Soil - a living and life-giving substance, without which we would perish. 

As the world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount importance.  So much so that we believe improving the health of our Nation's soil is one of the most important endeavors of our time.

By focusing more attention on soil health and by educating our customers and the public about the positive impact healthy soils can have on productivity and conservation, we can help our Nation's farmers feed the world more profitably and sustainably - now and for generations to come.

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

                                            

  

URBAN/SUBURBAN CONSERVATION

RURAL CONSERVATION

Welcome to Tippecanoe SWCD Online!

Please take a moment to review our strategic plan as it outlines the steps that we are taking to accomplish our goals and objectives while upholding our mission to provide quality technical, educational, and informational resources for the community through leadership, service, and citizen involvement to foster natural resource conservation and environmental stewardship!

  

  

  

               Located in the USDA Service Center, 1812 Troxel Drive, Suite C3, Lafayette, IN  47909

                                                                  PH: 765-474-9992, Extension 3 ~ Fax 765-474-1266

  

 

CONSERVATION DISTRICT

TIPPECANOE SOIL & WATER

Soil is made up of air, water, decayed plant residue, organic matter from living and dead organisms, and minerals, such as sand, silt and clay. Increasing soil organic matter typically improves soil health since organic matter affects several critical soil functions. Healthy soils are also porous, which allows air and water to move freely through them. This balance ensures a suitable habitat for the myriad of soil organisms that support growing plants.

It's not difficult to improve soil health. Here’s how: till the soil as little as possible; grow as many different species of plants as possible through rotations and a diverse mixture of cover crops; keep living plants in the soil as long as possible with crops and cover crops; and keep the soil surface covered with residue year round.

Managing for soil health is one of  the easiest and most effective ways for farmers to increase crop productivity and profitability while improving the environment. Positive results are often realized within the first year, and last well into the future.

So whether you're a farmer, a researcher, a conservationist, or an interested citizen, our partners - the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - can help you understand the basics and benefits of soil health.   To "Unlock the Secrets in the Soil", you can contact our office or visit the NRCS soil health webpage.

Are you interested in learning more about the soils at your home or on your land? Did you know that you can determine the height of your water table, building site suitability, field soil acreage and crop productivity without leaving the comfort of your home or office? The Web Soil Survey allows online viewing of soil survey maps and reports, and puts important soils information right into your hands.  Click the Web Soil Survey link below and unlock your own secrets in the soil.

 

  

The Clean Water Act - 40 Years Later

  

Forty years ago, in the midst of a national concern about untreated sewage, industrial and toxic discharges, destruction of wetlands, and contaminated runoff, the principal law to protect the nation’s waters was passed. Originally enacted in 1948 to control water pollution, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or Clean Water Act (CWA), was totally revised in 1972. At that time, the CWA set a new national goal “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters”, with interim goals that all waters be fishable and swimmable where possible.

The CWA specifies that all discharges into the nation’s waters are unlawful unless authorized by a permit. It requires all dischargers to meet strict pollutant controls and to meet water quality targets. It also protects wetlands by requiring “dredge and fill” permits, and authorizes federal financial assistance to states and municipalities to help achieve these goals. The CWA has robust enforcement provisions and gives citizens a strong role to play in watershed protection.

2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the nation's law for protecting our most irreplaceable resource. Every person deserves clean water - it is vital for our health, communities, environment and economy. We have made great progress in reducing water pollution, but many challenges remain and we must work together to protect clean water for our families and future generations. 40 years later, the work is not done...everyone has an impact on the water and we are all responsible for making a difference. For more information, please visit the EPA's Clean Water Act 40th Anniversary webpage.  Water is worth it!