservation planning assistance to improve the effectiveness of financial assistance investments. Conservation plans serve as a blueprint for more targeted and cost-effective approaches to addressing natural resource concerns. NRCS has documented significantly higher success rates with projects on farms when producers and our staff and partners use well-developed conservation plans as the platform for action.

• Continue to collaborate with state and local conservation partners to target conservation systems where they will be most effective.

That means engaging our soil and water conservation districts, ag associations, and conservation organizations to prioritize project areas.

• Partner with organizations to promote and target wetland restoration to address water quality and habitat needs. Wetlands can filter

water and buffer storm discharges, ultimately improving water quality and reducing flood risk downstream.

• Work with partners to deliver and strengthen regional conservation projects. Through RCPP, we are working closely with project sponsors to ensure the success of these pioneer projects in Iowa. Moving forward, we will work with sponsors to identify potential innovative and effective project concepts, and to strengthen future project proposals.

There are many challenges ahead of us, and that is one reason why NRCS is transitioning into a conservation planning first approach. I look forward to assisting NRCS staff and our local offices through this transition, and continuing our efforts on Soil Health and the benefits it can bring to on-farm profitability, cleaner water, reduced soil erosion, and nutrient reductions.

I look forward to visiting more of the state this winter to meet with staff and partners, and to hear about the great things we are accomplishing. I also want to know what is impeding our efforts to get more conservation on the land, and what processes can be improved or streamlined.

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Page 10c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District CRP Basics No till farming Bill Bolinger

NRCS Soil Conservation Technician

As commodity prices plummet, the interest in enrolling land into the Conservation Reserve Program ( C R P ) has gained p o p u l a r - Bolinger ity. As you have heard, many landowners have enrolled ground into the CRP program. Most are hoping to sustain their bottom line, ensure income, and gain some comfort in not having to gamble with the volatile markets.

If you are one who has taken advantage of a CRP enrollment program such as Gaining Ground, Wetland Restoration, HELI, or Pollinator Habitat Restoration, now is the time start making arrangements to get the ground seeded. We have had several questions about seed bed preparation, chemical carry over, whether to broadcast or to drill, cultipacking, and maintenance after seeding.

What about seed bed preparation? Will you be seeding into corn stalks, soybean stubble, or existing brome? If you are seeding into corn stalks, a light tillage pass may be best to expose some soil and knock down the stalks, however, the ground should then be rolled to ensure a firm seed bed. A firm seed bed is key in establishing native grasses or forbes as the seed is very small. The seed should only be planted twice as deep as the seed is in size. This is usually less than ¼”. If you are seeding into soybean stubble, you have a perfect scenario for a no-till seeding

as the stubble is short and the seed bed is firm. Drill the seed and roll if possible.

Seeding into existing brome is more labor intensive. The existing brome needs to be removed so good seed to soil contact can be achieved.

The brome will also need to be terminated so it will not compete with your new seedlings. The quickest way to remove brome is with a controlled burn. Establishing firebreaks around the perimeter will help contain the fire. Once the brome has been burned, it will need to be terminated with glyphosate after it regains 4”-6” of new growth.

What about chemical carryover in row crop areas? Generally, this is not much concern when you are seeding the following year. 2015 was very wet and most chemicals have likely leached away and dissipated.

Agronomist have noted that utilizing no-till is least risky as residual chemicals (if still present) can be reactivated with tillage.

Do I broadcast or use a drill to plant the seed? This is a very common question.

Hands down, using a no-till drill will yield the best results. A drill will ensure the desired rate, proper seed depth, and will provide excellent seed to soil contact.

Broadcast seeding is somewhat difficult as the seed is extremely small and very lightweight. The seed bed usually needs to be lightly tilled. Tilling the seedbed in most cases lends itself to getting seed too deep. Most broadcast seeders are unable to spread the seed and provide an even seeding rate.

The wind is also a factor in broadcast seeding. Many producers in the past have tried mixing the seed with a carrier and broadcasting with floaters or air seeders.

This method can work, but seeding is usually irregular and may appear to be striped behind the spreader as the seed will not distribute evenly.

Whether you use a no-till drill or broadcast seeder, following up with a culti-packer or land roller will improve seed germination dramatically.

I got the seed planted in the spring, how do I control the competition? Weed control and suppression is a must. This can be either by mechanical means or chemical means. Chemical tolerant seed would need to be planted to use chemicals.

You cannot allow foxtail or other weeds to get more than 24” tall as they will out compete and shade out the new seedlings. During the establishment year, you are allowed to mow as often as necessary to help establish the seeding. A rule of thumb is that you will need to mow 3 times the first year and maybe 2 times the second year. The first year you will need to mow the first week of June, July, and August. Mow it tall enough so that you are not damaging the new seedlings. This will allow sunlight to reach the seedlings to promote growth.

The second year, you will need to mow in late April or early May. Mowing after May 15th the second year will need FSA permissions as this is the nesting season.

If you control weed pressure during the first year of seeding, you will have a suitable stand in 2-3 years. If weed pressure goes uncontrolled, suitable seedings may take 3-5 years to establish.

Just remember: Firm seedbed + seed depth 1/8 ”- 1/4 ” + seed to soil contact + weed suppression = success!!

By Jim Walsh

NRCS Soil Conservation Technician

There are many soil conservation practices that producers can choose from to protect the soil. These include some of the more traditional practices like terraces, contour farming, conservation tillage and crop rotations. All of these practices have their place and can provide good soil protection.

Another practice that continues to grow in acreage is no-till. With the emergence of better herbicides in recent years, no-till acres continue to increase. Many of the conservation compliance plans in this part of the state include no-till farming.

No-till farming can provide multiple benefits.

Probably the most obvious benefit is the soil. Leaving the crop residue on the soil surface creates a buffer that protects the soil from rainfall splash. Also the heavy residue also tends to slow runoff.

Another benefit of no-till is that over time, soil quality will improve. Research has shown that the soil tilth and soil quality will improve in the long term no-till generally from 5-7 years. No-till improves soil aggregate stability which is how the soil particles are held together.

This helps to create pore space increasing infiltration rates. With improved water infiltration, soil erosion is reduced because the more wa-

ter entering the soil means less water over the soil surface creating soil erosion.

Tillage tends to destroy tilth since tillage breaks up aggregates and destroys pore space forming a compacted layer or plow pan. The benefit of this is better soil tilth allowing storage of moisture in the soil during dry periods.

Also soils with good aggregate characteristics will have a tendency to hold together better during rainfall events.

Another benefit of no-till is reduced fuel. With the cost of fuel a producer has to look at the bottom line, and no-till can provide an immediate impact in reducing the bottom line on crop production.

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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016 — Page 11c

LENOX, IA 2015 Update on the Water Quality Initiative

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District As commodity prices plummet, the interest in enrolling land into the Conservation Reserve Program has gained popularity. As you have heard, many landowners have enrolled ground into the CRP program.

Most are hoping to sustain their bottom line, ensure income, and gain some comfort in not having to gamble with the volatile markets.

If you are one who has taken advantage of a CRP enrollment program such as Gaining Ground, Wetland Restoration, HELI, or Pollinator Habitat Restoration, now is the time start making arrangements to get the ground seeded. We have had several questions about seed bed preparation, chemical carry over, whether to broadcast or to drill, culti-packing, and maintenance after seeding.

What about seed bed

preparation? Will you be seeding into corn stalks, soybean stubble, or existing brome? If you are seeding into corn stalks, a light tillage pass may be best to expose some soil and knock down the stalks, however, the ground should then be rolled to ensure a firm seed bed. A firm seed bed is key in establishing native grasses or forbes as the seed is very small. The seed should only be planted twice as deep as the seed is in size. This is usually less than ¼”. If you are seeding into soybean stubble, you have a perfect scenario for a no-till seeding as the stubble is short and the seed bed is firm. Drill the seed and roll if possible.

Seeding into existing brome is more labor intensive. The existing brome needs to be removed so good seed to soil contact can be achieved.

The brome will also need

to be terminated so it will not compete with your new seedlings. The quickest way to remove brome is with a controlled burn. Establishing firebreaks around the perimeter will help contain the fire. Once the brome has been burned, it will need to be terminated with glyphosate after it regains 4”-6” of new growth.

What about chemical carryover in row crop areas? Generally, this is not much concern when you are seeding the following year. 2015 was very wet and most chemicals have likely leached away and dissipated. Agronomist have noted that utilizing no-till is least risky as residual chemicals (if still present) can be reactivated with tillage.

Do I broadcast or use a drill to plant the seed? This is a very common question.

Hands down, using a no-till

drill will yield the best results. A drill will ensure the desired rate, proper seed depth, and will provide excellent seed to soil contact.

Broadcast seeding is somewhat difficult as the seed is extremely small and very lightweight. The seed bed usually needs to be lightly tilled. Tilling the seedbed in most cases lends itself to getting seed to deep. Most broadcast seeders are unable to spread the seed and provide an even seeding rate. The wind is also a factor in broadcast seeding.

Many producers in the past have tried mixing the seed with a carrier and broadcasting with floaters or air seeders. This method can work, but seeding is usually irregular and may appear to be striped behind the spreader as the seed will not distribute evenly.

Whether you use a no-till

drill or broadcast seeder, following up with a cultipacker or land roller will improve seed germination dramatically.

I got the seed planted in the spring, how do I control the competition?? Weed control and suppression is a must. This can be either by mechanical means or chemical means. Chemical tolerant seed would need to be planted to use chemicals.

You cannot allow foxtail or other weeds to get more than 24” tall as they will out compete and shade out the new seedlings. During the establishment year, you are allowed to mow as often as necessary to help establish the seeding. A rule of thumb is that you will need to mow 3 times the first year and maybe 2 times the second year. The first year you will need to mow the first week of June, July, and

August. Mow it tall enough so that you are not damaging the new seedlings. This will allow sunlight to reach the seedlings to promote growth. The second year, you will need to mow in late April or early May. Mowing after May 15th the second year will need FSA permissions as this is the nesting season. If you control weed pressure during the first year of seeding, you will have a suitable stand in 2-3 years. If weed pressure goes uncontrolled, suitable seedings may take 3-5 years to establish.

Just remember: Firm seedbed + seed depth 1/8 ”- 1/4 ” + seed to soil contact + weed suppresABATE of IOWA sion = success!!

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Page 12c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 19, 2016

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Meet the new District Conservationist for Ringgold and Union counties Hello! My name is Kayla Creek and I am the District Conservationist for Ringgold & Union Counties.

I started Creek May 18th and excited to be back in Iowa. My husband, Clay and I, live in Creston with our 15 month old daughter, Amelia. When I’m not chasing Amelia, I enjoy cooking, gardening, archery and fishing.

I grew up on a farm north of Marengo on the IowaBenton county line. My dad still farms and raises corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and oats.

We also had a cow/calf operation until 2014 and a farrow to finish swine operation

until 2000.

While in high school, I was active in 4-H and FFA. Growing up on the farm, natural resource conservation has been engrained in me since I was young. At the time, I may not have always understood the science behind it but knew it was important to be a good steward. I still enjoy walking the fields with my father and now being closer I get to do that more frequently.

After graduating Iowa State with a degree in Agronomy, I started working for the NRCS in Spearman, Texas as a Soil Conservationist. While in Spearman, I worked with producers on rangeland, irrigated cropland and dry cropland. It was my first experience with center pivots and drip irrigation as well as wildfire. I as-

sisted producers in Hutchinson County with grazing plans following a devastating wildfire in the Northern Panhandle that burned 750,000 ac in 9 counties over 6 days.

I was relocated with NRCS to the Fort Hood Project Office in Gatesville, Texas where NRCS assists the military with conservation practices by providing technical assistance as well as construction inspection for federal contracts. Some of the projects that were ongoing on Fort Hood were cedar clearing, treating compaction, re-vegetation and treating classic gully erosion.

From 2007-2009 I was a County Agriculture Agent for the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Hardin County. I worked with producers on cropland and pasturelands. Every

Helping hands increase herd size

By Amanda McNees,

NRCS Soil Conservationist

When you think of NRCS many people associate NRCS with terraces and tile, but there are many other resource concerns we address.

Recently with a shift in cattle prices more and more cattle producers are actively looking for ways to increase their herd size without purchasing or renting more land. How can the NRCS help you expand your herd, improve your soil health, and increase your yield in your pasture you ask? Through the use of conservation planning and financial assistance from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Staff from the NRCS will

meet with you on your farm and listen to your goals and objectives for your McNees farm and help develop a conservation plan to reach those goals.

Union County’s top 5 most popular pasture practices are: • Rotational grazing - by increasing paddocks we can better manage our grasses and produce a better quality, higher yield in our pastures.

This will also contribute to healthier soils.

• Brush management- controlling and removing species

such as hedge, locust, and cedar will help increase yield and provide better forage.

• Watering systems- installing water systems so we can easier manage our grazing systems • Ponds- ponds can help us control soil erosion, while provide a great water source for cattle.

• Forage and biomass plantings- Interseeding can provide healthy diversity to your pasture system while increasing your yield. We have also seen an increase in seeding down crop ground back to pasture.

We encourage you to call and set up an appointment with one of our planners to see how NRCS can help you, help your land.

year I would have a corn and soybean variety trial that would represent several of the seed companies. I also worked on a multi-county program to bring Annie’s Project to the area.

In 2009, I went back to NRCS and Texas. I worked in Cooper and Franklin, which are both in East Texas, as a Soil Conservationist.

While in those locations, I worked with pasturelands by developing water through pit ponds and livestock pipeline. I also worked with cotton farmers that irrigated along the Brazos River in Franklin. I also got to experience working with broiler chicken operations while in Franklin.

In 2010, the Panhandle

region was calling my name again and I became a District Conservationist in Muleshoe, Texas. I worked with producers very similar to those from when I first started in 2005. It is an area that lies under the Ogallala Aquifer and is currently struggling with depleting water. During this time, the High Plains experienced the worst drought in Texas history. It was even drier than the Dust Bowl days! There were areas in my county that received 3” in 18 months – total.

Producers were struggling to make a crop on dryland and irrigated cropland. During the drought, most crops did not germinate and if they did germinate either the

winds would blow them out or shrivel up from the heat and lack of rains. Crops that are common to the area: cotton, milo, wheat, corn, peanuts and black-eyed peas.

Ranchers were selling cattle off in droves as they could not afford to bring forage in or buy $7 corn. Ranchers were also faced with the listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken as Threatened on the Endangered Species list. Through these times, I worked with producers trying to conserve the natural resources through conservation planning and programs such as EQIP & CRP. I look forward to assisting the producers of Union County and look forward to meeting you!

Are you ready

for Spring?

Creston • Corning • Diagonal • Lenox

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