Union County Soil and Water Conservation District 2013 Annual Report
Micah Stephens, 1st Place 4-6 grade category
Bailey Hopkins, 1st Place 7-9 grade category
Look inside for:
• Conservation and Farmstead Windbreak Awards • North Thompson River Water Quality Project • 2013 Report of District Funds • Poster Contest
Laura Weis, 2nd Place 4-6 grade category
Angela Walsh, 2nd Place 7-9 grade category
Friday, February 21, 2014
Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014
Union County Soil and Water Conservation District What does it mean to put conservation on the land? Jim Gillespie
IDALS-Division of Soil Conservation Director
Creston Field Office
Left to Right: Bill Bolinger, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician; Josiah Olson, NRCS Soil Conservationist; Dixie Baker, District Secretary; Wayde Ross, NRCS District Conservationist; Jodi Hitz, District Soil Conservation Aide; Jim Walsh, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician; and Phil Patterson, North Thompson Watershed Project Coordinator
NRCS AREA PERSONNEL
Jamie Carpenter, Asst. State Conservationist(FO); Kevin Kuhn, Area Resource Conservationist, Jeffrey Godwin, Civil Engineer; Kristy York, Area Program Specialist; Brian Hickman, Private Lands Biologist; Denise Miller, Program Specialist; 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; Marc Zucco, Area 4 Resource Soil Scientist; Tim Mensing, Engineer, Lee Fillian and Bruce Dake, Civil Engineering Technicians; Kristen Klecker, Clerical Specialist; Jane Dawson, IT; John Durbish, Wetland Specialist 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
Soil Conservation Field Tiling • Earth Moving
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I believe that we have some of the best farmers and ranchers in the world right here in Gillespie Iowa. We also have some of the best soils that make Iowa an agricultural leader. These two things are very important to Iowans and people worldwide. We need to continue to work together to help preserve them. When using the land for agricultural production, we must have a plan to protect the resources needed to
make the operation successful and the land sustainable. When conservation practices are needed, we are here to provide the best technical assistance and financial assistance if available, to put them in place. This will insure that the soil stays healthy and productive and our waters are protected for use by crops, livestock and people. We need to protect the soil from erosion and degradation and prevent sediment and nutrients from reaching the water. Exemplified by the progress shown at the local, state and federal levels, Iowa has always been a leader in conservation efforts. Now our challenge is that we need to do more. With agriculture always changing, we need to be willing to change with it.
Putting conservation on the land should always be one of our biggest priorities as we go forward. We should all be the best stewards of the land and resources that we can be. Conservation should be part of everyone’s farm or business plan and we should work together to implement that plan. Many have heard the new buzz phrase, “CONSERVATION MAY BE VOLUNTARY, BUT IT IS NOT OPTIONAL”. I believe that we can achieve soil quality, safe food and clean water by working together voluntarily to put the best conservation practices on the land. For the best assistance in continuing conservation implementation, please contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District.
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.
Proud Supporter of the Union County Soil & Water Conservation District
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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014 — 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, 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 (sitting): Commissioners - James Allen, Vicki Allen, Mike Brentnall, Eric Forquer and Mike Eblen Standing: Asst. Commissioners – Charles Western and John Tapken. Not pictured: Steve Crittenden.
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.
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This is a program that eligible landowners can borrow up to $20,000 at no interes Windbreak Fence 1 50 Rd $700.00 a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices. TOTAL SpentNo Interest Loan Program $7,727.35
Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014 This is a program that eligible landowners can borrow up to $20,000 at no interest f
No Interest Loan Program a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices.
Local Water This is a program that eligible landowners canProtection borrow up to Program $20,000 at no interest for up to This is a program which provides low-interest (no more than 3%) for the inst a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservationloans practices.
2013 Financial Soil Report and Water Conservation District Union County
conservation practices that enhance water quality. The loan amount may be from Protection Program $500,000 and may beLocal for upWater to fifteen years. It may be used alone to fund a co 2013 Financial 1-M FUNDS FUNDS 2013 Financial ReportReport Local Water Protection Program 1-M This is a program which provides low-interest loans (no more than 3%) for the instal practice or in conjunction with other cost share programs. The Union SWCD Waterlow-interest Protection Program (Commissioners Expenses Expenses and and Office Office Supplies This is a programLocal which provides loans (no more than 3%) for the instal(Commissioners Supplies and and Expenses) Expenses) $2,835,409.30 since the program began in FY 2006. conservation practices that enhance water quality. The loan amount may be from $ This is a program which provides low-interest loans (no more than 3%) for the installation 1-M FUNDS Commissioners Mileage Mileage and Expenses $$ 996.84 lation of conservation practices that enhance water quality. The loan amount may be from of Commissioners and Expenses 996.84 1-M FUNDS conservation practices that enhance water quality. The loan amount may be from $5,000 to $500,000 and may be for and up may to fifteen mayIt may be used tofund fund a cons (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) $5,000 to $500,000 for up years. to fifteen It usedalone alone to a conPostage 437.89 Postage 437.89 $500,000 and may for with up to be fifteen years. It years. may be usedbein alone to Union fund a conservation (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) Following is thebe dollar amount of Low Interest Loans Union County: practice or in conjunction other cost share programs. The SWCD h servation practice or in conjunction with other cost share programs. The Union SWCD has Supplies 73.35 practice orsince in conjunction with2006 other in cost programs. SWCD has spent Supplies 73.35 FY FYshare 2007 FY 2008The Union FY 2009 Commissioners Mileage and Expenses $ 996.84 $2,835,409.30 the program began FY 2006. spent $2,835,409.30 since the program began in FY 2006. Dues 850.00 began in FY 2006.– Dues 850.00 7/1/057/1/06 7/1/07 – 7/1/08 – Postage 437.89 $2,835,409.30 since the program Miscellaneous 27.50 6/30/06 6/30/07 6/30/08 6/30/09 Miscellaneous 27.50 Following isamount the dollarof amount Low Interest Loans Union County: Supplies 73.35 Following is the dollar Interest Loans used ininUnion County: Following is the dollar amount ofLow Low of Interest Loans used inused Union County: Total 1-M 1-M Expenditures Expenditures $$ 2,385.58 Total 2,385.58 $25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 Dues 850.00
Miscellaneous 3-M BUDGET BUDGET Total 1-M Expenditures 3-M
27.50 $ 2,385.58
FY 2007 2008 FY 2009 FY 2009 FYFY 2006 2006 FY 2007 FYFY 2008 7/1/057/1/06 –– 7/1/07 – – 7/1/08 – 7/1/057/1/06 7/1/07 7/1/08 – FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY2013 6/30/06 6/30/07 6/30/08 6/30/09 6/30/06 6/30/07 6/30/08 6/30/09 FY2014 7/1/09 – 7/1/10 – 7/1/11 – 7/1/12 – 7/1/14 – $25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 $25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.7212/31/13 6/30/10 6/30/10 6/30/12 6/30/2013
Iowa Financial Financial Incentive Incentive Program 3-MProgram BUDGET(IFIP) Iowa (IFIP) -- Cost Cost Share Share 50% 50% Iowa Financial Incentives Cost Share with private landowners is cornerstone Iowa Financial Incentive Program - Cost Share 50% owa Financial Incentives Cost Share with private(IFIP) landowners is the the cornerstone of of soil soil and and FY$526,615.39 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 2010 FY$551,085.02 2011 FY 2012 FY2013 FY2014$49,728.86 er conservation practice application in Iowa and evidence of the program’s effectiveness can Iowa Financial Incentives Cost Share withBUDGET private landowners is the cornerstoneeffectiveness of soil FY 2010 – FY 2011 FY 2012 FY2013 er conservation practice application in3-M Iowa and evidence of the program’s can7/1/09 7/1/10 – 7/1/11 – 7/1/12 – 7/1/14FY2014 – seen across theIowa landscape in terraces, terraces, waterways, erosion control structures and other and water conservation practice application in Iowaerosion and evidence of the program’s effec7/1/09 – 7/1/10 – 7/1/11 – 6/30/2013 7/1/12 – 12/31/13 7/1/14 – 6/30/10 6/30/10 6/30/12 een across the landscape in waterways, control structures and other Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) Cost Share 50% servation practice applications tiveness can be seen across the Share landscape in terraces, waterways, erosion structures of soil $526,615.39 $551,085.02 $597,746.06 6/30/10 6/30/10 6/30/12 $261,443.22 12/31/13 servation practice applications wa Financial Incentives Cost with private landowners is control theforcornerstone and Green Valley Erosion, Flood and6/30/2013 Water$49,728.86 Quality Project Union County has been given allocations totaling over $4 million use in cost sharing and other conservation practice applications Union County has been given allocations totaling over $4ofmillion for use ineffectiveness cost water sharing $526,615.39 $551,085.02 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 $49,728.86 conservation practice application in Iowa and evidence the program’s can This quality project in the Green Valley Watershed has provided cost share funds permanent soil and water conservation practices since the program was started in 1973. Union County has been given allocations totalingsince over $4 for use cost sharing soil and water conservation practices themillion program wasin started in 1973. nermanent across the landscape in terraces, waterways, erosion control and other above Green treatment Valley Lake. The cost share rate is 75%. This project addresses on permanent soil and water conservation practices since the program wasstructures started in 1973. Green Erosion, Valley Erosion, Flood andWater Water Quality Project Greenconcerns Valley Flood and Quality Project for 2012 vation practice applications Jobs Completed in 2013 naturalThis resource above the lake. Following are the accomplishments waterproject qualityinproject in theValley Green Watershed Valley Watershed has provided cost share Completed in Installed 2013 This water quality the Green has provided cost share fundsfunds for land Union CountyPractices has been givenJobs allocations totaling over $4 million for use in cost sharing Practices Jobs Amt Cost Share for land treatment above Green Valley Lake. The cost share rate is 75%. This projectthe adGreen Valley Erosion, Flood and Water Quality Project treatment above Green Valley Lake. The cost share rate is 75%. This project addresses Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share A Grade Stab Structure 4 4 Ea the program $ 29,962.50 manent Grade soil and water conservation practices since was started in 1973. dresses the naturalinresource concerns above the are lake.theFollowing are the accomplishments natural resource concerns above the lake. Following accomplishments for 2012. This water quality project the Green Valley Watershed has provided cost share funds f Stab Structure 4 4 Ea $ 29,962.50 Terraces 7 7,755 ft $27,632. Terraces 15 29,545 Ft 74,971.86 for 2012. treatment above Green Valley Lake. The cost share rate is 75%. This project addresses Terraces 15 29,545 Ft 74,971.86 Gr Waterways 2 1 Ac 1,852.t Grassed Waterway 2 4inAc 6,370.50 Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Amt Jobs Completed 2013 natural resource concerns above Following are the accomplishments for 15,834. 2012. Grassed Waterway 23 49 Ac 6,370.50 Grade Stab Str the lake. 1 Terraces 7 7,755 ft 1 Ea $27,632.92 Water & Sediment Basin Ea 9,468.11 Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Water & Sediment Basin 3 9 Ea 9,468.11 TOTAL $ 45,319. Gr Waterways 2 1 Ac 1,852.12 Cover Crops 164 773.5 Ac 19,337.50 Grade Structure 4 Ea $ 29,962.50 Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Am CoverStab Crops 16 773.5 Ac 19,337.50 Grade Stab Str 1 1 Ea 15,834.25 TOTAL Terraces TOTAL 15 29,545 Ft $$ 140,110.47 74,971.86 Terraces 7 7,755 ft $27,632.92 140,110.47 TOTAL $ 45,319.29 Grassed Waterway 2 4 Ac 6,370.50 Gr Waterways 2 Lake - Public1Owned Ac 1,852.12 12 Mile Lakes REAP - Practices REAP 12areas Mile -above Lake Public Owned Lakeslakes and reservoirs. REAP Practices Water & Sediment Basin 3 9 Ea 9,468.11 Grade Stab Str 1 1 Ea 15,834.25 This program is for watershed publicly owned Only l Resource Enhancement andProtection Protection(REAP) (REAP) funds are available to landowners for soil Resource Enhancement and funds areAc available to landowners for This programaiswatershed for watershed areas- above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs. Only Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are available to landowners for soil 12 Mile Lake Public Owned Lakes Cover Crops 16 773.5 19,337.50 TOTAL $ 45,319.29 reservoirs having acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 an water conservation practices.practices. Soil conservation districts designate highhigh priority watersheds soilconservation and water conservation Soil conservation districts designate priority lakes or reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs. Only lakes or water practices. Soil conservation districts designate high priority watersheds by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible. Followin $ designated 140,110.47 whichwatersheds the REAP funds canREAP be expended. Union County hasCounty designated the PlattetheRiver inTOTAL which can the funds can be expended. Union has 1 and owned by an Iowacompleted county, municipal government or by the statethan of Iowa eligible. reservoirs having ahave watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less 80 toare 1 and owned hich theasREAP funds be expended. Union County has designated the Platte River practices that been in 2013. tershed their priority watershed. Platte River Watershed as their priority watershed. Following are practices that have been completed in 2013. by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible. Following are ershed as their priority watershed. REAP - Practices Mile inLake - Public Owned Lakes practices that havePractices been 12 completed 2013. Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Jobs Completed in 2013 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are available landowners soil Thistoprogram is forfor watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs. Only lak Jobs Completed in 2013 Terraces 2 5,150 ft $13,457.75 Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share ater conservation practices. Soil conservation districts designate high priority watersheds reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to W/S Basins 10,373.531 and Practices Jobs Union Amt Installed Cost Share Terraces 2 or2by5,150 ft5 EA $13,457.75 ch the REAP funds can be expended. County has designated the Platte River by an Iowa county, municipal government the state of Iowa are eligible. Following Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Gr Waterway 3 5 EA 3 Ac Terraces 3 6,900 Ft $ 16,500.00 W/S Basins 2 10,373.531,835.62 practices that have been completed in 2013. shed as their priority watershed. Terraces 31 6,900 $ 16,500.00 Grade Stab Structure 1 3 Ac 1 EA 16,330.27 Gr Waterway 3 1,835.62 W/S Basin 1 EaFt 1,755.00 W/S Basin 1 1 Ea 1,755.00 TOTAL $41,997.17 Grade Stab Structure 1 1 EA 16,330.27 TOTAL $18,255.00 Practices Jobs Amt Installed $41,997.17 Cost Share Jobs Completed in 2013 TOTAL $18,255.00 TOTAL
Terraces 2 5,150 ft $13,457.75 REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses) District Funds W/S Basins 2 5 EA 10,373.53 Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Since 1990 the District has received funding for the Resource Enhancement and ProtecDistrict Funds tion (REAP-F) program. These funds are practices the installaJanuary 1, 2013 – December Gr Waterway 3 1, 2013– 3 Ac 1,835.62 Terraces 3 used to support 6,900 Ft to promote $ 16,500.00 January December 31, 2013 31, 2013 tion of woodlands, native grasses and forbes, windbreaks. Grade Stab Structure 1 1 EA 16,330.27 W/S Basin 1 and farmstead 1 Ea 1,755.00 Jobs Completed in 2013 District’s Regular Checking Account TOTAL $41,997.17 TOTAL $18,255.00 Balance brought forward January 1, 2013 $11,531.16
Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share RECEIPTS Conservation Cover 1 9 Ac $1,052.85 EXPENDITURES FS Windbreaks 2 2 Ea $2,013.00 Balance ending December 31, 2013 Tree Est 1 5.9 Ac $2,655.00 REAP-F (Forestry/Native Timber Stand Imp 1 12.1 Grasses) Ac $1,306.50 REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses) ce 1990 the District has received funding for the Resource Enhancement and Protection Windbreak Fence 1 50 Rd $700.00 Special Watershed Checking Account ce 1990 program. the District has received funding for the Resource Enhancement and Protection EAP-F) These funds are used to support practices to promote the installation of Balance January 1, 2013 TOTAL Spent $7,727.35 AP-F) program. Theseand funds are used to support windbreaks. practices to promote the installationRECEIPTS of odlands, native grasses forbes, and farmstead Interest Loan Program dlands, native grasses and forbes,Noand farmstead windbreaks. EXPENDITURES Interest Loan Program This is a program that No eligible landowners can borrow Jobs Completed in 2013up to $10,000 at no interest for Balance December 31, 2013 This program thattoeligible landowners canconservation borrow to $20,000 at no interest for up to up toisaaten-year period construct permanent soil Jobs Completed in 2013up practices. en-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices.
REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses)
+ -
$58,107.52 $16,421.03 $53,217.65
$
1,162.80 + $ 00.00 - $ 00.00 $ 1,162.80
Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014 — Page 5c
Union County Soil and Water Conservation District A history Lesson on Soil Conservation By Vince Sitzmann
Hugh Hammond Bennett, otherwise known as the “father of soil conservation” was a soil surveyor with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In 1928 Bennett co-wrote a publication, titled, “Soil Erosion: A National Menace” which helped establish scientific credibility about the repercussions of erosion and inspired others to take initiative on the erosion problems within the United States. In 1937, Bennett was presenting to a congressional subcommittee in Washington D.C. and timed his presentation to coincide perfectly with the arrival of a severe dust storm. As Bennett flung
open the window he shouted “Gentleman, get ready because here comes Oklahoma” so the story goes. Soon thereafter the Soil Conservation Service was established as a permanent agency within USDA, with Bennett as its director. This was the first constitutional act in the history of this or any other nation that sought to control and prevent soil erosion, flooding, and other threats to our natural resources. Not long after, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a letter to all the governors recommending that each state adopt their own laws. Iowa’s Governor Wilson adopted the law and by 1940 Iowa’s first Soil and Water District was formed by three townships in Marion
County. Today we have 100 SWCDs in 99 counties, that are represented by 500 Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners. Five nonpartisan Commissioners are elected from each district and are entrusted with many responsibilities including the prevention of excessive soil erosion and conservation of our soil resources. No small task considering Iowa has 36 million acres, 92,300 farms and 25 million acres of crop land. Iowa also ranks number one nationally in the production of corn, soybeans, pork and chicken. In 1973, the Iowa legislature enacted the cost share program for to help promote conservation. Throughout
the past 40 years, over 254 million dollars have been leveraged with funds from private landowners and farmers through the SWCDs to conserve and protect our soil resources. Hundreds of thousands of acres are now protected with no-till and strip till, terraces, waterways, grade stabilization structures, buffers, cover crops, and other practices that save millions of tons of soil from washing off our fields and into our waterways. Who could have imagined that one man’s passion for soil conservation, along with a little dust in the wind in the 1930’s, could have spurred a conservation ethic that spans the world and touches each and every acre of our farms?
Iowa Water Quality Initiative
In August, 2013, $2.8 million was made available to all 100 SWCD’s to help implement conservation practices through the Water Quality Initiative (WQI). After an initial $1.8 million was offered and subsequently obligated in less than a week, a supplement of $1 million was added to the fund and this additional funding spoken for within another week. The strong level of commitment showcased by Iowa farmers volunteering to try something new on their farms to help water quality is a testament to the level of engagement farmers are ready to take on these issues. Over 1,000 farmers committed an additional $2.8 million in landowner match to help implement these practic-
es. Each landowner or farmer could apply for up to 160 acres of cost shared practice. Some of the applicants used the practice on more acres than they applied for cost-share. The practices offered through the WQI Statewide initiative was selected because of their ability to be implemented in a short time frame and thereby providing a water quality benefit in 2013. Practices offered were no-till, strip-till, cover crops and nitrification inhibitor. The statewide approach gave farmers an opportunity to try these practices for the first time. Union County had fifteen landowners completing, 1,420.5 acres of cover crops. Cost share amount provided was $35,517.50.
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Giza Construction Jesse Giza 301 W. Union Street, Creston, IA 50801 641-344-3072 (Cell)
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Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014
Union County Soil and Water Conservation District
2013 Award Winners The annual Union Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Awards Banquet was held February 18th. Four awards in recognition of efforts to protect and improve the natural resources in Union County were presented to landowners by the commissioners.
Owner Operator Award Bill & Sara Bolinger are the winners of the OwnerOperator Award for 2013. They have made many improvements to their farm in the Green Valley watershed over the last three years. They have installed 13,545 feet of terraces, 6 acres of waterways and a grade stabilization structure (pond). The Bolingers also planted filter strips along a stream, have native grass headlands, and CRP on highly erodible areas. They have replanted windbreaks and have seeded cover crops in the fall. All these activities help them maintain healthy, productive soil on their farm and keep Green Valley Lake clean.
Landlord/Tenant Award Sandra Harris & Dan Miller are the Landlord-Tennant Award Winners for 2013. They have used state costshare and EQIP funds to install 13, 200 feet of terraces and 2 acres of waterways on two farms in Douglas and Sand Creek Townships. In addition to this, they also use contour grassed buffer strips and enrolled highly erodible ground in CRP to help keep the soil in place.
Established Farmstead Windbreak Award Rhonda Cooper and Jim Butler were selected by the Union County SWCD Commissioners to receive the 2013 Established Farmstead Windbreak Award. The windbreak around their farmstead was planted in 2003 to 63 Blue Spruce and Norway Spruce trees. This has helped provide protection from snow and wind.
Newly Established Farmstead Windbreak Award The Newly Established Farmstead Windbreak Award was presented to Ben & Nicole Adamson. In 2006, they used the REAP program to help plant 30 Douglas fir and Norway spruce trees and 74 Redoiser Dogwood and Lilac shrubs around their new farmstead. This will help provide them with wind protection in the future.
Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014— Page 7c
Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Poster contest
Message from the Chairman By Mike Eblen
Chairman, Union SWCD
Well another year has slipped away and it has been a very busy one for the staff in the Union county Soil Conserva- Eblen tion district. The staff has once again done an excellent job getting work laid out and assisting farmers with their conservation needs. The farmers of Union county have done an excellent job of embracing some of the new programs that the district has made available and have been great partners with us. They give us valuable input in implementing some of these new practices, what works well, and what doesn’t always work well. One of these new practices is the cover crop program
which is relatively new to our area. This has been a very successful program in other parts of the country and is gaining popularity in Iowa. The Soil Conservation Service is working closely with farmers to develop better ways of planting cover crops and gathering information on different types of plants, and when the best planting times are. The extremely dry weather last fall really hindered some of the plantings to get off to a good start but you can see the benefit even with a poor stand of plants, the reduction in wind erosion. When you are driving in the country you will notice the windblown soil on the snow banks in the ditch, where the cover crops are there is a significant reduction in that erosion. So remember erosion not only comes from heavy rain, it also comes from wind, and we have plenty of that.
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. The contest is open to all
students K-12th grade. 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 2013 was “Where does your water
Commissioner
The Union County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Conservation Districts of Iowa are sponsoring 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 28th. 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 2013 Union County Scholarship recipients were Jordyn Walsh and Zach Powers, graduates of Creston Community Schools and Sky Hoffman, graduate of
East Union Schools. Jordyn is the daughter Jim and Jennifer Walsh she is currently attending Northwest M i s s o u r i Walsh State University studying animal nutrition. Zach is the son of Kendall and Ann Powers he Powers
and went on to be judged at the state level. The theme for 2014 is “Dig Deeper- Mysteries in the Soil”. For more information on the poster contest rules and deadlines please go to the Conservation Districts of Iowa web site or call Dixie at the SWCD office in Creston at 782-4218 ext. 3.
Bailey Hopkins
Micah Stephens
SWCD Scholarships By Vicki Allen
shed?” Local poster winners in the 6th grade category were first place, Micah Stephens and 2nd place, Laura Weis. Bailey Hopkins had the first place poster in the 7th grade category and Angela Walsh 2nd place. All are students at St. Malachy School in Creston. Hopkins poster was also a regional winner
is currently attending Southwestern Community College studying Ag Business and Crop Production. Sky is the daughter of Daniel and Bobbie Hoffman, she is currently a t t e n d - Hoffman ing Southwestern Community College studying Ag Business. For more information or to get a scholarship application contact your school or SWCD office.
12 Mile Lake Watershed Project Protecting water quality in Union County, especially for water supply lakes such as 12-Mile Lake, has always been a goal of the Union SWCD Commissioners. The District has received $108,640 in Public Owned Lakes funds for 12-Mile Lake Watershed. They also have been approved for a Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB) grant of $97,350.00. With these funds, the district is able to provide up to 75%
cost share for landowners in the Watershed to install conservation practices. Since 2012, landowners in the watershed have installed 30,495’ of terrace, 6 acres of grassed waterways, 10 water and sediment control basins, 4 grade stabilization structures, and 6 acres of buffer strips. These practices should keep 821 tons of sediment from reaching the lake. For more information, contact the SWCD office.
Page 8c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014
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 14 (FY14) was the 10th year of the North Thompson Water Quality Project which is primarily funded by the Iowa Department of Agriculture/Division of Soil Conservation 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 FY14 the watershed originally received $149,233.13 WSPF funding. The funding is continually being supplemented by numerous other fund sources from the DSC and multiple federal funded programs through the NRCS. At this time a total of 11 applications are approved for funding to construct 5 grade stabilization structures, 17,910 feet of terraces, and 2.4 acres of grass waterways. When these practices are completed
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eligible for cost share have been in Adair and Madison Counties but we are glad to announce that five new subwatersheds in Union County were added last year. 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/SWCD office.
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Southwest Iowa
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As commodity prices too, continue to rise, so, land does the value of farm in Southwest Iowa
Got cash? It’s been and another good harvest crop prices continue to be high. What does that mean for you? Your outlook: Local 2013 farmers look at the harvest and beyond. ‘Blend Wall’: Ethanol production in the U.S. no has leveled off, and . growth is expected
they will be keeping another 2,296 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 will allow us to complete them. The watershed was originally divided into 34 sub-watersheds throughout the three counties and prioritized using soil loss calculations to determine the most critical subwatersheds to begin work. To date the sub-watersheds
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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014 — Page 9c
Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Soil sampling By Jim Walsh
NRCS Soil Conservation Technician
Soil samples representative of a field are the best guidelines to determine fertilizer needs. The primary objectives of soil sampling are to determine the average status and degree of variability in a field. Accurate information about
soil fertility can result in increased crop yield, reduced cost and minimized environmental impact. A fields nutrient status variability means fertilizer can be adjusted to more closely meet the supplemental nutrient needs of a crop for specific areas. One of the most prevalent sampling methods is grid sampling, it is more expen-
sive and time consuming, but can provide useful information for variable rate fertilization for several years, and help in reducing fertilizer and lime cost due to the field variation. With the cost of producing a crop and farmers are in the public eye anymore this something we can do to help in over applying fertilizer and help in runoff.
For Rent • Silt Plow - Fix Your Waterways $.50 per foot which includes silt plow machine rental and fabric. Please contact the Union SWCD District Office at 641-782-4218 Ext. 3.
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Page 10c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014
Union County Soil and Water Conservation District
Plan ahead for Mid-Contract Management in CRP acres Bill Bolinger
Soil Conservation Technician
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in the CRP program, plant long-term, resourceconserving covers to control soil erosion, improve water and air quality, and develop wildlife habitat. Most importantly, the CRP program will guarantee income on marginal land for at least 10 years. In today’s volatile markets, a guaranteed income would be
good peace of mind. If you enrolled land into CRP program during the 39th sign up (during 2010) you most likely have a Mid-Contract Management(MCM) activity scheduled for this year. Mid Contract Management activities are activities implemented to enhance seeding vigor and to benefit wildlife. If you enrolled more than 20 contiguous acres, you will have MCM scheduled for the 4th, 5th, and 6th year of the contract. Thus, your first activity will be scheduled for spring 2014. However, if you enrolled less than 20 acres, MCM will only need to be completed 1 time and is usu-
ally scheduled for the 5th year (2015). MCM activities cannot be conducted during the nesting season which runs from May 15th through august 1st. MCM activities include disking, spraying, burning, interseeding, or a combination there of. If you have planted native grass mixes, burning is best suited as it will remove old residue and open the canopy for new growth of seeds and plants. Burning should be completed in late April or early May as native grasses are a warm season species that do not break dormancy until our soil temperatures reach 65 degrees(usually around May
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10th). Burning too early will allow any undesirable, cool season plants to thrive before the natives break dormancy. Burning is very beneficial but planning ahead is the key to completing a successful and controlled burn. Firebreaks should be established early, either by mowing or disking, and maintained until the burn is completed. Other items to consider are; desired wind direction, desired wind speed, humidity, and obstacles such as fences, roads, power lines, creeks, buildings, etc. Local authorities should be contacted before a burn so they have correct information and location in case of an emergency.
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If you have planted cool season species such as brome, orchard, timothy, disking or spraying will be more suited to enhance plant vigor. Disking involves disking at 2-4 inches deep leaving 50% residue and 50% bare ground. This may require a minimum of 2-3 passes depending on equipment used and should always be done on the contour. Spraying with glyphosate (round up) shall be applied at the lowest labeled rate. Therefore, weakening the grass stand, but not destroying it. Chemical burn down shall be done when existing vegetation is actively growing.
Inter-seeding existing stands is encouraged but not required. If you would like to inter-seed, discuss this with FSA as cost share can be provided for the additional seed. In any case, MCM will be supplemented with cost share assistance. If you plan ahead, you may be able to complete MCM activities this spring before it is time to hook onto the planter and head to the fields. If you plan to burn, firebreaks should be established early as you will need to burn in late April or early May which falls during the busy planting season.
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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014 — Page 11c
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Page 12c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 21, 2014
Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation compliance Questions and Answers
Wayde Ross
District Conservationist
In today’s age of larger farms and even bigger machinery, conservation compliance issues seem to be more common than ever. Following are a few answers to frequently asked questions and some not so frequent, but need to be addressed. With the New Farm Bill tying conservation compliance to the federal subsidized crop insurance program, Conservation Compliance will continue to be a requirement for a producer to receive farm subsidy payments. Some questions or statements I
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have heard lately deal with vertical tillage, baling corn stalks and soybean stubble, Cover crops and waterways. The development of new tillage equipment, particularly so called vertical tillage equipment has sky rocketed in the last few years. There are a lot of arguments both for and against these implements but bottom line, these vertical tillage machines still disturb the entire soil surface and are considered a full tillage pass destroying soil structure, reducing the infiltration rate and leaving it more susceptible to soil erosion. None are currently approved for use in a no-till system and their use in a no-
till system will likely result in noncompliance. Keep in mind that all these things we are talking about, tying conservation compliance to federal subsidies, is only required on highly erodible land or land of 5% slope or greater. These rules do not apply to fields which are over two thirds flat or considered Not Highly erodible for compliance purposes. I get a lot of questions from producers wanting to bale corn and soybean residues as well as producers wanting to know how others get away with removing their entire residue. I have been told that some producers only bale off this residue
to remove phosphorous because they apply a lot of livestock manure which is high in phosphorus and it helps balance it out and not become too highly concentrated in a field. Bottom line here is your conservation plan for highly erodible land requires a residue cover be left on top of the soil after you get done planting. If you bale off your residue and no longer meet those requirements, you will likely be found out of compliance. One practice that has been around for years and is getting more popular is cover crops. They can be applied to areas with low residue to help a producer
meet their requirements on these fields. Cover crops provide a host of benefits besides adding cover to bare soils but they also require a higher level of management both in seeding them and terminating them before planting crops into them. They can also affect your federal crop insurance. Grass waterways — or lack of — are our biggest non-compliance issues. Functioning grass waterway are required anywhere that water flow is concentrated and a ditch forms that has to be tilled in before planting. There are many ways that waterways get removed from a field, from tillage to
chemicals but regardless of reason, waterways or lack thereof are the number one causes of non-compliance in this area. In closing, conservation compliance is not the NRCS’s favorite responsibility, but regardless it is our appointed duty and one we must carry out. We spend a lot of our time working with producers evaluating options and trying to help them stay eligible for their federal subsidies, it is not fun when we find someone not following their plan. If you have any questions or just want to speak to an NRCS Conservationist, contact your local NRCS office.
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