2
Wells County Soil & Water Conservation District
117 W. Harvest Road · Bluffton, IN 46714
Phone (260) 824-0624 ext. 3
SWCD MEETING MINUTES – Dec 8, 2015
The Wells Co. SWCD met December 8, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the NRCS/SWCD office at 117 West Harvest Road, Bluffton, IN. Supervisors present were: Chad Fiechter, Dale Thomas and Dave Ramseyer. Others present were Stacia Henderson; Upper Wabash River Basin Commission Watershed Coordinator, Arelys “Liz” Ortiz; Soil Conservationist, and Lynne Huffman; SWCD District Coordinator.
Chad Fiechter called the meeting to order. The minutes from November 10, 2015 meeting were presented. Dave Ramseyer made a motion to accept the minutes Dale Thomas seconded, and the motion carried. The treasurer’s report ending November 4, 2015 was presented. Dale Thomas made a motion to accept the report, Dave Ramseyer seconded, the motion carried.
Old Business: Annual Meeting – Quotes received on caterer’s. Quotes were passed out. After discussion, Dave made a motion to select B.U.M. catering as our caterer. Lynne will make up an invitation. To date, Lynne has received 6 affiliate member payments, but no one has offered to be a sponsor for the annual meeting. She will also check with Purdue to see what their advertising requirements are.
New Business:. Annual Conference – Annual Conference is in Indianapolis on January 14 & 15. Lynne Huffman and Dale Thomas will be attending the annual conference both days. Dave Ramseyer will be attending on Friday.
Conservation Application:
Liz Ortiz reported for Kelley. At the Area meeting this month, the NRCS received their initial budget, Technical assistance decrease about 2.5 million dollars and financial assistance increased by 3 million dollars approx.. Comparing 2016 to 2015, 2016 has increased more than $400,00. Kelley is taking applications for EQIP. The deadline for applications is Jan 15, Application approval date is April 15 and May 13 is the obligation date. According to Kelley most of the practices haven’t change but we still don’t have the official cost list
Reports: Salamonie River 319 Grant- All of Wells Counties applications have been turned in for payment. Lynne will be water testing on Dec. 15th. Upper Wabash River Basin Commission – Stacia Henderson reports that she has received 19 applications to date. 17 are for Cover Crops and 2 are for Equipment Modification to No Till. She has made a flyer highlighting best management practices for cost share. Stacia is required to make 500 face to face contacts in the 3 years. Stacia is also planning to schedule a winter meeting to roll out the complete list of her Cost Share. There is $140,000 allocated for 3 years, nearly $40,000 has been obligated for 2015. Stacia will also be planning some winter meetings, one will be on Septic Systems. Wells County Soil & Water will partner on this meeting. Rule 5 – Two new plans were received. One for New Holland Dairy and one for McKinney-Paxson Sanitary Sewer Update.
Other Business: Tillage Transect – Wells County will be completing their fall tillage transect on Dec. 9th. Training – The next Leadership Institute training is in February. Lynne and Kevin have already attended. If anyone is interested, need to know by Jan. 30. Field Day/Meeting- What sort of meetings do we want to hold next year? Discussed needing to connect with council and commissioners. Lynne will send out a survey to each one, including the Surveyor, & Area Plan Commission to see what we can do for them. Fort Wayne Farm Show- Farm Show this year is January 12-14. Kelley, Liz and Lynne will be working the booth on the 12th.
Claim forms were signed, Dave made a motion to adjourn, Dale seconded. Meeting adjourned. Next meeting will be Tuesday, January 12 at 6pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynne A. Huffman
District Coordinator
Wells Co. SWCD
Minutes Approved:
______/ ______
______/ ______
______Date: ______