Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District

09/04/2026

Hello Clay County Households and Businesses! We are kicking off our 2026-2027 Free Tree Giveaway and we are inviting you to participate.

Our goal is 2,027 trees in 2027!

This program is open to Clay County residents only. Here is how it works:
1) Select what tree species-any combination (up to 10 total per CLAY COUNTY household/business)-from the registration form below. Please know that if the species is not available an alternative one will be chosen based on nursery inventory.
2) Fill out the registration form COMPLETELY and return to the Clay County SWCD office via email, mail or phone. Orders are due by Friday, September 25, 2026. Please share with Family, Friends and Coworkers.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 812-446-8986 ext 3
Mail (or drop off and/or fill out/drop off): 551 E US Hwy 40 Suite B Brazil, IN 47834
Office Hours: 8:00AM-4:00PM M-F**call ahead recommended**
3) Pick up your trees Spring 2027 once you have received notification.

THE BEST TIME TO PLANT A TREE WAS 20 YEARS AGO. THE NEXT BEST TIME IS NOW-CHINESE PROVERB

CONSERVATION TODAY...CLEAN WATER & HEALTHY SOIL TOMORROW

09/03/2026

September 2026 Grazing Bites

09/02/2026

Northview High School, along with our FFA chapter are working together to Fill A Trailer with items to take to the displaced flood victims in northern Indiana. We are specifically working with one of the local high schools in that area who has not been able to open school yet.

We will have a box truck in the front parking lot of Northview High School on Friday, September 4th, from 8:30 to 4:00, and after that time we will move the truck to the back parking lot. The truck will be available for the community to drop off items, and for those who are coming to the home football game that evening, we encourage them to bring an item and place it in the truck.

Suggested items to bring:
Bottled Water
Gallons of Water
Toilet Paper
Kleenex
Feminine Products (tampons and pads)
Paper Towel
Body Wash
Shampoo
Conditioner
Deodorant
Body Lotion
Clorox wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Detergent
Fabric Softener
Bleach
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Dog Food
Cat Food
Cat Litter
Batteries
Flashlights
Scrub Brushes
Latex Gloves
Garbage Bags
Pain Relievers (Tylenol, Aleve, Advil)
Baby Wipes
Diapers
Band Aides
Bug Spray
Push Brooms
Dish Soap
Box Fans
Spray Nozzle for hoses

08/31/2026

NRCS in Indiana Accepting Applications for Conservation Programs Farmers.gov sent this bulletin at 08/20/2026 01:22 PM EDT View as a webpage / Share NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release August 20, 2026 Contact 1400 Independence Ave. SW Washington, DC 20250 [email protected] NRCS in Indiana Accept...

08/31/2026

Clay County Soil & Water Conservation District would like to invite Clay County residents to participate in the FY27 Locally Led Meeting. Participants are considered part of the Local Working Group (LWG). The role of this group is to assist in making recommendations relating to the implementation of technical aspects of natural resource conservation activities and programs. LWG will focus on the resource priorities in the local community. These priority resource concerns will be used to prioritize the rankings for USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs including Environmental Quality Incentives (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). This meeting will be held at the Clay County USDA Service Center, located at 551 E US Hwy 40 Suite B, Brazil, IN 47834 on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 from 9:00AM to 10:00AM. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would still like to assist in making recommendations relating to the implementation of technical aspects of natural resource conservation activities and programs, please call our office to request a survey at 812-446-8986 ext 3. Please return any surveys by COB (close of business) on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

08/22/2026

The Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), also known as the Eastern Arborvitae, is an elusive native in Indiana that survives mostly as a rare relict or a popular cultivated landscape plant.

Rare Native Status in IndianaExtinct local populations: While common further north in Canada and Michigan, native wild populations in Indiana—historically found near the Lake Michigan dunes—have largely disappeared or become extinct in the wild.

Ice Age leftovers: The few ancient pollen records and relict presence show that the tree was much more widespread in Indiana right as the glaciers retreated over 11,000 years ago.

Unique Survival TacticsThe "Tree of Life" name: Its French name Arborvitae translates to "tree of life," given after local Indigenous peoples taught early French explorers how a Vitamin C-rich tea brewed from its needles and twigs cured scurvy.

Cliff-dwelling ancients: When growing on sheer, rocky limestone cliffs where fires and deer cannot reach them, these trees grow microscopic ring widths and can live for well over a 1,000 years, becoming some of the oldest living organisms in eastern North America.

Not a true cedar: It belongs to the cypress family (Cupressaceae) rather than the true cedar family (Cedrus), making it a botanical imposter despite its fragrant, rot-resistant wood.

Note: for educational and informational purposes only.

Check out Purdue University Extension Forester-Lenny Farlee- ID this tree:

On this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Fa...

08/21/2026

Did you know?

The Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a beloved native Indiana understory tree famous for its vibrant spring blooms, but it holds several surprising and lesser-known traits.

Unusual Biology

Blooms on the Trunk: Redbuds exhibit cauliflory, a rare trait where flowers sprout directly from mature woody branches and the main trunk rather than just new twigs.

The Exception in the Legume Family: Redbuds belong to the pea and bean family (Fabaceae), which is famous for producing flat seed pods and fixing nitrogen in the soil. However, the redbud is an exception and does not fix nitrogen.

A Fake Legume Secret: While most legume flowers have a distinct butterfly-like shape, redbud flowers look more like tiny rose blossoms with five petals.

Edible and Practical Uses

Citrusy Snacks: The bright pink spring blossoms are completely edible and pack a tart, pleasant, citrus-like crunch when tossed into salads.

Appalachian Seasoning: In parts of Appalachia, people historically used the green young twigs to season wild game like venison, earning the tree the local nickname "spicewood".

Native White Mutations: While standard wild redbuds in Indiana feature rosy-pink to magenta flowers, a rare natural genetic variant with pure white flowers occasionally pops up in the state's woodlands.

Let's watch, Purdue University Forester-Lenny Farlee-ID this tree:

Please note this post is for educational and informational purposes only.

Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces you to one of the...

08/21/2026

According to an old wives' tale, cutting open a ripe persimmon seed lets you predict the severity of the upcoming winter by the shape of the kernel inside.
Winter Predictions from Seed Shapes
Spoon: Signals a heavy, snowy winter requiring a shovel.
Fork: Indicates a mild winter with light, powdery snow.
Knife: Warns of a bitterly cold, icy wind that "cuts like a knife"

Check out this video from Purdue University Extension Forester, Lenny Farlee on how to ID a Persimmon Tree...

Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee brings you another edition o...

08/19/2026

The Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is a rugged limestone-loving member of the white oak family featured by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Purdue Forestry for its high-pH soil tolerance, sweet wildlife-favored acorns, and heavy, durable timber.

Lenny Farlee-Purdue University Extension Forester explains further...let's watch:

In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Fa...

08/18/2026

Did you know:
The Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is easily identified because its soft, flexible needles grow in distinct bundles of five—an easy memory trick since the word "white" also has five letters.
Please check out this video from Purdue University Extension Forester-Lenny Farley

In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Fa...