Farmers: Make your voices heard!

Farmers, your input on conservation and water quality in our region is crucial. What obstacles are you encountering? How can we help? The Watershed Foundation needs to know right now.

The Watershed Foundation, in cooperation with partners including the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District as well as the Whitley County Soil and Water Conservation District, has launched a survey campaign for partners in the agricultural community. But they need the input soon – the survey ends at the end of April.

“This spring, we are gathering insights from our neighbors in the agricultural community to inform and guide our conservation efforts,” stated Lyn Crighton, executive director of The Watershed Foundation. “Our goal is to ensure that we are addressing the needs and priorities of our agricultural community effectively.”

The focus is on gathering information from the agricultural community located within the Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed which includes portions of southwestern Noble County, northwestern Whitley County and much of Kosciusko County. Landowners whose properties drain into the Tippecanoe River are invited to participate in a survey aimed at understanding their perspectives and challenges.

“We recognize the invaluable role that agricultural landowners play in water quality conservation,” emphasized Crighton. “Their participation in this survey is crucial for us to tailor our efforts to best serve their needs.”

The survey, which runs until April 30, 2024, is designed to be quick, easy, and confidential. Participants can access the survey securely at https://bit.ly/ruralwater24  

As a token of appreciation for their time, participants will be entered into a drawing for one of five $50 gift certificates to local restaurants. To be eligible for the drawing, participants must complete the entire survey.

“Your voluntary participation is essential in ensuring that we accurately capture the conservation interests and priorities of our local agricultural community,” stressed Crighton. “This input will enable us to prioritize our efforts, seek technical assistance and secure cost-sharing opportunities for future conservation farming projects.”

Looking ahead, The Watershed Foundation plans to extend this community engagement initiative by launching another survey aimed at urban and lake residents later this year.

“It is very important for us to gather the feedback of our whole community. By collecting the input of many stakeholders, we can then create plans that are inclusive of all community perspectives,” said Crighton.

For those with questions about the survey or the broader conservation efforts, Tashina Lahr-Manifold at the Kosciusko County SWCD at (574) 267-7445 x3 or Brad Clayton at The Watershed Foundation (574) 528-0968.