Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

Hosted by the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

INDIANA SWCDs

JANUARY 23-24, 2017

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General InformationConference Dates: January 23 & 24, 2017

Conference Location: Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

Accommodations: Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN 46225 (317-822-3500)

Place room reservations at: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/SoilandWater2017

Or, Call: 1-877-640-7666

Check-in: 4:00 p.m.

Check-out: 11:00 a.m.

Wireless internet is complimentary in the lobby and public areas

Conference Registration Hours:

Sunday, January 22 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Monday, January 23 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 24 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

This year’s conference features highlights such as:

Four Training Breakout Sessions

Trade Show Breakfast

Networking Luncheon

SWCD Region Meetings

Legislative Breakfast

Trade Show with over 20 Exhibitors

IASWCD Business Meeting

Awards Luncheon

IDEA Silent Auction

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Keynote Speaker

Reverend Larry A. Rascoe, Sr. serves as Pastor of the Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church in Evansville, IN. He had a vision of provid-ing a quality education using a model that was sensitive to the unique needs of students deemed to be “at-risk” and residing in the central-city area of Evansville. This area was plagued with high rates of

truancy, discipline issues and low student expectation levels. He, along with several community leaders and support from the church, received funding from St. Mary’s Medical Center and started the Joshua Academy. Eighteen years later, the school now consists of Joshua Preschool (a pri-vate, faith-based preschool), Joshua Academy (a charter school serving grades K-6) and the Joshua Agricultural Learning Center. Pastor Larry Rascoe is a true believer in experiential learning - “learning by and through doing,” he states. “I view agriculture as an amazing tool to educate, enlighten, and empower the children we teach. I seek to use agriculture as a means of exposing children to various experiences to identify their passion and special interests. The intent, then, is to connect their personal passion with a future education and career path as early as possible.”

The Joshua students have grown oriental eggplant that was then served in a dish similar to lasagna. They grew butternut squash and had it served in a pie. They ate carrot cake from the very carrots they raised. “Needless to say, their eyes have been opened,” proclaims Pastor Rascoe. He also uses his goat farm to teach children about animal husbandry with the intent of providing even broader experiences for the students of Joshua Academy and other surrounding counties.

Pastor Rascoe was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award for outstand-ing community and public service. He also received the Distinguished Citizen Award from former Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon. To many he is known as pastor, preacher, teacher and counselor. To Trudy, Pastor Rascoe’s wife of over 30 years, he is known as husband and father of their five children and two grandchildren. He is a native of Hopkinsville, Ken-tucky. And, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religious Studies from Oakland City University, in Oakland City, Indiana.

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Conference AgendaSunday, January 22

2:00 p.m. Registration

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. State Soil Conservation Board Meeting

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. IDEA Members meeting - All are welcome

Monday, January 23

7:00 a.m. Registration

7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Trade Show Breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Exhibits & District Showcase Displays Open

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. IDEA Silent Auction (See “Notes” p. 7 for details)

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Opening Session

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Break & Visit Exhibitors

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Training Sessions #1 (choose one)

On the Ground:

IN Forestry 101 - Learn about issues facing our forests today including an over-view of forest management concepts, resources and programs that can help landowners with their forest management. (Presenters: Tom Crowe, Crowe Forest Management, LLC; Mike Warner, ArborTerra Consulting; Brian Kruse, NRCS and Jack Seifert, IDNR)

District Management:

Indiana Gateway for Governmental Units - Presenters will discuss key topics centering on the Gateway requirements of 100R and Annual Financial Report, Internal Control, and the Materiality Directive. Session includes time for Q & A. (Presenters: Todd Caldwell, Susan Gordon, and Linda Baker, SBOA)

Outreach and Education:

Pollinator Projects 101: Generating More “Buzz” - Public outreach means involv-ing the public. This session will give you tools to get started in creating a pollina-tor committee, developing public action tools, using the media and enjoying the success! Information regarding the recent Farm Bill technical and financial

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assistance programs that support pollinators and their habitats for landowners and operators will also be shared. (Presenters: Andy Ertel, Executive Director, Jen-nings County SWCD; Brianne Lowe, State Biologist & Federal Women’s Program Manager, NRCS; Erin Baird, Executive Director, Indiana Wildlife Federation)

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Networking Luncheon

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Training Sessions #2 (choose one)

On the Ground:

The Yellow River Initiative (Note: this session repeats at 3:00 p.m.) The Kankakee River Basin is one of the most extensively modified watersheds in Indiana. Since 1977 the Kankakee River Basin Commission (KRBC) has struggled to balance drainage with sediment loss, flooding, and a long, increasing list of competing uses. The never-ending cycle of dredging and clearing the river has become increasingly unsustainable, and the politics of an interstate river basin more difficult. For the last two decades, a growing body of work has demon-strated that rivers need to be managed as systems. The “patch here and dredge there” strategy doesn’t work. It simply moves the problem. In this presentation, we will discuss the most recent efforts of the KRBC to lay out and initiate, with the help of Indiana Silver Jackets, a new path to better understand and address the challenges facing the Kankakee River system - the Everglades of the North. (Presenters: Bob Barr, IUPUI and Siavash Beik, Vice President, Principal Engineer, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LLC)

District Management:

Effective Board Meetings - This session will explain best practices for assuring effective board meetings. Specific topics will include agenda-setting, meeting management, compliance with Indiana state law and more. Questions will be encouraged during this interactive session. (Presenter: Phil Purcell, Ball State University Foundation)

Outreach and Education:

Outdoor Education From the Trenches: Best Practices for Student Engagement Join three environmental education professionals as they share tips & techniques from successful, long-running, student environmental education programs that target a variety of age groups. Curricular and logistical components will be discussed, providing templates that can be modified to meet local needs and staffing constraints. Prepare to be empowered to create your own successful out-door education program! (Presenters: Mary Cutler, Tippecanoe County Parks and Recreation; Darci Zolman, Kosciusko County SWCD; and Sarah Wolf, Hendricks County Parks and Recreation)

2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Break & Visit Exhibitors

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3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Roundtable* or Training Session**

*Roundtable - topics TBD

**Training Repeated: The Yellow Riv- er Intiative (Note: This breakout is a repeat by Bob Barr and Siavash Beik) scheduled at 1:30 p.m.)

4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. SWCD Region Meetings

4:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mini Break & Visit Exhibitors

5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. SWCD Resolutions Review & Legislative Breakfast Updates

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Dinner on your Own

7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Welcome Reception

Tuesday, January 24

7:00 a.m. Registration

7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall and District Showcase Displays Open

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Legislative Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Break & Visit Exhibitors

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. IASWCD Business Meeting

9:00 a.m. - 10: 15 a.m. Training Sessions #3 (choose one)

On the Ground:

Establishment of Forb-Rich Prairies for Pollinators - Remnant prairies are typically a sea of wildflowers. Unfortunatley, our restorations rarely reflect this level of forb diversity and abundance. Improvements in seed mixes, the use of dormant sowing, and correct maintenence are vital steps toward making a prairie restoration a long term success for pollinators. (Presenter: Kevin Tungesvick, Spence Restoration Nursery)

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District Management:

On Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader - Conflict is inevitable for leaders, and it exists at the root of some of their best ideas and the core of many of their worst failures. Conflict is bound to occur in the workplace, so it is wise to equip yourself with the skills to deal with it. Come learn about your conflict response style and the contentious tactics that you tend to use. In addition to video sce-narios, participants will recall a recent conflict situation, role-play and practice two conflict resolution skills. The breakout will end with a conflict capac-ity exercise and commitment to new behaviors that transform conflict. (Presenter: George Okantey, Purdue Extension, Marion County)

Outreach & Education:

Environmental Education in the Schools & Beyond - How can we pass the conservation torch on to the next generation in a fun and educational way so that they will be good stewards of the environment? This breakout will discuss some of the changes and challenges of getting environmental education in the schools. Also, tried and true programs and ideas will be shared such as conservation field days, workshops, tours and Indiana Envirothon. (Presenters in-clude Environmental Educators: Rick Glassman, St. Joseph County SWCD; LuAnne Holeva, Wayne County SWCD; and Carla Monical, Morgan County SWCD)

10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Break & Visit Exhibitors (Check out of hotel rooms)

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Training Sessions #4

On the Ground:

Urban Soil Health - SWCDs can have a big impact on urban soil health. Join Kevin for a look at conservation planning, cost-share contracts, and technical assistance. Opportunities and challenges will be discussed, along with strategies being used in conservation cropping systems to grow vegetables. (Presenter: Kevin Allison, Marion County SWCD)

District Management:

Understanding the Legislative Process - This session will be an overview of how a bill becomes a law and will offer tips on how to effectively advocate for your position. All SWCD Supervisors are highly encouraged to attend to learn why your role is so important to furthering the mission of soil and water conserva-tion! (Presenters: David Bausman, ISDA and Cresswell Hizer, IASWCD Lobbyist)

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Outreach and Education:

Conservation Needs of Small Farms: Meeting the Needs of Small & Micro Farms - Conservation needs on small farms can be varied and multi-faceted depending on the type of farm – produce, livestock, bees, etc. Come hear terminology, see pictures, and hear stories of how soil health principles, and conservation happens on the small farm. Dan Perkins will share his own micro farm conservation story and his role as a Certified Crop Advisor and work with the Jasper County SWCD. Emily Toner will share images and descriptions of urban farms in Indianapolis so that conservation staff can better understand urban agriculture. (Presenters: Dan Perkins, District Director and Watershed Technician, Jasper County SWCD; and Emily Toner, Urban Agriculture Educator, Purdue Extension, Marion County)

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Awards Luncheon

(Awards Luncheon agenda will be posted here at a later date.)

Safe Travels Home!

NOTES:IDEA Silent Auction - Please bring your donated auction items to the IDEA meeting on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. OR before 8:00 a.m. on Monday so that the items can be checked in and displayed. Winning items must be picked up and paid for by the highest bidder by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday otherwise the item will be released to the next highest bidder.

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Our Sponsors

Platinum

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Awards Luncheon

Our Sponsors

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Our Sponsors

Gold

Tote Bags

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Our Sponsors

Bronze

Breaks

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Chattin Brothers, Inc.

Co-Alliance

Halderman Farm Management & Real Estate

Our Sponsors

Friends of IASWCD

Contributing

Applegate’s Seed House

Daylight Farm Supply, Inc.

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Registration

Phoenix Stairs

Conference Logistics

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Indianapolis Marriott Downtown350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225

Ph: 1-317-822-3500 Fx: 1-317-822-1002.

All of the Annual Conference activities will take place on the second floor of the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

Marriott Ballrooms

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Registration

Phoenix Stairs

Conference Logistics

N

E

W

S

Indianapolis Marriott Downtown350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225

Ph: 1-317-822-3500 Fx: 1-317-822-1002.

All of the Annual Conference activities will take place on the second floor of the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

Marriott Ballrooms

5 6

10

9

8

7

Denver

Lincoln Santa Fe

Columbus

Boston

Austin

Atlanta 1

2

3

4

M

W

Conference Registration

escalator

Was

hing

ton

St.

Indi

ana

Gov

ernm

ent

Cent

er /

Sta

teho

use

Maryland St. / Indiana Convention Center

elevators

Elevators to guest rooms

W

M

Business Center

Hall to Meeting Rooms

Walkway to Conv. Center

Stairs

Stairs

I N D I A N A A S S O C I A T I O N OF

soil and water conservation D I S T R I C T S

225 S. East Street, Suite 740Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.692.7325www.iaswcd.org

www.ccsin.iaswcd.org