The Ripley County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) continues to have success with new, innovative ideas.
In 2009, the SWCD Board of Supervisors applied for a $7,000 Clean Water Indiana (CWI) grant to provide a new piece of equipment to Ripley County landowners free-of-charge. Along with this new equipment the board received funding to renovate the Outdoor Education Plot located east of the SWCD office.
After receiving funding for both projects, the SWCD is on its way to provide exciting new equipment and space for students and adults to learn about warm season grasses and legumes.
The Outback S-Litebar System, purchased in 2009, was offered for free during the 2010 cropping seasons thanks to $3,000 from CWI. This new technology allows precision farming to be placed into the land users' farming operation to provide GPS Guidance for planting, spraying and other farming needs. The system accommodates all field shapes with its contour guidance system and easily allows farmers to avoid waterways and filterstrips while spraying.
The remaining $4,000 from CWI was used to renovate the education plot which had been taken over by brush and trees. In the summer of 2010 the entire plot was excavated and a new pathway was installed. This path surrounds the existing pond and wetland area where different wildlife nest and call home.
With the help of the DNR Wildlife Biologist a new plan of Grasses and Wildflowers will be established this year thanks to cost share through DNR. Signage also has been purchased which will provide information about wetlands, forests and prairie grasses. Once the plot is completely done field trips for students of all ages will be held, as well as adult field days.
These two projects have been in the District's long range plan for many years. Now, thanks to CWI these ideas were implemented. The Outback-S Litebar continues to be rented out to landowners. The educational plot has already received the attention of educators at local schools. With continued support from Clean Water Indiana and other funding sources the Ripley County SWCD feels that future projects will be as successful as these two projects.