The 2014 annual meeting was a great success! We had a great meal, presented conservation awards, re-elected 2 board members, provided program updates, and saw the debut of the Greening Mid-Michigan Agriculture Video.  Door Prizes and Silent auction made possible by many local businesses.

 You don’t have to be a professional photographer to take an awesome picture.  Entries in Eaton Conservation District’s 18th annual photo contest are proof positive! The contest was open to  anyone who does not take pictures for profit as long as the picture was taken in  beautiful Eaton County.  Photos entered in the contest were divided into four categories.  This year’s categories included: plants and landscapes, wildlife, people enjoying nature, and agriculture.  Participants were able to enter one photograph per category, a wide variety of photos were submitted by an equally diverse contestant pool.         
  
Gary Mankey of Lansing came away as grand prize  winner in this year’s contest with his picture of a frog in a leather boot. Submitted photos may be displayed on the District’s website, used in promotional brochures and fliers or displayed at District  events.  
  
 Winners were as  follows:
 
Plants and  Landscapes

 1st-Karl Glarner
 2nd-Brenda Hall
 3rd-Alyse VanAcker
 
Wildlife
 1st-Gary Mankey
 2nd-Carol Glarner
 3rd-Gary Haynes
 
People Enjoying  Nature
 1st-Sarah Jansma
 2nd-Gary Haynes
 3rd-Hailey Bennett

 Agriculture
 1st-Hailey Bennett
 2nd-Sarah Jansma
 3rd-Alyse VanAcker
 
Honorable Mentions: 
Rachel Drury, Rod Weaver, Rachel Beland, Beverly  Davids
 
Thanks to everyone who entered the  18th annual photo  contest.  It’s not too early to begin snapping photos for next year’s contest.  We appreciate your participation in the photo contest and are looking forward to seeing future photos taken in our County.  
 

  Popular  Farm Bill conservation program seeks producer participation

 WASHINGTON,  Dec. 2, 2013
– The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service  (NRCS) is opening the Conservation  Stewardship Program (CSP) for new enrollments for federal fiscal  year 2014. Starting today through Jan. 17, 2014, producers interested in  participating in the program can submit applications to  NRCS.

 “Through  the Conservation Stewardship Program, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners are going the extra mile to conserve our nation’s resources,” NRCS Chief Jason  Weller said. “Through their conservation actions, they are ensuring that their operations are more productive and sustainable over the long  run.”

 The  CSP is an important Farm Bill conservation program that helps established  conservation stewards with taking their level of natural resource management to the next level to improve both their agricultural production and provide
valuable conservation benefits such as cleaner and more abundant water, as well as healthier soils and better wildlife habitat.

 Weller said today's announcement is another example of USDA's comprehensive focus on promoting environmental conservation and strengthening the rural economy, and it  is a reminder that a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is pivotal to continue these efforts. CSP is now in its fifth year and so far, NRCS has partnered with
producers to enroll more than 59 million acres across the nation.

 The  program emphasizes conservation performance — producers earn higher payments for higher performance. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources and energy.

 Some  popular enhancements used by farmers and ranchers include:
• Using new  nozzles that reduce the drift of pesticides, lowering input costs and making sure pesticides are used where they are most needed;
• Modifying water facilities to prevent bats and bird species from being trapped;
• Burning patches of land, mimicking prairie fires to enhance wildlife habitat; and
• Rotating feeding areas and monitoring key grazing areas to improve grazing management.

 Eligible landowners and operators in all states and territories can enroll in CSP through January 17th to be eligible during the 2014 federal fiscal year. While local NRCS offices accept CSP applications year round, NRCS evaluates applications  during announced ranking periods.To be eligible for this year’s enrollment,  producers must have their applications submitted to NRCS by the closing date.

 A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if the program  is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, stewardship threshold requirements and payment types.
 Learn  more about CSP by visiting the NRCS website or a local NRCS field office.

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 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of  discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of  the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800)  845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity

 Do you have a love for the land?  Are you interested in influencing how natural resources in
EatonCounty are utilized?  If so Eaton Conservation District wants you!   Eaton Conservation District is looking for people to serve on its Board of Directors who share a commitment to natural resource issues.  Individuals serving on the board enjoy a unique volunteer experience and gain an opportunity to make a positive contribution to our community.  To be eligible you must be a resident of Eaton County over 18.  
 
An ideal candidate for the board would have good  organizational skills, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to be flexible.  Eaton Conservation will consider individuals from all segments of the community and from every corner of Eaton County.  An excellent  background would be a person from business, education, journalism, grant
writing, fundraising, agriculture, natural resources, land use or any combination thereof.  
  
A Conservation District is a local unit of state
government with the responsibility to carry out a program of natural resources
  conservation and encourage wise land management. 
Directors are locally elected public officials who are responsible for
operation and management of the Conservation District. 
Duties and responsibilities
include: 

• Serve  a Four year term
• Attend  and participate at board monthly meetings and functions
• Cooperate with fellow board members in establishing District  policies
• Assistance in fundraising
• Participate in developing annual plans of work
• Serve as District spokesperson by representing the District at public functions and at functions related to natural resource conservation activities

 
The board member election will take place  at the Eaton Conservation District’s annual meeting held in January 2013.  Nominating petitions need to be  submitted with 5 resident signatures by November 28th at 4:30pm. 
For more information contact the District Office at 517-543-5848 ext  5.  E-mail  inquiries should be directed to andrea.stay@mi.nacdnet.net.
 

Hot off the press, the March newsletter is at the post office, coming soon  to a mailbox near you. 

Can't wait, click here to read it now!

EAST LANSING, Jan. 11, 2013 – Farmers in 21 Michigan counties are eligible for financial assistance to help reduce greenhouse gases by planting cover crops and implementing new nutrient management practices.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has $10 million in conservation funding available for greenhouse gas initiatives in 13 states including Michigan. Farmers in eligible counties can apply for the financial assistance that will pay a portion of the cost for planting cover crops or adopting nutrient management practices. Farmers must submit an application at their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office by Feb. 15 to be considered for funding.

Counties eligible for USDA Greenhouse Gas Initiative funding include Barry, Bay, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lenawee, Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Tuscola and Van Buren. Successful applicants will receive a set payment after the conservation practice is implemented.

For more information about USDA Greenhouse Gas conservation assistance is available at local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offices or online at www.mi.nrcs.gov.  A list of NRCS offices in Michigan is posted online at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/Field%20Offices.html.