By Andi Anderson
Indiana landowners have been awarded over $300,000 in grants to implement vital soil conservation practices, announced by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the USDA-Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
These grants will support the implementation of various conservation practices across more than 1,700 acres of Indiana farmland in the Western Lake Erie Basin region. The initiatives include the establishment of over 125 acres of cover crops, application of Gypsum to enhance soil health on over 925 acres, and precision nutrient management on more than 660 acres.
The primary aim of these practices is to mitigate nutrient runoff and reduce algal blooms, safeguarding the water quality of the Western Lake Erie Basin region. This effort is part of the Western Lake Erie Basin Tri-State Collaboration Effort, bringing together Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to collaborate with farmers, universities, and non-governmental organizations.
Through this multi-state partnership, financial assistance is provided to producers to implement best management practices aimed at reducing phosphorus and sediment loading, and ultimately decreasing harmful algal blooms by 40 percent.
Funding for these initiatives is made possible through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), with a 2021 agreement totaling $7.8 million. Each state, including Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, receives a portion of the funding to assist producers in implementing conservation practices.
Counties within the Western Lake Erie Basin eligible for assistance include parts of Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Noble, Steuben, and Wells. The collaboration between NRCS and ISDA partners facilitates the implementation of conservation practices to landowners in the region.
Interested producers and forestland owners are encouraged to discuss their options with their local district conservationist. Applications for RCPP funding are accepted year-round, ensuring continuous support for soil conservation efforts.
“This funding plays a crucial role in enhancing and protecting the Western Lake Erie Basin and its surrounding communities,” stated Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “Collaborations like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program enable us to pool our resources and expertise to benefit the environment.”
Damarys Mortenson, Indiana NRCS State Conservationist, emphasized the significance of partnership in achieving conservation goals, stating, “When partners combine resources and efforts, they create a stronger force for positive change. The Tri-State RCPP partnership amplifies ongoing conservation efforts in the Western Lake Erie basin, achieving conservation on a scale never seen before in the watershed.”
For more information or to submit an application, landowners can contact their local district conservationist via Farmers.gov/Service-locator.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy