Articles

Conservation Notes: Save the Rain for a Sunny Day

2010-01-25 11:20

Water is essentail to life. Promote water conservation through ths use of rain barrels.

What is a rain barrel? A rain barrel is a system of collecting and storing water from the roofs of homes, barns and sheds. 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.

Rain barrels protect and conserve an important natural resource, water. Depending on the amount of rainfall and the size of a roof, a large amount of water can be collected and stored. For every inch of rainfall on a 1000 square feet area, equals an accumulation of 600 gallons of water with the use of a rain barrel. Imagine how much water would have been collected this past rainy year!

Collecting rainwater saves water for a future a future use. Rain barrels store and provide pure, natural water that is perfect for watering landscaping, gardens and washing cars and windows. For those living in town, the use of rainwater would have a great affect on the water bill.

In an effort to reduce stormwater runoff and promote water conservation, the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District is conducting a rain barrel sale. The Henry County SWCD is accepting orders through Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Rain barrels may be collected at the Henry County SWCD on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Information about rain barrels and a printable order form is available on the website at www.henrycountyilswcd.com. Order forms are also available at the Henry County SWCD office at 301 East North Street, in Cambridge. For more information regarding rain barrels, please call the office at 309.937.5263, extension 3 or e-mail Monica.Stevens@il.nacdnet.net. Stop in and check out the rain barrel on display for viewing at the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District.

- Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist

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

2009-11-18 13:29

It has been an interesting year in weather to say the least, but I do not have to remind fellow farmers of that. This year has displayed the wonders of nature. Nature is remarkable, yet at times can be destructive and devastating. No-till and other conservation practices have been put to the test this past winter and spring. Due to gully erosion caused by large amounts of heavy rains, many conservation projects have been installed.

The Henry County SWCD has continued to implement conservation programs. 2009 has been another very productive year for the Henry County Soil an Water Conservation District. The following are activities the Henry County SWCD participated in or sponsored this past year:

  • Henry County SWCD Annual Meeting - January 28
  • Contractor's Breakfast - February 11
  • Land Use Council 2 Envirothon - April 2
  • Spring Bulb and Tree Sale - April 8-9
  • Stewardship Week - April 26 - May 3 
  • Poster Contest - April 27
  • Rain Barrel Sale - April 27
  • Stark County SWCD 5th Grade Conservation Day - April 29
  • Spring Fish Sale - May 1
  • Bureau County SWCD Conservation Day - May 7
  • Women in Agriculture - May 11
  • Native Plant Sale - June 5
  • Henry County Fair - June 23-28
  • Stark County SWCD Conservation Camp - July 17
  • Forestry Management Workshop - September 16
  • Fall Bulb and Tree Sale - September 30 - October 1
  • Section 3 FFA Soil Judging Contest - October 7
  •  Fall Fish Sale - October 22
  • Rain Barrel Sale - December 14

 

From the Henry County SWCD in 2009:

  • Conservation Kids is a section for kids at the Henry County SWCD booth during the Henry County Fair. Kids have the opportunity to learn about soil 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.
  • Constructed 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.
  • Soil testing kits for lawns and gardens to help reduce over application of fertilizer.

 

Conservation Practices Program (CPP) cost-share projects implemented in 2009 by the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District as of November:

  • 10.8 acres of waterways constructed
  • 10 grade stabilization structures installed
  • 5 (1070') water and sediment control basins installed
  • 575' terrace constructed
  • 9.5 acres of hay and pasture planted
  • 1 well decommissioned

With the construction of agricultural conservation practices, over 200 tons of soil was saved! Over $56,000 was spent in cost-share assistance for conservation projects.

It has been a pleasure working with everyone over the course of the year. A tremendous amount of conservation has been put to work. It is my hope the Henry County  Soil and Water Conservation District will continue with the progress in conservation within the county. Next year will be another successful year at the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. Best wishes and much success this coming year!  

-Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist 

 

Conservation Notes: Fall in Love with Fall

2009-09-21 09:17

I have no favorite season, as I am fond of them all. In fact with each change in season, I find different aspects to love and appreciate. There are so many reasons to adore fall. On weekends, I love waking up to brisk, sunny fall mornings. Crisp mornings transform into beautiful, warm afternoons. Fall colors are absolutely magnificent with hues ranging in red, orange, yellow, and purple. These colors are an amazing contrast to the bright blue sky. It is incredible the colors that nature creates. The sound of the breeze blowing through the trees and leaves gently floating to the ground is peaceful. The fuzzy caterpillars are a funny sight as they inch their way along. As a young girl, I loved finding different colors of caterpillars. Fall has a simple beauty in its sights and sounds. While harvest will be in full gear soon, take time to appreciate the beauty of fall.

-Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist 

News

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