— Celebrate with healthy soil

Jane Hardisty, a state conservationist with the Indiana Natural Resource Conservation Service, sends this Cheer for soil health:

“April 22 marks the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day, and people around the world will celebrate with activities that boost our awareness and appreciation of the environment. The event calls us into action to address all kinds of local environmental issues and challenges. Farming is often among the list of challenges; however, I believe farming is the original green job and it’s getting greener all the time. In fact, many of Indiana’s farmers are on a health kick – that is, a soil health kick!

“Soil health is achieved by disturbing the soil as little as possible, keeping it covered, growing as many different species of plants as practical, and keeping living plants in the soil as much as possible. Soil health practices are green because they use less energy, fuel, pesticides and nutrients; reducing pollution, improving our air and water quality, reducing flooding and enhancing wildlife habitat.

“Healthy soil matters to all of us with the increased demand for food production to feed our growing population, a decrease in available land, and the U.S. and the world becoming more dependent on finite resources just to keep up with demand.

“In the agency I work for, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, we are excited to work hand-in-hand with Indiana farmers to find the best combination of conservation practices to manage their land for optimal soil health. And the excitement is building as farmers are seeing incredible success when groups of practices such as no-till, cover crops, advanced nutrient and pest management, and buffers and drainage systems (where appropriate) are implemented together as a ‘system.’

“This is not a new way to farm – just a new way to think about farming. Farmers can see that healthy soil not only results in environmental gains, it makes sense and makes money! Managing farm fields for soil health means greater yield protection, lower energy and fuel needs because of less soil disturbance, less physical labor, reduced compaction and more.

“You’ll be hearing more about soil health in the future as the Natural Resource Conservation Service focuses on helping farmers and other private landowners learn how they can make a difference by learning more about what their soil needs to be healthy.

“Having grown up on a central Indiana grain farm, I know firsthand that Indiana farmers have a genuine love for the land they work and are by far the best stewards of our natural resources. They work hard to protect our environment in a sustainable way while providing Hoosiers a stable, secure and healthy domestic food source – not just on Earth Day but every day of the year!”

Working ‘for your best interest’

Marge McNutt of Kokomo sends this Cheer for a local company:

“I am on a mission to tell everyone my newfound discovery! I’m talking about a company called Kokomo Mechanical Contracting (765-236-0391).

“They unclog drains, install toilets, vanities – call and find out what all they service.

“These are two fine gentlemen who work together for your best interest, and they’re very reasonably priced to boot!”

Automotive museum says thanks

John Holmes of the Kokomo Automotive Museum sends this Cheer:

“The Kokomo Automotive Museum thanks the participants and donors who made the reverse raffle fundraiser on April 13 a huge success. To the participants goes a great big thank-you for your generosity in buying tickets and attending this event.

“Organizers who provided food, drinks, prizes and advertising include Bagwell Events and Signs, Golden Corral, Waddell IGA of Russiaville, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Aunt Millie’s Bakery, Green Acres and Wildcat Creek golf courses, Mid-America Beverage, Z92FIVE and WIOU radio stations, and the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance.

The donations of these organizations are very much

appreciated.”

It’s easy to conserve

Diana Deyoe of Greentown sends this Cheer for Earth Day:

“Earth Day is Sunday. It is a day to appreciate nature and help the environment. Appreciating nature is easy. All you have to do is eat lunch outside or go for a walk. Helping the environment is just as easy.

“By simply recycling your aluminum cans, plastic bottles and paper, you are helping the environment. Planting a tree is another great Earth Day activity.

“April 22 is the official Earth Day, but every day can be an Earth Day. To learn more about Earth Day, log on to earth

day.org.”

Local Tax-Aides assist 1,300

Dave Johnson, local coordinator of AARP’s Tax-Aide program, sends this Cheer:

“Nearly 1,300 local taxpayers were provided free income tax preparation assistance by the following AARP Tax-Aide volunteers during the recently completed filing season: Dick Abel, Larry Cracraft, Bill Dague, Ted DeGarmo, Pam Goodman, Vivian Heronemous, Bob Janes, Madonna Johnson, Judy Jones, Linda Kirkpatrick, Jerry Maden, Betty Madsen, Sarah Purcell, Don Silvey, Gene Sweeney, Don Tomaszewski and Bill Wanke. Special thanks to Tammy Corn and her staff at the Senior Citizens Center for their cooperation and support.”