In 1941, five Noble County farmers met to discuss ways to promote and support land and water conservation. This meeting was the beginning of what became the Noble County Soil and Water District. The annual dinner and meeting of the SWCD celebrated the 75th anniversary of its origin last Thursday in Albion.
The usual conservation awards were omitted this year to honor and look back at the history of the district. One of the earliest pioneers was remembered by his grandson, Al Osterlund, a multi-award winning conservation farmer in his own right.
Osterlund told the story of his grandfather, Russell Mangus. Mangus lost his St. Joseph County farm in the Great Depression. By 1940, he was able to obtain 160 acres of farm ground located in York Twp. near Albion from the Federal Land Bank.
"I was told that it was the poorest piece of ground in Noble County there were hills on that farm that wouldn't even raise sand burs," said Osterlund.
His grandfather looked for ways to improve the soil's productivity as cheaply as he could. In partnership with the Civilian Conservation Corps, Mangus planted trees for windbreaks and filled in the eroded gullies with corn cobs. He spread hay and straw on top of the cobs and then seeded it over with grass. According to Osterlund, Mangus also hauled mint pummys from local growers, which would loosen the soil, and add organic matter. For his efforts, Mangus was given the very first conservation award in the county in 1946. The award is still in Osterlund's possession and he brought it to the dinner for display.
Other changes in agricultural and conservation practices over the past 75 years were described by Russell Baker, NRCS district conservationist. As an illustration, Baker, keeps in his office a 1954 brochure from USDA promoting the growth of the multiflora rose as a living fence. Now, there is a three-year cost share plan to eradicate the invasive species, according to Baker. Tiling wetlands was another example of what was considered a good farming practice, he added.
"Now, if you even look at a wetland wrong, you'll get a trip to the woodshed with me," stated Baker.
Baker also talked about the need for changing the public's perception of modern farming. Baker listed four simple ways to positively influence public opinion. He recommended that farmers stop fall tillage and hauling manure on frozen ground. Next, farmers should plant buffers along streams and continue to plant cover crops.
Farmers should voluntarily make a bigger effort to reduce farming's impact on the environment. Otherwise, government regulators will force compliance, stated Baker. The increasing use of cover crops is a good start. Indiana has long been at the forefront in the planting of cover crops and is now second only to Texas in the number of cover crop acreage, according to Baker.
Baker closed his remarks by recognizing past and present members of the SWCD board of supervisors as well as past Master Farmer, Conservation Farmer and Wildlife Conservationist Award winners. There were 10 award winners in attendance. Of the 10, the person who won the award the most years ago was Al Osterlund.
Stacey McGinnis, SWCD manager and emcee for the evening, reviewed the numbers from the 2016 annual report. In contrast to the banner year of 2015, fewer contracts were awarded. However, once again, cover crop payments led the way. Farmers planted nearly 8,000 acres in cover crops and received more than $320,000 for their participation, according to the SWCD report.
At the end of the evening, McGinnis highlighted various services available to farmers from NRCS and SWCD. The Conservation Client Gateway is a website for farmers enrolled with USDA to sign documents, track payments and ask for assistance. Also, there is a daylong workshop for farmers who want to learn about the economics of conservation farming. "Seeing Green: Economics of Conservation Farming" will be held on March 8 at the Parkview Miararo Center in Fort Wayne.