EAST LANSING, May 10, 2012 — Pigeon Creek Watershed in Calhoun County and Hayworth Creek Watershed in Clinton County will be part of the new National Water Quality Initiative.  This USDA initiative targets impaired watersheds, providing conservation funding to farmers to implement practices that will protect and improve the wildlife and fish habitat and water quality.  

Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds will be utilized for this program, with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service providing the financial and technical assistance, in partnership with the Calhoun and Clinton Conservation Districts.  Conservation practices including cover crops, nutrient management, filter strips and conservation tillage will be encouraged within these watersheds where the on-farm investments have the best chance to improve water quality.   

"We are very pleased to have two Michigan watersheds chosen for this program.  The initiative will bolster voluntary conservation efforts by providing farmers with additional tools to install conservation practices to better improve water quality in these watersheds" said Lori Phalen, MACD Executive Director.  The Calhoun and Clinton Conservation Districts well understand the significant conservation issues facing these watersheds and will work closely with the USDA-NRCS to bolster voluntary conservation efforts through this program."

Farmers can check with the Calhoun Conservation District or Clinton Conservation District or view the online maps for the Pigeon Creek and Hayworth Creek Watersheds to see if they are located in a selected watershed.  Farmers within the watersheds are encouraged to apply, with applications due by June 16, 2012 in order to be considered.  All applicants will be notified this summer of the results of the competitive selection process, with NRCS developing contracts with applicants approved for funding.  

Michigan Conservation Districts and NRCS have worked in close collaboration since their establishment in the 1930's.  Today, this powerful conservation delivery system works with private landowners to address local conservation needs while addressing state and national interests.  Locally directed, Michigan Conservation Districts partner closely with the NRCS as well as the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality to provide the cost effective delivery of state and federal programs including Federal Farm Bill programs, Michigan Environmental Stewardship Program, Bovine TB Risk Mitigation Project, Critical Dunes Vegetative Removal Assurances, Hunter Access Program, Michigan Pheasants Restoration Initiative, and several Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects. 

For more information on Michigan Conservation Districts and their conservation activities and partnerships, please visit www.macd.org.  Visit the Michigan NRCS website at www.mi.usda.gov.

Oakland CD Hosting Public Meeting Landowners in the Flint River Watershed in Oakland County are invited to a public meeting on March 6 to address phosphorus and water quality. 

The meeting, hosted by the Oakland Conservation District, will begin at 6:45 p.m. at the Holly Public Library in Holly.

The district received grant funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to work with landowners to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering surface water in the watershed.

Anyone planning to attend the meeting is asked to  RSVP by noon on March 6 by calling 248/328-0594.  A dessert made of locally grown food will be served.

Van Buren County commissioners signed an agreement with A.J. Brucks, executive director of the Van Buren Conservation District, for the District to manage the Household Hazardous Waste program for the county.  The District will provide educational programming and administer the household hazardous waste collections beginning in February, 2012.

The District will work with schools, businesses and residents on recycling and composting, with the goal to increase participation in all aspects of resource recovery to better protect the natural resources of Van Buren County.  

For more information contact:

AJ Brucks
Van Buren Conservation District
1035 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, Michigan 49079
 
269.657.4030 x5
alison.brucks@mi.nacdnet.net
www.vanburencd.org

MAEAP Technician Lorry Klinger Receives Outstanding Service Award

Missaukee County, MI-August 22, 2011- The Missaukee Conservation District is pleased to announce that locally based Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Technician Lorry Klinger received the Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award on August 2^nd, 2011 from the Missaukee Farm Bureau. This award was given in recognition of the exceptional service that she has provided to farmers regarding land, livestock and water management.

Lorry says, “I’m really flattered that the agricultural community appreciates the programs and services that we (MAEAP and the Missaukee Conservation District) provide.” Lorry has been assisting farmers in Missaukee, Wexford, Osceola-Lake, Kalkaska, Crawford, and Roscommon counties for 2 years, and hopes that farmers will continue to work with the MAEAP program to promote stewardship and environmentally friendly farming practices. 

For further information contact:

Sherry Blaszak, Executive Director  Sherry.blaszak@macd.org

Or

Lorry Klinger, Technician  Lorry.klinger@macd.org