Michigan Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS 

MICHIGAN CHAPTER SEMINAR
March 7, 2012, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
East Lansing, Michigan

A MATTER OF BALANCE: ENERGY, WATER AND WORKING LANDS

Energy and water are inextricably linked, according to a Great Lakes Commission Issue Brief. Called the Energy/Water Nexus, the brief states that it takes water to produce energy and it takes energy to make water available. How does this relate to Working Lands, such as Farmland and Forest Land? It takes energy to get products from working lands, and working lands produce energy in foods and fuels. The production of biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol, uses vast amounts of water. When ethanol is produced from corn that is irrigated, it can use nearly 1,000 gallons of water per gallon of fuel. It takes energy to provide this water, and energy costs money. So any practice that produces energy or reduces energy use, potentially reduces costs. This Seminar looks at the relationships of energy, water and working lands, how each impacts the others and how both conservation and wise use helps to sustain all three. For more information on the Energy/Water Nexus, see the Great Lakes Commission Issue Brief. This Seminar is for agency Conservation Professionals, as well as, Private Consultants, Conservation Advocates and Landusers. Advance registration will be required.  Verification of Attendance for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available. (CCA Credits applied for.)

Speakers include:
Howard Reeves, Hydrologist, USGS, Lansing, Michigan;
Steve Miller, Visiting Instructor, Dept. of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, MSU; Brandon Souza, Assistant Executive Director, Agricultural Water Management Council, Sacramento, California;
Richard M. Vanderbeek, Loan Specialist, USDA Rural Development, and
Patricia Birkholtz, Director, Office of the Great Lakes, State of Michigan.

For related information, visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Energy Web Site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/energy.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Registration includes Luncheon: Luncheon choices are:

Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap with Penne Pasta Salad;

Roast Loin of Pork with Garlic and Rosemary Jus, Roasted Red Skin Potatoes and Vegetable Medley;

Slow Braised Beef Brisket with Red Wine Demi and Root Vegetable Mash;

Vegetarian of the Day - Roasted Red Peppers Filled with Corn and Fresh Mozzarella.

All Lunch Entrees Include: Fresh Field Greens with Julienne Carrots, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, and Red Cabbage, Choice of Dressing (Ranch, Italian or Raspberry Vinaigrette), Rolls/Butter, and Beverage.

Preregistration is required. For early registration, please mail completed registration form or register on-line, with your full payment by February 24, 2010. Late registrations are due by March 2. Registrations canceled prior to March 4 will be reimbursed less $10. No refunds after March 4.

Registration Fees are: SWCS Member $35 ($40 after 2/24/12)
  Non-member    $45 ($50 after 2/24/12)
  Student               $20 ($25 after 2/24/12)

Register On-line with your Credit Card below!

NOTE:
1. Use drop-down menus to select payment level and luncheon choice, then click "Pay Now."  This will take you to a PayPal website.

2. If you are registering for someone other than yourself using your credit card, follow these instructions.  First, when you access PayPal from our website, you will be asked to choose which way to pay.  If you're paying by personal credit card, choose "Don't have PayPal Account?"  Then, in the next screen, fill in your credit card information just as you would if you were registering yourself.  Then the next screen should show your shipping address.  (This may be the 3rd or 4th screen depending on the type of credit card you are using.)  Under your shipping address will be a line that says "Add special Instructions to the Seller." Click on the word "Add" following this line and a window will open where you can add the name of the person you are registering for. For example, enter "For <first name> <last name> registration", or "Registering for <first name> <last name>.

Questions? Contact daniel.kesselring@miswcs.org.


Seminar Registration
Luncheon Menu Choice


Or download and use this mail-in Registration Form

NEWSLETTERS

    November, 2011, Chapter Newsletter  (pdf)

    July, 2011, Chapter Newsletter  (7Mb pdf)

    February, 2011, Chapter Newsletter  (pdf)

    Previous Year's Newsletters can be accessed under the History sub-tab
    under the "About Us" tab.

    OTHER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION EVENTS

Tri-State Conservation Farming Expo, March 13, 2012.

New Hugh Hammond Bennett marker unveiled.

    INFORMATION FROM PAST EVENTS 

  • MICHIGAN CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING and WORKSHOP
    Held December 7, 2011
    At Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort
    Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

    WORKSHOP: Energy Conservation and Agriculture

    Energy Conservation on agricultural operations is not only good for the environment; it’s also good for the producer’s wallet.  This session will focus on Energy and how agricultural professionals can assist producers with conserving energy on their operations.  The first step is an analysis of the operation’s energy needs through a Farm Energy Audit.  The session will also discuss how operations can produce energy on-farm and reduce the amount of energy needed by implementing the energy audit findings.

    WORKSHOP SPEAKERS

    Charles Gould, Extension Educator

    Nutrient Management and Bioenergy/Biomaterials
    MSU Extension

    Provides relevant expertise in the areas of bioenergy, bioproducts and energy conservation to Michigan farmers that enable them to be sustainable now and in the future. Charles received his Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and his Master’s degree from The University of Georgia. He has been with Michigan State University Extension for 16 years.

    PRESENTATIONS:

    Aluel S. Go, Specialist
    Certified Farm Energy Auditor
    Manager of Michigan Farm Energy Audit and Certification Program
    Michigan State University

    Coordinates Michigan State University and Michigan Agricultural Energy Council (MAEC) efforts in energy efficiency including working with utility providers regarding their Energy Optimization (EO) programs.

    PRESENTATIONS:

    BROCHURE:

  • MICHIGAN CHAPTER SUMMER TOUR
    Held Friday, August 26, 2011,
    in Calhoun County, Michigan

    Photos from tour 

    Tour Album

Newsletter with tour followup story
  • Michigan Chapter ANR Week Seminar
    Wednesday, March 9, 2011
    Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
    Michigan State University
    East Lansing, Michigan

    Simply put, ecosystem services are the multitude of benefits provided by the environment. The idea of ecosystem services is nothing new. What is new is the way that ecosystem services are being considered by conservation organizations and natural resource managers. An ecosystem approach challenges us to consider all aspects of a proposed action, not just the primary purpose. For example, a grassed waterway helps to safely convey excess water off a field to reduce erosion, but how does this practice affect wildlife? Air quality? Carbon sequestration? Join us as we explore the world of ecosystem services and how to incorporate these ideas into the ways we manage our natural resources and environment. Check the this website for program updates and registration information.
Michigan Chapter Annual Meeting and Workshop
Held Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Soaring Eagle Casino, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 

The Michigan Chapter SWCS Annual Meeting and Workshop was held in conjunction with the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts Annual Convention.

WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS

MICHIGAN CHAPTER FARM TOUR OF LEELANAU COUNTY

Held Friday, October 1, 2010

Region 2 (Northern Lower Peninsula - Traverse City)

Note: 9-Bean Rows grows food chemical free.  Produce grown in the seasonal high tunnel at Black Star Farms is grown chemical free.  9-Bean Rows and Black Star Farms are not USDA Certified Organic farms.  Gene Garthe's chemical free orchard blocks and Light-of-Day Organics farm are USDA Certified according to 7 CFR 205.

Neither the Michigan Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society nor the Soil and Water Conservation Society endorse or promote the goods and services provided by these farms.

    • Michigan Chapter Professional Development Seminar
      Held March 10, 2010, during ANR Week
      Michigan State University
      Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
      East Lansing, Michigan

      Seminar Title: A Matter of Balance: Peak Phosphorus - Balancing Demand, Supply and the Environment
      • Agenda, Speaker Bios

      • Sponsored by: David Borneman, LLC
                                   Ecological consulting services, specializing
                                   in prescribed burns and restoration of
                                   native habitats 
                                   www.RestoringNatureWithFire.com

                           and The Michigan Chapter SWCS

    • 64th INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
      HELD AT THE HYATT REGENCY HOTEL 
      Dearborn, Michigan, July 11 - 15              (More information)

    THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE SILENT AUCTION

    Each year the chapter hosting the SWCS Annual Conference sponsors a silent auction with the proceeds going to scholarships for college students majoring in a conservation field. The Michigan Chapter has given scholarship money to students from Michigan Tech, MSU, and Grand Valley, to name a few, studying soils, agriculture, forestry, conservation, environmental engineering and biology. This year the Michigan Chapter raised over $4,000 for their scholarship fund from their Silent Auction at the 64th Annual International Conference at Dearborn, Michigan.

    • MICHIGAN CHAPTER
      PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
      Held Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
      Michigamme Room, Kellogg Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

    A Matter of Balance: Soil and Policy/Economics/Climate Change/Public Demand

    The purpose of this Seminar was to discuss the relationships between the prospect of sustainable soil productivity for future generations versus the way we have been and are managing the soil, the demands we put on our soils and the expectations we have for our soils.  We looked at a brief soil history of western civilizations; the current state of our soils and our progress in conservation and management; why is soil important; the impact of climate change; and economic and policy issues that drive our decisions in soil use, management and conservation.  Attendees should have gained a better understanding of the need for conservation, enhanced respect for the importance of soil and an understanding of the impact of human decisions on soil sustainability.

    This seminar was intended as a professional development program for SWCS members and others who work in the field of soil conservation and management, but was also open to land users, students and anyone else interested in our soils.

    Agenda (pdf)

    Speakers, information on the speakers, and their presentations in pdf form:(Some are large files)

    Dr. Diane Stott, Research Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS National Soil Erosion Laboratory, Purdue University (About the speaker)
    Presentation: Soil Conservation and Soil Quality: History and Current Status (8.15MB pdf)

    Dr. Stuart Grandy, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University (About the speaker)
    Presentation:     Why Soil Matters - Soil as a Living System (8.69MB pdf)

    June Grabemeyer, State Economist, USDA-NRCS, Michigan State Office, East Lansing, MI (About the speaker)
    Presentation: Why Farmers Farm the Way They Farm (1.87MB pdf)

    Dr. David Skole, Professor of Global Change Science, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University (About the speaker)
    Presentation: The Emerging carbon Markets: Opportunities for Soil and Biomass Offset projects in Agriculture and Forestry (4.57MB pdf)

    Dr. Peter Nowak, Professor, Environmental Studies, The Nelson Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison (About the speaker)
    Presentation: The Gretzky Model of Conservation (2.42MB pdf)

    • MICHIGAN CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING AND
      TECHNICAL PROGRAM
      Held December 10, 2008

    The following lists the speakers for the Technical Program.  Two sessions were offered.
    Speaker: Bill Cook, Michigan State University Extension Forester
    "Energy, Biomass, and Other Abstract Ideas" (Click here to download his PowerPoint program.  This must be viewed with MS PowerPoint or PowerPoint Viewer.  It does not convert to a pdf correctly.  If you do not have PowerPoint or PowerPoint Viewer, go to this Microsoft Webpage to download PowerPoint Viewer.) 
    Speaker: Donna LaCourt, Michigan Economic Development Corporation with Kevin Korpi, Michigan Products Council
    "Center of Energy Excellence Update with a Look at Understanding the Feddstock Supply Chain for Sustainability and Competiveness." (Click here to download this pdf file)
    Speaker: Kurt Thelen, Michigan State University
    "The potential long term impact to soil productivity that could be realized IF all the detritus and crop residue is removed for conversion to fuels." (Click here to download this pdf file)