Tracking Conservation Tillage Trends

 by: Laura Fribley, District Support Specialist, Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Scott County farmers are continuing the trend of plowing less of their land as they employ sound conservation practices that preserve valuable topsoil while making it all work toward a better bottom line.  Data from the 2013 Tillage Transect indicate that as a result of tillage practices on Scott County’s corn and soybean acres, an estimated 75,100 gallons of diesel fuel are saved compared to conventional tillage this year, and 121,100 tons of soil!

As Indiana farmers wrapped up planting, local conservation agency teams around the state conducted “Tillage Transect” countywide surveys.  The process identifies the types of tillage systems farmers are using and long-term trends of conservation tillage adoption. 

Conservation tillage leaves 30 percent or more crop residue cover such as stalks, leaves, and roots on the soil surface before and after planting.  “Conservation tillage helps keep the soil where it belongs: on the field.  This residue cover can help reduce soil erosion by 50 percent or more compared to bare soil.  This is good for our farmers, good for soil productivity, and good for healthy streams,” says Laura Fribley, Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).  Conservation tillage also includes a practice commonly known as “no-till”, where farmers directly plant into the previous crop with little disturbance.  No-till farming methods can reduce soil erosion by 75 percent compared to a conventional (chisel-disk) tillage system.

Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Resource Specialist Ed Roll examines crop residue in a Scott County soybean field as part of the 2013 Tillage Transect survey.

In June, employees from ISDA, Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and Natural Resources Conservation Service spent the day collecting data within the boundaries of Scott County.  Ed Roll, Resource Specialist with ISDA, has assisted with thirteen Scott County Tillage Transects since they began in 1990.  This experience, along with being a lifelong resident, has given him the perspective of watching conservation tillage grow over time.  “My brother and I started with no-till by renting a corn planter in the early 1980s, from Clark County SWCD and a no-till drill from Scott County SWCD as well,” says Roll.  “Over the years, a lot of agencies encouraged no-till, and a lot of local producers adopted these conservation tillage methods.  Scott County has always had a good amount, which is why we’ve been locally called the “No-till Capital of the World’”.   

 

One way of measuring residue cover is the line-transect method.  It involves counting the number of times a marked line intersects with a piece of residue.  Crop residue is important because it can help protect the soil from the impact and erosive properties of rainfall.

Indiana is the only state nationwide that still continually conducts the Tillage Transect, and the data is used by multiple agencies and publications.   For more information on conservation tillage trends within your county and around the state, please visit http://www.in.gov/isda/2383.htm or contact your local SWCD http://www.in.gov/isda/2370.htm .

The River’s Story Flowing By

By Nan Hammel

Nan is a Resource Specialist working in the Upper Eel River Watershed. Nan is a 2010 graduate of Purdue University, with a degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. 

It seems like the river, always has a way of bringing people together.  Maybe it’s the sound of the water rushin’ on by…or the chance to cast a line in hopes of the ‘big’ catch that does it.  Maybe skippin’ a rock or two over those sunlit rippling pools…or perhaps people just come down to the river to cross the bridge to get to the other side.

Well, this weekend in the Upper Eel River Watershed the small town of Roann held their annual pancake breakfast on the Roann Covered Bridge.  Folks don’t just come down to the river to cross the bridge, but to sit a spell with family and friends, eat a pancake or two, and sip a cup of coffee on Independence Day weekend.  For the small town of Roann, the covered bridge is a particular point of pride for gatherings such as these, as well as, their very own covered bridge festival held in September.  To folks around here, it’s important. 

On the same note, some folks may ask what’s so important about conservation and environmental stewardship.   Well, I reckon it’s important because it’s something we all share in.  When someone really gets conservation right the whole community benefits from that one landowner’s efforts, and when someone really gets it wrong the whole community is affected by the results.   Speaking of good conservation in addition to all the rain we’ve been having here lately, I was looking at a field just the other morning and the water running off of it was quite clear.  It was a no-till field that had cover crops planted on it last fall.  This was one of the first times that I had seen a real life demonstration of good conservation working on the land (since my first year on the job was last year’s drought!).  Every river tells a story about every acre of watershed in its reaches, the question is what story would you like to be told?  So next time you find yourself down at the river…for whatever reason, give it a thought.  And if you’re ever in the neighborhood on Independence Day weekend, please drop by and grab a seat on the bridge over the Eel River in Roann, Indiana.  We’d love to have you! 

I’d like to wrap up this blog with a verse from that good ole Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley,

“The river's story flowing by,
Forever sweet to ear and eye,
Forever tenderly begun --
Forever new and never done.
Thus lulled and sheltered in a shade
Where never feverish cares invade,
I bait my hook and cast my line,
And feel the best of life is mine.”
~James Whitcomb Riley

Ft. Wayne River Fest Provides Opportunity to Help Educate Urban Residents About Agriculture Production and Ag Environmental Stewardship

By Jim Lake

Jim is a District Support Specialist in the northeast area of Indiana. Jim has been working in conservation for over 40 years, in which time he has not only dutifully served ISDA’s Division of Soil Conservation, but also has played a formative role in creating the national Conservation Tillage Information Center.  In his many years of dedication to conservation, Jim has also aided nearly every state in the US in creating plans for addressing non-point source water pollution.  He has managed the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District and has been a leader at Purdue University’s agronomy department as a Soil and Water Conservation Education Specialist.

Each of the last two years the St. Joseph River, Upper Maumee River Watershed Project and St. Mary’s River Watersheds Groups have joined forces with the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and cooperating agricultural producers and equipment dealers to provide educational displays at the Ft. Wayne River Fest. 

This year’s River Fest held Saturday, June 22 on the shoreline of the St. Joseph River at Fort Wayne’s Indiana-Purdue University Campus. The River Fest drew over 15,000 people. The River Fest is marketed as a family fun and educational day and primarily draws city and suburban residents of Ft. Wayne and suburb areas.  

A highlight at the event is the agricultural equipment display. This year, a large tractor, no-till soybean planter, precision sprayer and a grain combine were on display. Jim Lake, District Support Specialists for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, has helped with the agricultural equipment display each of the last two years. The large equipment is a magnet for children who love to climb up into the cabs of the equipment. While the parents are waiting in line to help their children get up into the equipment, we have the opportunity to talk to the parents about agricultural production practices farmers are using to help protect and improve water quality of the river. We use this opportunity to talk about no-till planting and precision farming technology being used by farmers to reduce soil erosion and accurately apply fertilizer and other crop inputs. The folks in attendance, for the most part, have no current connection with farming, and at best remember going to their grandparent's farm when they were growing up.

I like to ask visitors to the equipment display what they think the equipment they are looking at costs. For example, when I ask what they think the combine costs many respond with a guess of about $100,000 and I tell them $450,000 including the grain head. They are shocked at the costs and the amount of money farmers have invested just in equipment.  I think it very important for those of us engaged in agriculture make efforts to educate our urban and city neighbors on the many aspects of agriculture including the conservation efforts Hoosier farms use in their day to day operations.    

Jordan Seger named director of ISDA’s Division of Soil Conservation

Jordan Seger has been named the new director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Division of Soil Conservation.

Seger, 26, has been a program manager in Agricultural and Environmental Affairs for the Soils division since April of 2012. He worked for a year with ISDA field staff prior to that. He attended Indiana University, from where he was graduated with a B.S. in Public Affairs. Seger grew up in the Jasper area and was involved with his family’s poultry operation prior to joining the department.
“I am very happy to announce Jordan’s appointment as director,” Director Gina Sheets said. “His service to the department, the agribusiness community and the state, have been invaluable. He brings a great combination of knowledge, understanding both the complexities of modern farming operation and the importance of environmental stewardship. He will continue to be a big part of the department’s effort to help landowners make sound conservation work in harmony with and toward a better business operation.”

Seger said he is happy to have the opportunity.
“I am excited to serve Indiana agriculture and the Administration in this new capacity, and I’m anxious to work more closely with the Ag industry and the ISDA field staff who work directly with farmers throughout the state,” he said. “Indiana is quickly becoming a national icon for conservation with local, state, and federal entities all working in partnership toward common environmental stewardship and profitable production goals. The ISDA – DSC will continue to work with landowners to ensure agriculture flourishes and Indiana farmers remain on the cutting edge with conservation technologies to help preserve our valuable resources.”

The ISDA Division of Soil Conservation works to increase agricultural economic benefits by assisting Indiana’s farmers in the application of advanced agronomic technologies while improving upon Indiana’s soil health and water quality.

For more information, contact Robert Ziegler at 317-690-3303 or rziegler@isda.in.gov

Celebrate a couple Ag-friendly holidays (and the start of summer) this week

By Logan Garner

Logan is the Water Quality and Initiatives Program Manager for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture-Division of Soil Conservation.

It’s time to celebrate!  You may not know it, but this week is particularly ag-friendly.  That’s right, there are a couple lesser-known holidays this week, and today is one of them.  Besides, the summer solstice is in a few days and the beginning of most everyone’s favorite season is reason enough to be happy.

2009 photo contest winner, “Heirloom”.

Today (June 17^th) is national Eat Your Vegetables Day.  Yes, it’s a real thing.  And while it may seem like a day meant to goad your kids into having a balanced meal, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate your local farms and the produce they supply to your grocery stores and farmer’s markets.   So why not visit your neighborhood food hub and stock up on farm-fresh veggies?  It may seem a little early to some, but asparagus, lettuce, beets, broccoli and even carrots are all in season!  If today’s feast day isn’t reason enough for you make a produce run (or if you just don’t feel like eating vegetables right now), maybe tomorrow’s will help…

June 18^th is international picnic day.  I don’t know how these days are chosen, but it doesn’t matter much to me.  What does matter is that you don’t just have an excuse to get outside today for good food and good company, you are encouraged to! 

If you’re one of those people who doesn’t give much credence to these low-echelon holidays, chin up.  Summer officially starts on Friday.  If nothing else, at least celebrate that.  Summer in Indiana means picnics almost any day you like, fishing, fireworks and farmer’s markets…not to mention the best sweet corn in the world, grown by our own Hoosier farmers.

Happy Eat Your Vegetables Day and happy International Picnic Day.  Here’s to a great summer in 2013.

Getting to Know ISDA's Resource Specialists

By Linda Powell, Resource Specialist

Linda Powell spent 15 years working on her vegetable and flower produce farm in western Vanderburgh county and finished a degree from USI in 2005 completing a BS in Biology with an emphasis in plant science.   Before taking the resource specialist position with Indiana State Dept of Agriculture, she spent two and a half years in Gibson county as a watershed coordinator for the district working on 319 grants for BMP installation.  Linda serves clients in South West Indiana Gibson, Posey and Vanderburgh Counties.

Jamen Frederick is the newest addition to Indiana State Dept of Agriculture's list of Resource Specialists in the Southwest area of the state.  Jamen grew up on his family’s farm in Pike County and he is very involved in the family business.  

He graduated from Vincennes University with a degree in Ag business and finds time to assist his dad with farming operations.   They had planted rye and crimson clover cover crop with ISDA Emergency Drought Assistance. 

 As you can see in these pictures, he is planting into cover crop that has gotten about 4 feet tall because of left over nitrogen and wet conditions.  It had been sprayed 3 days before and he started planting on May 14^th.   

Jamen is also an accomplished hunter and fisherman with bow fishing being one of his specialties.  We are very proud to have Jamen with us on the Indiana Conservation Partnership team here in the Southwest.   His dedication and passion for working with ag production and natural resources is a great asset to our team

Celebrating Arbor Day

by Julie Morris

Julie Morris is a Resource Specialist for the Indiana Department of Agriculture for the Division of Soil Conservation in the Pulaski County USDA Service Center.  Julie received her degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from Purdue University.  She loves to garden and is just starting to compost.  Julie is married and has a 3-year old boy plus a new St. Bernard puppy and lives in LaPorte County.

Nothing says Arbor Day more than wrapping over 1900 trees – except maybe planting all those trees. But that is what people in the northwest area of Indiana will be doing this spring. The LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) sold almost 2000 trees this year. They held their annual tree wrap at the LaPorte County fairgrounds on Friday, April 26th. Some students and a teacher from Westville High School also came to help out. 

Tony Ekovich and Nate Mrozinski, LaPorte County SWCD board members, start to mix the moss with water to keep the tree roots moist until planting. 

LaPorte SWCD members and Westville High School students and teachers all helped wrapped and label the trees.

Here are two of the best tree planters around (my husband Charlie and son Nathan) planting some hazelnuts in our front yard that were purchased from the 2013 LaPorte County SWCD tree sale. Don’t be afraid to get dirty!

As a general rule, the width of the hole should be at least 3 times the spread of the roots in the case of bare root trees. When purchasing bare-rooted trees, inspect the roots to ensure that they are moist and have numerous lengths of fine root hairs. Care should be taken to ensure that the roots are kept moist in the period between purchasing and planting. Plant the tree seedling and fill loosely with soil. Then, gently firm around the seedling to eliminate air pockets around the roots. Do not stomp!

Our puppy, Spencer, is on lookout and checks on the newly planted hazelnuts.

And maybe, just maybe, you will find a worm or it’s family.

Nathan knows worms are good for gardens and farmland. They improve the structure of the soil. When they burrow, red worms till the soil around the root areas of plants, thus improving soil aeration, porosity, and permeability as well as aiding in water retention (due to increased access to plant roots), and drainage in the soil. All of these enhance mineral and moisture absorption of plants as well as reduce water use and soil erosion.

Don’t forget to give your trees lots of water!

Water trees at least once a week, if there hasn’t been any rainfall.

There are so many benefits to planting trees. Trees can provide shelter to many different types of wildlife, reduce your heating and cooling costs, help clean the air, add beauty and color, provide shelter from the wind and the sun, and add value to your home.

Many SWCDs have annual tree sales. Visit your local SWCD office for more information on available trees and order forms.