Cost-share Programs and Projects

Lakes and Rivers Enhancement Grant (L.A.R.E)

The Newton and Jasper County SWCDs were awarded a grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources through the Lakes and Rivers Enhancement Program in 2021. The purpose of this award is to improve the water quality of the waterbodies within the Knight Ditch-Kankakee River Watershed. We accomplished this by installing several best management practices like tree plantings, cover crops, pollinator habitat, and livestock fencing. These and other practices will reduce sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, and E. coli bacteria in the water as well as improve farm resiliency, soil health, and wildlife/pollinator habitat in the watershed.

This grant provided funds to pay landowners varying rates up to 80% of each practice's cost of installation. Sites were focused in the Kankakee Watershed in the northern half of Jasper and Newton Counties. The project was officially completed in December 2023.

Student Conservation Internship (S.C.I)

The Newton County SWCD, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Newton County Economic Development Commission, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) were awarded a grant from the Jasper Newton Foundation through the Giving Back Tuesday Program in 2023 to pilot a novel conservation focused internship program through 2026. This Student Conservation Internship (SCI) supports the education, development, and mentorship for 24 Newton County students who will share their time between the Newton SWCD, TNC, the IDNR Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA), and IDNR LaSalle FWA.

Each student is offered up to 300 hours of paid work time at a pay of $12/hr. In addition to a stipend of $12 per hour, interns are receiving credit towards their CORE 40 Diploma requirements for college, as well as career-based learning credits for graduation. They are receiving cross-training with each partner for a well-rounded experience and introduction to numerous career paths. All students are completing the same basic curriculum and participating in several professional development workshops including Leadership, Creative Communications and Networking, Outdoor Skills, Resume Building, and the Purdue Leadership Class.

The main goal of our Student Conservation Internship pilot is to introduce high school juniors and seniors to the field of natural resources with multiple agencies, so they become well-versed in career options to be pursued after graduation. Our second goal is to create a stable and solid work force in conservation agriculture and natural resources and open doors for work and purpose in these fields. The third goal is to aid in the development of quality candidates for future employment in Newton County and throughout the state.

This effort is supported by the Jasper Newton Foundation through their Giving Back Tuesday Grant program as well as the Newton County Economic Development Commission supplying all student stipends and equipment. We are so grateful to the Newton County Auditor who is managing payroll and claims associated with this program.

Conservation Reserve Easement Program (C.R.E.P)

The Newton County SWCD was awarded administrative duties for the Conservation Reserve Easement Program for landowners in the Iroquois River Watershed starting in the spring of 2024.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal-state natural resources conservation program that addresses agricultural-related environmental concerns at the state and national level. CREP participants receive financial incentives to voluntarily enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in contracts of 14 to 15 years. Participants remove cropland from agricultural production and convert the land to native grasses, trees and other vegetation.

This program targets the Iroquois River Watershed where sediments, nutrients, pesticides and herbicides runoff from agricultural land.

The program will improve water quality by creating buffers and wetlands that will reduce agricultural runoff into the targeted watersheds. Installing buffer practices and wetlands will enhance habitat for wildlife, including State and Federally-listed threatened and endangered species. The program will also reduce nonpoint source nutrient losses.

Eligible practices: CP-2 Permanent Native Grassess, CP-3A Hardwood Tree Planting, CP-4D Permanent Wildlife Habitat, Non-easement, CP-21 Filter Strips, CP-22 Riparian Buffer, CP-23 Wetland Restoration, CP-23A Wetland Restoration, Non-floodplain, CP-31 Bottomland Timber Establishment

Eligibility Requirements: Enrollment is anytime throughout the year. Cropland must meet cropping history criteria and be physically and legally capable of being cropped in a normal manner. No existing or retiring CRP. Other requirements may also apply. Interested producers should contact the Newton SWCD office for more specifics.

Clean Water Indiana (C.W.I)