Porter County Soil & Water Conservation District

06/23/2021

Our chairman, Brad Hunter, created a pollinator paradise on his farm. Here you can see a new planting featuring Brown-Eyed Susans and Coreopsis at this time of the year. In the background a beekeeper friend has set-up hives for local honey production.

Our chairman, Brad Hunter, created a pollinator paradise on his farm. Here you can see a new planting featuring Brown-Eyed Susans and Coreopsis at this time of the year. In the background a beekeeper friend has set-up hives for local honey production.

06/22/2021

Take A Minute With Soil & Water! Enjoy this video representing some of the efforts of our board members and staff to create pollinator habitat on their own property.

06/20/2021

Celebrate pollinator week--June 21st-27th-- with small plantings in pots on Porter County patios and porches! Simple flowers such as petunias, lantana and lavender offer a punch of color and are attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

06/18/2021

Diamonds Out of the Dust: 75 Years of Conservation District Success Stories

We are thrilled to be recognized by the National Association of Conservation Districts, which encompasses more than 3,000 conservation districts across the nation. They printed an article we wrote about Saylor Elementary School and their use of their court yard as a respite for students in their newsletter. Earlier this spring we purchased pollinator loving plants to enhance the area with a small grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund.

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Diamonds-Out-of-the-Dust--75-Years-of-Conservation-District-Success-Stories.html?soid=1131734187679&aid=JmMJFsLPN_M

June 17, 2021 A COVER AND CAPTURE APPROACH TO PROTECT SURFACE RUNOFF In Clermont County, Ohio, a 2,160-acre reservoir serves as a drinking water and recreation source for about half of the county. Unf

06/16/2021

The Gustafson Family tried a new way of planting corn on their farm this year. They planted the corn into the green cover crop, which is shown below in a photo from a few weeks earlier. So far they are pleased with the results. "Planting green" has been found to be particularly useful on heavier clay soils by providing a soft seedbed and, during rainy springs, helping to control moisture on the field.

06/15/2021

Thanks to our two Porter County Council liaisons, Sylvia Graham and Mike Jessen for meeting with us today to discuss our budget. We are fortunate in Porter County to have this system in place. Each Porter County department is able to discuss issues of concern with their liaisons, who offer sound advice and interact with the entire County Council on the department's behalf.

Thanks to our two Porter County Council liaisons, Sylvia Graham and Mike Jessen for meeting with us today to discuss our budget. We are fortunate in Porter County to have this system in place. Each Porter County department is able to discuss issues of concern with their liaisons, who offer sound advice and interact with the entire County Council on the department's behalf.

06/14/2021

If you are driving by Washington Township Schools check out this field of no-till soybeans farmed by Wyckoff Hybrids, Inc. There are many advantages to no-till including reduced soil erosion and increased organic matter, which improve overall soil health. Fewer passes across the field also mean a savings of time and money.

06/11/2021

You don't have to live in the country to enjoy native wildflowers that attract pollinators. These photos are from Little Lamb Preschool/ Christ Lutheran Church, Valparaiso. The gardeners at the church have made the campus a showplace. These wildflowers grow in the median strips in the parking lot. By adding the field stone they have improved drainage and added to the aesthetic appeal of the area. The flowers pictured are Blue False Indigo and White Beardtongue.

06/03/2021

Check out this "social media" from 1959. Carl Koch and Bob Howard, employees of the Soil Conservation Service, in Valparaiso found this puff ball, with a circumference of 22 1/2 inches. The newspaper caption notes that it was found 3 miles south and 1 mile west of town. Times have definitely changed!

Check out this "social media" from 1959. Carl Koch and Bob Howard, employees of the Soil Conservation Service, in Valparaiso found this puff ball, with a circumference of 22 1/2 inches. The newspaper caption notes that it was found 3 miles south and 1 mile west of town. Times have definitely changed!

05/28/2021

The red poppy became the national symbol of remembrance in 1920. Inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Fields" by WWI battlefield surgeon, John McCrae, University of Georgia professor, Moina Michael, convinced Georgia's chapter of the American Legion to adopt it as a symbol. Soon after the National American Legion followed.

The red poppy became the national symbol of remembrance in 1920. Inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Fields" by WWI battlefield surgeon, John McCrae, University of Georgia professor, Moina Michael, convinced Georgia's chapter of the American Legion to adopt it as a symbol. Soon after the National American Legion followed.

05/27/2021

The carpenter on the left thinks our Soil & Water logo shirts are the bees' knees!

The carpenter on the left thinks our Soil & Water logo shirts are the bees' knees!

05/27/2021

Photos from Shirley Heinze Land Trust's post

05/24/2021

We are distributing free copies of the Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide at some of our local elevators and seed dealers. We received a small grant from the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to purchase 100 guides to share with farmers and landowners interested in learning more about cover crops. This guide is an excellent resource loaded with color photos and information.

We are distributing free copies of the Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide at some of our local elevators and seed dealers. We received a small grant from the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to purchase 100 guides to share with farmers and landowners interested in learning more about cover crops. This guide is an excellent resource loaded with color photos and information.

05/21/2021

Some Porter County no-till beans push up through the residue. This field is part of the USDA-NRCS --EQIP-- Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which provides technical assistance and cost share to address resource concerns such as erosion.

Some Porter County no-till beans push up through the residue. This field is part of the USDA-NRCS --EQIP-- Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which provides technical assistance and cost share to address resource concerns such as erosion.

05/20/2021

Take a few seconds to relax with an up close look at one of our cooperator's restored wetland in south county,

05/19/2021

Our friends at Porter County Farm Bureau, Inc. invite teachers interested in learning more about agriculture and receiving continuing education credits to do so to check out the website
infarmbureau.org and look under "events'. There is a workshop scheduled for June 7th at Fair Oaks Farms.

Our friends at Porter County Farm Bureau, Inc. invite teachers interested in learning more about agriculture and receiving continuing education credits to do so to check out the website
infarmbureau.org and look under "events'. There is a workshop scheduled for June 7th at Fair Oaks Farms.

05/12/2021

Today was a beautiful day for water sampling in Pleasant Township! Julie Morris, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Resource Specialist, assists Jared from our Soil & Water office with the monthly monitoring of the Kankakee River. We first began sampling in the Kankakee Watershed in 2019.

Today was a beautiful day for water sampling in Pleasant Township! Julie Morris, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Resource Specialist, assists Jared from our Soil & Water office with the monthly monitoring of the Kankakee River. We first began sampling in the Kankakee Watershed in 2019.

05/10/2021

The Gustafson Family Farm is blanketed with a combination of rye and rapeseed, which was planted as a cover crop in the fall. The cover crop controls soil erosion, produces biomass and improves the soil tilth.

05/07/2021

Women Landowners' Workshop--The Family Forest
Save The Date: August 12, 2021
Porter County Expo Center--9:30 am-noon (local time)
Free----Sponsored by us at Soil & Water

Learn more about managing your woods, including invasive species management and timber production. USDA-NRCS conservation programs for technical assistance and cost share will also be discussed.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Assistant District Forester, Jennifer Sobecki, will be our presenter.

For more information E-mail: [email protected]
or call the Soil & Water office at 219-462-7515 ext. 3

Women Landowners' Workshop--The Family Forest
Save The Date: August 12, 2021
Porter County Expo Center--9:30 am-noon (local time)
Free----Sponsored by us at Soil & Water

Learn more about managing your woods, including invasive species management and timber production. USDA-NRCS conservation programs for technical assistance and cost share will also be discussed.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Assistant District Forester, Jennifer Sobecki, will be our presenter.

For more information E-mail: [email protected]
or call the Soil & Water office at 219-462-7515 ext. 3

05/05/2021

The flowers, which we at Soil & Water purchased with the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund grant, are being planted at six Porter County elementary schools. Here are some photos from Nativity of Our Savior Catholic School, Portage. Members of the "Gardening Angels" assisted first and second grade students with the planting.

05/04/2021

Conservation at Work Video Series

Farmers and landowners thinking about conservation practices can access a series of short videos explaining some of those practices.
https://www.farmers.gov/conserve/conservation-at-work

Learn about the benefits of conservation practices directly from the farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners applying them.

05/03/2021

We at Soil & Water provided 50 free tree seedlings to the Valparaiso High School Key Club from our recent tree sale. Club members packaged and distributed the trees to school staff members. School staff members certainly deserve a token of appreciation for all their hard work this year, especially!

04/27/2021

This Pileated Woodpecker is a regular visitor in a Jackson Township yard.

This Pileated Woodpecker is a regular visitor in a Jackson Township yard.

04/26/2021

We are delivering an assortment of pollinator friendly perennials and small shrubs to five elementary schools this week as part of a pilot project. This venture was made possible with the assistance of a grant from the Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund. In addition to helping bees and butterflies, the plants will also beautify the school landscape and provide new plants for students to investigate as part of their science studies. Porter County elementary schools are welcome to contact us for future consideration to add plants to the school landscape. For more information E-mail: [email protected] .

We are delivering an assortment of pollinator friendly perennials and small shrubs to five elementary schools this week as part of a pilot project. This venture was made possible with the assistance of a grant from the Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund. In addition to helping bees and butterflies, the plants will also beautify the school landscape and provide new plants for students to investigate as part of their science studies. Porter County elementary schools are welcome to contact us for future consideration to add plants to the school landscape. For more information E-mail: [email protected] .

04/23/2021

Conservation Districts across the United States celebrate Stewardship Week beginning this Sunday, April 25th. Much like Earth Day, this special event reminds us of the importance of the proper management of our natural resources.

Conservation Districts across the United States celebrate Stewardship Week beginning this Sunday, April 25th. Much like Earth Day, this special event reminds us of the importance of the proper management of our natural resources.

04/19/2021

A pheasant makes an appearance in south county in a restored wetland. According to Pheasants Forever, a pheasant can fly 38-48 miles per hour, but might be clocked at 60 miles per hour if chased!

A pheasant makes an appearance in south county in a restored wetland. According to Pheasants Forever, a pheasant can fly 38-48 miles per hour, but might be clocked at 60 miles per hour if chased!

04/13/2021

Here is a 1980's photo of the Soil & Water tree sale pick-up day.

Tree pick-up day is this Friday, April 16th, from 8 am until 4 pm at our office at 2602 Chicago St., Ste. 300. We are at the front of the building facing Chicago St. If you did not order trees and would like to be added to our contact list for the 2022 sale, please E-mail [email protected] .

Here is a 1980's photo of the Soil & Water tree sale pick-up day.

Tree pick-up day is this Friday, April 16th, from 8 am until 4 pm at our office at 2602 Chicago St., Ste. 300. We are at the front of the building facing Chicago St. If you did not order trees and would like to be added to our contact list for the 2022 sale, please E-mail [email protected] .

04/09/2021

We are excited to announce the arrival of our 2021 Flower of The Year seed packets. This year we have selected the Purple Prairie Clover. According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation this plant is especially valuable to native bees, as it attracts large numbers of them. We will be distributing the packets throughout the year at special events.

We are excited to announce the arrival of our 2021 Flower of The Year seed packets. This year we have selected the Purple Prairie Clover. According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation this plant is especially valuable to native bees, as it attracts large numbers of them. We will be distributing the packets throughout the year at special events.

04/05/2021

Our tree sale is completely sold out!
Thanks for all the support. If you would like to be added to our contact list for next year's sale please E-mail: [email protected] with your information. We generally have our order forms ready in the fall.

04/01/2021

We are sold out of the American Arborvitae and Norway Spruce trees. We do have Hazelnut, American Plum and a limited supply of Serviceberry. Trees will be available Friday, April 16th.

We appreciate your support of the sale!

03/25/2021

We were pleased to welcome Porter County Council Member, Mike Jessen, to our annual meeting this morning. Council Member Jessen serves as one of our liaisons with the Council. We are looking forward to a traditional annual meeting with a meal and speaker next spring so mark your calendars for March 3, 2022!

L-R Board members, Keith Gustafson, Brad Hunter, Council Member Jessen and Greg Birky, board member

We were pleased to welcome Porter County Council Member, Mike Jessen, to our annual meeting this morning. Council Member Jessen serves as one of our liaisons with the Council. We are looking forward to a traditional annual meeting with a meal and speaker next spring so mark your calendars for March 3, 2022!

L-R Board members, Keith Gustafson, Brad Hunter, Council Member Jessen and Greg Birky, board member

03/24/2021

We are pleased to welcome Jon Hannon, the new County Executive Director for the USDA-Farm Services Agency at the Valparaiso Service Center. Jon is originally from LaPorte County.

We are pleased to welcome Jon Hannon, the new County Executive Director for the USDA-Farm Services Agency at the Valparaiso Service Center. Jon is originally from LaPorte County.

03/24/2021

Porter County Soil & Water Conservation District updated their website address.

Porter County Soil & Water Conservation District updated their website address.

03/23/2021

Happy National Ag Day!

Did you know that there are 122,523 acres of farm ground in Porter County? That's 46% of our total acres! The most recent Indiana Agricultural Statistics for 2018-2019 reveal that more than $83,000,000 was generated by farming for the year.

Happy National Ag Day!

Did you know that there are 122,523 acres of farm ground in Porter County? That's 46% of our total acres! The most recent Indiana Agricultural Statistics for 2018-2019 reveal that more than $83,000,000 was generated by farming for the year.