Soil conservation focus of at event
An agricultural field day titled “Conservation Across Generations” will be held on Friday Oct. 20 from 8 to noon at Valley View Farms in Monroe County. Third generation cattle and grain farmers Clint and Justin Conard will showcase the conservation legacy begun by their grandfather Dale Conard and how they have integrated new information and technology. They will also demonstrate cover crop seeding and discuss their experience with equipment modification and seed selection.
This event is free and includes a free barbecue chicken lunch but participants must register by Oct. 10 at https://tinyurl.com/1020fieldday. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the first presentation will start at 8:45. This event is being hosted by the Monroe County Soil &Water Conservation District with support from Friends of Lake Monroe, the Brown County Soil &Water Conservation District, Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, and the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water.
“Field days provide an excellent opportunity for farmers to see conservation practices in action and to learn from other farmers,” said Lake Monroe Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan. “We will also share information about funding opportunities for conservation work.”
Friends of Lake Monroe launched the Lake Monroe Watershed Conservation Cost-Share Program (www.friendsoflakemonroe.org/cost-share) last fall. Farmers in the watershed (which spans portions of Monroe, Brown, and Jackson Counties) can receive up to 75% reimbursement of expenses from select conservation practices. Half of the $90,000 in available cost-share funds have been allocated to projects, most in Brown County.
The cost-share program is part of a larger initiative documented in the Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan, released in January 2022. Friends of Lake Monroe is working to reduce the amount of sediment, nutrients, and fecal contamination reaching the lake by pursuing multiple projects across the watershed. Adopting conservation practices is a key strategy for protecting and improving water quality in Lake Monroe and its tributaries. Other strategies include addressing septic system failure, planting permanent vegetation along streams, and restoring floodplain wetlands. To learn more, please visit www.friendsoflakemonroe.org or contact Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan at 812-588-0217.
Friends of Lake Monroe is a 501(c)3 non-profit that was formed to protect and enhance Lake Monroe and its watershed through science, advocacy, and public involvement: working collaboratively with citizens, government, and business to improve and support lake water quality.
