District Conservationist Talking PointsApril 2007 Contribution Agreements NRCS headquarters has lifted the freeze on Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) agreements.  SWCDs are invited to submit proposals for Contribution Agreements, which will be considered in the order they are received.  Districts also are welcome to submit proposals at any time to be considered for FFY 2008 agreements.  Details on the type of work being considered and required application materials can be found on the NRCS Contribution Agreement Fact Sheet available in the March 21 IASWCD Weekly Update, available at http://www.iaswcd.org/PDFs/Updates/3-21-07wu.htm. Tillage Transect The Indiana Conservation Partnership is committed to completing the Tillage Transect statewide in 2007.  Transects will be completed in May or June, and all local partnership employees are invited to participate.  In addition to the data that will be gathered, conducting the transect offers an opportunity for all the local partners to observe and discuss resource conditions, needs and accomplishments.  All partnership employees should have received a letter from the ICP Partnership leaders detailing the background, procedures, and partnership roles for the Tillage Transect.  NRCS Rent Invoices NRCS has been informed that there is a problem at the National Finance Center (NFC) in the collection process for District rent invoices.  In some cases, the processing time is causing an interest charge assessment to some Districts.  NRCS is working on the problem and hopes to have it resolved soon.  Districts affected by this issue will not be responsible for interest charges that have been assessed due to the NFC processing time.  If you receive an interest invoice from NFC, please contact Gail Voiles at the NRCS State Office.  Gail's phone number is 317-290-3200, ext. 323, and her e-mail is gail.voiles@in.usda.gov.  Gail is tracking these charges and will contact affected Districts when the issue is resolved.  Training District Boot Camp #2 for SWCD District staffs will be held April 5 in Elkhart County at the MMA Building, 1110 North Main Street, Goshen, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The workshop is sponsored by the Indiana District Employees Association. It includes a hands-on presentation of the Web Soil Survey and the market-based approach to conservation - the new Energy and Nitrogen tools NRCS has created.  Mid-contract management information also will be shared.  The workshop is limited to the first 20 sign-ups, available through the St. Joseph County SWCD. EQIP Updates There is a new financial incentive for Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) development for fiscal year (FY) 2007 livestock-related EQIP contracts.  This is a nationwide initiative that provides additional funding for the development of CNMPs.  CSP Update There will be no new sign up for CSP in FY 2007.  All current contracts, funded through past year sign-ups, will continue to be funded.