Gehrig Scholarship Application Deadline - Jan. 31, 2020
Dr. Harold Gehrig believed in service. He spent is life serving others through his work as a veterinarian, through his church and through his many hours as a livestock and crop producer. He also served for over 10 years as a director of the Bond County Soil and Water Conservation District. To commemorate Dr. Gehrig's dedication to service, his passion for agriculture, natural resources and veterinary medicine, the Bond County Soil & Water Conservation District is please to offer the Dr. Harold Gehrig Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is for Greenville and Mulberry Grove High School graduates that are currently enrolled in college and majoring in agriculture, veterinary medicine, natural resources or a related field. Applications are due January 31, 2020.
Please click on the link below to complete your application electronically.
Click here: Gehrig Scholarship Application
IDOA Accepting Application for Cover Crop Premium Discount Program
Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced a fall cover crop discount program for acreage in Illinois planted to cover crops in the fall of 2019 that will be planted to an insurable crop in 2020. The program will allow eligible applicants to receive a $5 per acre premium discount on the following year’s crop insurance invoice for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.
The program was developed by IDOA and backed by legislative leadership from Senators Andy Manar and Scott Bennet.
“Cover crops are an important part of preserving agriculture,” State Senator Scott Bennet said. “As Senate Agriculture chair, I am encouraged by this program and that it represents another resource to farmer to help ensure the success of Illinois’ agriculture economy.”
“Farmers who utilize cover crops are making an investment in the overall quality of our soil, food and water, as well as their own future yields,” said Senator Andy Manar. “This program will help expand the ecological benefits of cover crops while supporting our local farmers’ bottom line. Prioritizing these best practices is why Illinois remains at the forefront of agricultural production and quality.”
The discount program was designed to promote additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives. IDOA will use a combination of tools to verify acres applied for through this pilot program are planted in cover crops. The program is only applicable for those with coverage through the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA-RMA) crop insurance program. Confirmed applications will be forwarded to the USDA-RMA for processing and applying premium discounts to 2020 crop insurance invoices.
“Implementation of best management practices such as cover crop application continues to be a priority of the Department,” said John Sullivan, IDOA Director. “Adopters of cover cropping methods may have incurred additional risk and expenses and this program serves as an incentive for their work.”
Applications are available at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Pages/default.aspx. Funding of eligible acreage will be on a first come, first serve basis capped at 50,000 acres. It is recommended that those applying for the program reference their Federal FSA-578 form. The closing date to apply for the premium discount is January 15, 2020. Further information can be obtained by contacting the IDOA at (217) 782-6297.
Ag in the Classroom Welcomes New Educator
The Bond County Ag in the Classroom program is pleased to welcome a new Education Coordinator, Delainey Enloe. Delainey is a 2018 graduate of Mulberry Grove High School. During high school she was active in the Mulberry Grove FFA Chapter, serving in multiple officer positions including Vice President and Treasurer. Delainey has experience with multiple livestock species and is currently enrolled at Kaskaskia College.
Cost-Share Assistance Sign-Up
The Bond County SWCD is seeking applications for cost-share assistance for conservation programs. If you are interested in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management Plans, Pasture & Hayland Planting, No-till corn or sorghum, or other conservation practices please download the application below and contact the SWCD office for more information and program details.
618-664-3590 ext. 3 or email questions to info@bondswcd.org
Conservation Cost-Share Assistance Application
Conservation Seed
Contact the SWCD office to order your CRP and conservation seed. Many mixes available. Mixes meet NRCS standards for CRP seedings. Several mixes include pollinator habitat, wildflowers, warm season grasses, monarch butterfly habitat and more. Contact the SWCD office at 618-664-3590 ext. 3 for pricing and more details.
