The Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District recently received an $80,000 matching funds grant to help producers with cover crops and pasture/hay planting.
The grant from the Clean Water Indiana program was one of 13 totaling $789,825 announced Thursday by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and State Soil Conservation Board.
Including the district’s matching contributions, a total of $1.6 million will be implemented to improve soil conservation and water quality initiatives, the department of agriculture announced.
“Water quality enhancements and soil conservation practices are so incredibly important for our world,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, secretary of agriculture, in a news release. “Without the local county soil and water conservation districts and our farmers, we couldn’t produce the amount of agriculture products that we do and care the for environment at the same time. These grants are sure to increase soil organic matter and improve waterways for a lasting impact for years to come.”
Clean Water Indiana is administered by the state’s soil conservation board. The program, led by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, provides financial assistance to landowners and conservation groups that are working to reduce runoff from nonpoint sources of water pollution, whether it’s on agricultural land, urban areas or eroding streambanks.
Once received, districts can use the funds to partner with other counties or address specific needs within their jurisdiction. Some examples include participating in a cost share program, hiring staff, providing technical assistance, implementing cover crop incentive programs or increasing watershed capacity.
“These grants are an excellent way for soil and water conservation districts to get more soil conservation practices on the ground. But this work couldn’t be done without Hoosier farmers being so willing to implement new soil and water quality protection initiatives on their farms,” said Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “These funding opportunities are a great way for districts to fund the help or resources they need, while still keeping farmers and soil conservation top of mind.”
Amy Burris, chairwoman of the State Soil Conservation Board, said she looks forward to seeing the work done on the grassroots level by the soil and water districts.
“Soil conservation and water quality improvements are not made by a single individual. They are executed by many different individuals and partnerships, including our local soil and water districts and farmers,” Burris said. “These partners rely on Clean Water Indiana funds to make improvements at the local level, which in turn helps our state achieve its conservation goals. I look forward to seeing each awarded project come to life, and I encourage districts with a conservation need to apply next grant cycle.”
Lawrence County’s SWCD also received a $72,500 grant to provide cost share for the following practices: Invasive species control, pasture/hay planting, cover crops, watering facilities, heavy use area protections, pipeline, access road and erosion site.
Brown County received a $30,975 grant to be used for creation or restoration of a pollinator habitats and prairie plantings in and around that county.
Clean Water Indiana is managed by ISDA’s Division of Soil Conservation and funded by a portion of the state’s cigarette tax.