April 2023 – Lunch ‘n Learns for Indiana Districts

IASWCD is hosting April Lunch ‘n Learn sessions.
12 noon (Eastern) for one hour

Wednesday, April 5
Source Water Protection & The Farm Bill
with Toby Days, Source Water Specialist, Alliance of Indiana Rural Water
As long as water is coming out of the tap, many people often don’t think of the process it takes to get water to their homes or where that water comes from. Keeping drinking water protection as an objective in your conservation projects can open up new funding sources as well as, new partnerships to collaborate with. Learn about Indiana’s Source Water Protection Program and USDAs committed to protecting Indiana’s sources of drinking water.
The 2018 Farm Bill passage expands funding for drinking water protection. This is an exciting opportunity for agriculture producers to assist rural Indiana communities in protecting their sources of drinking water. The 2018 farm bill increased conservation funding and mandates that 10 percent of funds authorized for conservation programs, like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Reserve Program, must be used to protect sources of
drinking water. That’s an incredible $4 billion over the next 10 years.
This a great opportunity for USDA, SWCDs and other conservation minded groups to form new partnerships with their local water systems and agriculture producers that address source water protection challenges.
Register: https://bit.ly/LnL_4-5-23

Wednesday, April 12
NACD: Advocating for Districts Nationally as One Voice
with Beth Mason, NC Region Rep, NACD
What is NACD and how do they support districts nationwide? Join Beth Mason, North Central Region Rep, National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), as she presents on the value and benefits of this nonprofit organization and how they advocate as the national voice for all conservation districts. Included in this presentation will be a legislative/governmental affairs update.
Register: https://bit.ly/LnL_4-12-23

Wednesday, April 19
Resources and Assistance for Woodland Owners
with Liz Jackson, Forestry Extension Specialist for Purdue University Department of Forestry & Natural Resources; Executive Director of the statewide Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association and the National Walnut Council
There are many resources available to woodland owners to help them meet their property objectives. This presentation will review some programs, personnel, and resources available through Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources and across the state to help Indiana landowners manage their woodlands.
Register: https://bit.ly/LnL_4-19-23

Thursday, April 27
Invasive Species GIS Tool Development via Partnerships
with Claire Lane, Urban Conservationist, Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District
As the urban conservationist at the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, Claire Lane manages the development and delivery of backyard and urban conservation programs to Hamilton County residents. The urban conservation program offers site visits and technical assistance, a tool loan program, development of educational publications, events and workshops, and more. Claire also manages the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership. Learn more about these programs at www.hamiltonswcd.org.
Register: https://bit.ly/LnL_4-27-23

Past Trainings or Meetings with Recorded Links

Clean Water Indiana (CWI) Funding Initiative Webinar (August 2022)

Indiana Districts – if you would like to view the recorded CWI funding webinar presented by Joe Schmees and Cress Hizer, please contact Amy Work (amy-work@iaswcd.org) for the link.

Description
With an upcoming budget legislative session starting January 2023, and a current surplus, IASWCD has been working to put together a comprehensive request to increase Clean Water Indiana (CWI) funding. CWI not only funds conservation work, but provides direct financial support to you, our member SWCDs. We, at IASWCD, have partnered with the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM) to develop a funding request, and have been meeting with partners and Executive Branch staff to advocate for this initiative.

This webinar provides an overview of the request, the reasoning we’ve shared with others regarding the need, and an update on our progress. We will also talk about next steps and the role that you as districts, and SWCD Supervisors and Staff, will need to play.

October 5, 2022
IASWCD LUNCH ‘N LEARN
USDA Resources for Working with Beginning Farmers

Description
Beginning farmers need a lot of different things and each one is unique. Learn what resources that USDA can offer including conservation assistance, low interest loans, crop insurance, and grant programs. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service outreach coordinator, Will Fett, will talk through programs and opportunities for beginning farmers from NRCS, FSA, RMA, and RD. Walk away with a better idea of how to work with and direct beginning farmers you work with to the resources they need.
Presentation (recording)
Get Started Fact Sheet
FPAC-Beginning Farmers_Indiana – brochure

June 29, 2022
IDEM Storm Water Permitting Webinar for SWCDs

IDEM Stormwater Info page
IDEM e-permitting stormwater
IDEM nSITE (map)
IDEM Wetlands & Stormwater Program (slideshow)

2022 April Lunch ‘n Learn Sessions: Training for Indiana District Staff and Supervisors

April 6 Lunch ‘n Learn
“Resources to Assist Small Farm & Urban Customers” – RECORDING
and Presentation Slides (presenter: Elli Blaine)

April 13 Lunch ‘n Learn
“Working Smarter, Not Harder: Planning & Prioritizing Invasive Management” – RECORDING and Presentation Slides (presenter: Emily Finch)

April 20 Lunch ‘n Learn
“Conservation 101” – RECORDING and Presentation Slides (presenter: Chris Lee)

April 27 Lunch ‘n Learn
“Optimizing Field Day Impact and Attendee Experience” – RECORDING and Presentation Slides (presenters: Leslie Fisher and Seth Harden). Field Day Checklist

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Public Access Law Update – March 17, 2022 (recording)
An overview of the Public Access Law, requirements for board and annual meetings, and how things have changed during the COVID pandemic, and how they are different now with the public health emergency ended.
Presenter: Luke Britt, Public Access Councilor.

Legislative Preview – January 5, 2022 (recording)
Presented by Cresswell Hizer and Joe Schmees

VirTuesdays: Training for Indiana Soil & Water District Staff and Supervisors (2021)

Once each month, July through October, a series of four VirTuesdays were hosted by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts. Below are the links to each recording.

July 20 – District Insurance Needs and Liability – RECORDING

August 24 – Human Resource Management 101: Contract Employee vs. District Employee – RECORDING

September 21 – Records Retention – RECORDING

October 19 – Turning Data into Action – RECORDING

ELECTRONIC RECORDS TRAINING – October 27, 2021
October 27 – Electronic Records – RECORDING
Chat Box with Resources
PowerPoint Slides for Electronic Records Presentation
Examples of Social Media Policies (four examples)
Indiana Public Records Laws and Social Media | ArchiveSocial

ARCHIVED PAST TRAININGS

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Coronavirus Information and Updates for Indiana Districts

Your District Dues At Work

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If you need immediate assistance or can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact Joe Schmees or Amy Work at 317-692-7374.
Recent:

• Indiana Watershed Group Finder – a companion site to the Indiana HUC Finder, both developed through the Indiana Watershed Leadership Program in collaboration with the IDEM and IASWCD. The Finder is a Google Map based tool that makes it easy to find active watershed or watershed-focused groups throughout Indiana.

Government Shutdown Plans and Procedures:

• Shutdown Procedures  (PDF) from the National Conservation District Employees Association.
• USDA Agencies procedures and contingency plans developed for use in the event of a lapse in funding (government shutdown).

Unique Opportunites for Districts

• Rent Green Fire: Aldo Leopold & A Land Ethic for our Time from IASWCD
• Download the loan agreement. Sign and send it to us at info@iaswcd.org
• Customizable District brochure
  • Available as a PDF (High quality, but text and photos cannot be changed; consider affixing a label to it.)
  • Available as a Publisher file (Fully customizable, but not as high-quality.)
• Conservation Development Resources: IASWCD’s listing of funding and training opportunities
• Google Apps for Districts: An “Apps” account comes with useful tools like Google Calendar, Drive, Sites, etc. Contact us to request one of these free accounts.
• IASWCD Awards, such as Conservation Farmer of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, River Friendly Farmer, etc.
• Put Planning First: A guide from NRCS to help local SWCDs put together a conservation plan tailored for farmer customers.
• Envirothon is a competitive learning event for high school-aged students that tests the students’ knowledge of resources including soils, forestry, wildlife and current environmental issues.
• NACD Poster &Photo Contests for young students
• Easy Steps Marketing Plan for Districts (PDF)
• Blueprint for Locally-Led Conservation – A Strategy for District Success and Sustainability (NACD, July 2016)
• What Should a Funding Plan Include? Recommendations for Districts
• Advocating for Conservation Before the County Board (article dated 1-2-18)

Publications & Information to Share with the Public

• What are SWCDs? General information and quick facts about Districts’ roles, governance, and funding.
• Pathway to Water Quality, coordinated by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, is a permanent exhibit at the State Fair that teaches home and farm conservation.
• Resources for common conservation practices for home and farm use, from the Hoosier Heartland RC&D.
• The Water Cycle: Nature’s Recycling System is a poster produced by NRCS. It is available for purchase.

IASWCD Organizational Information
Budgets, Board minutes, and more area all available in our Board Page.