INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the State Soil Conservation Board awarded $789,825 in matching grant funds to 13 soil and water conservation districts and soil health organizations through the Clean Water Indiana program. Including the district’s matching contributions, a total of $1.6 million will be implemented to improve soil conservation and water quality initiatives.
“Water quality enhancements and soil conservation practices are so incredibly important for our world,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture. “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.”
Regional impacts
Lawrence County SWCD received $72,500. The project will allow for 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.
Washington County SWCD received $71,250. The funds will assist producers in Washington, Harrison, Crawford and Perry counties by providing cost-share funds to implement livestock practices including pasture and hay planting, watering facilities, livestock pipeline, heavy use area protection, access roads and trails, and walkways. When alternative livestock water is installed, exclusionary fencing of current water source(s) such as ponds, streams, etc. shall also be installed. Cost share funds will also be available for cover crops, conservation cover and wildlife habitat.
Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasive Species Management, which is based in Bedford and helps support cooperative invasive species management areas in 35 counties, was awarded $60,000. The grant funds will hire four full-time and one part-time staff who will work with soil and water conservation districts and other natural resource organizations to develop cooperative invasive species management areas. Assistance will be available to help these new CISMAs develop their organizational infrastructure and find the human and financial resources needed to begin effectively combating invasive plants in their areas.
More on the grants
The Clean Water Indiana program 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 non-point sources of water pollution, whether it’s on agricultural land, urban areas or eroding streambanks.
“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 is chair of the State Soil Conservation Board and is looking 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.”
Clean Water Indiana is managed by ISDA’s Division of Soil Conservation and funded by a portion of the state’s cigarette tax.