Brookville, IN—The State Soil Conservation Board awarded more than $1,000,000 in funds today to the Clean Water Indiana Program. This is a conservation match funding program that supports reducing pollutants in Indiana’s waterways through Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other conservation groups. According to Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, these funds will directly provide technical assistance, support farmers in improving water quality and, in some cases, create jobs for rural Hoosiers.
The Clean Water Indiana program was created by the legislature in 1999 and began awarding competitive grants in 2011. This program is funded mainly by a portion of the state’s cigarette tax revenue and has funded more than 140 projects since its inception.
This year, 14 proposals representing 39 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and 2 conservation groups, were awarded funds that can be used in a variety of ways. One grantee could use funds to cost-share on cover crop or livestock practices, while another grantee could use the funds to hire a staff associate. Grantees are encouraged to collaborate with neighboring counties and many will use this funding to leverage additional resources from outside organizations.
“Partnership is key to this program,” said Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. “Collaboration between groups like SWCD’s, soil conservation partners and farmers, will move the needle forward in preventing sediment and nutrients from entering Indiana’s vital waterways.”
In 2019, there were 2.2 million dollars requested from soil conservation organizations for this grant opportunity, showing how committed soil conservation groups are to increasing resources for landowners and improving water quality.
Franklin County Soil and Water District was awarded $15, 884.50 from this program.
