Opening

Attendance-David Tylor opened the meeting at 8:33 a.m. with Ryan Bell, Zach Dimmich, Roger Sparenberg, Julie Clark from SWCD, Diane Scheurich from FSA, George Reger from ISDA, Jon Charlesworth from Purdue Extension. Aaron Senesac was not present from SWCD.

Monthly documents-Zach made a motion to accept August minutes, funds ledger, APV, Bank statement, reconciliation, and Trust Indiana Statement; Roger seconded the motion, motion carries.

Reconciliation Statement- Julie informed the board of a check that has not cleared for two years, after several attempts to contact the person for whom the check was written to there has been no responses. The check number is 1132 and has been accounted for the last two years on the reconciliation of the bank account.  Ryan made a motion to clear the check from the reconciliation log and add the amount back in to the general ledger due to time expiration for depositing the check. Roger seconded the motion, motion carries.

Partner Updates

NRCS – Amy Stewart was not present but sent an email document of the August update for DC’s work.

FSA- Diane informed the board there is no current Farm Bill in place however, funding is extended until December 11.

Purdue Extension- Jon informed the board there will be a restructuring meeting September 22, 2026. Jon stated he is covering three to four counties.  

ISDA- George updated the board of the SSCB’s decision to hire two new DSS’s. The ISDA will open up free soil testing September 14 for landowners of agriculture lands such as hay fields, pastures, and small row crop fields. If acreage is over 50 acres the submission may be contracted out to be sampled.  Soil samples are going to a company in Kentucky.

New Business

Annual Conference for IASWCD- The dates for the IASWCD for 2027 is January 24-26. All the present board discussed and is going to check all their schedules in order to go to this conference.

Annual Meeting discussion- The board discussed to have the annual meeting at the Beef House again with a date set of February 17 with a make-up date of March 3, Julie will input the information into Conservation Link as required.

Old Business

Re-Appointment candidate-Zach Dimmich- The board asked Zach about being reappointed, and he stated he would like to be reappointed. Ryan made a motion to approve submitting Zach’s name to the SSCB for reappointment. 

DJ Case Meetings- Julie informed the board of the meeting with DJ Case and stated it went well.

Business Plan- The board discussed the business plan and saw no major corrections or changes needed for the next four-year business plan.  George recommended the board connects with Nathan to discuss a plan of work along with a business plan.

Contractor Listing- Aaron and Julie are working to have this created by the January.

CWI Grant progress- Julie informed the board the application was submitted to SSCB on September 2.

Land Stewardship Leadership Academy- The board discussed the opportunity for Julie to attend the LSLA with Purdue University. Ryan asked to make sure Julie would not be overwhelmed with too much on her schedule. After discussion, Ryan made a motion to approve Julie to attend the LSLA, if approved from Purdue, with approving the cost of $300, Zach seconded the motion, motion carries.

Dates

September 9- SWCD Board meeting

September 10- IN Small Farms Conservation-Get the Dirt- Nobelsville-9-5

September 14- IDEA Directors meeting

September 15-16- Administration Model for CDP

September 21- Steering Committee meeting for Big Shawnee Watershed Group-At Covington USDA bldg

September 22- Water testing for Big Shawnee Watershed

October 1- Big Pine Creek Watershed History Tour-Mostly Warren County

October 7-9- IDEA Fall Conference

October 9- Tippecanoe Co. SWCD/RITA Pond Workshop/Fish sale for Warren/Fountain Co.

October 12- Columbus Day-County Holiday

October 13- Big Pine Creek Watershed meeting

October 14- Warren County SWCD board meeting?????

October 20-Big Shawnee Water Testing Day

October 22-FFA National Convention at State Fairgrounds 9:30-1

Meeting adjourned at 9:47 a.m.