What's New

September 3 Grass Carp Orders Due See Sales Page

September 12 All other Fish Orders Due See Sales Page

September 18 Board Meeting 8:30 a.m.

September 24 Fish Delivery 7:30 a.m.

October 13 Columbus Day Office Closed

October 15 Potted Tree Orders Due See Sales Page

New AISWCD President

James H. Todd was recently elected to serve as the new President of the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Mr. Todd graduated from Greenview High School in 1959 and started his own operation in 1974. He has now been successfully farming in Menard County for over 34 years. He has been very active in the conservation community, currently holding the position of Vice-Chairman of the Menard County SWCD Board of Directors, of which he became a board member in 1985. He also serves as an Alternate Board Member for the National Association of Conservation Districts, has served several years on the Board of the Menard County Water Authority, is the Secretary on the board of Illini Bio-Energy, and also serves on the board of the Land of Lincoln Agriculture Coalition. Active in his community, he has been a member of the Menard County Farm Bureau since 1974 and is a charter member of the Vintage Ag Association. Please join us in wishing him a successful term as the new President of the AISWCD. Congratulations, Jim!

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.

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.

Last modified: 08/25/08