The Vernon Fork Steering Committee has sent their Watershed Management Plan of the Vernon Fork of the Muscatatuck River Watershed to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for review and IDEM has approved this plan.
Applications are still being accepted for those interested in getting cost share to help implement conservation practices, such as cover crops, heavy use area pads, water systems for livestock, etc. If interested, a person will need to contact the Jackson or Jennings Co. SWCD/NRCS Service Center. A person will meet with the landowner or operator of the farm and get their ideas, fill out the ranking sheet and the steering committee will review and approve funding based on the ranking. The paperwork is simple, and the project is locally led.
The committee listened to the nitrogen management study results that was performed over the last three years within the Vernon Fork watershed. Professor Landon Yoder, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, spoke about nitrogen loses in correlation with rainfall events, soil types, and tillage used.
The Vernon Fork logo and several creeks' names were installed during the summer of 2023 to educate the public about protecting the waters of the Muscatatuck.
Heather Wirth
Watershed Coordinator
(812) 212-10662
►Heather.Wirth@in.nacdnet.net
Andy Ertel
Watershed Educator
(812) 346-3411 Ext. 3
►Richard.Ertel@in.nacdnet.net
Jennings County SWCD
(812) 346-3411 Ext. 3
►jenningscoswcd@outlook.com
Paige Hudson
(812) 358-2367 Ext. 3
►Paige.Hudson@in.usda.gov
Jennings County Soil & Water Conservation District
