2011 Cover It Green PACKET

Cover It Green

Local Farmers Working to Keep Our Water Clean

Purpose of the 2011 Cover it Green Cost-Share/Grant Program:

To reduce sedimentation and nutrient run-off in St. Joseph County, Indiana through the promotion of cover crops

Updated: February 18, 2011

Hes of a mind to make a profit.

Hes of a mind to protect the land.

Announcing Additional Cost-Sharing Opportunities for the both of you.

Stop by your local Soil and Water Conservation District, and youll learn how some conservation practices improve production and, with federal, state, and local cost-sharing, can be affordable, too. To help make it even more affordable, the St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is happy to announce our 2011 Cover It Green Cost-Share Program. Experienced staff at your district office can recommend practices that fit your situation and answer any questions that come up. They will help plan and implement conservation practices through technical assistance. Not sure if we have something for you? Lets find out together. Successful farmers know conservation makes good business sense.

Press Release St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District Announces its 2011 Cover It Green Cost-Share Program
The St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has again been approved for a grant awarded by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil Conservation under the Clean Water Indiana Fund. The Clean Water Indiana Grant will provide partial funding the St. Joseph County SWCD to provide cost-share dollars to eligible St. Joseph County landowners to establish winter cover crops in 2011. The SWCDs Cover It Green cost-share program promotes the use of cover crops since this is a practice that the SWCD feel is very important to improving soil and water quality in the St. Joseph County, Indiana area. Cover crops are an effective tool to reduce soil erosion and increase nutrient recycling on farmlands, which in turn reduces the sediment nutrient loads entering lakes and waterways. Cover crops also have a multitude of other benefits including pest management, weed suppression, increased water infiltration, improved soil quality and wildlife habitat. As the research on cover crops continues to grow, so does the adoption of the cover cropping practice by Indiana farmers. The St. Joseph County SWCD will award a one-time payment of a maximum of $575.00 for winter cover crops (excluding wheat and soybeans) per Board-approved contract. Beginning January 3, 2011, applications for cost-share may be picked up at the St. Joseph County USDA Service Center office located in Suite 4 of the Farm Bureau Insurance Building, 5605 US 31 South in South Bend, IN (Phone No: 574291-7444, ext 3). The deadline to apply for the SWCDs 2011 Cover It Green Cost-Share Program is July 1, 2011.

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Cover Crops:
Choices Choices and MORE Choices
Cover crops are an effective tool to reduce soil erosion and increase nutrient recycling on farmlands, which in turn reduces the sediment nutrient loads entering lakes and waterways. Cover crops also have a multitude of other benefits including pest management, weed suppression, increased water infiltration, improved soil quality and wildlife habitat. As the research on cover crops continues to grow, so does the adoption of the cover cropping practice by Indiana farmers. More and more producers are discovering the quantifiable benefits available with the right management program. Many new resources are becoming available to help develop a cover crop management program many of which are available at your local USDA Service Center. Another helpful resource is the website recently launched by Indianas Cooperative Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI). You can visit the CCSI website at www.in.gov/isda/ccsi. Through this website, CCSI promotes a systematic approach to production agriculture focusing on cover crops, continuous no-till/strip-till, precision farming, and nutrient and pest management. An additional resource is the educational website of the Midwest Cover Crops Council at www.mccc.msu.edu. This website displays a vast amount of cover crop information including test plot results, cost-benefit analysis, as well as cover crop species selector tool. This website also has an entire section dedicated to the use of cover crops in Indiana. A number of e-books, e-publications, and multimedia presentations are available for free on the Midwest Cover Crops Council website. Of particular note is the free e-book, Managing Cover Crops Profitably by Andy Clark. This 244-page book explores how and why cover crops work and provides all the information needed to build cover crops into any farming operation. Revised and updated in 2007, the 3rd edition includes new chapters on brassicas and mustards, six new farm profiles, as well as a comprehensive chapter on the use of cover crops in conservation tillage systems. Updates throughout are based on more than 100 new literature citations and consultations with cover crop researchers and practitioners around the country. Appendices include seed sources and a listing of cover crop experts. According to reviewer, Wolfgang Rougle of Twining Tree Farm in Cottonwood, California, This is the best book I have ever read. It uses science to explain complex concepts, lays out options for different systems and climates, and allows innovative farmers to digest the information and make their own intelligent decisions. Thank you for the practical advice, acknowledgement of complex tradeoffs, specifics, details and conclusions. Managing Cover Crops Profitably is also available in paper-format for around $20.00. Another great resource that is offered on the Midwest Cover Crops Council website under the category of Innovator Profiles. Here you will find an 81-page e-publication called the 2008 Cover Crop Innovator Project, by the Western Illinois University Department of Agriculture. During the Fall of 2008, students in AGRN 378 (Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition) at Western Illinois University interviewed over 40 midwest farmers with experience using cover crops in agronomic cropping systems across the Midwest region. Contact information for potential interview candidates was obtained through extensive networking with farmers, USDA/ university specialists, cover crop seed vendors and other ag professionals. Interviews were conducted primarily by email and phone and information gathered through the interviews was presented in 2-4 page cover crop innovator profiles. Dr. Joel Gruver edited the profiles and assembled them into this compilation. Through this project, students gained insight into cover cropping directly from innovative farmers maximizing the credibility of the information and student recognition that integration of cover crops within agronomic systems can be very beneficial but requires on-farm innovation. Collaborating farmers gained access to information about and contact information for other cover crop innovators. The cover crop innovator profiles generated by this project have been well received by farmers, extension educators, ag industry professionals and have been used as readings in subsequent classes. If you would like more information about cover crop resources or do not have access to the internet, please contact our office (the USDA Service Center of St. Joseph County, Indiana ) at 574-291-7444, ext. 3.

This project is partially funded through a grant provided by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil Conservation under the Clean Water Indiana Fund

2011 COVER IT GREEN GRANT Winter Cover Crop Application

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY SWCD 5605 US 31 SOUTH, STE 4 SOUTH BEND, IN 46614 574-291-7444 EXT 3 FAX 574-291-0284

Date Received________ Farm #______Tract # ____ Contract # 2011-_____ Applicants Name and Address:

Purpose: To reduce sedimentation and nutrient run-off in St. Joseph County through the promotion of cover crops. Target Audience Producers who crop land in St. Joseph County. Goal To cost share $25.00 per acre for winter cover crops (excluding wheat and soybeans), up to 23 acres per operation (not to exceed 100% of the cost to implement the practice). This is estimated to save tons of soil per acre, per year, and improve water quality by eliminating sedimentation and nutrient run-off. Eligiblity Component See attached applicable Job Sheet(s). Wheat, soybeans, and long term hay plantings as winter cover crops are not allowable. Plantings of winter cover crops on fields that would otherwise be idle over the winter months are the target of this grant. Requirements and Limitations The Tract#/Farm# must be physically located within St. Joseph County, Indiana. Cover Crop application deadline is July 1, 2011. Producers should first consider USDA programs. Cover It Green Grant monies may be awarded in addition to any funds the producer is eligible for under USDA programs. Cover It Green Grant monies may also be awarded to those who are not eligible or unable to score enough points under USDA programs. Instructions in the form of a Job Sheet will be issued and the producer will be required to follow the Job Sheet. The producer will also be required to sign a Practice Completion Certification Form, attesting to having followed the Job Sheet. The Job Sheet will be based upon the EFOTG. Cost share $25.00 per acre for cover crops (maximum total payment of $575.00 per operation ) Maximum 23 acres per operation. Subject to funding availability and based upon a competitive point system. Funding will be awarded based upon point rankings Bills for expenses must be turned in to the St. Joseph County SWCD by December 1, 2011. If the Cover It Green Grant awarded is in addition to funding under the USDA Farm Bill, the combined total (St. Joseph County SWCD Cover It Green Grant PLUS the funding awarded under the USDA Farm Bill Contract) may not exceed 100% of actual expenses incurred. Funding on wheat, soybean, and permanent hay cover crops are not eligible. Application must be approved by the St. Joseph County SWCD Board of Supervisors before planting. Stand must be inspected by St. Joseph County SWCD or Designated Representative. Cover crops must be killed off, but cannot be destroyed mechanically or chemically until March 1 st of the following year, as described in more detail in the provided Job Sheet. Cover crops may not be plowed under via mold board plowing. Cover crops may be tilled with a chisel plow. Cover crops may be grazed, but only in conjunction with an approved Grazing Plan created per EFOTG guidelines. It is the applicants responsibility to be aware of adverse effects to cropping history requirements for future Farm Bill Program enrollment. Implementation checklist 1. Read and complete this application, which includes providing the Tract # / Farm # for the location. 2. Return the application and attachments to the St. Joseph County SWCD, 5605 US 31 South, Ste. 4, South Bend, IN 46614 by July 1, 2011. 3. The St. Joseph County SWCD Board of Supervisors will act on/rank your application. 4. The St. Joseph County SWCD will notify you of their decision by July 19, 2011. 5. Following approval by the St. Joseph County SWCD Board of Supervisors, you may plant the cover crop per the Job Sheet provided to you. 6. Report completion to St. Joseph County SWCD per Practice Completion Certification Form by returning this form to the St. Joseph County SWCD by December 1, 2011. 7. Payment will be made after bills/expenses have been turned in to the St. Joseph County SWCD, and after the stand has been inspected in accordance with this agreement and availability of the grant funding timeline. Bills must be provided by December 1, 2011. Payment will be made by December 31, 2011.

St. Joseph County 2011 Cover It Green Grant Application ***PAGE 1 OF 2***

NAME__________________________________________________ ADDRESS_______________________________________________ CITY__________________________________ TOWNSHIP____________________

COVER IT GREEN GRANT Winter Cover Crop Application

Farm #______Tract____ Contract # 2011-_____

ZIP___________________________________ PHONE________________________________________ SOCIAL SECURITY # OR TAX ID for 1099 purposes_________________________________________ OWNER______ OPERATOR_______ PARTNERSHIP__________ (choose one) OWN OR OPERATE ____________ (how many) ACRES IN ST JOSEPH COUNTY

1. Is Applicant receiving other funding sources for cover crops on this same Tract #? ____yes ____no 2. In 2011, if the opportunity were to arise, would you be willing to participate in a cover crop test plot consisting of a few acres? (Potential participants for a cover crop test plot may receive free seed and technical assistance) ____yes ____no 3. (CIRCLE ONE) Applicant has utilized winter cover crops in the past for: 0 years 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years 6 years or more

4. Applicant is planning on planting the following cover crop(s): ____________________________________, to be planted (when): _________________ and to be destroyed (when): _________________

I have read and understand all components of the Cover It Green: Cover Crops application. Signatures of both the applicant and the St. Joseph County SWCD constitute a contract. I hereby waive all provisions of the law forbidding disclosure of any information which is relevant to this application and I hereby consent that such information be disclosed. I understand that failure to comply with this contract may subject me to repayment of grant funds received. Furthermore, I accept full responsibility for any adverse affects to crop insurability, crop bases, or contract duplication. Applicants Signature________________________________________ Date_______________________________

*** FOR OFFICE USE ONLY ***

Allocated $25.00 per acre x _________= $_________ Allocated $25.00 per acre X 23 acres = $575.00 maximum Approved ________Yes ________No _________________________________________ St. Joseph County SWCD Board Supervisor _____________ Date

St. Joseph County 2011 Cover It Green Grant Application ***PAGE 2 OF 2***

SAMPLE COPY OF CONTRACT St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District COVER IT GREEN COVER IT GREEN COST-SHARE PROGRAM
Contract # 2011-_____ Payment Participant Name and Address:

Please initial each item to acknowledge your understanding and agreement ______ My name is _____ and I reside at __________________________. ______ I understand that the 2011 Cover It Green cover crop cost-share program is funded by the St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) (Mailing Address: 5605 US 31 S, Ste. 4, South Bend IN 46614; Phone No: 574-291-7444 ext 3; Fax No: 574-291-0284; Email Address: andrew.fox@in.nacdnet.net) ______ I understand that on July 18, 2011, the St. Joseph County SWCD Board officially approved my Cover It Green cover crop cost-share application request. ______ I agree that the tract number that I will be installing my Cover It Green cover crop is _______________, which is physically located within St. Joseph County, Indiana. ______ I accept that the Board has agreed to fund me for 18 acres of cover crops at $25/acre, for a total of $____. ______ I accept that I will need to follow Instructions in the form of a Job Sheet that will be issued by the St. Joseph County Conservation Partnership (the Partnership consists of the St. Joseph County SWCD and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS] of St. Joseph County). ______ I accept that my Cover It Green cover crops may be grazed, but only in conjunction with an approved Grazing Plan issued by the St. Joseph County Conservation Partnership. ______ I accept that my Cover It Green cover crops must be killed off, but cannot be destroyed mechanically or chemically until March 1st of the following year, as described in more detail in the provided Job Sheet. Further, my cover crops may not be plowed under via mold board plowing, however, my cover crops may be tilled with a chisel plow. ______ I accept that the 2011 Cover It Green program is a cost-share program and I will need to turn in my bills for expenses to the St. Joseph County SWCD for reimbursement. ______ I accept that if my Cover It Green monies are awarded in addition to funding under the USDA Farm Bill, the combined total (St. Joseph County SWCD Cover It Green Grant PLUS the funding awarded under the USDA Farm Bill Contract) may not exceed 100% of actual expenses incurred. Actual expense incurred includes payment for related labor by me or by someone else. ______ I accept that funding on wheat, soybean, and permanent hay cover crops is not eligible. ______ I accept that when I turn in my bills for expenses to the St. Joseph County SWCD, the stand will need to be inspected by the St. Joseph County Conservation Partnership and I will need to sign a Practice Completion Certification Form, attesting to having followed the Job Sheet. Once these things are done, the SWCD Board will vote for approval to reimburse me at the next official monthly Board Meeting, and the check of reimbursement will be mailed out to me within five (5) business days following the official monthly Board Meeting. Currently, the applicable SWCDs monthly Board Meetings are scheduled for:
08/15/11: 7PM 09/19/11: 7PM 10/17/11: 7PM 11/21/11: 7PM

______ I accept that all bills must be provided to the St. Joseph County SWCD by December 1, 2011.
_________________________ (Producers Name)
*** FOR OFFICE USE ONLY *** _____________ Check No. _____________ Check Amount

______ Date
_____________ Date Paid

__________________________ ______ Rick Glassman, SWCD Office Manager Date