Through this collaborated effort, we are bringing together agricultural entrepreneurs from the four county area to develop a tight-knit network of local farmers who can help each other build their businesses by discussing important topics relating to alternative agriculture through annual field days, workshops and seminars and creating an outreach campaign to get the word out about our incredible local sources.

The White River RC&D Education Committee is committed to working with local educators and the public in promoting local communities and the conservation of natural resources.  The committee conducts training seminars, organizes workshops, and provides general conservation information to the public. 

The White River Farmers Market Grant was created to help improve local farmers markets located within the four county region.  The grant is targeted to help improve and expand domestic farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.

Realizing that most people love trees and forested areas but often take those resources for granted, the Forestry Committee is dedicated to helping educate the citizens of the 4-county area.  Our volunteers feel that by knowing and understanding the effects that trees and woodlands have on their lives, a person will become more involved in protecting those assets.

The mission of the Orange County Main Street, Inc is to enhance the growth and sustainability of downtown business districts and Orange County's cultural and architectural heritage through concentrated efforts focused on design, economic restructuring, promotion and organization.

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) is landmark legislation for conservation funding and for focusing on environmental issues. The conservation provisions will assist farmers and ranchers in meeting environmental challenges on their land. This legislation simplifies existing programs and creates new programs to address high priority environmental and production goals. The 2002 Farm Bill enhances the longterm quality of our environment and conservation of our natural resources. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the following programs authorized or re-authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill.

Invasive species, including the most problematic “weeds,” are drastically altering natural habitats throughout the U.S. by displacing native species and reducing species diversity.  Fish and wildlife populations and native plant communities are degraded when invasive species dominate habitats such as forests, grasslands and wetlands.  Invasive species cost the U.S. economy more than $120 billion annually in damages to agriculture, industry, recreation, forestry, and human health. Because they often lack natural controls and have high reproductive abilities, invasive species are often very difficult to control. The Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area (SICWMA) covers 37 Indiana counties within the Interior Low Plateau Eco-region.  The mission of the SICWMA is to protect, restore and enhance southern Indiana’s landscapes by coordinating efforts to identify, prevent, and control invasive species. 

In addition to our federal and state cost-share programs, many Soil and Water Conservation Districts provide financial incentives to local landowners for installing conservation practices.  Check out an SWCD cost-share program near you!