W HITESIDE C O . SWCD N EWSLETTER January 2018 Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District ∙ 16255 Liberty Street, Morrison, IL 61270 www.whitesidecountyswcd.com ∙ [email protected]∙ 815.772.2124 ext. 3 See what Stichter Construction & Excavating, Inc. can do for you. For all your excavation needs, call 309-659-2022 Welcome to the Whiteside County SWCD’s 2018 winter newsleer. We take pride in pung the newsleer together to give the public knowledge of things going on at the SWCD and to have a lile fun doing it. Our funding does not solely come from the state of Illinois. Some of our funding comes from administrave and contribuon agreements with NRCS, as well as donaons from our County Board, and by our district sales. Some sale items are: seed, trees, fish, rain barrels, tree guards/stakes, drill and tree planter rental, and other various items. More details about these items can be found throughout the newsleer. One topic we are extremely excited about is our Chainsaw Safety seminar coming up in February (sponsored by our Educaon Foundaon). The seminar is free of charge. Not only is ISA Cerfied Arborist, Norm Hall coming to speak at the event, we are having a raffle for a chainsaw and power pruner. If you would like all the details, please see page 9. One way to help out the Educaon Foundaon is to shop amazonsmile.com. See page 13 for more details on how you can help us at no extra cost to you. We also have received funding from newsleer sponsorship donaons. People that parcipated will receive their ad placed in both the winter and summer edions of our newsleer. The deadline is past for this edion but call the office for details on how to get in future newsleer edions. We hope you enjoy the SWCD newsleer. If you have any comments or suggesons please let us know by emailing— [email protected] or by calling 815-772-2124 ext. 3. We would once again like to say— Thank You to everyone, everywhere that has helped support the SWCD’s, not just in Whiteside County but in the state. Every lile bit helps and with support from you, we hope to be around for years to come!!! Thank you!!! Sincerely, Tricia—AC
Transcript
WHITESIDE CO. SWCD NEWSLETTER January 2018
Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District ∙ 16255 Liberty Street, Morrison, IL 61270 www.whitesidecountyswcd.com ∙ [email protected] ∙ 815.772.2124 ext. 3
See what Stichter Construction & Excavating, Inc. can do for you.
For all your excavation needs, call 309-659-2022
Welcome to the Whiteside County SWCD’s 2018 winter newsletter. We take pride in putting the newsletter together to give the public knowledge of things going on at the SWCD and to have a little fun doing it.
Our funding does not solely come from the state of Illinois. Some of our funding comes from administrative and contribution agreements with NRCS, as well as donations from our County Board, and by our district sales. Some sale
items are: seed, trees, fish, rain barrels, tree guards/stakes, drill and tree planter rental, and other various items. More details about these items can be found throughout the newsletter.
One topic we are extremely excited about is our Chainsaw Safety seminar coming up in February (sponsored by our Education Foundation). The seminar is free of charge. Not only is ISA Certified Arborist, Norm Hall coming to speak at the event, we are having a raffle for a chainsaw and power pruner. If you would like all the details, please see page 9. One way to help out the Education Foundation is to shop amazonsmile.com. See page 13 for more details on how you can help us at no extra cost to you. We also have received funding from newsletter sponsorship donations. People that participated will receive their ad placed in both the winter and summer editions of our newsletter. The deadline is past
for this edition but call the office for details on how to get in future newsletter editions. We hope you enjoy the SWCD newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know by emailing—[email protected] or by calling 815-772-2124 ext. 3. We would once again like to say— Thank You
to everyone, everywhere that has helped support the SWCD’s, not just in Whiteside County but in the state. Every little bit helps and with support from you, we hope to be around for years to come!!! Thank you!!!
Sincerely, Tricia—AC
Inside This Issue Welcome pg. 1 Education Foundation News pg. 2 Spring Sales pg. 3 Tree Sale Order Form pg. 4 & 5 RPM Sale Order Form pg. 6 Fish Sale Order Form pg. 7 Word Search Puzzle pg. 8 Chainsaw Seminar/Conservation Conversations pg. 9 NAGS Comments/QUGA pg. 10
FSA Reminders / Sunflower Seed pg. 11 Conservation Word Game pg. 12 Miscellaneous/Amazonsmile pg. 13 Rain barrels pg. 14 Items for Sale pg. 15 PF/Radio Shows/FSA Tidbits Pg. 16 Native Bird ID Pg. 17 Election/Education Donation Pg. 18
Page 2 Whiteside SWCD
Whiteside Co. SWCD Education Foundation News
Envirothon 2018
The Northwest Illinois Land Use Council #1 (Stephenson, Carroll, Lee, Ogle, JoDaviess and Whiteside counties) is planning the Envirothon to be held in March 13, 2018 at Highland Community College, Freeport, IL. The Land Use Council #1 Envirothon is an annual natural resources education program that is planned, organized, and promoted by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s). The event is for high school students and emphasizes hands-on and team oriented problem-solving skills. Teams test their knowledge in forestry, soils, aquatics, wildlife and a 5th category topic that changes every year. Each of the five members from the first place team is eligible to receive a $500.00 scholarship upon completion of their first semester of post-secondary education. We would like to take the opportunity to say Thank You again to all last years generous sponsors. Without the sponsors, we would not be able to give the students the chance to participate in such a great event. The event sponsors include (by County): Carroll County – Carroll Service Company and Jo-Carroll Energy, Lee County – 1st National Bank in Amboy, Stephenson County – Stephenson Co. Farm Bureau, Pearl City Elevator and Stephenson Service Company, Whiteside County – Pheasants Forever Chapter #811, Wahl Clipper Corp. and Whiteside County Natural Area Guardians. The scholarship sponsors include (by county): Whiteside County - American Piping Group and NWTF Big Bend Long Beards. Northwest IL Blackhawk Hills Regional Council donated to the scholarships as well. Thanks again to all the sponsors!! Prize donations were also given by Mt. Carroll Dairy Queen and Casey’s for the top three winning teams. The donations are all greatly appreciated. Thank You!
4th Grade Conservation Day
The 2017 4th Grade Conservation Field Day was September 28, 2017 at the Palisades State Park, Savanna, IL. Students participated in different instructional stations with topics of Wildlife, Water Quality, Recycling, Geology, Forestry, Conservation Laws, Agriculture, Ecology, Nature Walk and Soil Conservation. Whiteside County had 16 classes of 4th Graders signed up for this year’s great event! The event is usually held on the last Thursday of September, but notices for the 2018 event will be sent to schools in the spring.
Photo Contest
Photo contest for 2018 is now underway. The contest is an annual contest for any K-12th grader in Whiteside County. The contest will run the length of the school year with the deadline for entries being March 30, 2018. Please check our website for more details or call our office for information—815-772-2124 ext. 3.
Poster Contest
The poster contest is open to all Whiteside County grade K-12th students. Entry subject is: “Watersheds Our Water, Our Home” and entries should pertain to the theme. The 1st place winning poster will advance to the AISWCD state poster contest. The contest will run the length of the school year with the deadline for entries being March 30, 2018. Please check our website for more details or call our office for information—815-772-2124 ext. 3.
Andresen Nature Center—Fulton IL
The Andresen Nature Center (ANC), located at 409 N. 4th Street, has become a must-see attraction in Fulton, IL. Kyle Kopf, Director of the ANC, along with volunteers, have developed the center into a place for people to learn about local wildlife, insects, and flora found along the Mississippi River.
A variety of programs have been held at the center since its beginning. There are many displays, including an observation beehive and a cougar for people to view while visiting the center. The hours of the Andresen Nature Center are limited but people are encouraged to call 815-208-7059 or email [email protected], to inquire about visiting the center. You may also visit The City of Fulton’s website (www.cityoffulton.us) to see what events are taking place at the center.
Education Grants
We are once again looking at Education Grants. People in Whiteside county interested in applying for a Education Grant, may do so at any time. You can con-tact the SWCD office for more information or go online to our website for application criteria – www.whitesidecountyswcd.com
For more information on the Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District Education Foundation and upcoming educational events please visit our website at:
www.whitesidecountyswcd.com
Page 3 Whiteside SWCD
TREE SALES We will be holding our Annual Spring Tree Sale from Jan 1, 2018 until March 30, 2018. A variety of trees will be available. Please refer to the order forms on pages 4, 5 and 6 of the newsletter for a detailed list of available trees and planting supplies. If there is a
specific tree you are looking for not on the form, please let us know.
They will be available for pick up around the 3rd week of April. We will remind you ahead of time when the trees will be ready to pick up.
FISH SALES
We will be selling fish for stocking farm ponds this spring. Species available include Channel Catfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Redear, Triploid Grass Carp, and
Fathead Minnows.
The fish stock comes from Logan Hollow Farms, a reputable hatchery in Southern Illinois. Please find our order form in the newsletter on page 7. The
deadline for Grass Carp is April 16, 2018. All other fish orders are due April 23, 2018. The pick up will be Monday, April 30, 2018 at approximately
10:00am. RAIN BARRELS
A rain barrel connected to your downspout is a great way to keep storm water out of storm drains and to reduce your water bill. It is ideal for gardens, automobile washing, and cleaning windows.
Our rain barrels are 55 gallon plastic barrels that are 100% recycled. They are $65.00 each and come in black, gray, blue and terra cotta. Pedestals and diverters may also available. Contact our office for more details and availability.
DRILL AND TREE PLANTER RENTALS The Whiteside County SWCD has an 8ft no-till drill for rent. It is $15/acre or $25 per day minimum to rent. There will be a charge if they are returned dirty or if we have to pick them up. The drill has a pin hitch. We also have 2 tree planters. There is a charge of $50 for the first 1000 trees and $25 for every 1000 trees after that. If you purchase 2000 trees or more from the district, rental is free. A 1-7/8” ball hitch is needed to pull.
OTHER ITEMS FOR SALE: Forest Trees of Illinois books are $14.75 each, Plantskydd—1 lb. granular shaker is $10.00, Quart is $18.00, 5 Liters is $40.00 and 1lb Powder is $22.00, Tree mats w/ 5 staples—$1.00 each, Filter Fabric (15ft wide—300ft per roll) - $2.40 per running foot, as well as many other items. Stop by or call the office for more details. You may also look on page 12 of the newsletter for a more detailed list of items. If there are any items you would like us to carry, please let us know and we will check in to getting it for you. NAGS ITEMS FOR SALE: Self Guided Tour Book—$5.00, Mae's Note Cards $5.00, Sand County Almanac $6.00, Cedar Bluebird House $20.00 with pole is $25.00,
Peterson Bluebird House $5.00, Seed Packets $2.00, etc.…. Stop by or call the office for more details. You may also look on page 12 of the newsletter for a more detailed list of items.
2018 Spring Sales
For all your nursery or land-scaping needs, call McCormick’s
Whiteside County Soil & Water Conservation District
2018 Spring Tree Order Form
Name:
Daytime Phone:
Home Phone:
Address:
City, State, ZIP:
Email:
Payment must accompany order.
Order form and payment
may be mailed to:
Deadline to order is
March 30, 2018 by
4pm.
Whiteside SWCD 16255 Liberty St
Morrison IL 61270
If you have any questions, call (815) 772-2124, ext. 3 or
City:______________________ Zip Code:_________ Day Phone:_________________
PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY ORDER
Please make checks payable to: Whiteside County SWCD, mail to: 16255 Liberty Street, Morrison, IL 61270
Questions? Call 815-772-2124 x 3 Spring Tree pick up is set for the third week in April 2018
Trees are to be used for Conservation Purposes Only, no landscaping. Prices are subject to change. If there is something you are interested in but not listed here, please call for availability. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
SPECIES PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL
Gray Dogwood $13.00
American Hazelnut $13.00
American Plum $13.00
Fragrant Sumac $13.00
Button Bush $13.00
Silky Dogwood $13.00
WHITESIDE COUNTY SWCD 2018 SPRING RPM TREE ORDER FORM
SPECIES PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL
Hackberry $16.00
Sycamore $16.00
White Pine $16.00
Bald Cypress $16.00
River Birch $16.00
Sugar Maple $16.00
Red Bud $16.00
Pecan $16.00
Swamp White Oak $16.00
Bur Oak $16.00
Pin Oak $16.00
Northern Red Oak $16.00
Black Oak $16.00
Chinkapin Oak $16.00
White Oak $16.00
Total Amount Due: Order deadline is March 30, 2018 - 4PM
Page 6 Whiteside SWCD
Page 7 Whiteside SWCD
WHITESIDE COUNTY SWCD SPRING 2018 FISH ORDER FORM SPECIES SIZE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL
Channel Catfish
4-6” $.70 each
6-8” $.90each
8-10” $1.10 each
Hybrid Sunfish
1-2” $69.00 for 250 Pre packaged
3-5” $.80 each
5-7” $1.20 each
Largemouth Bass 2-3” $.90 each
5-8” $2.85 each
Bluegill 1-2” $69.00 for 250
Pre packaged
3-5” $.95 each
Black Crappie 2-3” $56.00 for 100 Pre packaged
Redear 1-2” $69.00 for 250 Pre packaged
*Triploid Grass Carp 8-11” $11.50 each
Fathead Minnows $11.50 per pound Pre packaged-150 per lb.
*Triploid Grass Carp orders are due by April 16, 2018
All other fish orders must be received by April 23, 2018 TOTAL
The date of the workshop will be Saturday, February
24, 2018. The event will be located at 7395 Albany
Rd, Erie, IL 61250 (Paul Young’s shop) from 10AM to
approximately 2PM, with lunch provided. RSVP is not
necessary but appreciated so we can have a more
accurate head count for lunch. Call our office by
February 9, 2018 to reserve you space.
The instructor will be Norm Hall, ISA Certified
Arborist #IL1060AT. Topics to be
discussed are: Pre-start check,
PPE (personal protective
equipment), chainsaw safety
features & reactive forces, proper stance and grip,
start-up procedures and cutting techniques.
All attendees must bring eye and ear protection!!
There will also be a raffle for a CS-490-18 Chainsaw
and a PPT-2620 Power Pruner. Tickets are $10 each
or 3 tickets for $25. You may purchase tickets at our
office or from any of our directors. You do not need
to be present to win. The drawing will be held
immediately following the seminar. There will also be
door prizes given throughout the event. The prizes
may include but are not limited to: safety kits, hard
hats, gloves, chaps, etc.
Proceeds will benefit the Whiteside Co. SWCD
Education Foundation.
We hope to have a great turnout. Please pass the
information along to your friends and family. We will
see you there.
Thank you!!
Conservation Conversation
By Mark Kaiser, District Conservationist
Have you heard about the Illinois Nutrient Loss reduction strategy? It was finalized in 2015 and developed because 12 mid-west states were
identified as contributing most of the nitrogen and phosphorus into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River, creating a hypoxic zone roughly the size of Connecticut each year. The hypoxic zone is devoid of aquatic life because all the nitrogen and phosphorus in this zone jump starts algae growth, creating algae blooms, which consumes all the oxygen when the blooms decompose each summer. The mid-west
states were asked to develop a strategy to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus runoff. Illinois contributes more than 400 million pounds of nitrate-nitrogen and around 38 million pounds of total phosphorus EACH YEAR from the nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus contained in water runoff from crop fields, yards and other sources. Unfortunately the majority comes from crop fields as a result of the scale/amount of cropland acres.
The Illinois Nutrient Loss reduction strategy goal is to reduce nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into our streams and rivers by 45% by the year 2040 from their current levels. The short term goal is to reduce nitrate-nitrogen runoff by 15% and phosphorus runoff by 25% by the year 2025.
So how is that to be done? By farmers utilizing nitrogen and phosphorus reduction practices. This includes; reducing N rates for maximum return on investment, split N application so most N is applied in the spring when the crop makes the most efficient use of it, use of N inhibitors, using cover crops, constructing bioreactors and wetlands, seeding buffers along streams, No-tilling crops, reducing P application rates to maintenance levels, and planting perennial crops such as alfalfa/clover.
This is a big list, but out of all the practices listed, reducing N and P rates of application, utilizing cover crops and no-till are the ones we get the most bang for our buck. Plus if a farmer does a good job of management, he will find that utilizing these practices adds income.
Fortunately the nutrient loss strategy is a voluntary program, but as most voluntary programs are, if no or very little progress is shown towards adopting them in the next few years, there will be pressure to make them mandatory. The people who fish in the Gulf of Mexico for a living are not happy with the existence or size of the hypoxia zone, and are watching very closely to see if progress is being made to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus coming into the Gulf of Mexico. Their livelihood depends on it. And besides that, most of us like to eat the fish that they provide us.
For your farm management
and real estate needs, contact Doug Ray at Ray Farm Management Services
Chainsaw Seminar...
Page 10 Whiteside SWCD
The Natural Area Guardians final meeting of 2017 was preceded by the annual Harvest Dinner on November 9th, featuring many tasty dishes provided by members. Our thanks to Kyle Kopf for hosting the evening at the Andresen Nature Center in Fulton.
It has been a challenging year. Weather conditions made it difficult to maintain the areas managed by our group. Weedy species seemed to thrive, making it difficult for the native plants as well as the humans trying to control them. Major work was done at Sandytown Cemetery with the assistance of hired labor. Weather also negatively affected seed-picking. The Friends of the Prairie at Sauk Valley Community College have had a good beginning in expanding the Prairie at Sauk.
Our thanks to member, Heather Dauen, and her mother, Tina, for decorating a beautiful tree for the Festival of Trees held at Northland Mall in Sterling. The tree was presented under the name of the Whiteside County Natural Area Guardians and provided some very nice PR for our group.
We have been happy to welcome some new members this
year. It’s always a good thing to add a new spark plug to the old mower!
Although the NAGs will not hold regular meetings in December, January and February, plans are in the works to
have a booth at Bald Eagle Days in Clinton on January 6, 2018.
The regular meeting schedule will resume March 8, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the Odell Library in Morrison. Anyone interested in nature and the preservation of Whiteside County’s native areas is encouraged to attend. Spring is a good time to add those new spark plugs!
Activities of the Natural Area Guardians include brush-removal, seed picking, and the removal of alien species from the prairies managed by the group: the Lyndon-Agnew prairie, cemetery prairies, and the Spring Slough wetland. The Natural Area Guardians meet the second Thursday of the month at Odell Library in Morrison. Anyone interested in knowing more about the scholarship and other activities of the group may go to the website, www.whitesidecountyswcd.com and click on the Natural Area Guardian tab. Membership in the Natural Area Guardians is encouraged. Dues are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Membership dues can be sent to the SWCD office in care of the Natural Area Guardians, 16255 Liberty Street, Morrison, IL 61270.
May the winter be kind to you.
Just a Few Comments… By Carolyn Keller, The Natural Area Guardians
We offer food plot, prairie grass, cool season, fire break and pollinator seed mixes through the Quail & Upland Game Alliance. The mixes are comparable to those of Pheasants Forever. We are here to help you decide what mixes work for you and your habitats. If you have any questions, call the office at 815-772-
2124 ext. 3.
HOUSE SALE—THE HOME MARKET IS MOVING WELL.
With over 25 years of experience:
1. Kophamer and Blean Realty prefers “Aggressively priced home listings”.
2. We offer cleaning, repair, and preparation of the home, if you desire.
3. Kophamer and Blean Realty offer home preparations, personal property auction and auction of home on a listing. We market the
home to the client’s desire. 4. Cash Flow spreadsheet is provided, if desired.
5. Carrier service available by Kophamer and Blean Realty if
needed for closing in the event that you are unable to attend your
closing.
For all your real estate needs, call Kophamer and Blean Realty, Inc. 118 E. Main St Morrison, IL 61270
815-772-2728 www.kenkoprealty.com
Page 11 Whiteside SWCD
SERVING THE SAUK VALLEY AREA SINCE 1986
For all your real estate needs, contact Matthew Hermes at Heartland Realty - 1254 N. Galena
Ave., Dixon, IL, 61021. Phone: 815-288-4648 or email: [email protected]
The Whiteside County SWCD has uncleaned black oil sunflower seed
for sale. No guarantees on weed content or purity of the seed but should
be suitable for bird feed. $5.00 per bag, approximately 20 pounds. We
have bags available but you may also bring containers if you would like
instead. Let us know if you would like any by stopping in the office,
Marking tape can be used for: marking trees for forestry projects, trailing a
wounded deer, marking deer stands, marking prop-
erty lines and many other various uses. If you have
any questions, let us know by calling 815-772-2124
ext. 3 or stop by the SWCD office and get yours
today…
Rain Barrels What is a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would other-wise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams. These rain barrels are recy-cled 55 gallon drums with a vinyl hose, PVC couplings, and a screen grate to keep debris and insects out.
Why Would I Want a Rain Barrel?
Conserve water – A half inch of rain can fill a typical 50-55 gallon rain barrel, allowing home-owners to save hundreds of gallons of water during the growing season.
Save money and energy – Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer months. This decreased demand for treated tap water not only helps protect the environment, but also saves money and energy.
Reduce water pollution – Rain barrels reduce storm water runoff, which can contain pollu-tants like sediment, oil, grease, bacteria, and nutrients.
Improve the health of your gardens, lawns, and trees by using a natural water source - Pro-vides an ample supply of free “soft water” to homeowners, providing no chlorine, lime, or calcium making it ideal for gardens, flower beds, and car and window washing. Using harvested rain water offers a natural alternative to the chemicals and hard water that many of our municipal water systems can produce.
To teach and encourage others – You will help to spread the culture of rainwater collection and in turn, help our larger commu-nity and the environment.
The Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District sells rain barrels for $65.00 each. They come in Black, Gray, Blue or Terra Cotta. Diverters and pedestals for the rain barrels are also available.
Please visit our website www.whitesidecountyswcd.com, call 815-772-2124 ext. 3 or stop in our office for more details. Thank you!!
Page 14 Whiteside SWCD
SWCD Items for Sale Prices may be subject to change and ALL SALES ARE FINAL
Flagging/Surveying Tape - 150' Roll / 200’ Roll $ 2.25 / 2.75 Finder Books $3.50
Flags - each $ 0.15 Conservation Trees and Shrubs $10.00
Flags - bundle of 100 $ 10.00 Forest Trees of Illinois $14.75
Tree Shelters Green Tubex Tubes 0-50pcs $ 5.00 Conservation Plants Pocket ID $5.00
Green Tubex Tubes 50+pcs $ 4.25 SWAT T-Shirts $10.00
24" Yellow Mesh $ 0.45 Wood Duck House $55.00
36" Yellow Mesh $ 0.60 Deer Away $15.00
Oak Stake $ 1.75 Plantskydd
Bamboo Stake $ 0.15 Quart $18.00
Tree Mats w/ 5 Staples $ 1.50 5 Liter $40.00
Staples each w/o mat $ 0.05 1 lb. Powder $22.00
Filter Fabric (15 ft. wide) 300 ft. per roll $2.40 per running foot 1 lb. Granular Shaker $10.00
Green Erosion Net $0.40 per running foot
Vinyl Tree Guards
$1.00 each with tree pur-chase / $1.50 each w/o tree
purchase
12 ft. wide / staples included 50 ft. netting = 25 staples
Straw Netting $0.40 per running foot NAGS Sale Items 4ft wide - 112 ft. long / staples included (50 ft. netting) = 25 staples Self Guided Tour Book $ 5.00
Geojute Erosion Net $ 60 per roll Children's Book $ 5.00
.41 per running foot (degrades in 2 years) Mae's Note Cards
Fertilizer Packets $ 0.18 Summer $ 5.00
Rain Barrel—call for availability $ 65.00 Winter $ 6.00
Composter—call for availability $ 115.00 Sand County Almanac $ 6.00
Pedestal $ 24.00 Cedar Bluebird House $ 20.00
Seeds (per pound) Little Blue Mix $ 9.25 w/ pole $ 25.00
Side Oats Grama $ 16.25 Peterson Bluebird House $ 5.00
Big Blue $ 11.50 Bat House $ 15.00
Switch Grass $ 14.00 Prairie Plant ID Book $ 8.00
Rye $ 10.00 Seed Packets $ 2.00
Page 15 Whiteside SWCD
Page 16 Whiteside SWCD
Partnering with Illinois Pheasants Forever, we are a habitat seed dealer. We offer food plot, prairie grass, cool season, fire break and pollinator seed mixes. We are here to help you decide what mixes work for you and your habitats. If you have
any questions, call the office at 815-772-2124 ext. 3.
The food plot sign up sheet is also available at our office. Pick up will be at Keith Zoeller’s again is Sterling, IL on April 21, 2018 from 10am to 2pm. You must be a Pheasant’s Forever member to be allowed to get the seed. Any questions, let us
know.
Pheasants Forever Illinois Seed Program
FSA Farm Loan Tidbits:
FSA Offers Joint Financing Option on Direct Farm Ownership Loans The USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Direct Farm Ownership loans are a resource to help farmers and ranchers become owner-operators of family farms, improve and expand current operations, increase agricultural productivity, and assist with land tenure to save farmland for future generations.
Depending on the applicant’s needs, there are three types of Direct Farm Ownership Loans: regular, down payment and joint financing. FSA also offers a Direct Farm Ownership Microloan option for smaller financial needs up to $50,000.
Joint financing allows FSA to provide more farmers and ranchers with access to capital. FSA lends up to 50 percent of the total amount financed. A commercial lender, a State program or the seller of the property being purchased, provides the balance of loan funds, with or without an FSA guarantee. The maximum loan amount for a Joint Financing loan is $300,000 and the repayment period for the loan is up to 40 years.
To be eligible, the operation must be an eligible farm enterprise. Farm Ownership loan funds cannot be used to finance nonfarm enterprises and all applicants must be able to meet general eligibility requirements. Loan applicants are also required to have participated in the business operations of a farm or ranch for at least three years out of the 10 years prior to the date the application is submitted. The applicant must show documentation that their participation in the business operation of the farm or ranch was not solely as a laborer.
For more information about FSA Loan programs, contact Rachel Eissens, Farm Loan Manager c/o Whiteside County at 815-772-2124 ext. 2. To find your local FSA office, visit http://offices.usda.gov.
The SWCD / WQUD 105.5FM / KROS 1340AM-105.9FM Radio Shows
Sponsored by Dave Wahl, our radio show will now be on WQUD Vintage Radio, 105.5-FM, Erie IL., hosted by Aaron Dail of WQUD Vintage Radio and Dave Harrison of the SWCD. The radio show will also now be on KROS 1340AM/105.9FM, Clinton IA, hosted by Greg Naftzger and
Dave Harrison of the SWCD. These radio shows are a way for our office to educate the public about different conservation subjects. If you have a subject that you would like to hear, please let our office
know and listen to our shows on the radio. If you have any questions during the shows please call in. The con-tact info for WQUD 105.5FM is 1-309-659-7608, website is www.wqudfm.com, and their Facebook page is
WQUD 105.5 Vintage Radio. The contact info for KROS 1390AM/105.9FM is 1-563-242-1252,fax –563-242-4825, email [email protected] and the website is www.krosradio.com
Not only is the radio show made possible by Mr. Wahl, but by you, the listeners as well. If you would also like to send in donations to cover the cost of the show, please feel free to do so. You may mail your donations to: WCSWCD 16255 Liberty St Morrison IL, 61270 or feel free to stop in the office Monday through Friday 7:30am
- 4:00pm.
WQUD radio show will be held the 1st Monday of each month at 2:30PM, unless otherwise noted. KROS radio show will be held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9:15AM, unless otherwise noted.
These are three native birds of Illinois that love grass habitat. They are in trouble in Illinois due to loss of wetland
and grassland habitats. Can you identify these bird friends of ours? If you know the answer let us know by email-
ing - [email protected] or by commenting on our facebook page - www.facebook.com/
Whiteside-Swcd.
Page 17 Whiteside SWCD
NATIVE BIRDS OF ILLINOIS… Photos courtesy of Gail Jacobsen
This bird likes wet prairies and meadows.
You’ll find this bird mixed in with flocks of finches and are
also common to backyard bird feeders.
There are two common varieties of this bird in our area
and they have a very melodic call.
More news from the Education Foundation…..
To Whom It May Concern;
The Whiteside County SWCD Education Foundation is looking for more ways to help educate students of the county in the fields of conservation/natural resource topics. The current programs we offer are: K-12th grades poster and photo contests, kindergarten coloring contest, 1st grade native flower bulbs distribution, 3rd grade native dogwood shrubs distribution, 4th grade has an annual conserva-tion day at Palisades State Park, and 9-12th grades are offered an annual Envirothon competition every year. As you can see, we are missing topics for the 2nd and 5th-7th grades. We would love to become more involved and make our presence known at each school but this takes time and money. If you would like to volunteer your time and/or make
a donation, please let us know by calling the office or stopping in. Morrison High School has re-introduced the Ag/FFA Program at the beginning of the 2017/2018 school year. We would love the chance to introduce a conservation curriculum into this program and possibly be able to provide some different ideas to the teacher as well. So, we are asking our friends and neighbors of Whiteside County to donate to the Whiteside County SWCD Education Foundation. Any donations will be put toward presentations, classroom projects, field trips,
etc. If you donate to our foundation, we would recognize you by putting you in our bi-annual newsletter. The donations we receive will take place of our annual meeting fundraiser that people have so generously donated to in the past. We greatly appreciate your time and consideration, any donations would be greatly appreciated. Make your pay-ment to WCSWCD Education Foundation and mail to: WCSWCD 16255 Liberty St, Morrison IL, 61270 Thank you, Board of Directors and Staff Whiteside County SWCD Education Foundation
2018 Whiteside Co. SWCD Director Election
2018 NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE OF NOMINATIONS
To all persons of legal voting age who own or reside on land located within the boundaries of the Whiteside County Soil and Water Conser-vation District. Nominations are being accepted for the two-year term of the office of Director of the Whiteside County Soil and Water Con-servation District at the District's Office at 16255 Liberty St, Morrison, IL 61270 during our normal business hours of 7:30a.m. to 4:00p.m. To be considered for nomination as a candidate for the office of Director, nominees must provide proof of residency or ownership of land locat-ed within the boundaries of the District. Interested persons must respond by 4:00p.m. on January 26, 2018.
NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
TO ALL OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF LANDS LYING WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE WHITESIDE COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: Notice is hereby given that an Election of Directors will be held on Wednesday the 7th day of March, 2018 between the hours of
6:30am and 5:00pm, at the Soil & Water Conservation District Office, USDA Building, 16255 Liberty St, Morrison IL 61270. Three (3) Directors will be elected to serve the Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District of the State of Illinois. All persons, firms or corporations who hold legal title or are in legal possession of any land lying within the boundaries of the said district are eligible to vote at said election,
whether as lessee, tenant or otherwise. Only such persons, firms or corporations are eligible to vote.
Vern Latwesen, Chairman
Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District
