Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District Board Meeting Page 1

Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District Board Meeting Page | 1 MINUTES Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2016

Motion by Rick Routon to approve August 2016 Minutes as presented / 2nd by Keith McConnell / Motion Passed

Motion by Rick Routon to approve Financial Report and to pay claims as presented / 2nd by Keith McConnell / Motion Passed

NRCS Report by Cara Bergschneider The end of the Federal Physical year is approaching and many of the tasks are being completed for that process  The soil health team for the Southwest area have purchased 2 more microscopes – demonstration at a board meeting might be interesting  The CSP program has been revised to be more user friendly  All the contracts are getting back on track and are in good shape  Did a soil health presentation at Nature Daze with 164 participants

Hinkle Garten Project Martha to send the following email – “The Monroe Co SWCD would like to have BRI, Inc’s agreement to do the following before December 31st, 2016. Begin the process of improving the soil on the acreage located at the corner of Pete Ellis Dr. and 45: 1. BRI will have the field bush hogged by October 7, 2016. 2. NRCS/SWCD will pull soil samples by October 7, 2016. 3. SWCD will get bids for soil work with the following included: a. Rip soil b. Disk soil c. Grade soil d. Work in amendments as prescribed by NRCS e. Spread Cereal Ry before November 1, 2016

The SWCD will pay up to $2000 toward the cost of this project.

 Women Circle Event Martha ask for the board to support this event in the amount of $300 – this is a new concept that NRCS is promoting and support to encourage women to become for familiar with NRCS practices and procedures. Motion by Rick Routon for the SWCD to spend up to $300 for this event / 2nd by Dallas Conder / Motion Passed

SWCD Cover Crop Program for 2016 After discussion the board decided to provide a grant opportunity to local landowners in the following:

The Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District is a sub division of the state of Indiana government. Our purpose is to provide the Monroe County residents a link to local, state, and federal conservation programs. The SWCD is part of a partnership which includes: USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation District, Purdue Cooperative Extension, USDA’s Hoosier Heartland RC&D, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Division of Soil Conservation and Local Government Agencies. Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District Board Meeting Page | 2 MINUTES Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2016

1. First Come First Serve 2. $30 per acer maximum 3. $1000 per land owner maximum 4. Maximum total to be spent is $5000 for entire project 5. The Map was a Hugh success, next year will do map again only with watersheds added

Motion by Rick Routon to move forward with cover crop 2016 as presented / 2nd by Keith McConnell / Motion Passed

The Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District is a sub division of the state of Indiana government. Our purpose is to provide the Monroe County residents a link to local, state, and federal conservation programs. The SWCD is part of a partnership which includes: USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation District, Purdue Cooperative Extension, USDA’s Hoosier Heartland RC&D, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Division of Soil Conservation and Local Government Agencies.