Happy Earth Day Everyone!

by Deb Jimison

Deb serves as a Resource Specialist in the Tippecanoe Watershed area. Deb is housed in the Pulaski County field office as part of the Division of Soil Conservation team. Before joining ISDA, Jimison worked for Soil and Water Investigation in Elkhart as a soil scientist.  She brings a wealth of experience in storm water management and erosion control to the position. Jimison is an Indiana native from Elkhart County.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Purdue University in 1985. She lives in Winamac and enjoys travel, camping, canoeing and observing wildlife.

It seems that the saying “Everything old is new again” is true in many different areas. Our grandfather’s knew the benefits of cover crops, but somehow that practice was forgotten in modern farming.  As pressure grows from an ever-increasing world population for food and energy, cover crops have been re-discovered as a tool that helps the soil help producers. The technological advances in farming strategies, equipment and chemicals can increase production only so far if soils aren't revived as well. Cover crops, especially as part of an over-all system including additional conservation methods, can return to our soils the properties they once had when first converted into cropland.

Plans can meet individual needs at every farm as each cover crop addresses different things. Your situation might benefit from erosion control, holding on to nutrients, knocking back weeds or providing forage. Using the right plants or preferably a combination of plants with different properties is a powerful way to give soil a boost. Species with tap roots address surface compaction to improve water and nutrient movement to cash crops. Others with fibrous roots can build soil structure and improve tilth. Deep-rooted covers add permeability in heavy soils. Others may hold expensive nutrients and chemicals so they don’t get lost to the ground water.

Pit showing rooting depths of cover crops although not much is showing at the surface

As with any practice, there is the potential for problems if not used correctly.  Discuss plans with someone experienced in using cover crops prior to your first attempt. Do research to find the proper species, the correct scheduling of planting and termination and proper control methods for the crops you’d like to try. Then the improvements you want can be obtained and the negative effects on the next cash crop can be avoided. Your local ISDA Resource Specialist (RS) is a great source for obtaining information on cover crops and many other issues. Contact your local RS today with any questions or concerns you may have.

Early spring results of a mix of cover crops.

How Do I Help The Environment?

I think deep down that most of us have that desire to leave this Earth a little better, ideally a lot better than we found it.  There are bunches of quotes out there that illustrate this desire and some can really connect with us in a deep way such as:

"We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."

Well, if you feel compelled or pulled to pitch in and leave a lasting legacy to the betterment of our planet, I have the perfect idea.  Get involved with your local Soil and Water Conservation District.  It is so simple and it can really fulfill that little part of you that tugs and pulls for you to take some action.  That's what Soil and Water Conservation Districts are all about.......getting conservation practices that improve water quality, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat on the ground; it's their speciality. 

Each county in Indiana has a Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) that is lead by a board of supervisors.  They hold monthly public meetings and anyone can attend.  Individuals within the community serve as supervisors and they are elected or appointed, but there is plenty room for associate supervisors or volunteers to get involved.  SWCDs work with many conservation partners to hold demonstration field days, provide cost-share and incentives for conservation measures, perform education and outreach, and generally provide conservation assistance and advice to those looking to do right by the land.

This is an excellent time of year to check out your local SWCD at their Annual Meeting!  There is sure to be good food, educational/entertaining guests, and lots of information about the many programs and accomplishments of the district.

I know that time is limited, but serving on the Soil and Water Conservation District is absolutely the best way to make a positive impact on the environment in your local community!

Find contact information for your Soil and Water Conservation District at http://www.in.gov/isda/2408.htm  or you can look for the districts' individual websites at http://nacdnet.org/about/districts/directory/in.phtml#inweb

Earth Day, Everyday!

Earth Day, April 22, 2010 was really great for me this year! I tend to get pretty excited about Earth Day, it’s true. My friends and family think I'm crazy and there is no doubt that they are right about that, however for professionals who work in the environmental/conservation world, it's our day! I look at April 22nd, each year, as a day for reflection on my personal actions on the environment and I take a moment to really appreciate the work that is done on behalf of conserving our natural resources.

- First, Earth Day serves to remind us all to reflect on our own actions and the impact we, as individuals, are making on the environment. With new technologies and greening efforts there are many ways to minimize our environmental footprint with our everyday behaviors such as recycling, over or improper fertilizer application, wildlife habitat establishment or enhancement, and water/energy conservation. Over the years there have been some really interesting campaigns regarding environmental stewardship for the everyday citizen, such as this

poster with a guy fertilizing improperly and check out this video from our Indiana Department of Environmental Management. After all, Earth Day really is Everyday! My fellow ISDA blogger The Ag Grant Guru has is right this week, check out her blog!

- Second, Earth Day provides an excellent opportunity to show our appreciation for the many Hoosier conservation professionals, advocates, and partners who have spent years dedicated to the common purpose of making this planet a more ecologically sound/sustainable civilization. I can think of no better group to honor for this dedication than our own ISDA, Conservation staff. Our staff of just over 30 individuals do everything from working with farmers/landowners to install conservation practices on the land, to helping each of the 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts effectively provide conservation services, to developing the very programs that encourage more and more protection of our precious natural resources. I can't begin to explain how proud I am to be to the director of such an important area and such a quality class of people who share my passion for conservation.

Kenny preaching soil conservation!

I had the opportunity on Earth Day to spend some time out in the field with one of our Resource Specialists, George Reger. We were mostly working with earthwork contractors who were busy constructing Grassed Waterways (designed swales in the field which alleviate gully erosion and minimize sediment/nutrient runoff). One of the contractors hard at work was Kenny "Cornfield" Cain. Kenny has been a great friend and advocate for conservation efforts and is well-known as a conservation farmer. Kenny took a few moments to discuss the current soil conditions with George and I along with the progress of corn planting in the area. It was a great day watching our conservation efforts coming to fruition right in front of us!

My thanks to George and Kenny for the great Earth Day! Thanks again to our Conservation staff and our supporters at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture!
Next week is Soil and Water Stewardship Week!!!