Winter 2014 Newsletter

Lane County

Conservation District 701 W. James - P.O. Box 985 - Dighton, KS 67839

620-397-5751 x 106 - www.lanecountycd.com

The 69th Annual Meeting of the Lane County Conservation District was held on January 25, 2014 at the Dighton High School in Dighton, KS. The dinner was prepared by the Dighton Bowl & Diner of Dighton and served approximately 158 guests. The meal was sponsored by The First State Bank of Healy and the First National Bank of Dighton. Guest speaker Brownie Wilson with the Kansas Geological Survey gave a presentation regarding current and projected condi-tions of the high plains aquifer in Kansas. James Johnston, Vice-Chairman, was master of cere-monies. Jim Bennett and James Johnston were re-elected for 3 year terms as Supervisors. Jim has served 12 years as a Supervisor and James 15 years. The acting board of Supervisors consists of Steve Heath, James Johnston, Arron Von Schriltz, Jim Bennett, Brent Moomaw, and advisor Aaron Paris.

Chris Long, K-State Research and Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, read the following biographies for the 2013 Kansas Banker’s Association awards. Steve Fenster, Key Banker from the First State Bank of Healy presented.

Roger and Colleen Speer received the Energy Conservation Award for the solar panel project installed at their farmstead. The panels power their house, shop, and other structures. Roger completed the project last year with the hope it would offset the rising cost of electricity. Attached to the roof of the shop, there are 42 panels which are rated for 10kw, but the maxi-mum Roger has used is 9.7. He is on a net metering system rather than a parallel system, which has allowed for the average electric bill to only be $10.10 per month. The initial cost of the pro-ject was the biggest obstacle to overcome which was $1,000 per panel, but 70% of the cost was written off the first year in tax credits. An issue that does arise is the panels don’t work if snow is piled on top of them. However they will still generate power when it’s cloudy. The panels do have to be maintained in order to operate at maximum efficiency. This is simply done by hosing them off, and only needed when there’s a lot of traffic on the road near the house.

Carl Roberts received the Wildlife Habitat Award for the work he’s done to promote wildlife on his acreage. Carl’s venture began after the ice storm in 2007, which brought many different kinds of animals into the windbreaks around the house and feed yard. Something he had never seen before. In 2009, he began implementing a system to help attract wildlife to the area with hopes of seeing more song birds and some upland game. To attract the wildlife Carl installed a rubber tire style water

Left: (l to r): Energy Award

winner Roger Speer, Key

Banker Steve Fenster

69th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony In This Issue

Page 1:

69th Annual Meeting

Page 2:

69th Annual Meeting

Page 3:

Senior Scholarship

Recipient

69th Annual Meeting

Page 4:

Local Work Group Meeting

Page 5:

Ogallala Initiative

Tree Sales

LCCD Seed Dealer

Page 6:

Newsletter Sponsors

Page 7:

“Windy Days”— by Darrel Beougher, DC

Right: (l to r): Fish & Wildlife

Award winner Carl Roberts,

Key Banker Steve Fenster,

Master of Ceremonies

James Johnston

Page 1 Lane County Conservation District

Page 2 Lane County Conservation District

tank, planted trees and shrubs, inter-seeded forbs into the grass, and started a brush pile. One of the biggest problems he’s faced so far is the wildlife destroying the habitat, as pack rats and coyotes both have caused him to fix a few things. While Carl says the long term benefits will take more time to see, he's seen an increase in deer moving through the area. The management of the area has now, in his words, given him something to work with as he approaches old age.

Kenneth and Mike York of Miken Farms received the Grassland Award for their contribution to conserving the grasslands in Lane County. Their operation includes the management of 1, 1,915 acre area with 2 herds split into 2 pasture rotations per herd, with a total of 120 pair. This portion of their operation is under EQIP and utilizes newly installed tire water tanks and supply lines that help to spread out the grazing to better use the available grass. Other parts of their operation not under EQIP include the “Huck Ranch,” which has 2 pasture rotations on 1,325 acres with 92 cow/calf pair normally. The “Loh Hoff & Doll Ranch,” has 2 pastures rota-tions of 2,783 acres and 198 pair. The “Smoky” in Gove County also has a 2 pas-ture rotation on 1,571 acres with 120 pair. Total they have 7,594 acres with 530 pair. Miken Farms began their rotational grazing practices to better utilize under- grazed areas of their pasture after they had a waterline washed out from flooding in 2010. The biggest challenge they’ve faced, like other producers, is the ongoing drought limiting what can be done with grassland. The change in management practices, proper stocking rates and enhanced water systems, allows them to always have fresh grass to rotate onto, avoiding having to cull in 2013.

Howard and Stacy Lawrence received the Soil Conservation Award for the work they’ve done on their acreage. Their operation began using no-till practices within the last 10 years. They began using these practices as a way to help con-serve moisture. They originally thought it would be more cost effective, but with the price of chemical, that thought has changed. Currently, they are using no-till practices in 30% of their acreage while the other 70% is still conventional till. The biggest benefits they’ve seen from their no-till practices have been the moisture conservation they were hoping for, which has helped jump start some of their crops when planted. Another benefit they’ve seen is weed control. With their ro-tations of wheat, feed, and even some corn in the past, they’ve been able to use chemical weed control plans that have shown to be effective.

The Windbreak Award was presented to Jerry and Joann Riemann for their project installed around their farmstead. The windbreak was established in 2009 and located north east of Dighton. There are 2 parts, one to protect the farm, and the other for livestock protection. The tree rows are made up of both trees and shrubs. The north row consists of cotoneaster shrubs, and the next 3 rows eastern red cedars. Weed barrier was put down prior to planting, along with a drip irrigation system. After the trees were planted, grass was even seeded be-tween the rows. The trees started out as small seedlings between 6 inches and a foot tall, and are now about 4 feet tall. Keeping some of the seedlings alive during the ongoing drought was one of the biggest challenges, as some had to be re-planted 3 different times. The biggest benefit so far has been the fact that the tree rows have been able to catch some snow. They hope to see the benefit of slowing down wind in about 10 years when the trees are taller.

Ann Marie Jennings, District Manager, Jim Bennett, Supervisor, and Auxiliary Member, Debbie Bennett presented the “Where Does Your Watershed” poster and limerick contest awards. The poster winners received certificates and “Where Does Your Watershed” bags. Limerick winners received certificates and an art supply kit. Those students receiving Lane County awards

Top: (l to r): Grassland Award winners Mike York,

Jan York, Janet, York, Kenneth York, Key Banker

SteveSteve Fenster

Top: (l to r): Soil Conservation Award winners

Stacy Lawrence & Howard Lawrence, Key Banker

Steve Fenster

Top: (l to r): Windbreak Award winners

Jerry & Joann Riemann, Key Banker Steve Fenster

69th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony -- cont.

Page 3 Lane County Conservation District

Above (l to r): 2nd-3rd grade poster winners: Cally Cramer, Brianna Maughlin, Logan Howard

Above (l to r): K-1st grade poster winners: Kodee O’Rourke, Spencer Cramer,

Morgon Russell

Above (l to r): 5th grade poster winners: David Speer, Lexis Beesley, Gabriel Bowers

Above (l to r): 6th grade poster winners: Trinity Patterson & Quenton Piedra. Not pictured

Kenzee Cupp.

Above (l to r): 5th-6th grade limerick winners: Quenton Piedra & Lexis Beesley. Not pictured

Evan Ballinger

Senior Scholarship Recipient

were: Kodee O’Rourke, Spencer Cramer, Morgon Russell, Cally Cramer, Brianna Maughlin, Logan Howard, Onesti McMurray, Traci Cramer, Kaylee Leverett, David Speer, Lexis Beesley, Gabriel Bowers, Trinity Patterson, Quenton Piedra, Kenzee Cupp, and Evan Ballinger. Winners of the Lane County Conservation District “Soil to Spoon” speech contest were announced. Liz Heath received a $250 award for first place and Mandie Bennett $100 for second place. Neither Liz nor Mandie were able to attend the meeting. Matthew Mulville received the $500 Senior High School Scholarship, but was also unable to attend.

To conclude the evening the flower centerpieces, five LCCD hats, and five $10 chamber bucks were given out as door prizes.

69th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony -- cont.

Above (l to r): 4th grade poster winners: Onesti McMurray, Traci Cramer, Kaylee Leverett

One $500 scholarship was awarded to a Lane County senior student this year. The scholarships are intended for students who

plan to enter into the Agricultural and/or Conservation fields. The Conservation fields can be for either Agricultural

Conservation or a Natural Resource Conservation field (i.e. wind, solar, fuel, etc.).

Matthew Mulville, a senior at Dighton High School plans to enter into the Agriculture field at K-State University. Matthew’s

helped out on his family’s farm since he was old enough to work. He plans to keep an open mind as to what particular field of

Agriculture to purse at K-State. Here’s a quote from Matthew’s winning essay: “Agriculture is one of the greater fields of edu-

cation you can go into. You can do anything with a degree in agriculture and it teaches you many important things. From

farming to a feed scientist, it can take you many places. So don’t look down on agriculture, it’s not all about farming. Many

people go into the field and they go on to do many great things. If I could give some advise to younger kids, I would tell them to

look at every possibility, always explore the things you are interested in, and look at other fields of education. You never know

what you are going to find.”

Page 4 Lane County Conservation District

LOCAL WORK GROUP MEETING - LANE, NESS & HODGEMAN COUNTIES

The Ness City NRCS Management Unit will hold a Local Work Group (LWG) meeting on March 5th. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, 03/05/2014, 1:30pm at the 4-H Building Fairgrounds in Ness City, Kansas.

The purpose of this meeting is to:

Identify priority resource concerns for Hodgeman, Lane, and Ness counties Highlight-overview of 2014 Programs

Gather input and recommendations on eligible practices, payment rates and other criteria

“LWGs are important, because they provide recommendations on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation activities and programs to the NRCS Kansas Technical Committee (KTC),” said Sharla Schwien, supervisory district conservationist.

Responsibilities of LWGs

The responsibilities of the LWGs are identified in the USDA Conservation Program Delivery Manual. The LWGs recommenda-tions will be reviewed by the KTC for submittal to USDA agencies.

- Ensure that a conservation needs assessment to identify priority resource concerns is developed using community stakeholder input and use the conservation needs assessment to help identify program funding needs and conser-vation practices.

- Recommend the USDA conservation program application and funding criteria, eligible practices (including limits on practice payments or units), and payment rates.

- Assist the NRCS and CCDs with public outreach and information efforts, and identify educational and producers' train-ing needs.

Membership of LWGs The LWGs should be diverse and focus on agricultural interests and natural resource issues existing in the community. Member-ship should include agricultural producers representing the variety of crops, livestock, and poultry raised with- in the local area; owners of nonindustrial private forest land, representatives of agricultural and environmental organizations; and governmental agencies carrying out agricultural and natural resource conservation and activities. LWGs also take into account concerns of particular historically underserved groups and individuals including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, socially disadvantaged, and limited resource groups.

For more information about LWGs, or to become a member, contact your local CCD office or NRCS staff at the USDA Service Center in Dighton, Jetmore, or Ness City.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Page 5 Lane County Conservation District

Order Trees Ogallala Aquifer Initiative Application Cutoff Date –

March 21, 2014 Salina, Kansas, January 24, 2014—The U. S. Department of Agricul-

ture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in

Kansas will provide approximately $2.5 million in fiscal year (FY)

2014 to conserve the water in the Ogallala Aquifer through the

Ogallala Aquifer Initiative (OAI). Applications are accepted on a

continuous basis; however, to be considered for FY2014 funds, the

application cutoff date is March 21, 2014. The NRCS will fund this

initiative through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program

(EQIP).

“The Ogallala Aquifer Initiative allows agriculture producers to

implement conservation practices such as irrigation water

management, crop rotations, and replacing inefficient gravity

irrigation systems,” said Eric B. Banks, State Conservationist for

NRCS. “These conservation practices directly benefit the water

quality and water quantity issues in this aquifer.”

Much of the High Plains region relies on the Ogallala for water but

the water in the Ogallala Aquifer is diminishing because of

widespread irrigation use in the High Plains states.

The Ogallala Aquifer, also known as the High Plains Aquifer, is a

vast, yet shallow underground water table aquifer located beneath

the Great Plains in the United States. It is one of the world's

largest aquifers and covers an area in portions of eight states:

Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South

Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

Financial assistance is available through the OAI for producers

considering converting from irrigated cropland to dryland

cropland, as well as assistance for more efficient irrigation systems and management. All

applicants must meet EQIP eligibility requirements. In Kansas, socially disadvantaged,

limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers will receive a higher payment rate

for conservation practices implemented through the OAI.

For more information visit the Kansas NRCS web page at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov or contact

your local USDA Service

Center (listed in the

telephone book under United

States Government or on the

internet at offices.usda.gov).

Follow us on Twitter

@NRCS_Kansas. USDA is an

equal opportunity provider

and employer.

LCCD is a Sharp Brother’s

Seed Dealer

Reserved Seed for CRP:

Upright Prairie Coneflower

Purple Coneflower

Illinois Bundleflower

Maximillian Sunflower

Grazer Alfalfa

Call or email for a quote All seed sold through Sharp Brothers is available for purchase

It’s Time to Order Trees, Shrubs, Weed Barrier & Drip Irrigation

Order now until May 1st

* Bare-root seedlings available

* If planting new windbreaks: (visit with NRCS to assist with the design, then order trees & supplies through the district)

* Typical bundle sizes of 25

* Direct shipping available

Grass & Forb Seed

Page 6 Lane County Conservation District

Thanks to our Newsletter Sponsors!!!

If you are interested in advertising in our newsletter, call 620-397-5751 x106

Page 7 Lane County Conservation District

Another year, and Southwest Kansas remains true. The wind kicks up. February through

May is a critical time when wind erosion takes place, especially on smooth, wide fields with poor

wheat stands, low residue amounts and poor soil structure.

There are several tried and true conservation measures that can be applied to effectively

control wind erosion. Strip cropping has a growing crop or leaves standing stubble to cover the soil

and keep it in place.

Twenty five foot grass strips with proper spacing do an excellent job of keeping large fields

from blowing by reducing wind speeds at the ground

surface. Over a quarter section, about 1.2 acres will be

taken out of production. This may have some worth if a

neighbor’s crop is not damaged from the soil blowing.

Cover crops broadcast or drilled provide winter cover

(growing or winter killed), but may add $8 to $10 and acre

to the rotation. Grazing some of the cover crop and leaving

enough cover for the wind erosion period can offset some of

this cost as well as provide rest for some native pastures.

Of course, crop residues are very effective if the

amount of stubble left is not affected by dry conditions,

short crops or poor stands.

A last resort for the conservation minded is

emergency tillage. Slow speeds with a chisel with around

40 inch spacing and 4 to 6 inches deep is recommended if

conditions in the fall look like there may not be enough

cover to hold soil in place in the spring. The slower speed

brings up larger clods which hold together for a longer

period of time. Higher speeds will work better at

controlling that is already in progress, but will not be as

long lasting as the smaller clods produce.

One or a combination of conservation measures

can reduce the amount of topsoil and organic matter

leaving a field. Just as important, it can protect a

neighbor’s crop from damage. Fences won’t be affected

nor accumulation of soil at the edge of an adjoining

field.

Life is full of choices. Management and mindset

are key choices to reducing wind erosion in Western

Kansas.

WINDY DAYS - BY DARREL BEOUGHER, DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST

701 W. James PO Box 985 Dighton, KS 67839

Lane County Conservation District

Phone: 620-397-5751 Fax: 620-397-5773 E-mail: ann.jennings@ks.nacdnet.net Website: www.lanecountycd.com

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BOXHOLDER

Lane County

Conservation District

Winter 2014 Newsletter

LCCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: Steve Heath………………………..…Chairman

James Johnston…………….…Vice-Chairman

Arron Von Schriltz………………......Treasurer

Jim Bennett ….………………….……...Member

Brent Moomaw…………………..……...Member

Return Service Requested

It is the policy of the Lane County

Conservation District not to

discriminate in employment or

program services for reasons of

race, color, sex, age, religion, mari-

tal status, national origin, or handi-

capped condition. The Kansas State

Conservation Commission and

Kansas Conservation Districts are

equal opportunity providers and

employers.

The Lane County Conservation Board

of Supervisors meet the third

Wednesday of each month at the

USDA Center. If you have any

questions or comments for the Board

of Supervisors, or suggestions for

this newsletter, please call 620-397-

5751.

A portion of this newsletters is

financed by funding provided by the

State Conservation Commission

through appropriation from the

Kansas Water Plan Fund.

Non-Discrimination Statement:

The U.S. Department of

Agriculture (USDA) prohibits

discrimination against its

customers. If you believe you

experienced discrimination when

obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or participating in a pro-

gram that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA.

Information about how to file a discrimination complaint is available from the Office of the

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,

national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and ex-

pression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, politi-

cal beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is

derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, complete, sign and mail a program discrimination com-

plaint form, available at any USDA office location or online at www.ascr.usda.gov, or write

to: USDA, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W.,

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410. Or call toll free at (866)632-9992 (voice) to obtain additional

information, the appropriate office or to request documents. Individuals who are deaf, hard

of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay service

at (800) 877-8339 or (800 845-6136 (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider,

employer and lender.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program infor-

mation (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

(202) 720-2600 (voce and TDD).

LCCD Staff: Ann Marie Jennings, District Manager

NRCS Staff: Darrel Beougher, District Conservationist Leon Scheck, Soil Conservation Technician