2021 County Soils Winners Every year the Highland SWCD holds a soil judging competition for the five county school FFA Chapters. The competition allows the students to evaluate soil pits to determine soil properties, limitations, recommended conservation practices, and appropriate land uses for either an urban or rural setting. Students also had to complete two written test. One consisted of questions on a packet given to them from the Web Soil Survey and the other tests general knowledge of soils. In the Ag soil judging contest, students evaluate the soil based on its suitability for agriculture, forestry, pasture and wildlife uses. In the urban soil judging contest, students determine the soil’s ability to be used for roads, lawns, gardens and landscaping, home building sites and septic systems. This year the competition was held September 27-28 at the farm of Larry Shannon and Evan West graciously volunteered his time and equipment to dig the soil pits for the competition. The County winners received a plaque that was donated by Farm Credit Mid-America. Pictured above; Amanda Lovedahl representing Farm Credit Mid-America.
Braden Wright as the top individual in the Urban category,
Cade Sponcil as the top individual in the Ag category, and District Technician Chuck Williams.
Braden Wright as the top individual in the Urban category,
Cade Sponcil as the top individual in the Ag category, and District Technician Chuck Williams.
2021 HIGHLAND COUNTY FARM GREAT SUCCESS!
The 7th Annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on Sept. 18, 2021. The farm tour was a result of a collaborative effort between Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District. Over 110 people attended the event in the Highland area.
The tour featured beautiful, diverse farms and provided beneficial information on local sustainable agriculture. The tour consisted of stops at the following locations: Ken and Christa Davis Farm; featuring a drone spraying and seeding demonstration by Midwest Air; Wayne and Debbie Lewis Farm; which offered a unique up close look at a working dry fire hydrant and the opportunity see first-hand how army worms can affect your farming operation; Elms Farm; offered a hands-on experience of the value of using ultrasound in your cattle herd and in-field demonstrations of the benefits of incorporating conservation practices in pastureland.
In addition to learning about these unique farms, participants also enjoyed a catered lunch during the Highland County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting that was served by the Fairfield FFA. The Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank The Nationwide, Barton-Bickle Group of Hillsboro for sponsoring the meal, to help ensure the event was a great success.
The 7th Annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on Sept. 18, 2021. The farm tour was a result of a collaborative effort between Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District. Over 110 people attended the event in the Highland area.
The tour featured beautiful, diverse farms and provided beneficial information on local sustainable agriculture. The tour consisted of stops at the following locations: Ken and Christa Davis Farm; featuring a drone spraying and seeding demonstration by Midwest Air; Wayne and Debbie Lewis Farm; which offered a unique up close look at a working dry fire hydrant and the opportunity see first-hand how army worms can affect your farming operation; Elms Farm; offered a hands-on experience of the value of using ultrasound in your cattle herd and in-field demonstrations of the benefits of incorporating conservation practices in pastureland.
In addition to learning about these unique farms, participants also enjoyed a catered lunch during the Highland County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting that was served by the Fairfield FFA. The Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank The Nationwide, Barton-Bickle Group of Hillsboro for sponsoring the meal, to help ensure the event was a great success.
NATIONAL DAY OF GIVING, “STUFF THE TRUCK”
USDA annually hosts a food drive for the Feds Feed Families campaign, and we continue to work alongside our federal family to address the issue of food insecurity. As part of our campaign, the USDA team hosted a National Day of Giving Stuff-the-Truck event on August 10, 2021. Employees of the Hillsboro Service Center are happy to announce their participation in the event by donating 715 pounds of food items and 15 pounds of personal hygiene products to local food pantries and the homeless shelter. This year marks the 12th annual government-wide Feds Feed Families food drive.
USDA annually hosts a food drive for the Feds Feed Families campaign, and we continue to work alongside our federal family to address the issue of food insecurity. As part of our campaign, the USDA team hosted a National Day of Giving Stuff-the-Truck event on August 10, 2021. Employees of the Hillsboro Service Center are happy to announce their participation in the event by donating 715 pounds of food items and 15 pounds of personal hygiene products to local food pantries and the homeless shelter. This year marks the 12th annual government-wide Feds Feed Families food drive.