CNA-SS-02-20-2015

Union County Soil andWater Conservation District

2014 Annual Report

Friday, February 20, 2015

Look inside for:• Conservation and Farmstead Windbreak Awards • North Thompson River Water Quality Project• 2014 Report of District Funds • Poster Contest

Look inside for:Look inside for:

4-H Secrets of the SoilJune 2014

Women Caring for the LandSoil Health Conservation Meeting

May 13th

Pasture Walk DunphysJune 16th

Conservation StationUnion County Fair

Fair DisplayJuly 2014

SWCD Activities

c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

Creston Field OfficeLeft to Right: Phil Patterson, North Thomson Watershed Project Coordinator; Jody Hitz, District Soil Conservation Aide; Wayde Ross, NRCS District Conservationist; Dixie Baker, District Secretary; Bill Bolinger, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician; Amanda McNees, NRCS Soil Conservationist and Jim Walsh, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician

NRCS AREA PERSONNEL Jamie Carpenter, Asst. State Conservationist(FO); Kevin Kuhn, Area Resource Conservation-

ist, Jeffrey Godwin, Civil Engineer; Kristy York, Area Program Specialist; Brian Hickman, Private Lands Biologist; and Margaret Henderson, Area Administrative Management Assistant

OTHER PERSONNEL ASSISTING THE DISTRICTOther personnel located in the USDA Service Center in Creston are: Rick Sprague, Area

4 Grassland Specialist; Marc Zucco, Area 4 Resource Soil Scientist; Tim Mensing, Engineer, Bruce Dake, Civil Engineering Technicians; Kristen Klecker, Clerical Specialist; Jane Dawson, IT; and Randy Goerndt, DNR District Forester

Notification and Authorization to Release InformationLandowners - if you are considering selling or renting your farm or

would like to authorize certain individuals to view your file, please be aware that NRCS/SWCD cannot release information contained in your

Conservation Plan to anyone without your written permission.

Informational WebsitesIowa Department of Agriculture – www.iowaagriculture.govIDALS-Division of Soil Conservation – www.iowaagriculture.gov/soilconservationUSDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service – www.ia.nrcs.usda.govConservation Districts of Iowa – www.cdiowa.orgIowa Department of Natural Resources – www.iowadnr.gov

By Mike EblenChairman, Union SWCD

At the Union County Soil Con-servat ion office we have ex-perienced a n o t h e r busy year. Statewide conserva-tion prac-tices also saw a dramatic increase by helping 2,382 Iowa landowners install

2,714 conservation practices. Since 2008, that is the most conservation work done and possibly a record going back to 1973 when the cost share program was started.

It was important to know that state cost share was an incentive to help these land-owners. However much of the work was paid for by the landowners or farmers and that demonstrates that voluntary conservation can make a difference on our landscape. It is important to know that Iowa farmers

are very aware of the impor-tance of protecting our natu-ral resources.

I would like to say Thank You to Eric Forquer who retired from being a Dis-trict Commissioner this year. Eric did a fantastic job and was a valuable asset to the board.

I would also like to wel-come Matt Brown to our group. Matt is taking Eric’s place and we are looking forward to working with him and know he will be a great commissioner.

Message from the Chairman

Eblen

The Union SWCD board meets on the third Tuesday

of each month at the USDA Service Center Conference

Room at 7:30 A.M.

Creston Main Bank 101 W. Adams St. 641.782.2195 Consumer Bank 801 W. Taylor St. 641.782.5599

Afton Bank 100 E. Railroad 641.347.8423 fnbcreston.comL-R: Rick Schmitz, Steve Crittenden, Dan Waigand, Chris Eaton (Main), Staci Heaberlin (Afton)

Commitment you can bank on.

Committed to your Agriculture Success.

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015 — c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictCommissioners and

Assistant Commissioners

Pictured left to right: Commissioners – Mike Brentnall, Vicki Allen, James Allen, Mike Eblen and Assistant Commissioners – John Tapken and Steve Crittenden. Not pictured Commissioner, Matt Brown and Assistant Commissioner, Charles Western

We, the Commissioners of the Union County Soil and Water Conservation District are proud to present our annual report of activities and accomplish-ments for your information. As Commissioners, we are charged with the res-toration and conservation of the county’s resources, but have looked to you, the landowner and land user, for ideas and action to make the duties of our job a reality. We would like to thank all those whose contributions of time and money have enabled us to carry out a successful program: soil conserva-tion cooperators, conservation contractors and businesses.

We also wish to thank the Division of Soil Conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency; Iowa Depart-ment of Natural Resources; Iowa State University Extension Service; USDA Rural Development Service; Union County Board of Supervisors; Union County Conservation Board, State Legislators and many others. A special thanks goes to our local newspapers and radio station for their support.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for com-munication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship/Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS/DSC) and the Union Soil and Water Conservation District are an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Ponds • Terraces • Conservation Work Demolition • Rock Hauling • Etc.

WENZIG CONSTRUCTION

COMPANY—Rich & Ann Wenzig—

641-782-4266CELL 641-344-3213

Proud Supporter of the Union County Soil & Water Conservation District

BBB oyd Appliance Center Inc.220 N. Pine • Uptown Creston, IA • (641) 782-2163

Selling Amana, KitchenAid, Maytag, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Speed Queen and Traeger GrillsServicing most makes and models ~ Locally Owned and Operated

Weekdays: 8:30-5:30 • Saturdays: 9:00-12:00

Lamb TilingLamb Tiling

641.743.8312 • 515.250.8440

— Greenfield —

— 30 Years in Business —

Tiling • TruckingDozer • Demolition

All Types of Dirt WorkCCRESTRESTONON CCHAMBERHAMBER OFOF CCOMMERCEOMMERCE208 W. Taylor/Hwy 34 • 641-782-7021

[email protected]

Creston...A Great Place to

Visit, Work and Call Home


Union County Soil and Water Conservation District2014 Financial Report

1-M FUNDS(Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses)

3-M BUDGETIowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) - Cost Share 50%

Iowa Financial Incentives Cost Share with private landowners is the cornerstone of soil and water conservation practice application in Iowa and evidence of the program’s effec-tiveness can be seen across the landscape in terraces, waterways, erosion control structures and other conservation practice applications

Union County has been given allocations totaling over $4 million for use in cost sharing on permanent soil and water conservation practices since the program was started in 1973.

REAPResource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are available to landowners for

soil and water conservation practices. Soil conservation districts designate high priority watersheds in which the REAP funds can be expended. Union County has designated the Platte River Watershed as their priority watershed.

REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses)Since 1990 the District has received funding for the Resource Enhancement and Protec-

tion (REAP-F) program. These funds are used to support practices to promote the installa-tion of woodlands, native grasses and forbes, and farmstead windbreaks.

2014 Financial Report

1-M FUNDS (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses)

Commissioners Mileage and Expenses $ 1,051.05 Postage 527.08 Supplies 66.49 Dues 850.00 Miscellaneous 47.50 Total 1-M Expenditures $ 2,542.12

3-M BUDGET Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) - Cost Share 50%

Iowa Financial Incentives Cost Share with private landowners is the cornerstone of soil and water conservation practice application in Iowa and evidence of the program’s effectiveness can be seen across the landscape in terraces, waterways, erosion control structures and other conservation practice applications


Jobs Completed in 2014 Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share

Grade Stab Structure 6 6 EA $31,962.50 Terraces 21 50,392 Ft 103,661.75 Grassed Waterway 1 3 Ac 5,500.00 Water & Sediment Basin 2 8 Ea 7,500.00

TOTAL $148,624.25

REAP - Practices Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are available to landowners for soil

and water conservation practices. Soil conservation districts designate high priority watersheds in which the REAP funds can be expended. Union County has designated the Platte River Watershed as their priority watershed.

Jobs Completed in 2014

Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed

Cost Share Terraces 4 7,700 Ft $20,891.00

W/S Basin 1 1 EA 1,755.00 Windbreak 1 1 Ac 900.00

Fence 1 35 Rd 491.25 Regeneration 1 21.8 Ac 2,616.00

TOTAL $26,653.25

REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses) Since 1990 the District has received funding for the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP-F) program. These funds are used to support practices to promote the installation of woodlands, native grasses and forbes, and farmstead windbreaks.









TOTAL $148,624.25




Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed




TOTAL $26,653.25










TOTAL $148,624.25




Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed




TOTAL $26,653.25



Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed

Cost Share

FS Windbreaks 3 3 Ac $3,940.58 Timber Stand Imp 2 26.3 Ac 2,589.00 Windbreak Fence 1 50 Rd $700.00 TOTAL Spent $7,229.58

No Interest Loan Program

This is a program that eligible landowners can borrow up to $20,000 at no interest for up to a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices.


Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed


Gr Waterway 1 3 Ac 20,000.00 TOTAL Spent $112,759.25

Local Water Protection Program This is a program which provides low-interest loans (no more than 3%) for the installation of conservation practices that enhance water quality. The loan amount may be from $5,000 to $500,000 and may be for up to fifteen years. It may be used alone to fund a conservation practice or in conjunction with other cost share programs. The Union SWCD has spent over $3 million since the program began in FY 2006. Following is the dollar amount of Low Interest Loans used in Union County:

FY 2006 7/1/05-6/30/06

FY 2007 7/1/06 – 6/30/07

FY 2008 7/1/07 – 6/30/08

FY 2009 7/1/08 – 6/30/09

FY 2010 7/1/09 – 6/30/10

$25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 $526.615.39

FY 2011 7/1/10 – 6/30/10

FY 2012 7/1/11 – 6/30/12

FY2013 7/1/12 –

6/30/2013

FY2014 7/1/14 – 6/30/14

FY 2015 7/1/14 – 12/31/14

$551,085.02 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 $125,102.16 $14,136.00

3 Mile Lake – Public Owned Lakes

This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs Only lakes or reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area rationof less than 80 to 1 and owned by an iowa county, municipal government or by the state of iowa are eligible. Following are practieds that have been completed in Union County in 2014. Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Amt

Terraces 1 3950 Ft $ 12,000.00 Grade Stab Str 2 2 Ea 17,160.35 TOTAL $ 29,160.35

12 Mile Lake - Public Owned Lakes

No Interest Loan Program This is a program that eligible landowners can borrow up to $10,000 at no interest for

up to a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices.

Local Water Protection Program This is a program which provides low-interest loans (no more than 3%) for the instal-

lation of conservation practices that enhance water quality. The loan amount may be from $5,000 to $500,000 and may be for up to fifteen years. It may be used alone to fund a con-servation practice or in conjunction with other cost share programs. The Union SWCD has spent ove $3 million since the program began in FY 2006.

Following is the dollar amount of Low Interest Loans used in Union County:

3 Mile Lake - Public Owned LakesThis program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs. Only

lakes or reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 and owned by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible. Following are practices that have been completed in Union County in 2014.

12 Mile - Lake Public Owned LakesThis program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs. Only

lakes or reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 and owned by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible. Following are practices that have been completed in 2014.

District FundsJanuary 1, 2014– December 31, 2014

This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs. Only lakes or reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 and owned by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible. Following are practices that have been completed in 2014.

Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Terraces 4 20,150 Ft $ 74,473.41 Gr Waterway 2 5 Ac 6,098.78 Grade Stab Structure 1 1 EA 17,953.35 TOTAL $98,525.54

District Funds January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

District’s Regular Checking Account Balance brought forward January 1, 2014 $53,217.65 RECEIPTS + $33,261.05 EXPENDITURES - $61,803.74 Balance ending December 31, 2014 $24,674.96

Special Watershed Checking Account Balance January 1, 2014 $ 1,162.80 RECEIPTS + .46 EXPENDITURES - $ 00.00 Closed account 9/25/14 - - $1,163.38 Balance December 31, 2014 $ 00.00

This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs. Only lakes or reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 and owned by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible. Following are practices that have been completed in 2014.

Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Terraces 4 20,150 Ft $ 74,473.41 Gr Waterway 2 5 Ac 6,098.78 Grade Stab Structure 1 1 EA 17,953.35 TOTAL $98,525.54

District Funds January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

District’s Regular Checking Account Balance brought forward January 1, 2014 $53,217.65 RECEIPTS + $33,261.05 EXPENDITURES - $61,803.74 Balance ending December 31, 2014 $24,674.96

Special Watershed Checking Account Balance January 1, 2014 $ 1,162.80 RECEIPTS + .46 EXPENDITURES - $ 00.00 Closed account 9/25/14 - - $1,163.38 Balance December 31, 2014 $ 00.00


Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed

Cost Share





Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed




FY 2006 7/1/05-6/30/06

FY 2007 7/1/06 – 6/30/07

FY 2008 7/1/07 – 6/30/08

FY 2009 7/1/08 – 6/30/09

FY 2010 7/1/09 – 6/30/10

$25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 $526.615.39

FY 2011 7/1/10 – 6/30/10

FY 2012 7/1/11 – 6/30/12

FY2013 7/1/12 –

6/30/2013

FY2014 7/1/14 – 6/30/14

FY 2015 7/1/14 – 12/31/14

$551,085.02 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 $125,102.16 $14,136.00






Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed

Cost Share





Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed




FY 2006 7/1/05-6/30/06

FY 2007 7/1/06 – 6/30/07

FY 2008 7/1/07 – 6/30/08

FY 2009 7/1/08 – 6/30/09

FY 2010 7/1/09 – 6/30/10

$25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 $526.615.39

FY 2011 7/1/10 – 6/30/10

FY 2012 7/1/11 – 6/30/12

FY2013 7/1/12 –

6/30/2013

FY2014 7/1/14 – 6/30/14

FY 2015 7/1/14 – 12/31/14

$551,085.02 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 $125,102.16 $14,136.00






Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed

Cost Share





Practices

Jobs

Amt Installed




FY 2006 7/1/05-6/30/06

FY 2007 7/1/06 – 6/30/07

FY 2008 7/1/07 – 6/30/08

FY 2009 7/1/08 – 6/30/09

FY 2010 7/1/09 – 6/30/10

$25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 $526.615.39

FY 2011 7/1/10 – 6/30/10

FY 2012 7/1/11 – 6/30/12

FY2013 7/1/12 –

6/30/2013

FY2014 7/1/14 – 6/30/14

FY 2015 7/1/14 – 12/31/14

$551,085.02 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 $125,102.16 $14,136.00






Union County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictBy: Vince SitzmannField Services Bureau Chief

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation

In the U.S., Iowa ranks number one in the produc-tion of eggs, pork, soybeans, and corn, and number two in beef. If Iowa were a country, it would be the third larg-est producer of corn in the world. That’s pretty amaz-ing considering Iowa is only 36 million acres in size with only 25 million acres dedicat-ed to row crop production. These are impressive num-

bers by any standards, but equally important is the con-servat ion ethic Iowa f a r m e r s subscribe to. Farm-ers throughout the state spend millions of dollars annually out of their own pockets to install conserva-tion practices on their land, which makes them leaders in conservation implementa-tion as well as leaders in ag production.

Two years ago, Iowa un-veiled the Nutrient Reduc-

tion Strategy (NRS). This was the first plan of its kind in the nation, aimed at re-ducing nutrient losses to the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy was pioneered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University, and the Iowa DNR. It incorporates the best science and research we have available and it was built for Iowa. Shortly af-ter the Nutrient Reduction Strategy was released, im-plementation of the plan was launched and is known today as the Water Quality Initia-tive (WQI).

Over the past two years we continue to see exciting

momentum for the WQI. Iowans are engaged, new partnerships are expanding, and farmers are implement-ing conservation practices they’ve never tried before. The Nutrient Research Center at ISU has been es-tablished with the purpose of pursuing a science based approach to nutrient man-agement research. The Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA) partner-ship between the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, and the Iowa Pork Producers has been established, each com-mitting one million dollars annually over the next five

years to advance the imple-mentation of the WQI. The Iowa Legislature has also committed 16.8 million dol-lars over the last two years to support conservation and water quality improvements both in special project areas and for statewide practice implementation.

We have made great strides through the voluntary approach to conservation, but we have to keep the mo-mentum growing by explor-ing more and different types of conservation practices on the landscape. We have new and emerging technologies in addition to our traditional conservation practices that

will improve our nutrient management efforts. I would encourage everyone to eval-uate their farming operation and ask yourself if there is more you can do on your farm. Solving water quality issues is something everyone has to be a part of if we are to continue our leadership role in ag production and conser-vation implementation. If you are interested in learn-ing more about the NRS or the WQI you can visit www.cleanwateriowa.org or stop into your local SWCD to learn how you can be part of this important initiative.

Sitzman

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION BUSINESS DIRECTORY

First National Bank101 W. Adams

Creston, IA641-782-2195877-782-2195

100 E. RailroadAfton, IA

641-347-8423

FINANCE

EARTHWORK & TILE

Eblen Construction Inc.1676 E. Adams, Creston, IA 50801

641-782-4029641-344-0793 (Don’s Cell)641-344-3796 (Mike’s Cell)

Ruth Construction206 N. Broad, Orient, IA 50858

641-344-9690 (Cell)

Lamb Tiling2751 Marion Avenue, Greenfield, IA 50849

641-743-8312515-250-8440 (Cell)

Giza ConstructionJesse Giza

301 W. Union Street, Creston, IA 50801641-344-3072 (Cell)

David Downey Construction2429 Tulip Ave., Afton, IA 50830

641-340-0219

Jordan & Sons Construction2926 130th St., Lenox IA 50851

641-340-5805641-333-4259

EARTHWORK

Cook ConstructionBryan Cook

2005 Hwy. J-23, Diagonal, IA 50845641-340-2324 (Cell)

JL Construction1806 140th , Diagonal, IA 50845

641-344-2997

Wenzig Construction Company1542 Beechwood Avenue, Creston, IA 50801

641-782-4266 641-344-3213 (Cell)

K.M. King, Inc.Kevin King

306 N. Sumner, Creston, IA 50801641-782-8063 641-344-7328

TILEMagnum Trenching System

2488 Tulip Avenue, Lenox, IA 50851641-333-4462

Gerald Kinyon Construction1431 Uban Avenue, Creston, IA 50801

641-345-2853641-344-0739 (Cell)

SURVEYING

Mid-State SurveyingJim Norman & Greg Shawler500 E. Taylor, Creston, IA 50801

641-782-4004

REAL ESTATE

R Realty114 North Elm

Creston, IA641-782-9408

SUPPLIESFarm & Home Supply

408 S. SumnerCreston, IA 50801641-782-2317

116 N. TaylorMount Ayr, IA 50854

641-464-3991

Farmers Cooperative Co.1000 E. Mills • Creston

641-782-7202



Jeromy and Laurel Burgmaier are the winners of the Owner Operator Award for 2014. They used summer constriction incen-tives to install 4250’ terraces, wa-terways and field borders on a farm purchased in 2014.

They also use crop rotata-tions and conservation tillage to protect and improve their crop-ground.

The Union County SWCD Commissioners selected Steve and Pat Kline to re-ceive the 2014 Established Farmstead Windbreak Award. In the spring of 2000, they planted 40 Colo-rado Blue Spruce and Nor-way Spruce. Eastern Red Cedar trees were put in the outside row. They were able to utilize the REAP program to help defray costs. This windbreak has provided pro-tection from wind and snow for their farmstead for many years.

The Steward of the Land Award Winner for 2014 is Jack Miller. He has taken 150 acres in Lincoln Town-ship, section 8 and made many improvements. When Jack moved to the farm in 1961, everything was farmed up and down the hill. Now everything is contoured. Through the state and fed-eral cost share programs he has installed 3,000 feet of terraces, 5.3 acres of grassed waterways, and 8.8 acres of buffer strip around a 12 Mile watershed structure. Mr. Miller uses a corn bean rotation on ridge tops. On the side hills he uses a bean, corn oats and three years of meadow. A combination of no-till and mulch tillage leaving at least 30% residue is used on the cropland.

The Newly Established Farmstead Windbreak Award was presented to Rob and April Evans and family. In the spring of 2011, they planted 28 bush arbor-vitaes, 16 Norway Spruce and 14 Canaan firs.. The windbreak consists of three rows. The windbreak will be protection for their building site for many years.

2014 Award WinnersThe annual Union Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Awards Banquet was held February 10th.

Four awards in recognition of efforts to protect and improve the natural resources in Union County were presented to landowners by the commissioners.

Owner Operator Award Established Farmstead Windbreak Award

Steward of the Land AwardNewly Established Farmstead

Windbreak Award

By Vicki AllenCommissioner

The Union County Soil & Water Conserva-tion Dis-trict and the Con-servat ion Districts of Iowa are s p o n s o r -ing schol-arships for senior again this year who are pursuing their education in the field of agri-

culture, natural resources or environmental issues.

Applications are avail-able at each school or at the NRCS office at 904 E Taylor in Creston. Applications need to be returned to the District office by January 30th . One application may be chosen to be sent into regional compe-tition for the Conservation District of Iowa Scholarships. The Union County SWCD scholarship will be awarded to eligible seniors that live in Union County or attend Cres-ton or East Union Schools.

Selection is made based on school activities, organiza-tions and community involve-ment.

The 2014 Union County Scholarship recipient was Adam Baker a graduate of Creston Community Schools.

Adam is the son of Roger and Melissa Baker of rural Creston. While in high school Adam was on the football, wrestling and track teams. He was also very active in 4H and FFA. Adam is currently a stu-dent at Iowa State University.



Poster contestBy Vicki Allen Commissioner

Each year the Union County Soil and Water Con-servation District (SWCD) along with Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) and Grinnell Mutual Reinsur-ance Company, sponsor a poster contest. The contest is open to all students K-12th grade.

Posters submitted for the contest are first judged at the local level and the win-ners are forwarded on for regional competition. Post-

ers winning the regional competition are then for-warded on for state compe-tition.

The theme for 2014 was “Dig Deeper – Mysteries in the Soil” Local poster win-ners in the 6th grade cat-egory were: Danika Schul-tes, first place, and Hannah Walsh, 2nd place. Morgan Eblen had the first place poster in the 7th & 8th grade category and Bailey Hop-kins 2nd place. All are stu-dents at St. Malachy School in Creston. Eblen’s poster was also a regional and state

winner and went on to be judged at the national level.

The theme for 2015 is “Local Heros- Your Hard-working Pollinators”.

For more information on

the poster contest rules and deadlines please go to the Conservation Districts of Iowa web site or call Dixie at the NRCS office in Cres-ton at 782-4218 ext. 3.

Danika Schultes Mogan Eblen

SWCD Scholarship

The Union SWCD com-pleted a watershed man-agement plan for Twelve Mile Lake in 2011 with funding assistance from the Iowa Division of Soil Conservation. The lake is a drinking water source for the city of Creston and SIRWA and had been ex-periencing algae blooms and increased water treat-ment costs. During the last three years, the district has received funds from the Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB) and Publicly Owned Lakes as well as USDA programs such as EQIP and CRP to install conservation prac-tices in the watershed. Since July 2013, 5 grade stabilization structures, 5 water and sediment con-trol basins, 7.1 acres of wa-

terways, 6 acres streamside filter strips, and 25,500’ of terrace have been con-structed. These practices should reduce sediment delivery to the lake by 2336 tons/yr and phosphorus de-livery by 3038 lbs. /yr.

The district was recently notified that they have re-ceived another grant for $143,145 from the WIRB. If landowners in the wa-tershed are interested in applying conservation practices such as terraces, grassed waterways, water & sediment control ba-sins or grade stabilization structures, please stop by the NRCS/SWCD office at 904 E. Taylor and talk to us about it. For more information, you can call the office at (641) 782-4218 ext. 3.

12 Mile Lake Watershed Project

By Rick SpragueArea 4 Grassland Specialist

We are all aware of the hundreds of acres of pasture that has been converted to corn and soybean production in the last few years when commodity prices reached their highs. Cows we sold even herds liquidated to farm the marginal hills of southern Iowa. According to USDA 2012 Census of Agriculture, approximately 21% of Iowa’s pastureland was converted to

cropland from 2007 to 2012, the second consecutive re-duction in pastureland since 2002. Iowa has lost around 605,000 of pasture. Recent grain prices have accelerated the rate of land use conver-sion since 2012.

Corn, soybeans and cattle prices are cyclical and with the recent drop in grain pric-es and cattle prices at record highs there may be a reason to rethink the question “how can I make the most money per acre from my marginal

land”. Southern Iowa Forage and

Livestock Committee, NRCS and ISU are developing a tool which will be housed on the ISU Ag Decision Maker site that will help land managers answer economic and conser-vation question. The tool will calculate, input costs, poten-tial yields or stalking rates, market prices and conserva-tion practices to compare the net profit per acre for crops or cattle and should be posted later this summer.

Proper land use decisions

Baker



North Thompson River Water Quality ProjectAdair, Madison, and Union SWCD’s

By: Phil Patterson, Project Coordinator

Fiscal Year 15 (FY15) was the 11th year of the North Thompson Water Qual-ity Project which is primarily funded by the Iowa Depart-ment of Agriculture/Division of Soil Conservation with Watershed Protection Funds (WSPF). It is also supple-mented by a number of oth-er Iowa Department of Ag and USDA funding sources. The North Thompson River Watershed includes 111,600 acres located in Adair, Madi-son, and Union Counties with primary resource concerns of degraded water quality

caused by sediment and nu-trients entering the North Thompson River. In FY15 the watershed originally re-ceived $176,858.19 WSPF funding. The funding is con-tinually being supplemented by numerous other fund sources from the DSC and multiple federal funded pro-grams through the NRCS. At this time a total of 12 applica-tions are approved for fund-ing to construct 5 grade sta-bilization structures, 13,000 feet of terraces, 1.3 acres of grass waterways and 2 water and sediment basins. When these practices are completed they will be keeping another 3,925 tons of sediment from

reaching the North Thomp-son River per year.

There continues to be positive interest in the North Thompson with several qual-ity projects yet to construct this fiscal year. Let’s hope time, weather and funding al-low us to complete them.

The watershed was origi-nally divided into 34 sub-wa-tersheds throughout the three counties and prioritized using soil loss calculations to deter-mine the most critical sub-watersheds to begin work. To date the sub-watersheds eligible for cost share have been in Adair and Madison Counties but we are glad to announce that five new sub-

watersheds in Union County were added in FY13. The map above shows the total watershed with the shaded ones being eligible for cost share at this time. The entire watershed will be eligible for cost share in the future as the goals are obtained and more sub-watersheds are priori-tized.

If you have any questions or would like more informa-tion about the North Thomp-son Project, contact your lo-cal NRCS office or:

Phil PattersonIDALS/DSCProject Coordinator North Thompson River Water Quality Project

641-782- 4218515-238-2112

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Conservation...Your Farm, Your Plan

Jamie CarpenterAssistant State Conservationist (FO)

Although the 1996 Farm Bill introduced conserva-tion financial assistance pro-grams to the list of services that USDA’s Natural Re-sources Conservation Ser-vice provides, long before then – since 1935 during the Dust Bowl to be exact – and still today, the agency’s focus is providing free conserva-tion planning assistance to Iowa’s farmers and ranchers.

NRCS has at least one of-fice in every Iowa county, located at USDA Service Centers. With conveniently located offices comes local knowledge of local resource concerns. NRCS employs soil conservationists, engi-neers, biologists, and even specialists in grasslands and wetlands, to assist landown-ers through the conservation planning process.

NRCS’s number one priority is to provide high quality technical assistance through conservation plan-ning that effectively address-es resource concerns on the landscape.

What is a Conservation Plan?

A conservation plan is a re-cord of a client’s decision(s) in managing the natural re-sources on the land. Conser-vation planning is the first step in managing all natu-ral resources on your farm. Conservation plans are the basis for all assistance NRCS provides to clients and the basic tool for clients to man-age their natural resources to attain sustainable use and sound management of soil, water, air, plant, animal, en-ergy, and human resources. To protect these resources, NRCS works one-on-one with landowners to plan and install conservation practices to reduce soil erosion; im-prove soil health and air and water quality; create and re-store wetlands; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; improve pasture and woodlands; and reduce flooding, all while

considering the client’s eco-nomic and social needs.

The greatest value comes by having the client engaged in every step of the planning process to combine expe-rienced farming skills with NRCS science-based knowl-edge. Through participa-tion, the client develops an understanding of the natural resource issues, interactions, and treatments necessary for resource sustainability. Like any good plan, a conserva-tion plan can be revised as needed by the client to en-sure it is still aligned with their operational, economic and social needs.

To initiate the conserva-tion planning process, call or visit your local NRCS office [insert local contact infor-mation here] to schedule an appointment with a NRCS planner to visit your farm.

Wayde Ross, District Con-servationist for the Ring-gold/Union NRCS Manage-ment Unit has accepted a position with Agriland FS Inc. as an Agronomy/Sales person at the Orient, Iowa plant. Ross has been District Conservationist in Ringgold

County for almost 23 years. Ross has been District Con-servationist for the Ring-gold/Union Management Unit since October, 2012. Ross has assisted producers with implementing conser-vation plans to reduce soil erosion and provided overall

program management for the Natural Resources Con-servation Service and Ring-gold and Union Counties Soil and Water Conservation Districts. His last day with the USDA Service Center NRCS offices will be Febru-ary 13th.

Wayde Ross resigns

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Bill BolingerSoil Conservation Technician

With spring around the corner, it is almost time to get the planters and trac-tors out of the shed and put them back to work. Before you head to the field with the disk or field cultivator, you need to review your conservation plan to see whether or not tillage is al-lowable. Your conservation plan will define what type of tillage, how much residue is required, and when/if till-age can be applied. Your conservation plan will also highlight the required wa-terways, field borders, and the row pattern at which anhydrous should be ap-plied and the required row pattern when planting such as contouring or cross slope.

While it is still wet and conditions are not fit to be in the field, now would be a great time to hop onto your UTV or 4 wheeler and drive your farm to take note of issues that need to be addressed such as: tile blow outs, terrace breaks, waterway shaping, seed-ing, or installing headlands along fences or steep slopes. Critical area seeding such as terrace slopes, waterways, and headlands are especial-

ly important as these areas are prone to erosion. Pay special attention to siltation in terraces. Silt should be removed so the terrace will have adequate holding ca-pacity when the snow melts and the spring rains arrive. In most cases, there will be 3’-4’ of exposed intake when the silt is removed from the terrace.

If additional seeding is needed on terraces, water-ways, or headlands, a mix of brome, orchard grass, and timothy will develop into a good erosion resistant sod. Broadcast or drill the grass seed at the rate of 25 pounds/acre with 1-2 bush-els of oats or rye as a tem-porary cover crop. Now is a great time to broadcast some extra seed onto those areas. Most waterways in this area should be seeded to a width of 30’ and should have a depth of 1’. As plant-ers and implements become wider, headlands along fenc-es and steeper slopes will need to be widened to allow ample room to turn around on. Generally speaking, a headland should be a mini-mum of 60’ wide, but may need to be 90’ to accommo-date today’s larger equip-ment. Headlands should be widened to ensure that additional end rows parallel

to the headland are elimi-nated. When planting or applying anhydrous ammo-nia, contoured row patterns will greatly reduce erosion in the event of heavy rain falls. Almost all fields, if de-termined to be HEL(Highly Erodible Land) in your con-servation plan, are required to have planting and an-hydrous performed on the contour. This simply means to go around the hill instead of straight up and down the hill. Some of the most nota-ble erosion last fall was due to anhydrous application, sprayer tracks outlining waterways, or from planter markers leaving a trench for which water to follow. Using GPS Technology instead of planter markers while planting can eliminate marker trenches. When planting or applying anhy-drous, it is best to leave the implement in the ground when crossing waterways as if they don’t exist. This will help to eliminate end rows up and down the waterway which cause gullies along both sides of waterway.

Adhering to your con-servation plan is not only good stewardship, but will also help to ensure that you leave the land better than you found it for generations to come.

MaintenanceBy Jim WalshNRCS Soil Conservation Technician

Soil works for you if you work for the soil by using management practices that improve health and increase productivity and profitabil-ity immediately and into the future. A fully functioning soil produces the maximum amount of products at the least cost. Maximizing soil health is essential to maxi-mizing profitability.

Soil disturbance can be the

result of tillage, which results in bare and compacted soils, in which you have more ero-sion and runoff and less microbial activity. Misap-plication of farm inputs can disrupt the relationship be-tween microorganisms and plant roots. All forms of soil disturbance diminish habitat for soil microbes and result in a diminished soil food web.

Soil cover conserves mois-ture, reduces temperature, and intercepts raindrops to

reduce their destructive im-pact. Keeping the soil cov-ered while allowing the crop residue to decompose, so their nutrients can be cycled back into the soil.

A diverse and fully func-tioning soil food web pro-vides for nutrient, energy, and water cycling. Increas-ing the diversity of a crop rotation, no-till, cover crops increases soil health and soil function. in return helps reduce input costs, and in-creases profitability.

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Hello, my name is Kaly A d k i n s and I have r e c e n t l y s t a r t e d a DNR A m e r i -C o r p s p o s i t i o n s e r v i n g M a d i s o n and Union counties as a Private Lands Habitat Spe-cialist. I’m thrilled to be coming back to my roots to help promote conserva-tion on privately owned lands. Growing up outside of Earlham, Iowa, I spent my childhood enjoying all the wild places I could find throughout Madison and the surrounding counties. After my graduation from

Earlham High School, I continued my education at Wartburg College in Wa-verly, Iowa studying biolo-gy and environmental stud-ies. Throughout my college education and a variety of internships with the Bureau of Land Management, Iowa Natural Heritage Founda-tion, and Neal Smith Na-tional Wildlife Refuge, I was able to study wildlife ecology and management in a variety of situations ranging from the savannas of the African Serengeti to remnant and reconstructed prairies throughout the entire Midwest. I have re-turned to the area where I grew up to serve as a re-source to private land own-ers and increase awareness

of financial assistance pro-grams available, including CRP and other state and federal funding opportuni-ties. My focus will be on private land around public areas and priority water-sheds. However, I will be willing to assist any inter-ested landowners through-out my assigned counties. As an avid outdoorswoman, I would also love to discuss any questions you may have on Iowa’s varied wildlife and their specific habitat requirements. I will be shar-ing time at the NRCS of-fices in both Winterset and Creston, so please feel free to contact me through a visit, phone call (641) 782-4218 Ext.3, or email [email protected] .

Adkins

Private lands habitat specialist joins staff

By Amanda McNees, NRCS Soil Conservationist

A key question facing ag-riculture is whether it will be possible to feed a grow-ing global population in the future. Often it is simply as-sumed that resources nec-essary for increased food production will be just as available as they are today. Top soil is already almost half way depleted from wind and water erosion within the past 150 years in most coun-ties across the state of Iowa. Also scientists estimate that with the expected increase in food and energy consump-tion of the growing world population, today’s eco-nomically phosphorus fer-

tilizer (P) resources will be d e p l e t e d within 75 years.

A d o p -tion and promotion of preci-sion technologies and con-servation practices working side by side are going to be key items to the success of farming into the future. A conservation practice that comes with many benefits is a long term no-till row crop system. The first few years you are establishing a no-till system you will see an increase in organic matter and the amount of biological

activity. As the organic mat-ter and biological activity in-creases, the benefits of a no-till system will be realized.

Crop residue becomes an important benefit in a no till system. Soil Ph, potassium (K), and soil organic matter decreases when residue is removed. Residue also pro-tects the soil surface when a raindrop hits, the energy be-ing dispersed by the residue. Without the residue, the rain drop hits bare soil and causes soil particles to become sus-pended in the drop.

In addition, higher infiltra-tion rates result in less runoff during storms and reduced affects on plants during dry spells. When runoff does occur in a long term no till

system, it carries less soil be-cause the soil organisms bind particles together so soil is not as easily picked up by moving water. Ecologically, soil quality and soil life im-prove, which economically, allows for a good sustainable cropping system to continue into the future with fewer trips over the field, which saves fuel, time, and money.

There is a great impor-tance in using multiple con-servation practices to work together to build and main-tain a healthy soil. Practices such as no-till, conservation tillage, contouring, tiling, ter-racing, grass waterways, the use of cover crops, and many more practices will assist in conserving our soil for future

generations. Precision agriculture tech-

nology has allowed produc-ers to be better managers and be able to take advan-tage of the maximized pro-duction and profit, while still being good conservation stewards. GPS, yield map-ping, variable-rate applica-tions of seed, fertilizers, crop fungicides and herbicides are some of the few technologies that allow producers to bet-

ter allocate resources, while minimizing materials and energy and while maximizing production and profit. A big concern in fields are compac-tion, with up to 80% of soil compaction happening with in the first pass through the field, better equipment technology is also becoming more and more important to soil health.

Sustainable agriculture will require using multiple conservation practices and precision technologies not only to continue to keep up with the world’s demands, but also to be efficient, prof-itable, and maintain healthy soil that will keep up with production demands into the future.

Farming into the future

McNees

Are you readyfor Spring?

Creston • Corning • Diagonal • LenoxMember FDIC

CNA-SS-02-20-2015

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Transcript of CNA-SS-02-20-2015