Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 19, DeMotte, Jasper County, 8 April 1949 — Annual District Soil Report [ARTICLE]

Annual District Soil Report

JinpT Coat; Soil Cmerntm District Ttefta Of Year's Aecom- ♦ . yX In line with the Governor’s Proclamation of Soil Conservation Week, the Board Of" Supervisors of the Jasper County Soil Conservation District, are desirous of presenting for publication a report of their accomplishments for the year 1948, and their aims for the coming year. The Jasper County Soil Conservation District herewith presents a report of its activities and accomplishments during the past year. Our stewardship as as the governing body of the District is one of pride in a public service to farmer cooperators. We are proud to be one of a growing number of Soil Conservation Districts in Indiana, and in the whole United States. The Soil Conservation movement is growing and more farmers are realizing its importance every day. Again this year, we wish to emphasize the long range goal of the District, which is to assist in maintaining the productiveness of the farm land in Jasper County. To do this, there must be applied to our farm land proper land use, drainage, and other correct practices for conserving soil and water. As accomplishments to date, we list the following: Applications for assistance, 278. Number of Plans worked out with Farmers, 231. Number of Acres involved in these Farm Plans, 52,408. Major Practices Plan Efctab. Acres of Contour Planting 435 227 Acres of Cover Crops 1309 697 Acres of Pasture Seeding Acres of Field and Cully Plantings; Acres of Shelterbelts & Windbreaks 732 97 Acres of Protected Woodland __ 1083 696 Linear Feet of Outlets and Farm Watercourses __ 26310 13125 Acres benefited by Farm Drainage- 4011 3767 Linear Feet of Farm Drain Tile Linear Feet of Farm Open Ditch Cubic Yards of Open Ditch Excavation 9668 9668 Acres of Crop Residue Management Acres of. Dune & Beach Erosion Control 41 7 Acres of Crop Rotations 30379 16016 Acres of Pasture Liming; Acres of Pasture Fertilizing 919 668 Group Drainage jobs planned . Farms benefited by group drainage 21 21 We have held regular board meetings at least once a month throughout the past year. The Contest sponsored by the Good*year Tire and Rubber Company has done much to encourage us in our work as Supervisors. While we did not win the contest, we profited considerable by competing in it. Our District has continued the policy of working with neighborhood groups of farmers. We feel that the farm planner can reach more farmers by using this method. It is hoped that the task of getting the farm conservation plan on the land will be made easier by the group approach. We wish to acknowledge the

cooperation and assistance of tho Soil Conservation Service personnel. In the past Jt<u, wc «a»o had the assistance of a full don fi arm planner and his aid. We have also had the part time assistance of the District Conservationist, an Engineer, and a Soil Surveyor. This on-the-farm type of assistance is necessary for the success of the District program. We also wish to acknowledge the educational assistance given by the County Agent and the Extension Service. One special item which we, as a Borfrd, are planning on giving considerable attention in the coming year, is that of striking a balance between soil conservation farm planning and the application of the plan to the land. It has been called to our attention that too great a lag here may cause a breakdown of our program. In addition, we are counting on the continued assistance of the Soil Conservation Service personnel, along with a good educational program developed through our County Agent. If we can continue to get this assistance, our program will expand and move forward. This report is respectfully submitted by the Board of Supervisors of the Jasper County Soil Conservation Distridf January 12, 1949. —Rollin J. Stewart, Chairman; S. W. Stephens, Vice-Chair-man; Waldby Duggleby, Sec.Treas.; Ed Rose, Member; Henry B. Toben, Member. Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Hickman and daughter, Karen, of Monticello, visited the Marven Kessingers Sunday. s