The Gibson County SWCD started their 2013 year meeting with farmers participating in the On Farm Network corn stalk nitrate testing in Southwest Indiana. The stalk nitrate data compares nitrogen rates applied before and during the growning season to collect information on nitrate management analysis across the field. The Southwest SWCDs held a joint Cover Crop Breakfast in Gibson County with Mike Plumer and Marty Finney speaking, followed by a panel discussion of local farmers. The SWCDs assisted with the Surface Mining Soils and Reclamation field day held at the Shamrock mine near Ireland. The five southwest counties of Gibson, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick partenered with the area Purdue Extensions and The Conservation Cropping Systems Initative (CCSI) and held a Soil Health Expo at Evansville. This educational event was well attended by farmers from several counties.

Gibson County received a 319 grant from Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to promote and install conservation practices and structures in the Patoka River Watershed. There are three critical sub watersheds that are being focused on. A second Lake and River Enhancement grant was awarded to Gibson County for conservation work to be done in the Scott and Loeffler Watersheds near Owensville. Gibson County is finishing two Clean Water Indiana (CWI) grants from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) with multiple counties for planting fall cover crops, no-till planting and education programs. An additional CWI grant with Pike County hired a technician to assist with field work in Pike and Gibson County. The SWCD, NRCS, ISDA and Purdue Extension all worked together during the transect field study which documents what was planted at pre-determined locations.

Gerald Bane from Patoka was selected by the SWCD as their Conservation Farmer of the Year for 2013. Ed Horrall also from Patoka was awarded the 2013 River Friendly Farmer award. 

Ann Ice provided student education to the schools and libraries on natural resources and agriculture. The Annual Poster Contest sponsored by John Short Excavating, Owensville was held for all fifth grade students. The theme for the 2013 contest was "Where Does Your Water Shed", first place was Ainsley Epperson from Haubstadt. Gibson County, with other SWCDs hosted the Southwest Regional Envirothon and some SWCD staff assist with the Indiana State Envirothon. The Gibson County Home School team won the Indiana State Envirothon Contest with support from the Gibson County SWCD. Another successful Fourth Grade Farm Fair was held with over 400 attending the annual event. The Tri-County Soils Judging Contest was coordinated and held in Gibson County for 2013 with Gibson Southern FFA being the highest scoring team. The contest rotates annually between Gibson, Vanderburgh and Posey SWCDs.  Ann Ice, Education Coordinator awarded plaques to 4-H members placing first in their Soil and Water Conservation division at the 4-H fair. Ann Ice also assisted at the Pathway to Water Quality at the Indiana State Fair and held two free Hoosier Riverwatch trainings for the public at the Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area.

Before 2013 was over the five Southwest SWCDs were planning a Contractor's workshop held in January. The Gibson County SWCD provides information to the public in their district newsletters, Earth Matters Newsletter, on their webpage (www.gibsonswcd.org) and their facebook page.