News

FFA Section 3 Soil Judging Contest

FFA Section 3 held their Soil Judging Contest once again this year to help better educate our youth.  It was a beautiful day with over 140 students from 11 different schools to participate in a fun and interactive education experience.  Thanks again to everyone that helped to make the day a success.  A special thanks to Kewanee High School who hosted this year. 

Check out the rest of the PICTURES taken from the contest.

The school and individual rankings are listed below:

School teams:

  1. Sherrard
  2. Galva
  3. Alwood
  4. Bureau Valley
  5. Stark County
  6. Geneseo
  7. Orion
  8. Kewanee
  9. Cambridge
  10. Princeton
  11. Annawan 

Top 10 Individuals:

  1. Seth Strom  (Galva)
  2. Pedro Avila  (Sherrard)
  3. Dustin Jacobson  (Galva)
  4. Tyson Schulte  (Sherrard)
  5. Nolan Elsasser  (Stark County)
  6. Wyatt Flickinger  (Sherrard)
  7. Courtney Wilkens  (Sherrard)
  8. Devon Peterson  (Galva)
  9. Morgan Swarts  (Sherrard)
  10. Samantha Haney  (Bureau Valley)

  

Conservation Compliance and Highly Erodible Land 

In regards to Conservation Compliance and Highly Erodible Land requirements, please read the following news release... Change$ to Good Faith Provi$ion for HEL violation$.

 

 

Backyard Conservation Workshop

The Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District will be conducting a Backyard Conservation Workshop on Tuesday, November 30th starting at 6:00 p.m. The workshop will be held in the upstairs auditorium of the Henry County Farm Bureau. A session on Rain Gardens will be presented by Vicki Morrical of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and a session on Native Plants will  be given by Jeff Johnson from Sunnyfield Greenhouse and Nursery. Urban or rural, this workshop is for you. Start planning ahead for your backyard next spring!

Learning materials and refreshments will be provided at the workshop. For further details about the Backyard Conservation Workshop, call the office at 309-937-5263, extension 3. For planning purposes, please make reservations to Monica Stevens at the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District.

 

Snodgrass Recieves 20 Year Director Service Award

Jerry Snodgrass of rural Geneseo recieved a 20 Year Director Service Award at the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Meeting Springfield, July 26 through 28. Snodgrass is currently serving as Chairman of the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Area 1 Vice President on the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Board of Directors.

Congratulations to Jerry Snodgrass!

 

Johnson and Brink Win Henry County Door Prizes

Each year during the Henry County Fair, the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District conducts a drawing for a door prize. This year, those attending the fair could sign up to win a rain barrel that was on display at the Henry County SWCD fair booth. Activities for the children coincided with the Soil and Water Stewardship theme, "Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats". Children had the opportunity to go "fishing" for fish facts, eat "worms", learn facts about frogs and toads, and sign up to win a fishing tackle box. 

Congratulations to Carol Johnson of Kewanee and Logan Brink of Cambridge! Carol won the drawing for the rain barrel from the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. Logan won the drawing for the fishing tackle box.  

   

Bob Rishel Memorial Prairie Walk

The Henry County Natural Area Guardians will hold the Bob Rishel Memorial Prairie Walk on Sunday, June 27th at 1:30 p.m. The tour will be held two miles north of Cambridge at the intersection of 1300 North and 1300 East at the Munson Township Cemetery. Tim Keller will be conducting the prairie walk tour. Refreshments will be served.

For more information about the Bob Rishel Memorial Prairie Walk, please call the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District at 309.937.5263, extension 3.

  

IDOA Schedules Clean Sweep Collection in Northwest Illinois

Program will safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides

Springfield, Illinois - Residents of eight northwestern Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Pesticide Clean Sweep Program.

A Clean Sweep collection has been scheduled in late summer for Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island, Stephenson, and Whiteside counties. The collection, which rotates among Illinois counties, is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property.

"There are two, big reasons to take advantage of this program." Warren Goetsch, Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs, said. "First, it is free. If individuals were to properly dispose of agrichemicals on their own, the cost would be expensive. But the department is able to provide the service free of charge thanks to a grant it obatined from the U.S. EPA. Second, the state of Illinois, not the program participant, will assume liability for the proper disposal of all materials collected."

Participants must register the products they plan to dispose of by June 25. Registration is required to give the waste disposal contractor time to prepare for the different kinds if materials that will need to be handled. Forms can be obtained either by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Hotline at 1.800.641.3934 or visiting one of the program sponsors listed beloew.

Completed forms should be mailed or faxed to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The mailing address is: Clean Sweep Program, Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, Illinois, 62794-9281. The fax number is 217.524.4882.

Participants then will be sent a reservation card indicating the date, time and location of their collection.

Henry County Farm Bureau        
114 North East Street                
Cambridge, Illinois 61238

Henry County SWCD
301 East North Street
Cambridge, Illinois 61238 

Henry County Extension Unit
26234 Black Hawk Road
Galva, Illinois 61434

Download and print the IDOA Clean Sweep Program registration form
  

Council 2 Envirothon

The Envirothon is a hands-on and interactive learning experience for high school students. Students gain knowledge of the environment and natural resources. Teams compete in five areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and a fifth category on an environmental issue. Teams test their knowledge of the environment and compete against other high school teams from Bureau, Marshall-Putnam, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark counties. Thirty-nine teams from seven counties competed at the Envirothon.

Ten teams from Henry County competed at the Envirothon on April 13th at the Black Hawk Historical Site in Rock Island. The top team from Henry County for 2010 was Galva High School.  Team members included:  Dustin Jacobson, Matt Johnsonn, Karlee Rylander, Seth Strom and Ryan Werkheiser. The Galva High School FFA Advisor is Trisha Main.

Congratulations to Galva High School!

   

Henry County SWCD Sponosored 20th Annual Poster Contest

Every year, the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors a poster contest for kindergarten through twelfth grade students. 2010 celebrates the 20th year the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District has proudly sponsored this annual event. Students are encouraged to express their thoughts about soil, water, and other natural resources topics through art. The poster contest theme coincides with the annual Soil and Water Stewardship theme. 'Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats' is the theme for 2010. With this exciting and adventurous theme, students had the opportunity to learn about the importance of soil, stewardship of the land, conservation of natural resources, and plant and animal habitats.

Winners of the kindergarten through sixth grade levels receive a bicycle. Contest winners of the seventh through twelfth grade levels receive a $100 U.S. Savings Bond. Prizes are donate by the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. Poster contest winners advance to compete at the state level.
    2010 Henry County SWCD Poster Contest grade level winners are:
    Second-Third Grade - Emily Henson, Northside Elementary
    Fourth-Sixth Grade - Luke Poteat, Northside Elementary
    Seventh-Ninth Grade - Thomas VanIseghem, Orion Middle School
    Tenth-Twelfth Grade - Karlee Rylander, Galva High School

    Honorable Mentions:
    Kristen Litton, AlWood Middle School
    Emily Hansard, Galva High School

Congratulations to the 2010 Henry County Poster Contest Winners! There were many creative and imaginative posters designed by the students. Thank you to all of the studetns that participated!

  

Rasmussen wins Henry County SWCD door prize

Each year during the Henry County Fair, the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District conducts a drawing for a door prize. This year, those attending the fair could sign up to win a rain barrel that was on display at the Henry County SWCD fair booth. Soil activites for children coincided with the Soil and Water Stewardship theme, "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil." Children had the opportunity to make edible soil profiles and paint with soil.

A rain barrel is a system of collecting and storing water from roofs of homes, sheds, and barns. They play a vital role in water conservation. Rain barrels prevent water from attaching to soil or pollutants and being carried away and washed into storm drains. Reducing stormwater runoff reduces the amount of pesticides and fertilizer that impacts our water supply. For more information regarding rain barrels, call the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Congratulations to Karen Rasmussen! She won the drawing for the rain barrel from the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District.

 Karen Rasmussen is shown with her rain barrel

Articles

Conservation Notes: In the Winter

2011-01-07 13:11

It is no secret. I love winter! Whether it is snuggled inside with a cup of cocoa, snapping photographs of winter scenery, or taking care of our cattle in winter conditions, I love winter.

There is so much to do during the winter months! Here are just a few activities kids and families can do together this winter...
    - Identify trees by their bark
    - Idenitfy animal tracks in the snow and record findings
    - Feed the winter birds
    - Bird watch and record findings
    - Build a snowman
    - Catch and examine the different types of snowflakes
    - Take photographs throughout the winter
    - Go sledding or ice skating
    - Read books about the environment
Along with the snow, winter brings birds. Bird watching is a very popular hobby this time of year that can be enjoyed by all. Try these fun and easy winter bird feeding activities at home with your children. These activities will be a fun way to pass time while it is snowing!
Activity #1 - Collect pine cones that have fallen on the ground. Smooth suet or peanut butter over a pine cone. Cover the pine cone with various types of bird seed. Attach a string to the top of the pine cone and hang it outdoors. Watch the birds feast!
Activity #2 - With the help of an adult, cut an orange into slices. Use a needle to thread string through the orange slice. Hang the orange slice outside for birds to enjoy eating!
Activity #3 - Pop some popcorn and place in a bowl. Use a thread and needle to string kernels of popcorn to create long strands. Fruit, like cranberries or grapes may also be used along with the popcorn. Hang the strand of popcorn outside for birds to eat!

Enjoy the beauty of winter and bird watching. As a family, start a bird watching journal and note the different species of birds that are feeding in your backyard. This will also be a perfect opportunity to capture pictures! 

- Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist

Conservation Notes: A Year in Review at the Henry County SWCD

2010-12-02 11:53

The Henry County SWCD has continued to implement valuable conservation programs. 2010 has been another productive year for the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. The following are activities the Henry County SWCD participated in or sponsored this past year:   

  • Henry County SWCD Annual Meeting - January 27
  • Grazing Seminar - February 4
  • Contractor's Breakfast - February 9
  • Rain Barrel Sale - April 7
  • Spring Bulb and Tree Sale - April 7-8
  • Poster Contest - April 12
  • Land Use Council 2 Envirothon - April 13
  • Visitation Earth Day presentation - April 19
  • Wethersfield Earth Day presentation - April 19
  • Galva Earth Day presentation - April 22
  • Stewardship Week - April 26-May 3
  • Spring Fish Sale - April 30
  • Bureau County SWCD Conservation Day - May 5
  • Stark County SWCD 5th Grade Conservation Day - May 6
  • Native Plant Sale - June 11
  • Henry County Fair - June 23-28
  • Green Energy Workshop - June 24
  • Fall Bulb and Tree Sale - September 29-30
  • Section 3 Soils Judging Contest - October 5
  • State Soils Judging Contest - October 12
  • Fall Fish Sale - October 21
  • Backyard Conservation Workshop - November 30 - canceled
  • Rain Barrel Sale - December 14

From the Henry County SWCD in 2010:

  • Conservation Kids is a section for kids at the Henry County SWCD booth at the Henry County Fair. Kids have the opportunity to learn about soil and water through hands-on activities.
  • Nature field guides are available to purchase by those interested in learning about the plant and animal species surrounding us.
  • Henry County Farm Bureau Farmer articles are written to promote and educate the public on the importance of conservation and conservation practices.
  • Conservation Trail, a conservation education newsletter, reaches over 4100 grade school students and teachers in Henry County.
  • Developed a website to further promote and educate the public on conservation and stewardship. Visit the website at www.henrycountyilswcd.com!
  • Rain barrels to promote water conservation, and reduce stormwater runoff. 44 rain barrels have been sold this year to be installed on homes!
  • Soil testing kits for lawns and gardens to help reduce over application of fertilizer.

Conservation Practices Program (CPP) cost-share projects implemented in 2010 by the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District as of November:

  • 7.3 acres of waterway constructed
  • 6 grade stabilization structures installed
  • 4 (800') water and sediment control basins installed
  • 575' diversions constructed
  • 1 well decommissioned
     

With the construction of agriculture conservation practices, over 36 tons of soil was saved! Over $35,390 was spent in cost-share assistance of conservation projects.

- Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist

Conservation Notes: Soil Sampling

2010-10-19 10:12

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are nutrients essential to plant growth. Over-application of nutrients is not good for plants or the environment. Nutrients may leach through the soil and into the groundwater or run off into storm drains. Soil testing measures the nutrient level of the soil and promotes proper nutrient management. For those who fertilize lawns or gardens, soil testing prevents over-application of nutrients and assists in the application of the proper amount of required nutrients.

Proper soil sampling is important to an accurate soil test. How do you take a soil sample? A soil probe, bucket, shovel and a soil sample bag are tools needed for collecting a sample. Determine how many samples are needed per field. Take in consideration soil types, soil texture, slopes, and drainage. Collect a sample of 12 to 20 cores using a soil probe at random or in a grid pattern. A core is an individual boring at one spot in the field. Make sure the area being sampled is well represented. One composite sample should be collected per five acres. Alfalfa and clover need to be sampled at a depth of 0 to 6 inches. Corn, soybeans, wheat and oats need to be tested at a depth of 0 to 6 inches and 6 to 24 inches. Mark the location of the core sampling on a map and label the soil sample accordingly. For soil sampling a lawn, a core should be taken at a depth of 4 inches. Be sure to remove sod from the sample. A core should be taken at a depth of 7 inches for a garden, as well as for underneath trees and shrubs. Take five soil cores per sample. Keep samples of "problem areas" separate so they can be tested. To make a composite soil sample, mix the cores thoroughly in a clean plastic bucket. Soil samples should be stored in a cool area until they are sent to the soil laboratory. Deliver your soil samples to your local fertilizer dealer or soil laboratory for analysis.

Soil Testing kits for lawns and gardens are available for purchase at the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. Soil testing kits are $25 each. Included in the kit are soil sampling instructions, soil probe, and sample bag. A report on the analysis of the soil will consist of pH, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, organic matter and cation exchange capacity. Along with the results, will be a fertlilzer recommendation and information on lawn and garden fertilisty. Contact the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District at 309.937.5263 or visit www.henrycountyilswcd.com for more information regarding the soil testing kits. Know where you stand.

- Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist