Notice of Regular Meeting Location Change To all residents and landowners of Van Buren County, notice is hereby given that the Van Buren Conservation District’s regularly scheduled January 26, 2022 board meeting has been relocated. The meeting will be held at Almena Township Hall, 27625 CR 375, Paw Paw, MI 49079 due to COVID-19 pandemic protocol.  The meeting agenda can be accessed here: January_26_2022_VBCD_Regular_Board_Meeting_Agenda. If you have any questions, please call 269-633-9054 or email deputy@vanburencd.org.  Emilly Hickmott, Deputy Administrator Van Buren Conservation District

Farming for the Future is an annual educational event for local farmers and is a great opportunity to learn from agricultural specialists, educators, researchers, businesses, and other farmers. This year’s event is scheduled for March 8, 2022 at the Van Buren Conference Center from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. There is a chance that the event will switch to a virtual setting. Topics this year will include soil health, testing for soil health, farmer perspectives, and Tar Spot update. A MAEAP Phase 1 credit will be available for attendees along with RUP credits. Registration will begin at 8:30 AM. Free

Tree Sale 2022 is now live! Check out our awesome selection of native tree and shrub seedlings – an expanded selection since last year! Our tree sale funds go to supporting conservation programs and education while reforesting Van Buren County with native plants. Landscape knowing you are making a difference and knowing you are using good native plants! Preorders will be accepted up to April 8, 2022. Shop at https://vanburencd.org/shop/ or download this order form and mail it to us before April 8, 2022.

To all residents and landowners of Van Buren County, notice is hereby given that the Van Buren Conservation District’s regularly scheduled December 2021 board meeting has been rescheduled and will be held on December 15, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Van Buren Conservation District office (1035 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079). If you have any questions, please call 269-657-4030 x5 or email deputy@vanburencd.org. Emilly Hickmott, Deputy Administrator Van Buren Conservation District

To all residents and landowners of Van Buren County, notice is hereby given that the Van Buren Conservation District will hold a special meeting to review FY 2021 Budget Amendments and Employee Benefits. The special meeting will be held on December 1, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Van Buren Conservation District office (1035 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079). If you have any questions, please call 269-657-4030 x5 or email deputy@vanburencd.org. Emilly Hickmott, Deputy Administrator Van Buren Conservation District

Submitted by Emilly Hickmott, Deputy Administrator Ag Conservation/Water Quality Projects (Erin Fuller, Colleen Forestieri, Hannah Hudson) – Staff worked on coordinating engineering, permitting and construction for the installation of four water control structures on a large farm field adjacent to Mill Creek. These structures are part of a comprehensive drainage water management system and research project with the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. This research will allow us to share real-world data with local farmers to help them decide what conservation practices might fit their farm needs as well as help improve water quality. SWxSW Corner CISMA (Cooperative Invasive Species