Area 4 Soil Corps Zoom Discussion Forums
2022-02-23 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver)
Area 2 Soil Corps Zoom Discussion Forum

Thanks to all that were able to make the Soil Corps Discussion Forums in Ennis, Missoula, Great Falls, and Glasgow the past couple of weeks. I have scheduled a Zoom option for Area 2 & 4 next week if you are interested in weighing in about the potential for a Soil Corps AmeriCorps program in Montana. Please RSVP as soon as possible here if you plan to attend. Thanks.

Area 2: Wednesday, Feb 23 9-11AM

The Discussion Forums invite Conservation Districts and other partner organizations to have a conversation around building soil health capacity in our respective regions. Specifically, is there a need for a Soil Corps program in Montana and what might that look like? Many districts operate on a lean budget, so how can an AmeriCorps member add value to your already strapped team? What kind of projects does your community need assistance with? Many districts and organizations have spoken via survey about what their region’s needs are in regards to potential soil health projects they could use more help with, whether that’s actual soil sampling, help with outreach, grant writing, help with soil assessments, etc. We will focus these discussions on the opportunities and barriers of hosting a member. Please join us for a Zoom discussion. Partner organizations outside of districts are welcome to attend.

MWCC Annual Meeting
2022-02-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
ANNUAL MEETING
Each year, MWCC hosts an annual meeting for our partners to provide updates on our programs and resources, as well as provide opportunities for the collaborative conservation community to connect and learn. In recent years, we’ve also been joined by natural agency directors for to learn about opportunities to collaborate and support shared watershed conservation objectives.
Save the date, February 24, for the 2022 Annual Meeting (9:00-12:00pm). This online event will provide an opportunity for MWCC and our partners to provide information about federal funding initiatives aimed at supporting watershed health efforts in Montana. Additionally, we will present on MWCC’s accomplishments from the previous year and report on our upcoming activities that will support watershed communities in 2022. More details, including an agenda and registration information will be available in January.
Learn More

Data Collection and Management with Multiple Stakeholders
2022-02-24 11:00 - 12:30
Where Does the Data Go? Data Collection and Management with Multiple Stakeholders
Considerations for developing a monitoring plan – exploring data collection and analysis partners, relevant metrics and management platforms to meet monitoring objectives.
Learn More

EO Area 3 Meeting
2022-02-24 12:00 - 15:00
Contact Emma Link (emma@cascadecd.com) for meeting information.

MACD Executive Committee
2022-02-28 07:30 - 09:00 | Zoom
The MACD Executive Committee meets on the first Monday of the Month at 7:30am via zoom. Contact Rebecca Boslough for meeting details.
Board Organization Documents

Land and Legacies Agricultural transfer of land
2022-03-01 - 2022-03-02
This is two days, March 1st in Malta and March 2nd in Glasgow. No need to come to both of them
Come and listen to Elaine Froese’s talk about how to navigate transition’s and transfers to honor your Agricultural heritage.
In the next 20 years 70% of farmland will transfer ownership. If you are a land owner or in a position to help land owners this would be a great event to come.

Mental Health First Aid – Virtual Training
2022-03-01 08:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
A free Mental Health First Aid virtual course, led by a trained facilitator from the University of Montana, is being offered to Montana farmers and ranchers through the Montana Organic Assn. The two four-hour virtual sessions are March 1 and March 3 beginning at 8 am each day. Two hours of self-paced pre-work are required prior to the start of the course. Participants will receive a certificate of completion if all course requirements are met.
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. It teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps you identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental stresses and illnesses.
Based on the concept of CPR, the Mental Health First Aid course teaches you the following.

Risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems.
Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and addiction disorders.
A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis.
Where to turn for help — professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Pre-registration is required and is limited to the first 20 applicants. Sign up and learn more here: Mental Health First Aid Course.

ARPA Money Q&A
2022-03-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
ARPA Money Q&A
Michelle McNamee will be doing a Q&A session for the ARPA Water and Sewer Grants (this includes the RRGL and other CD related grants that are drawing from ARPA money) on Tuesday March 22, 2022 from 1 to 2 pm. This will be recorded and posted for anyone who cannot attend.
Join Zoom Meeting

https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/85136439687?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 851 3643 9687
Password: [REDACTED]
Dial by Telephone
+1 646 558 8656 or +1 406 444 9999
Meeting ID: 851 3643 9687
Password: [REDACTED]

USDA Tech Brown Bag Webinars
2022-03-03 12:00 - 12:30 | Microsoft Teams
March 3: CRP Renovation—A Crested Wheatgrass and Smooth Brome Case Study Kristin McRae, Resource Conservationist
March 10: How to Better Partner MT-DEQ 319 Non-Point Source Grant Dollars into Proposed or Approved MFC TIPs Cory Wolfe, State Engineer
March 17: The Basics of Wind Erosion, What Causes it and How to Fix It Susan Tallman, State Agronomist

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 202-650-0123,,247975902# United States, Washington DC
Phone Conference ID: 247 975 902#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options

Climate-Smart Commodities: Second Funding Pool
2022-03-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities: Second Funding Pool Outreach
USDA is committed to supporting a diverse set of farmers, ranchers and forest owners through climate solutions that increase resilience, expand market opportunities and strengthen rural America. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity provides up to $1 billion for pilot projects that create market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. USDA is now accepting project applications for fiscal year 2022.

Learn more and register on the USDA Website

CEMIST Meeting
2022-03-03 13:00 - 17:00 | Winnet, MT, Winnet, MT, United States
CEMIST In Person Meeting
When: Thu Mar 3, 2022 1pm – 5pm (MST)
Where: Winnett MT

Soil Corps Discussion Forum
2022-03-04 10:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Soil Corps Discussion Forum
MACD has one more opportunity to provide Soil Corps feedback if you missed the Discussion Forums we held in Ennis, Missoula, Great Falls, and Glasgow last month. We had great discussions and wanted to extend a few more days specifically for Areas that we have not heard from: Area 2+4 before we do our final wrap-up. You can join us this Friday, March 4th at 10AM by Zoom (link below), or fill out this Google Form. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

The Discussion Forums invite Conservation Districts and other partner organizations to have a conversation around building soil health capacity in our respective regions. Specifically, is there a need for a Soil Corps program in Montana and what might that look like? Many districts operate on a lean budget, so how can an AmeriCorps member add value to your already strapped team? What kind of projects does your community need assistance with? Many districts and organizations have spoken via survey about what their region’s needs are in regards to potential soil health projects they could use more help with, whether that’s actual soil sampling, help with outreach, grant writing, help with soil assessments, etc. We will focus these discussions on the opportunities and barriers of hosting a member. Please join us for a Zoom discussion. Partner organizations outside of districts are welcome to attend.

Montana Association of Conservation Districts is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Soil Corps Discussion Forum
Time: Mar 4, 2022 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88390887488?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 883 9088 7488
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 883 9088 7488
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdfJQjj4nn

Employee Organization Area 2 Meeting
2022-03-08 11:00 - 15:00
Employee Organization Area 2 Meeting
Please contact Kay Webb at littlebeavercd@macdnet.org for more information

Legislative Ad Hoc Committee (LAHC) Meeting
2022-03-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
LAHC Meeting
Our next Legislative Ad Hoc Committee (LAHC) Meeting will be on Wednesday, March 9th at 1pm via zoom.I will send out the meeting materials in the coming days, in the meantime the zoom link for the meeting is included below.

The topics for this meeting will include:

Water Policy Interim Committee (WPIC) meeting on March 15-16, including the CD Panel on Erosion
Environmental Quality Council (EQC) meeting on March 22-23, including a discussion about potential funding sources for conservation districts
Legislative strategy, including opportunities for engagement at upcoming CD events

There are official members of the LAHC appointed by the MACD Board, however, all supervisors and employees are welcome to attend. Additionally, our Core partners often attend and provide critical information/insight as well.

Zoom
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86712939998?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 867 1293 9998
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Phone: +13462487799 or +16699006833

CARDD MEPA Meeting
2022-03-10 13:00 - 14:00
Demi Blythe, CARDD MEPA Coordinator, will provide an overview of the MEPA process as well as how to draft and prepare an ‘Environmental Checklist’ at this training. For those that won’t be able to attend, it will be recorded.
In our training we’ll cover:

Why we have to consider and think about MEPA
Step-by-step instructions on the Environmental Checklist
How the Checklist is used for DNRC (e.g., Environmental Assessments, Categorical Exclusion determinations)
Resources
Question/Answer session – we’re here to help!

Contact Mary Hendrix (Mary.Hendrix@mt.gov) for meeting information

MACD Board Meeting
2022-03-14 07:00 - 09:00 | Zoom
MACD Board Meeting
The March MACD Board Meeting will be on Monday, March 14th at 7am via zoom. The plan is to cover normal board business from 7am-8am followed by an hour-long (8am-9am) discussion of proposed updates to the MACD resolutions process and committee structure. You should have just received the google calendar invite.
Partners – Please note that this means your reports will take place at least a half hour earlier than usual.

The Resolutions and Committees workgroup will be meeting this Friday at 12:30pm. I will be emailing out those materials shortly to the following people who have conveyed their interest: MACD Executive Comm. members, Jeff Pattison, Chris Evans, Willy Bernard, and Steve Wanderaas. If you want to participate in this meeting and are not included on this list, please let me know ASAP.

Meeting Information
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85142078080?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 851 4207 8080
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile: +16699006833,,85142078080#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)

Irrigation Development Grants
2022-03-16 08:00 - 17:00
Irrigation is the dominant commercial use of Montana’s water and is a key component of Montana’s economy, accounting for 96% of surface and ground water withdrawals. The irrigation development grant program was created to increase the value of irrigated crops while preserving natural resources and the environment for future generations.

Employee Roundtable
2022-03-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
March Employee Roundtable
Meeting Information
Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/95758528510?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 957 5852 8510
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+14086380968,,95758528510#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)

MT Soil Health Focus Group - Great Falls
2022-03-16 11:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls, Great Falls, MT, United States
From Sept 2021 – July 2022, MACD and partners are reaching out across the state to ask: “What more might be done to better support farmers and ranchers in managing soils in Montana?” The purpose of this outreach effort is to understand how to help increase the pace and scale at which land stewards implement voluntary practices and systems to maintain and improve soil health, and thereby the long term economic and ecological vitality of agriculture in Montana.

We are looking to hear from producers & partners through upcoming focus group meetings being hosted throughout the state (listed below). Each meeting will feature a local producer and provide an opportunity for all attendees to voice their ideas.

• March 16 in Great Falls at Holiday Village Mall conference room
• March 17 in Glasgow at the Valley County Courthouse
• March 23 in Miles City at Miles City College, room 106
• April 14 in Kalispell at Kalispell ImagineIF Library
• April 15 in Dillion at Armory
• April 20 in Livingston at Livingston Food Resource Center
• May 26 virtual meeting via Zoom

* Each meeting will be held from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

We encourage district staff, district board members, and any interested producers in your community to attend!

Please visit https://montanasoiloutreach.macdnet.org/ to RSVP and for additional information

Collaborative Monitoring Successes
2022-03-17 11:00 - 12:30
Putting People and Data to Work: Collaborative Monitoring Successes
Three examples of community-based and regional cooperative monitoring approaches.
Learn More

MT Soil Health Focus Group - Glasgow
2022-03-17 11:00 - 14:00 | Glasgow, Glasgow, MT, United States

MEPA Training
2022-03-17 13:00 - 15:00
Demi Blythe, CARDD MEPA Coordinator, will provide an overview of the MEPA process as well as how to draft and prepare an ‘Environmental Checklist’ at this training. For those that won’t be able to attend, it will be recorded.
In our training we’ll cover:

Why we have to consider and think about MEPA
Step-by-step instructions on the Environmental Checklist
How the Checklist is used for DNRC (e.g., Environmental Assessments, Categorical Exclusion determinations)
Resources
Question/Answer session – we’re here to help!

Thank you for your participation! We hope this will help and clarify our MEPA process!
ZOOM Information:
Topic: MEPA for CDs
Time: Mar 17, 2022 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/86176705227?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 861 7670 5227
Password: [REDACTED]
Dial by Telephone
+1 646 558 8656 or +1 406 444 9999
Meeting ID: 861 7670 5227
Password: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/u/khue4imbH

MACD 2022 Scholarship Deadline
2022-03-18

Submittable Training for Grant Recipients
2022-03-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Reminder: Training for Grant Recipients
DNRC Conservation and Resource Development Division is moving to a new Grant Management System called Submittable. Please join us for a webinar on Friday, March 18 at 10 AM to introduce our grantees to the new system.
Webinar: Introduction to Submittable for Grant Recipients
Friday, March 18 at 10 AM
Agenda
Starting your application or form

Active Grants
New Applications

Viewing your Submission
Managing your grant in Submittable

How to find your project
Submitting Progress Reports, Reimbursement Requests, and other forms
Editing forms
Messaging in Submittable

Questions and Discussion
How to Join:
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/81594808692?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Or One tap mobile : US: +12063379723,,81594808692#,*[REDACTED]# or +12133388477,81594808692#,*[REDACTED]#
Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 206 337 9723 or +1 213 338 8477 or +1 646 558 8656
Webinar ID: 815 9480 8692
Passcode: [REDACTED]

National Ag Day
2022-03-22
They have created a really nice social media packet for people to use to promote Ag Day at https://www.agday.org/promote#:~:text=Ag%20Day%20is%20celebrated%20on,falls%20during%20National%20Ag%20Week.
Purpose

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) is an organization uniquely composed of leaders in the agriculture, food and fiber communities dedicated to increasing the public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in our society. The Agriculture Council of America and the National Ag Day program was started in 1973.

Core Values
Canva Kit:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAE6hXXr4-Y/D-YepLdL7-sk1zyjzx2M7Q/edit?utm_content=DAE6hXXr4-Y&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

ACA believes that every American should:

Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

Key Initiatives

The primary focus of ACA is to conduct the National Agriculture Day Program which occurs in March of every year.

Strategic Priorities

ACA will:

Support and encourage programs and activities in observance of National Agriculture Day by organizations, companies and individuals.
Provide planning information and materials in support of National Agriculture Day programs and activities.
Inform trade and general media about National Agriculture Day and provide information to increase awareness.
Involve the agricultural public relations community in support of National Agriculture Day.

World Water Day 2022
2022-03-22
Groundwater-Making the Invisible Visible

CDOWG
2022-03-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Contact Tahnee Benson (SheridanCD@macdnet.org) or Eric Rannestad (eric@macdnet.org) for zoom information.

Broadwater Conservation District Monthly Meeting
2022-03-22 18:00 - 19:00
Monthly Meeting on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

MT Soil Health Focus Group - Miles City
2022-03-23 11:00 - 14:00 | Miles City, Miles City, MT, United States

CMR Community Working Group
2022-03-24 10:00 - 15:00
CMR Community Working Group The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge Community Working Group (CMR CWG) was formed to enhance and preserve the ecological, economic, and social well-being of the 6 counties (Fergus, Garfield, McCone, Petroleum, Phillips, and Valley) surrounding the Refuge. Participants in the group include agency representatives, landowners, grazing permittees, county commissioners, conservation districts, interest groups, and engaged citizens.
