Equipment cost-share available in Mill Creek Watershed

The Upper Mill Creek Watershed covers portions of Hendricks, Putnam, Morgan and Owen counties.

A Clean Water Indiana grant was recently awarded to Hendricks County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) for cost-share funds in the Upper Mill Creek Watershed.

The grant is a joint offering between Hendricks, Putnam, Morgan and Owen county SWCDs.

There will be $25,000 of total cost-share awarded to producers and landowners in the watershed each year for a period of three years, making a total grant amount of $75,000.

Each year there will be $12,500 available for the application of cover crops with a maximum of 50 acres at $20 per acre for each producer.

There will also be $10,000 available each year for no-till equipment modification with a maximum of 75 percent of equipment cost up to $2,500 per producer. A few examples of no-till equipment include: putting starter fertilizer on the planter (not popup), closing wheels, row cleaners and no-till coulters.

There will also be an additional $2,500 per year available for 10 agricultural producers to complete a economics/tillage system survey. Each producer will receive $250 for their participation.

All participating SWCDs are currently taking applications for the Cover Crop and No-till Equipment modification cost-share to be implemented this fall. Applications will be due on April 1 to Hendricks, Putnam, Morgan and Owen county SWCD offices.