Forestry Resources for Classrooms and Individuals:



Each year the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) sponsors a national poster contest connected to their stewardship theme. The Poster Contest it open to all public, private and homeschooled students in Vermillion County. To reach the national contest, students begin by participating in a local contest and this year Vermillion County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) with the assistance of our Conservation Partners are sponsoring a local contest.

First and second prize winners will be selected from each designated category. Our Conservation Partners are sponsoring the local prizes of $20 for first place and $10 for second place in each grade level category. First and second prize winning posters will be on display during the Vermillion Co. Fair in late June and prizes will be awarded on Tuesday night of Fair at 6:30pm at the SWCD Booth.

The posters of the first prize winners will be forwarded to the Indiana District Employee Association for judging at the State level. If a poster is chosen as a winner at the state level the poster will then be forwarded to the National Assn. of Conservation Districts for judging. Cash awards are the common prize at those levels.

The Producer Roundtables are designed to bring producers together and discuss current topics and or trends that are affecting agriculture locally. A portion of topics presented to these peer groups are initiated by SWCD staff, while many of the topics are suggested by producers themselves. Producer Roundtables are held 5 to 6 times per year and alternate between Parke and Vermillion Counties in order to be accessible to a majority of producers. The varied topics throughout the season allow for flexibility in attendance from the producers. In many cases, these meetings become a mentor/mentee type atmosphere among the participants. The Producer Roundtables also allow the SWCDs to bring updates to the groups in a timely fashion, as well as get feedback on information producers are interested in. Feedback on these meetings has been overwhelmingly positive. Producers have shared with staff that because of these peer group opportunities, they have been able to connect with neighbors and discuss their operations in a new and positive way.

Women4theLand (W4L) is a partnership of agricultural and natural resource conservation agencies and organizations working together to provide information, networking, education and resources to Indiana women landowners and farmers.

Our objective is to empower women to make good science-based land use and land management decisions that lead to more viable communities and stronger farm enterprises while improving and sustaining the quality of our natural resources.

W4L uses the learning circle model to provide information in a comfortable, informal setting where women learn from professional conservationists as well as from each other. The meetings are facilitated in a way that builds knowledge and confidence. Participants are considered the “experts” on their own production, farmland and conservation needs, and are encouraged to speak about their own experiences and goals rather than simple listen to a presentation.

W4L provides education and information about conservation management practices, new technology, communicating effectively with tenants, financial assistance programs, where to find assistance and more.

Our participants include beginning or established farmers, experienced landowners with several tenant farmers or new to management. They represent all types of farming from traditional crops to organic to livestock to truck crops to forestland. Everyone is welcome.

Regardless of their background, these women all share a commitment to environmental, economic, and social sustainability and conservation learning circles help them translate their values into action.

Check our our “Events” section for details on upcoming Women’s Learning Circle opportunities.