Winter-Spring 2020 SCD Newsletter
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Shiawassee Conservation District Your Land, Your Water ~ Your Michigan 1900 S. Morrice Road ● Owosso, MI 48867 ● (989) 723-8263, Ext. 3 Winter/Spring 2020 Shiawassee Conservation District Annual Meeting Thursday, February 20, 2020 Doors open at 5:30 PM, Dinner served at 6:00 PM D’Mar Banquet & Conference Center 1488 N. M-52, Owosso RSVP February 12, 2020 Shiawassee Conservation District (989) 723-8263, ext. 3 James Ziola will be honored as the 2019 Conservation Farmer of the Year Special presentation by Jerry Miller, President Michigan Association of Conservation Districts We are honored to be joined by Gerald “Jerry” Miller, Ph.D., CPSS, and President, MACD. As a leader in conservation, Jerry will discuss today’s conservation issues in Michigan and the nation. Dr. Miller served as a Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University for 37 years, and later as an associate dean. During his academic career he conducted applied research in soil and water conservation, watershed management, and soil productivity and interpretation. Jerry was raised on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley, VA and currently resides in Cascade Township, Kent County, where he serves as the board chair of the Kent Conservation District Board. If you need accommodations to participate in this event, please contact the Shiawassee Conservation District at (989) 723-8263, ext. 3 by February 12, 2020. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender. High Pollution Levels Found in Maple River Watershed The Shiawassee Conservation human use. This study also finds that water for recreation. The high levels of District recently collected a series of human and bovine waste is found in bacteria found in Maple River water samples in the Maple River all surface water in the watershed. tributaries contribute to river contact Watershed. The goal was to help Failing septic systems, illicit warnings and beach closures identify pollutants affecting water wastewater connections, drain tiles, downstream. quality. This study built upon existing and runoff containing manure are all This study highlights that more data pointing towards bacteria as a likely contributors. education and resources are needed major concern. Although significant Fortunately, there are to help restore water quality. Findings issues were found, opportunities are opportunities for homeowners and from this study will be incorporated available to help land users make producers to help. For a limited time, into an updated Maple River positive changes that improve water homeowners can receive financial Watershed Management Plan. The quality. assistance to replace failing septic Shiawassee Conservation District will The Conservation District collected systems. Incentives programs are also use this plan to seek out additional water samples from eleven surface available for producers to adopt resources to help land users make water ditches across the watershed conservation practices that manage positive changes to improve water during two wet weather and two dry nutrients and capture and filter quality in the Maple River Watershed weather collections. Wet weather runoff. and beyond. sampling was done after a significant While drains and ditches in This study is a part of a larger rainfall (greater than a quarter inch Shiawassee County may not often be effort by the Conservation District to within 12 hours, or a half inch within used for swimming, accidental contact address nonpoint source pollution in 24 hours). Overland flow sources, such by adults, children, and pets can the Maple River Watershed. Funding as runoff from adjacent lands and occur. Additionally, the Maple River comes from a Conservation District heavier flows from drain tiles, are flows toward the Grand River and grant from the Michigan Department primary pollution sources during wet eventually Lake Michigan, and these of EGLE’s Nonpoint Source Program by weather. Dry weather collections are bacteria flow with it. Michigan is the U.S. EPA. more indicative of baseflow sources, known for its Great Lakes and surface such as failing septic systems, illicit connection pipes, and drain tiles. Protect Your Farm with an Emergency Plan For each sampling event, water This year, make a resolution to plan to quickly decide how to handle was analyzed to determine levels of E. give yourself peace of mind by farmstead hazards, such as fires or coli bacteria. E. coli lives in the becoming prepared to respond if an chemical spills. intestines of healthy humans and emergency occurs. A farm emergency An emergency plan should contain animals, and is used to indicate if a plan contains emergency contact an up-to-date inventory of stored waste source is present. Samples that information, as well as farm maps and products (pesticides, fertilizers and exceeded the limit deemed safe for information for handling chemicals farm flammables) and their storage swimming underwent further analysis and manure stored on the farm. First locations, along with a list of the farm to determine if human or bovine responders and firefighters use the nearby emergency equipment and sources were present. Of the samples supplies. This list of chemicals is collected during the wet weather critical to emergency responders, and period, 86% exceeded the safe limit helps them to know how to help if a for bacteria in surface water, and disaster occurs. 100% of these water samples had human and bovine sources. Dry Emergency plans should be dated weather sampling found 68% of water and filed in at least three locations on samples exceeded the safe limit. the farm-- the farm office, in the These samples were all found to have emergency tube or in farm human and bovine sources present. vehicles/tractors. Plans stored in emergency tubes should be protected The key takeaway for this study is E-tubes store your farm emergency from moisture with an air-tight plastic that the Maple River Watershed has plan, and are available from the bag, laminated paper or plastic paper. significant issues with E. coli bacteria Conservation District. (Continued on page 5) in the water, making it unsafe for 2 Winter/Spring Workshop Opportunities RSVP to all workshops by contacting the Shiawassee Conservation District at (989) 723-8263 x3 Shop Talk Series Join the Shiawassee Conservation District and other conservation professionals to discuss conservation topics of interest to Shiawassee County farmers. 9:00 AM—11:00 AM The talks will be casual, and conversations will be crowd-led. You can expect: Thursday, February 27 • Collaboration among farming peers. Hosted by Thomas Braid, Braid Farms • Discussions of real-world experiences with conservation on local farms. 3107 E. Newburg Road, Durand • Camaraderie and opportunities for open and honest sharing of Thursday, March 12 challenges and success by participants. Hosted by David Eickholt, • To be encouraged to join the conversation about ways that work for Eickholt Farms production and healthy natural resources! 4367 E. North Ridge Road, Chesaning Come ready to ask questions and learn from others’ experiences. Thursday, March 26 Hosted by Scott Miller, RUP Credits and MAEAP Phase 1 Credit Pending Miller Family Farms Refreshments will be provided! 6757 N. Warren Road, Elsie Have topic suggestions or want to host a future shop talk? Let us know! No cost to attend, RSVP is appreciated Backyard Beekeeping Interested in beekeeping, but unsure about how to start? This workshop is for beginning beekeepers to help answer questions, avoid pitfalls, and understand Workshop what is necessary to get stated in beekeeping. Saturday, February 8 • Bee biology and behavior Earn a MAEAP Phase 1 Credit! 9:00 AM—12:00 PM • Needed apiary equipment Shiawassee County Fairgrounds • Honey production using common kitchen utensils 2900 E. Hibbard Road, Corunna Dave Anthony, owner of Anthony Bee Farms and Leo Stevens, owner of S&L $5 per person Honey Farm, are local beekeepers with over 60 years combined beekeeping RSVP by Monday, February 3 experience. Participants should come ready to ask questions as they arise and leave inspired for their own beekeeping operations! Winter Forestry Join the Shiawassee Conservation District on a morning nature walk with Nature Walk District Forester, Chris Worst. Chris will cover a variety of forestry related topics, including: Saturday, February 29 • Basic tree identification in the wintertime 9:00 AM—12:00 PM • Invasive species DeVries Nature Conservancy • Maintaining healthy forests 2635 N. M-52, Owosso Participants are encouraged to ask questions as they walk through the No cost to attend beautiful wooded trails at DeVries. Be sure to dress for the weather! RSVP by Monday, February 24 Pruning Workshop Join the Shiawassee Conservation District for an educational morning learning the basics of pruning trees, including: Saturday, March 7 9:00 AM—12:00 PM • When to prune • What to prune Shiawassee County Fairgrounds • How to prune 2900 E. Hibbard Road, Corunna • Type of pruning tools and techniques $5 per person The last portion of this workshop will be at a nearby orchard. The orchard is RSVP by Monday, March 2 less than 2 miles from the fairgrounds. Transportation will not be provided. 3 Time is Running Out on Maple River Watershed Programs The Maple River Watershed during the following growing season. Program are completely voluntary and Project may have entered its final Residue management and no-till open for a limited time. To find out if year, but there is still time to take farming involves little to no you qualify, and for more information