Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District

06/16/2026

Happy National Forage Week! Take advantage of the many great resources available to Indiana grazers:

Indiana Forage Council: https://indianaforage.wordpress.com/

Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/PACs/sipac/index.html

Upcoming Purdue Field Days:
https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/PACs/field-day-events.html

Stop by the Washington County SWCD office and ask for a Forage Field guide. This pocket-sized book is packed with useful information for any grazing system! You can also inquire with our staff about opportunities for technical and financial assistance on grazing and livestock operations!

Research and Education for Profitable Forage Production and Utilization

06/15/2026

Test your forage knowledge each day this week with "Guess the Forage." Answers will be posted each day at 7:30 p.m.

Here are your first clues:

I share growing space well with legumes.
I am a cool season perennial.
I am commonly used in high-yielding pasture and hay.

What is this forage?

06/11/2026

The Ag. Hall of Fame dinner and award announcement is Monday, June 15th starting at 5:00 pm at the livestock arena. RSVP asap to the Extension office at 812-883-4601 - space is limited.
The shuttle starts running at 4:30 pm.

06/08/2026

The Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District Board will hold an Executive Meeting for discussion of records classified as confidential by state or federal statute on June 11, 2026 at 8:00 A.M.

Immediately following Executive Meeting, The Soil & Water Conservation District Board will hold a meeting open to the public on June 11, 2026 at 8:30 A.M.
Meetings will be held at the USDA Service Center at 801 Anson St, Salem, Indiana.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this meeting/event/function should contact the SWCD office at (812) 883-3006 ext. 3 – 48 hours in advance.

“The USDA and its partners are equal opportunity”

06/08/2026

Thinking of a Fall Pasture Seeding? Planting Cover Crops? Washington County SWCD has several cost-share opportunities to assist land users with the cost of Best Management Practices like these, in addition to many others!

Contact our office today at (812) 883-3006 ext. 3 to learn more about opportunities including the Twin Creek Lick Branch Watershed Project which covers ground in Washington, Jackson, Lawrence, and Orange Counties!

06/08/2026

Find your Washington County Fair Guide linked below!

For generations, the Washington County Farmers & Merchants Fair has been a cherished summer tradition, bringing together families, farmers, businesses, and visitors from across the region. Celebrating the rich agricultural heritage and strong community spirit of Washington County, the fair offers exciting livestock exhibitions, family-friendly entertainment, delicious fair food, local vendors, carnival attractions, and educational experiences for all ages.

Whether you're cheering on young exhibitors, exploring local products, enjoying live entertainment, or creating lasting memories with family and friends, the Washington County Farmers & Merchants Fair showcases the very best of rural Indiana. It's more than a fair—it's a celebration of community, tradition, and the hardworking people who make Washington County a special place to live, work, and visit.

Join us for a week of fun, fellowship, and hometown pride at the Washington County Farmers & Merchants Fair—where agriculture, community, and tradition come together.

Click on the link below to download a Washington County Indiana Farmers Merchants Fair Program Guide.

https://visitwashingtoncounty.org/images/2026/PDF/washco-2026-Fair-Program-Guide-V2.pdf

06/05/2026

There is still time to register for this pasture ecology workshop at SIPAC on June 24. Registration is $40 and includes lunch plus a full day packed with valuable information for livestock and forage managers! We hope to see you there.

06/03/2026

Burcucumber is a fast-growing annual vine that can quickly overtake crops, fence rows, and wooded edges. This plant climbs and spreads by wrapping its vines around nearby vegetation, often smothering crops such as corn and soybeans.

The plant has rough, triangular leaves and produces small clusters of spiny seed burs that stick to clothing, animals, and equipment. These burs help spread the plant to new areas.

Burcucumber thrives in moist soils and disturbed areas, making agricultural fields especially vulnerable.

Why it’s a problem:
• Vines can shade out crops and reduce yields.
• Dense growth can interfere with harvesting equipment.
• Each plant produces numerous seeds that remain viable in the soil.

Management Tips:
• Control plants early before vines spread through crops.
• Herbicides can be effective when plants are small.
• Prevent seed production to reduce future infestations.