Clarke SWCD

0 ANNUAL COUNTY
NEWSLETTER
MAY
2016
Our Commissioner's

Office Staff this issue

District Conservationist Protecting Our Resources P.1
Dennis Schrodt
2015 Update on WQI P.2
Soil Conservationist
Dates to Working In Our Community P.3

Remember:
Dexter Yaddof
Financials P.4
Soil Conservation Technician Clarke County NRCS Office Staff P.5
Kaitlin Schott Chairman Terry Boles V. Chairman/Co. Treasurer Norm Lust Treasurer Chris George Annual 2016 Poster Contest P.6
Jeff Pollard Mary Klein
Contractor's
Contract Specialist Assistant Commissioner's 2016 Conservation Scholarship P.7
Amanda Kissell
Meeting
John Webb Mike Shay Kelly Curnes
March 8 Our Commissioner's P.8
Conservation Assistant
Leave your soil on your farm; we will help you keep it there.
Connie Harmsen
National Ag. Day Protecting Our Resources: The Soil & Water
Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer & Lender March 15
District Outreach Representative Iowans continue to make continual The numerous benefits of these conservation
April Bundridge commitments to protecting the soil and water practices are that it reduces erosion, soil losses
World Water Day resources of our state. It is evident by the and nutrient runoff. It continues to improve soil
March 22 strong partnership between the landowners, health and water quantity and quality issues.
Clarke SWCD May 2016 farmers, the Soil and Water Conservation They reduce storm water impacts on public and
Districts, the USDA Natural Resources private property and protect infrastructure.
Earth Day Conservation Service, the Iowa Department of These programs help in protecting watersheds
April 22 Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and many above and water quality in Iowas publicly
Protect Program Eligibility other partners locally working together to owned lakes. They also help local economies
USDA/NRCS warns producers
to be cautious about wetland Soil & Water Cons. address soil health and water quantity and benefiting local communities.
provisions when installing tile, quality.
clearing trees, or completing Week
Your operations are businesses that depend on
other land altering measures.
Check with your local office
April 24-May1 In State Fiscal Year 2015 Iowa set another record healthy soils, the water on your property is well
first. If found in violation, with the Iowa Financial Incentives Program (Cost managed and utilized, the nutrients are well
producers may lose eligibility
for USDA programs. Clarke Co . Fair Share) with a landowner/farmer contribution of managed for crop production, and your livestock
$12.8 million, a state investment of $9.8 million operation is managed effectively. The
July 18-25
with the total investment of $22.6 million. To challenges that go with these elements of your
put in perspective what that meant in numbers businesses are important to insure that you can
709 Furnas Dr., Suite 3 Notification and Authorization Iowa State Fair for four conservation practices, it was 515 miles operate effectively and profitable. When you
Osceola, IA 50174
to Release Information
Landowners if you are
Aug. 11-21 of terraces, 1,264 miles of waterways, 96 grade evaluate these components of your business
641.342.2917 phone
considering selling or renting stabilization structures, and 471 water and throughout the year and identify needs and
aprilbundridge@gmail.com
your farm or would like to sediment control basins. These conservation opportunities to make improvements, please
www.clarkecountyia.wix.com/swcd authorize certain individuals practices are effective, long term practices that dont hesitate to stop in the field offices in your
to view your file, please be
aware that NRCS cannot trap sediment and phosphorus in the fields. area to find out how we can help with your soil
release information contained This reflects a commitment of landowners and and water issues. These offices have great
in your Conservation Plan to
anyone without your written farmers making an investment with the state technical assistance and usually have financial
permission. where they are contributing $1.50 or more for assistance programs that can help put
each dollar invested by the state. scientifically proven conservation practices on
your land to help with improving your soil
The impacts of the various cost share programs health, water quantity and water quality. Stop
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees and applicants for employment on the basis of race, offered locally is that it continues to get more in any time and let us help you.
color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, Jim Gillespie
sexual orientation, or all or part of an individuals income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or
IDALS Division Director
conservation practices installed. Clarke SWCD
in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited basis apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) co n s e r va t i o n

The Water Quality Initiative
was established during the
2013 legislative session to
assist the implementation of
the Nutrient Reduction
Strategy which provides a
road map to achieve a 45%
reduction in nitrogen and
phosphorus losses to our
waters using an integrated
approach of point (cities and
industries) and non-point
sources (farms and residential
areas). The initiative seeks to
harness the collective ability
of both private and public
resources and organizations
to deliver a clear and
consistent message to
stakeholders to reduce
nutrient loss and improve
water quality.
In 2015, 1,800 farmers
committed $3.5 million in cost
share funds to install nutrient
reduction practices in each of
Iowas 99 counties. The
practices that were eligible for
this funding are cover crops,
no-till or strip till, or using a
nitrification inhibitor when
applying fall fertilizer.
Participants include 980
farmers using a practice for
the first time and more than
830 past users that are trying
cover crops again and are
More information about the Water Quality Initiative can be found at www.CleanWaterIowa.org.
Rental Equipment
Clean Matt We currently have two
Water
Lechtenberg
pieces of equipment
Will Myers
available for rent.
Iowa
Fabric Layer
2015 Update on the
Water Quality Initiative 2016 Conservation Scholarship
receiving a reduced-rate of cost that will focus on expanding the CDI is partnering with local soil and To find your local SWCD Office, Jacob Manternach. Jake has
share. use of cover crops, edge of field water conservation districts (SWCD) select your county on the map by been active in several sports and
practices such as bio-reactors
to foster the higher education visiting the following website: academic extracurricular
In addition to statewide cost and saturated buffers, and
endeavors of Iowa students activities throughout high school,
share, 16 targeted Water usage of water quality http://idals.iowa.gov/FARMS/index.p
Quality Initiative demonstration wetlands. A second round of interested in conservation and hp/districtMap. along with participating in several
watershed projects have been funding for these projects will agriculture by offering scholarships. community service projects
funded to help implement and be awarded in early 2016.
Iowa High School Class 2016 This year's deadline was February including two trips to Haiti.
demonstrate water quality Security deposit of $100 and
Nine Urban Conservation Water Students pursuing programs of
practices. 26th. Scholarships chosen at the
rental agreement required. The
Quality Initiative Demonstration study in any field of conservation or
County level will go on to compete
Jake plans to attend Iowa State
cost of the fabric and machine
The state has provided $7.4 Projects have also been agriculture qualifies for the University in the fall, majoring in
against others at the Regional and
million in funding to support funded. The state has awarded are as follows:
Conservation Scholarship. While Food Science with a possibility of
these projects and has $655,194 in funding and possibly State level. Awards range $.50/ft. of fabric used
has leveraged an partners and this is a wide field and many studies double majoring or minoring in
from $4000 for the top State, $600 Measurement used will be
additional $11.7 Ask yourself if there is landowners qualify, preference will be given to Agricultural Business.
in Regional and $250 at County. verified upon certification or
million in additional participating in the students pursuing programs of study
funding from more you can do on projects will completion of the practice.
in conservation. The scholarship Jake will receive his check at the
partners and your farm to improve provide $2.43 This year's winner at County level is
landowners.More million to support must be used for the student's first awards banquet in May.
Clarke High School Senior
than 95 organizations water quality. urban conservation year of college education.
are participating in efforts. A second Seeder/Spreader
round of funding for Urban
these projects.
Conservation Projects will also 2016 Scholarship Recipient Jacob Manternach
In 2015, four additional be awarded in early 2016.
demonstration projects focused
on expanding the use and For FY2016, $9.6 million was
innovative delivery of water appropriated by the legislature
quality practices beyond an to support the Water Quality
individual watershed have also Initiative. This appropriation
received funding. These will allow the Iowa Department
projects will receive $3.06 of Agriculture and Land
million in funding through the Stewardship to continue to
Iowa water quality initiative provide cost share, expand
over the next three years and programs and work in targeted
be matched by $2.59 million in watersheds to achieve
funding from other sources. measurable water quality Security deposit of $100 and
These projects include projects improvements. rental agreement required.
$25/day, payable in
advance

Abigail - Grade 4 - Murray
Brooklynn - Grade 4 - Murray
Crystal - Grade 4 - Murray
Macy - Grade 4 - Murray
Morgan - Grade 4 - Murray
Heidi - Grade 5 - Murray
2016 Poster
Contest
We All
Need Trees
Working In Our Community
Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company makes it possible for the CDI to partner with the National Association of
Conservation Districts (NACD) and local soil and water conservation districts (SWCD) to offer the 2015
Third Grade Fishing & Pond Study
Conservation Poster Contest. A total of 45 awards are given. Any child that resides in Iowa, is a public, private or
home school student in Kindergarten through 12th grade with a participating SWCD can participate. Visit The Osceola Field Office participated in The Osceola Field Office, participated in The meeting was held on
the annual 3rd Grade Fishing & Pond the Clarke County Farm Bureaus eighth Tuesday, October 20th from
http://idals.iowa.gov/FARMS/index.php/districtMap and on the map, select the county in which your school is Study on May 12, 2015.
located to find your SWCD Office.
Kids from both Clarke and Murray 3rd
grade came out to the pond at East Lake
and learned a bit about the surveying
This year's new Poster Contest Theme is We All Need Trees. The deadline for participation this year was
equipment used to create ponds and
other structures from Aaron Sickels and
March 25. Forty-five state winners will receive a cash award. Five first-place state winners will receive a $50
the importance of water quality
cash award. The remaining 40 winners will receive a $35 cash award. The 5 state winners will be on display at monitoring from April Bundridge. Dennis
Schrodt spoke to the kids about how the
the 2015 Annual Conference for Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners in September 2016 and will
pond was built and why conservation is
then be sent to the national contest for consideration for a national award and on display at the 2017 NACD important. Connie Harmsen also helped
by documenting the events.
Annual Meeting in February.
The Clarke County Conservation Board
and AmeriCorps through the Clarke
County Extension Office oversaw the
Due to the way Parent/Teacher Conferences and Spring Break fell in the Clarke County school districts this
other activities that included a hike
year, presentations in the school were not possible so there was a much smaller turnout of posters this year. through the woods and fishing in the
implement dealership. The Clarke County
lake.
Hopefully, we will be able to to generate more interest in the contest again next year. The district also made the Cattlemen provided lunch for the group.
decision to push back the initial deadline from March 25 to April 15 in hopes of getting a few more entries.
Annual Contractors Meeting
We received eight entries this year. One in the 2nd-3rd Grade Category and 7 in the 4th-6th Grade Category. Our
two District winners will go on to Regionals with the chance of going on to State. Clarke and Decatur County
SWCD held their annual
contractors meeting on
March 8th at the Van Wert
Community Center at
8:30am.
Topics discussed included
Grassed Waterway Design,
2016 Cost Share Rates,
Area 4 Engineering, Special
Project Areas, and State
Cost Share. Several
Kadence - Grade 5 - Murray Alyssa - Grade 3 - Clarke suppliers also attended.
Breakfast was also served.
Clarke County Fair
The Osceola FSA Office
partnered with the Clarke
County Soil & Water
Conservation Office to have a
booth set up in the exhibition
building during the 2015 Clarke
County Fair.
Farm Bureau Day Women's Ag Day There was various information
available about programs and
Third Grade Field Day Women Landowners Meeting
options for farmers in regards to
conservation practices that
prevent soil erosion and
promote water quality.
annual 3rd Grade Field Day on September 9:00-11:30am at the First
16. There were representatives
Christian Church in Osceola.
John Baker, attorney, spoke to available at various times during
More than 140 students from Clarke and the attendees about laws the fair to answer questions.
Murray Community School Districts concerning trusts,
participated in the years event held at the renters/tenants, leasing, and
Clarke County Fairgrounds in Osceola.
estate planning.
The students rotated among seven learning
There was information share
stations, including a new NRCS Rainfall
from the ISU Extension, FSA
Simulator which demonstrates the erosion
and the NRCS Offices. There
and runoff potential of local soils with
Clarke County SWCD is
various covers and treatments, along with was also a question and answer
impervious surface (roofing shingles). conducting water quality
session. Snacks and drinks
were provided, along with some testing in the West Lake
The other stations at the field day included freebies donated by local Watershed. Please
representatives from the local coops, ISU businesses. There was also a
contact the office at (641)
Extension, a turkey hatchery, and the local drawing for door prizes.
342-2917 for more
information.
Thank You for the
Donations
Hickenbottom Intakes
American State Bank
Clarke County State Bank
Great Western Bank
Osceola Foods
Precision Intakes
Agri Drain Corporation
Hy-Vee
 Simon, NRCS Planning for Water Quality Improvement
Clarke County Soil & Water Conservation
District Financial Report 2016
FARMS (FINANCIAL AND REPORTS MGMT SYSTEM)
Is an online program allowing producers to apply for state cost-share assistance and to review their information from the
convenience of their home?
IFIP Cost-Share: $64,345 (21 Terraces)
IFIP Publicly Owned Lakes: $89,824 (West Lake - 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) As the new State Conservationist
Section 319 - Rathbun Lake Special Project: $ 2,121 (Terraces Group) for USDAs Natural Resources
WSPF - Rathbun Lake Special Project: $ 8,425 (Terraces Group) Conservation Service in Iowa, I
Water Quality Initiative/Cover Crops: $18,006 (446 acres) feel honored to be part of the
conservation TEAM in one of the
most productive agricultural
states in the nation. As a
conservationist, I will continue the
movement toward improved
water quality and soil health, and
more strategically planned
conservation.
I have 31 years of experience in
conservation with USDA, most
recently serving as Tennessee
NRCS Assistant State
Conservationist for Field
Operations in Knoxville. I take
pride in the variety of positions I
EQIP (ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM)
have held throughout the agency,
including starting off as a District
Ponds: $34,317
Technician in Ohio. I have also
WASCB: $3,810
worked in West Virginia, South
Terraces: $22,150
Cover Crop: $904 IM Budget: District and Commissioner Carolina, Washington D.C., and
Alabama, and served as a national
Expense liaison to the National Wild Turkey
POL (PUBLICLY OWNED LAKES) West Lake Watershed
Federation and The Nature
Terraces: $56,685 Annual Allocation from IDALS: $2,000 Conservancy.
Membership Dues - CDI; Reservoir As you all know, there is a great
Comm.: $1,126 deal of attention focused on
improving water quality in Iowa.
Commissioner Mileage: $443 In addition to the already
Postage: $181 significant contributions we are
Office Supplies & Advertising: $124 making towards water quality
improvement in the state, I am
committed to accelerating our
positive results. We can do this in
several ways:
Kurt Simon:
Iowa State Conservationist
NRCS
Prioritize and focus our
conservation planning
assistance to improve the
effectiveness of financial
assistance investments.
Conservation plans serve as
a blueprint for more
targeted and cost-effective
approaches to addressing
natural resource concerns.
NRCS has documented
significantly higher success
rates with projects on farms
when producers and our
staff and partners use well-
developed conservation
plans as the platform for
action.
Continue to collaborate
with state and local
conservation partners to
target conservation systems
where they will be most
effective. That means
engaging our soil and water
conservation districts, Ag
associations, and
conservation organizations
to prioritize project areas.
Partner with organizations
to promote and target
wetland restoration to
address water quality and
habitat needs. Wetlands can
filter water and buffer
storm discharges, ultimately
improving water quality and
reducing flood risk
downstream.
Work with partners to
deliver and strengthen
regional conservation
projects. Through RCPP,
we are working closely
with project sponsors to
ensure the success of
these pioneer projects in
Iowa. Moving forward, we
will work with sponsors to
identify potential
innovative and effective
project concepts, and to
strengthen future project
proposals.
There are many challenges ahead
of us, and that is one reason why
NRCS is transitioning into a
conservation planning first
approach. I look forward to
assisting NRCS staff and our local
offices through this transition,
and continuing our efforts on Soil
Health and the benefits it can
bring to on-farm profitability,
cleaner water, reduced soil
erosion, and nutrient reductions.
I look forward to visiting more of
the state this winter to meet with
staff and partners, and to hear
about the great things we are
accomplishing. I also want to
know what is impeding our
efforts to get more conservation
on the land, and what processes
can be improved or streamlined.
Online Features:
*Request Technical
Assistance
*Apply for Conservation
Program Financial
Assistance
*Sign & Submit
Applications, Contracts
& Conservation Plans
*Track Payments
Client Gateway is a new
public website that
allows clients the
secure ability to request
conservation technical
assistance and financial
assistance from the
USDA. Through Client
Gateway, clients can
also access their:
Conservation plans
Conservation
program
applications and
contracts
Financial
assistance contract
payments
And much more
Using Client Gateway
isnt required. You are
free to continue
working with NRCS as
you always have. Now,
you simply have more,
time-saving options.
Step-by-step
instructions are
available online at
www.nrcs.usda.gov/clie
ntgateway. NRCS field
office staff is always
available to assist you
with conservation
questions.