The Four Cornerstones of Leadership: Leadership Institute

Geneva Rawlins is one of 5 District Support Specialists for the IN State Department of Agriculture- Division of Soil Conservation providing administrative support and leadership development opportunities for Indiana’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts. 

Ask anyone involved in any capacity within any community about the successes and struggles of their cause and most likely the common thread determining success or failure can be traced to leadership.  Any mission is dependent on leaders to envision, strategize and implement a plan for success, and preserving our natural resources for future generations is no different.  Our local Soil and Water Conservation Districts depend on the leadership of a Board of Supervisors to be at the forefront of the conservation movement in order to effectively serve our counties, and the Leadership Institute is one unique tool designed specifically to teach and challenge our local natural resource leaders and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. 

A series of four workshops build on each other, starting with defining what leadership is and how our personalities and perspectives affect how we serve within leadership positions.  Following workshops examine how we may better communicate with and listen to those we serve, and how Board dynamics effect the effectiveness and success of a Soil and Water Conservation District.  Finally, the Leadership Institute wraps up the series by discussing how we may further impact our communities through strategic planning and implementation. 

Because each workshop is hosted in a different location, an evening of networking is usually planned which also gives participants an opportunity to experience a unique aspect of the local community.  The  most recent Leadership Institute workshop was hosted in Lafayette, IN and Supervisors and Staff from Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the state participated in a Howl Night at the local Wolf Park, where they were given limited interaction with the wolves through howling & communicating with the wolves. 

The next Leadership Institute workshop will focus on communicating and building relationship in your community and with partnering agencies and other organizations.  This workshop will take place Dec 6-7 in Madison, IN, with a Christmas home tour to follow the evening of the 6^th.   Please contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District for more information!

Indiana vs. Alaska

By David Lefforge

David was raised on a farm, and has worked in soil conservation for the 36 years.  His job descriptions have changed from Soil Scientist, to Urban Conservation Specialist, to Resource Specialist as the agency has evolved from the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, IDNR, to the Division of Soil Conservation, ISDA.  David lives in Bluffton with his wife, Julie.  He has 2 grown children and 2 grandchildren.

My wife and I recently took a trip to Alaska and thoroughly enjoyed that great state.  We visited the coastal rain forests and southeastern Alaska, including Denali.  

Denali in the distance

There was so much to learn about the geology, history, plant communities and wildlife, across a variety of environments:  Pacific coastal waters, fresh inland bodies of water, mountains, and glaciers.

Ice Disintegrating near the bottom of a glacier where melt has exceeded snow accumulation

Stream braided with outwash sediments from glacial meltwater.

Soil and Rock contrast to the snow and blue glacial ice.

Sediment- Down to the Sea in Ice

  

Aerial View of Lateral and Medial Moraines decorating a Valley Train Glacier

There are vast areas that are undeveloped and beautiful.  The Fall color change, especially in Denali National Park, was a highlight of our trip. 

Foraging moose standing in the colors of Fall

Unfortunately that beauty is based on thin soil, steep land, and a cold climate.  Consequently, there was little evidence of agriculture in Alaska.  The economy of Southeast Alaska is limited to tourism, fishing hunting, and forestry.

Bear foraging on blueberries(red leaves)among the willows

Evidence of current and past glaciers were everywhere in Alaska.  Alaska is a theater for viewing glaciers; seeing glacial moraines, braided streams, and ice disintegration features in their infancy.   

Blue Glacial Ice calved from a glacier into a mountain lake impounded by a recessional moraine

These are the same features we see evidenced in the glaciated soils of Indiana where glaciers were last seen 10-15,000 years ago.

As pretty as it was, Alaska made me appreciate the natural resources we have in Indiana.  

Coastal Rain Forest-Trees growing from decaying tree, essentially no soil

Pasture Stocking Rates for Dall Sheep are quite low (See white specks?)

We have Prime Farmland and a climate well suited for agriculture.  We have woodlands and wildlife… but we also grow row crops and raise livestock. Agriculture is a valuable part of the Indiana Economy.

Alaska is a nice place to visit, but I choose to live in Indiana.

Fall Agritourism

By Kevin Baird

 Kevin was raised on a Dairy Farm and has farmed all his life.    Kevin and his wife, Linda, own and operate Cornucopia Farm along with their sons Michael and Jared. Kevin is Washington County 4-H Leader and Dairy Beef Superintendent.

We are into the home stretch of another crop season on the farm coming down to the wire.  Summer by title is over and fall is here.  The corn and beans are changing rapidly.  It will not be long before harvest is in full swing and then completed.  

This season is quite a contrast with last year’s drought crop. 

Fall agritourism venues are getting into full swing also.    Pumpkins are ripe and ready to decorate many homesteads.  There is just something special about fall.

 Fall mums are blooming early this year and the colors are magnificent.

Agriculture and agritourism are a boon to county economic development.  Local businesses rely on this time of the year to help sustain them for the upcoming year.  Local farmers’ markets have had a tremendous amount of produce this year after the contrast of last year.  

A hearty thank you goes out to the ag producers for their time and energy to bring a local wholesome product to the customers in their respective areas.

I hope all of you have a great fall and remember to watch out for all the farm machinery on the road during this time of year.