-Become an SWCD Newsletter Sponsor- For $150 you will be included on our SWCD website, monthly E-newsletter, and bi-annual 1600 person newsletter. To sponsor, include a $150 check to McLean County SWCD and your business card.
CRP Guidelines for Fall Harvest
Landowner Reminder
As a reminder, the Conservation Reserve Program has various standards required to sustain wildlife habitat standards. These areas must be avoided to load auger carts, semis, and wagons during harvest. Additionally CRP acres are not permitted to have lime stock piling, round bale storage, or equipment storage. The purpose of the Conservation Reserve Program is for wildlife habitat preservation.
Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist
The Normal USDA office welcomes our newest employee Brodie Eddington. Brodie was raised in a small town in Hancock County Illinois, where he learned to enjoy outdoor life with hobbies such as hunting, fishing, trapping, and trap shooting. He has previously worked at Weinberg-King State Park as a summer conservation worker for the last 6 years. Brodie received his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology from Western Illinois University and is pursuing his master’s degree in Biology. He has also aided in projects such as collaring bobcats for bobcat range studies in the western Illinois region as well as aiding the IDNR with turtle surveys on the Illinois river and their yearly goose banding events.
If you are a McLean County landowner or producer looking for more information about the Conservation Reserve Program, or technical assistance for native habitat contact Brodie at beddington@pheasantsforever.org or 309-452-3848 ext 3 .
What is a Farm Bill Biologist?
Accelerate enrollment in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill conservation programs, like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Add wildlife technical assistance in USDA offices to assist the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA) and other conservation partners with delivering conservation programs to landowners.
Development of prescribed burn plans for the Conservation Reserve Program Mid-Contract Management.
FFA Soils Judging Contest
The Illinois Association Section 9 FFA students competed in the Annual Soils Judging contest hosted by the McLean County SWCD and Livingston County SWCD. Special thanks to the Precision Planting PTI farm for hosting our location for the students!
Top Teams First Place: Flanagan-Cornell FFA Second Place: Olympia FFA Third Place: Normal FFA & Agriscience Program
High Individuals
1st Place: Wyatt Zehr- Flanagan-Cornell FFA
2nd Place: Aidan Harner- Flanagan-Cornell FFA
3rd Place: Cole Kindred- Olympia FFA
Cover Crop Selector Tool
The Cover Crop Decision Tools are an initiative by the Midwest Cover Crop Councilto consolidate cover crop information by state to help farmers make cover crop selections at the county level. Information for each state/province is developed by a team of cover crop experts including university researchers, Extension educators, NRCS personnel, agriculture department personnel, crop advisors, seed suppliers and farmers. The team reviewed and refined information from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) publication Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd editionto refine application within their state/province. The information and ratings contained in the Cover Crop Decision Tool is the team consensus based on literature, research results, on-farm experience and practical knowledge.
Conservation Planning now leads to
Conservation Program Contracts next year Adam Wyant- NRCS District Conservationist
NRCS financial assistance programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) have continuous sign ups so you can apply anytime. However, we do have application deadlines to evaluate and rank applications to make funding decisions by the end of our fiscal year, which is September 30. With that in mind it is best to be proactive and start planning now for the conservation work you intend to do the following spring, summer, or fall. So, when you are out there harvesting this fall and you see some new erosion or think you might want to try cover crops then pick up your phone and call the McLean County NRCS office at 309-452-3848 extension 3 or send an email to adam.wyant@usda.gov to request assistance. Stay safe this fall.
Partners for Conservation Cost Share
Funds Available for Conservation Installation
This funding pool is available on behalf of the McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District. The funds can be used for projects outside of current practices enrolled in an active government contract. To learn more about the partners for conservation fund: Click Here
Conservation Practices include but are not limited to:
Cover Crops 60% Cost Share up to $40/ac-3 year Maximum
Grassed Waterways 60% Cost Shared
Water Well Decommissioning 60% Cost Shared New Adoption of No-till or Strip Till 60% Cost Shared
*Cost share is based on a practice component list that sets expectations for average costs of installation. To Apply Contact Brett Irwin at 309-452-3848 ext 3 Deadline December 1st 2021
Invasive Species ID
Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora
Rosa multiflora is a multi-stemmed, thorny, perennial shrub that grows up to 15 ft. (4.6 m) tall. The stems are green to red arching canes which are round in cross section and have stiff, curved thorns. Found in thickets in pastures, fields, and forest edges. It restricts human, livestock, and wildlife movement and displaces native vegetation. It tolerates a wide range of conditions allowing it to invade habitats across the United States. Rosa multiflora is native to Asia and was first introduced to North America in 1866 as rootstock for ornamental roses. During the mid 1900s it was widely planted as a “living fence” for livestock control.
To control this invasive plant, learn more by Clicking Here
The McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District and Illinois Department of Transportation have partnered on converting 1 mile of roadside space to native diverse pollinator habitat. The project began in the spring of 2021 with the removal of invasive shrubs. The ongoing effort has been focused on site preparation to chemically control invasive and cool season plants. This partnership aims to promote more monarch friendly space in McLean County, while enhancing the esthetic views of Bloomington Normal. The project will be on-going and a planting will take place before spring of 2022.
McLean County Contractors List
McLean County contractors can provide conservation services to you for the installation of practices and programs. For a full list of contractors and their services, click the below link. If you would like to be added to our contractors list. Please return the below application to our office at 402 N Kays Drive, Normal IL 61761
Selective timber harvesting is an important woodland health practice to promote native species and wildlife habitat. Professional consulting foresters are available to assist woodland owners with a variety of forestry-specific needs: Forest Management Plans, Timber Sales, and Wildlife Habitat Projects; and management plan implementation practices such as Crop Tree Release / Timber Stand Improvement, Invasive Species Control, Prescribed Fire, Pruning, and Tree Planting. The University of Illinois Extension Forestry has an incredible website to connect landowners with consulting foresters, woodland information and other resource professionals.
The McLean County Pheasants Forever chapter has made three Truax Drills available for wildlife habitat installation in McLean County. These drills were purchased in cooperation with Illinois DNR through Habitat Stamp funds purchased by Illinois Hunters. Reporting of seeding is required to maintain records of habitat installed. The Drills are located at the SWCD office for rental.
Rental Agreement Details: Checks made payable to: Pheasants Forever
$250 Security Deposit (Returned when equipment is returned in good working order. **Operable and Clean) Drill inspection is made by Resource Conservationist, and must be dropped off with the employee present.
$50 per Business Day Cost. (Planter to be picked up and returned on same day. If not, an additional $50 charge for each day utilized.
- Minimum 50 Horsepower Tractor
- Drill has Pioneer ends and 2 hydraulic Lines for raising/lowering
- A truck with a hitch pin needed for transport (45mph max speed)
- Drill is pulled with a tow bar
- Drill is 8 feet wide and does 5 feet of planting
- The three seed boxes are capable of planting native seed mixes, pollinator habitat, food plots, and cool season plantings.
Reduced Property Tax Assessments
Under the state of IL Vegetative Filter Strip Assessment Law. Contact the office for application. The Vegetative Filter Strip Assessment Law provides for a reduction in the assessed value of cropland certified as meeting the requirements of the law to 1/6th of its productivity index equalized assessed value as cropland. Please contact our office to request an application, or email brett.irwin@il.nacdnet.net . Public Act 89-606
CRP Practices outside of the Filter Strip practice also may qualify. Provide your CRP Contract, FSA Map, and Parcel Number to the McLean County Tax Assessors Office.
SWCD SPONSORS
-OUR POLICY-
The McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status or disability. This policy covers all programs, services and procedures of the District, including employment. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
-SWCD BOARD MEETINGS-
SWCD board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at our office. Contact our office for changes and details.
Our mailing address:
402 N Kays Drive Normal Illinois 61761
309-452-3848 ext 3
mcleancountyswcd@gmail.com
