Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District

 

What's New?

Calendar of Events

July 4                                    Independence Day                                Office Closed

July 15-20                            Menard County Fair                     Check out our Booth!

July 22                                      Board Meeting                                       6:30 p.m.

The Menard County SWCD held its annual Conservation Poster Contest for area fifth-grade students this spring.  The theme this year was “Water Wise.” SWCD Resource Conservationist Marilyn Kelton and Barb Lieberoff of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency visited students and spoke about the importance of protecting our natural resources.  Many wonderful entries were received, and the judges had a difficult time selecting the winners.  This year, all winning entries were submitted by Mrs. Glenn’s students at the Cantrall Intermediate School.  The $50 First Place award went to Caitlin Sims, the $25 Second Place award went to Sara Devine, the $15 Third Place award went to Katie Schimm, and an Honorable Mention certificate was presented to Bailey Bohannan.  Caitlin Sims’ poster will be forwarded on for competition at the state level. 

All Menard County residents were invited to participate in the District’s Second Annual Photo Contest.  One photo was selected from each of the categories to receive an Honorable Mention Award, while one photograph was selected as an Overall Winner.  Lance Kuykendall received Honorable Mention for his entries in the Landscape, Wildlife, and Conservation categories, and Marsha Winner won Honorable Mention for her entries in the Education and the Plant/Tree categories.  Mr. Earle Maxson won the $50 First Place for his submission in the Landscape category.  His photograph will be forwarded for competition at the state level.  The District would like to thank Alan Pickerill, who owns Gallery North Photography in Petersburg, Illinois, for serving as a judge for this contest.   Anyone who would like to have their photos back may pick them up at the Menard County SWCD office located at 17781 Village Green Rd., in Petersburg.  To view the winning photos, please visit the Photo Gallery page.

EQIP Sign-Up In Progress

NRCS is now taking applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  EQIP offers solutions that address soil, water, and nutrient needs on the farm.  With EQIP, you get a resource management plan and the financial assistance you need to accomplish things such as:  water and sediment control basins; nutrient management; irrigation water management; improving your forestland; creating new wildlife habitat areas; confinement livestock management planning; improving or establishing a water supply for grazing animals; developing a grazing plan for livestock; and reducing water runoff from your livestock operation.  EQIP has recently changed to a payment rate type of assistance, so if you haven't inquired about EQIP this fall, it may be worth your while to give it another chance.  If you are new to EQIP, we are really excited about the new program rules for Illinois and we can't wait to work with you to address any resource concerns that you may have on your farm.  Come into the office or call 217/632-7590 ext. 3 for more information.

Changes in C-2000 Program Cost-Share Funding

 This fiscal year the Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will receive money for the C-2000 Program at a new cost-share rate of 60% and Well Decommissioning 60% not to exceed $400.00 and Irrigation Wells 60% not to exceed $750.00.  Any landuser is eligible to apply for and receive state C-2000 Program assistance provided they have a signed agreement. To receive C-2000 Program cost-share dollars, the land upon which a landuser intends to install eligible practices must meet the criteria for the individual practice. Eligible practices include but are not limited to grassed waterway, terraces, water and sediment control basin and well decommissioning. A site visit will be scheduled to determine what practices would best benefit the land.  The C-2000 Program is available to assist with sheet and rill erosion exceeding the tolerable soil loss level or with ephemeral/gully erosion, by constructing C-2000 Program projects, which conserve soil, protect water quality and reduce flooding. It also provides incentives to owners of abandoned wells to properly decommission and seal the wells so that the potential for groundwater pollution is reduced or eliminated.

For more information about the program or to sign-up; please contact the Menard Co. SWCD at 217/632-7590 X3 or stop by the office at 17781 Village Green Rd. (Rt. 123 East), Petersburg.