2013 Highlights

 

Wells County SWCD Grants -

We were able to provide two grants in 2013.

Ossian Elementary School was awarded an $800 SWCD Educational Grant to help fund the "Naturally Speak and Wildlifescaping" program for all OES students. This program is used to encourage the students to help care for their outdoor lab area.

Norwell Middle School was awarded a $500 SWCD Educational Grant for their Recycleart Sculpture Garden. The funds will be used for 2 gardens created by the art classes at NMS that will include plantings and artwoks in conjunction with the science classes and the Wells Co. Master Gardners.

Manure Managmement Workshop

Wells Co. SWCD co-hosted a Manure Managmement Workshop with the Upper Wabash River Basin Commission on Dec. 11th at the Wells County Library. 47 people attended this workshop, with many receiving PARP credits. Melissa Lehman from Agronomic Solutions spoke on soil sampling,  the value of manure, and how to plan before you spread.  Bill Horan, Purdue Extension Office gave updates on Category 14 rules. Kelley Barkell and Adam Jones from USDA - NRCS gave updates on USDA programs and gave a soil health demonstration.

Roadside Cleanup

Wells County SWCD participated in Adopt-A-Highway, the Indiana Department of Transportation's program to clean up the roadsides of state and federal highways. Pictured are, left to right, Dale Thomas, supervisor; Dave Ramseyer, supervisor; Kelley Barkell, District Conservationist; Leann Nash, supervisor; Chad Fiechter, supervisor.

 

River Cleanup

Wells Co. SWCD assisted the Upper Wabash River Basin Commission with 2 River clean-up events in 2013. Two large pickup truck loads of trash were removed from the Wabash River from the White Bridge east of Bluffton to the Main Street Bridge during each of the two events on July 27th & Sept. 28th.

 

Hosted the 58th Annual Wells County Soil and Water Conservation District annual meeting,  We have over 75 in attendance and our speaker was Dr. Fred Whitford, Coordinator, Purdue Pesticides Program.

Supported Wells County 4-H by sponsoring Best of Breed (Rabbits), Champion Beginner and Senior (Poultry) Showman awards.

Aided surrounding counties with conservation education events such as SPLASH in Adams County (400 students) and Jay County Ag Day (230 students).
Sponsored a 4th grade Poster Contest "Where Does Your Water Shed" which promotes conservation.  152 students participated with the local winner moving on to the state level.

Served on the Upper Wabash River Basin Commission steering committee as well as the Lower Salamonie Watershed steering committee.

Administered Funds from Clean Water Indiana (CWI).

Aided the Army Core of Engineers by collecting water samples in the Salamonie River.

Reviewed Wells County Rule 5 plans for construction.

Sponsored Tri County Soils Judging meet.  32 High Schoolers participated with 4 teams moving on to the State Level and one team from Southern Wells advanced to the National Land Judging School and Contest in Oklahoma!

Through a cooperation with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the SWCD has provided (dependent on supply) sorghum and sunflower seed to landowners wishing to make food plots. We also make available to rent a Land Pride Grass Seeder.

SWCD in cooperation with Advanced Tree Nursery, provided reasonably priced native trees and shrub seedlings twice a year to local landowners.

Aided landowners by offering a pick up service from the IDNR State Nursery annual seedling sale.  This service aided in bringing over 3,600 trees into our county, placing additional conservation on the ground

Sold 11 Rain Barrels to homeowners.

SWCD Fish sales provided 2,300 fish and 42 pounds of minnows for pond stocking to local landowners.

Volunteers logged over 86 hours through Earth Team Volunteers.

                                 

2013 Conservation On The Ground    

                                             

NRCS, ISDA, and SWCD staff assisted landowners with the following Conservation Accomplishments:

 

 CONSERVATION PRACTICE

 AMOUNT APPLIED

 Animal Mortality Facility

 1

 Brush Managment ofr Invasives

 25 acres

 CRP Filter Strips

 31 acres

 CRP Native Grasses

 9.8 acres

 CRP Riparian Buffers

 2.8 acres

 CRP Waterways

 10.8 acres

 Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plas (CNMP)

 4

 Cover Crops

 2,399 acres

 Forestry Managment pLan - Invasive Treatment

 3 acres

 Grassed Waterways - 1 Grade Stabilization Structure

2.6 acres

 Hay & Pasture Plantings

 58.3 acres

Nutrient Management

 8,939 acres

 Pesticide Management

 10,403 acres

 Timber Stand Improvement

 97.3 acres

 Tree Planting

 4 acres

 Waste Storage Facility

 2

 Waste Utilization

 1,130 acres

 Water & Soil Control Basin (WASCOB)

 3

TOTALS

 

23,115.60 acres + 10 practices