EVENTS

Henry, IL – It is unclear when the U.S. Congress will pass the next Farm Bill. However, it is clear starting with a conservation plan is the best first step farmers can take to the best advantage of the programs in that bill.

Natural Resources Conservation Service staff and the Wetlands Initiative’s Smart Wetlands Team are sponsoring two webinars designed to help farmers interested in developing a conservation plan for their operation and learning how they can use the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to implement that plan.

“Conservation planning is the foundation for all successful farming endeavors,” said Dick Marshall, Soil Conservationist – Henry Field Office, “Conservation planning is the key to finding the right conservation program to fit your needs and farming operation. By identifying key resource concerns, our office can help you improve soil health, reduce erosion, increase productivity, provide the opportunity to sample new technology and innovative ideas, and enhance wildlife and pollinators.”

These programs will be presented live via Zoom at 10 AM on June 5 and 12, 2024, and should run about an hour. There will be time for questions at the end of both programs. Additional resources will be provided to help integrate conservation into your farming operations.

To register for the last webinar, please see below:

Webinar #1

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 – 10am via Zoom

The Natural Resources Conservation Service staff, along with the Wetlands Initiative, are sponsoring a webinar that will assist farmers in designing a conservation plan for their operation or to aid in updating an existing plan. This recorded program is available for viewing below.

June 5th Webinar link. Click here to watch it!

Webinar #2

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 – 10am via Zoom

The Natural Resources Conservation Service staff, along with the Wetlands Initiative, are sponsoring a webinar to advise farmers on how they can use the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to implement conservation practices on their farms.  This program will be recorded and available for viewing following the live webinar.

Register for this free webinar at https://www.smartwetlands.farm/events/2024/6/12/csp-and-eqip to receive the webinar link and password.

The Marshall-Putnam SWCD was awarded $1.5 million in RCPP funding, in 2018, to be dedicated exclusively to Marshall and Putnam Counties.  This money was used for conservation projects, soil health, water and air quality improvements, nutrient loss reduction strategies and more through the EQIP and CSP programs. Under RCPP, EQIP allowed for 75% cost-share on conservation practices while CSP is a program to help enhance your current farming practices, allowing cost-share for the things implemented.

While the partnership with NRCS-RCPP has concluded, we are working hard to bring more grant opportunities into the District for programs and cost-share opportunities.

We would like to extend a big thank you to the people and businesses below who have partnered with us so far, to help get all cost-share programs working in Marshall and Putnam Counties. Anyone who would like to partner with the District, please contact the office and discuss the possibilities!

RCPP Partnerships

Marshall-Putnam River Conservancy District
Henry News Republican
Marshall-Putnam Farm Bureau
Marshall-Putnam Extension Office
Kenny Poignant Bulldozing
Poignant Farm Drainage
Probyn Trucking & Excavating
Bender Land Improvement
Ag View FS – Varna
SGS North America
The Wetland Initiative
Ed Hartwig Trucking & Excavating
Darrell Schlosser
Illinois Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever
Illinois Department of Agriculture
North Central Illinois Council of Governments
FDC Enterprises
Helena Fertilizer – Lacon
Illinois Corn Growers Assn
Birkey’s Farm Store – Henry
Prairie State Tractor – Lacon
Stoller’s IH
ProHarvest Seeds
Hensel Seed Solutions
Soil Health Partnership
Ag Watershed Institute
Marquis Energy
Illinois Water Survey
Nick Klein Trucking & Excavating