Our office has been getting calls all spring about increased property taxes on timber land in the county and ways to reduce that financial burden. Ensuring that the property has an up-to-date Forestry Management Plan (FMP) is one such method.…
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S.T.A.R. is an exciting program developed by soil and water conservation professionals that offers farm operators and land owners a simple, free, and confidential tool to evaluate their conservation land management practices. The goal of S.T.A.R. is to encourage the…
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Most conservation programs require a burn plan and open burning permit to be on file prior to a controlled burn. Although the district doesn’t write burn plans, our staff can connect landowners with an agency or technical service provider who…
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Nitrate levels have been rising in Illinois’ drinking water. Shallow rural wells are particularly vulnerable to nitrate contamination. Nationally, 20% of these wells have exceeded the level considered safe by the U.S. EPA. Public water utilities are required to test…
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The object of this award is to provide recognition to an outstanding conservationist in the Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District that exemplifies Total Resource Management. It is open to all landowners and/or operators who are soil and water…
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Do you farm or own ground in the Embarras River Watershed? We want your input to identify resource concerns and solutions to aid with the update of the Embarras River Watershed Plan. When: Thursday, January 23, 2020, from 8:00-10:00 AM…
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To all owners and occupiers of lands lying within the boundaries of Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District: Notice is hereby given that an election will be held on the 6th day of February 2020 from 7:00am to 5:30pm…
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is opening signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on December 9, 2019. The deadline for agricultural producers to sign up for general CRP is February 28, 2020,…
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Although it may not feel like spring outside yet, we are anticipating warmer weather and that means gearing up to teach Coles County’s third graders all about trees this Arbor Day! Every third grade classroom that we visit will be…
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This free tool was designed by the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to motivate those making cropping decisions to use the “best management practices” that will ultimately meet the goals of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy…
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