The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/111897
A-10 Wednesday, February 20, 2013 The Press-Dispatch New fertilizer rules take effect; OISC still spreading the word By Keith Robinson The Office of Indiana State Chemist is continuing its yearlong effort to help farmers comply with new rules regulating how manure and other fertilizers can be staged on farms and applied to fields. The rules took effect Feb. 16. ���We are getting the message to farmers and producers since they are the ones who have to come up with the plan to protect water,��� said Matthew Pearson, administrator of the OISC���s fertilizer section. The office will use discretion in enforcing the rules as farmers, fertilizer distributors and applicators continue to familiarize themselves with the regulations and comply. The rules provide for civil penalties ranging from $100 to $1,000 per day or incident. The rules apply to anyone who uses or distributes commercial fertilizer or manure in producing an agricultural crop, except for those who apply less than 10 cubic yards or 4,000 gallons in a year. The Purdue-based OISC wrote the rules as required by the state Legislature in 2011. Then, Gov. Mitch Daniels approved them in February 2012. The rules complement Indiana Department of Environmental Management regulations and align with strategies to reduce the flow of farm nutrients in waterways, Pearson said. In the past year, Pearson has given presentations at about 50 meetings, including those under the Private Applicator Recertification Program. In addition, there have been a couple of hundred other workshops across Indiana���s 92 counties. Last month the OISC mailed details of the new rules, including a questionand answer format highlighting major points, to all farmers, fertilizer dealers, applicators and pesticide dealers on record in Indiana. The most common question the office receives from farmers and applicators is whether they need special licensing or certification. In most cases, they do not. But those applying manure from confined feeding operations or those using it for hire need separate certification, and Category 14-licensed applicators are required to keep appropriate records. Some other most frequently asked questions: ������ Where can I get a template for creating a fertilizer application plan? Pearson noted there is no such form because situations on each farm are different. Local Purdue Extension offices can assist farmers in creating a plan, which needs to include all nutrient inputs and crop needs. ������ A re there restric tions for applying manure to frozen or snow-covered ground? Yes, surface applications require additional setbacks from surface water. There also are requirements involving the rate of manure that can be replied. ������ What are record-keeping requirements for Category 14-certified applicators? They must keep for two years a record of the location, certified applicator���s name and license or certification number, fertilizer, nutrient value, rate per acre and the method of application. There is no specific form for this. More frequently asked questions and other information is available on the OISC���s website at http:// www.isco.purdue.edu/. Vectren warns of utility scam Vectren is warning customers of a multi-state bill payment scam. As part of the scam, customers receive an unsolicited phone call from a fraudulent individual claiming to be a representative for the utility company. The fraudulent individual warns that the utility will disconnect the customer���s utility service if the customer fails to make an immediate payment���usually within an hour. Customers are instructed to purchase a prepaid debit card from a local store and call the fraudulent individual back to supposedly make a payment to the utility company. Upon calling the fraudulent individual back, the customer is asked to provide the receipt number and PIN number from the prepaid debit card, giving the fraudulent individual instant access to the card���s funds and the ability to immediately drain its balance. Vectren does not currently accept prepaid credit or debit cards for payment and would never require a customer to purchase one in order to make a payment of any type. If at any time customers are contacted by phone or in person from anyone claiming to represent Vectren and asking for personal or payment information, they should immediately call Vectren���s customer service operations at 800-227-1376 to verify the legitimacy of the request. To report a scam, visit the Better Business Bureau website www.bbb.org/scam. Hoosier Boys State delegates Pike Central has selected three delegates for Hoosier Boys State this year, sponsored by the local VFW branch. They are (l to r): Zach King, Abe Jenson and Daniel Craig. The boys will spend a week, from June 16 to June 22, this year learning about American government and politics. USI student to run 50 miles to Petersburg By Alden Heuring Aaron Pugh, a USI freshman, is running 50 miles to raise money for Riley Children���s Hospital, and ending his marathon in Petersburg. Pugh, who is dating 2012 Pike Central graduate Breanne Lane, said the inspiration for the charity fundraiser ���50 to the Future��� run came from his friends and family. ���I have a good friend, whose name is Dustin Arnold, who was a Riley kid at one point and told me of the exceptional care that he received while there,��� he said. ���He still remembers to this day that the window cleaners dressed up like Spiderman and Batman and that made me smile coming from a family of window cleaners! That combined with being known as super uncle Aaron to my 3- and 5-year-old nephews, Oliver and Elliott, and my 2-yearold niece, Adeline, I���ve realized how important children are. They are teaching grown adults things despite their age, like how to stay creative and use your imagination.��� While Pugh said he���s confident he will be able to run all 50 miles, his best distance achieved while training so far has been 30 miles. ���You don���t just wake up one day and run 50 miles,��� he said. He said he���s been doing at least one long run each week and shorter runs every day, and has started tapering towards 50 in his long runs. Pugh said he first started running after one of his eighth grade teachers convinced him to try track and field. He was hit by a car during a run in Evansville, and he said to stay safe, he will be running alongside a road crew on his 50-mile marathon to Petersburg. The crew will include several of his family members, his running partner Austin Pryor, his girlfriend Breanne Lane and several members of the USI women���s cross-country team. Pugh will start his run on the morning of Sunday, March 3, in central Evansville. He and his road crew will travel 50 miles to the north side of Petersburg, ending the run at the German American Bank. He hopes to raise $1,000 for Riley Children���s Hospital, and when this story was written, he had raised $626. A big portion of that money was given to him by Petersburg Kiwanis after he presented his cause and story at their weekly meeting. He hopes to reach Petersburg in about seven or eight hours, sometime in the evening. To donate to Riley on Pugh���s behalf, go to http:// bit.ly/Y6jHDT. Aaron Pugh talks about the inspiration for his ���50 to the Future��� charity run at a Petersburg Kiwanis meeting. Pugh is trying to raise $1,000 for Riley Children���s Hospital by running 50 miles from Evansville to Petersburg. Does someone you know live with joint pain? Tell them about this seminar: You Don���t Have to Live with Joint Pain PC Band wins gold ratings Several band members won gold ratings in the Indiana State School Music Association solo and ensemble contest state finals on Saturday. Above, the ensemble of three trombones: Sarah D���Esposito, Emma Williams and Ali Kroeger won a gold rating. Below, Ian Mitchell, drum set; Kyler Lee, drum set; Logan Ferguson, alto saxophone; Amber Whitehouse, marimba; Emma Williams, trombone and Taia Hinton, marimba all won individual gold ratings for their performances in the solo contest. Also, Stephen French won on the timpani, but is not pictured. WHEN: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 5:30 p.m. ��� 7:00 p.m. Dinner at 5:30 p.m.; Presentation at 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Pike County 4H Fairgrounds/Hornady Park Community Building 1211 W State Road 56 | Petersburg, IN 47567 WHAT: Gain first-hand knowledge of the joint replacement process, including: ��� Understanding causes of joint pain ��� Treatment options available for joint pain ��� Life after joint replacement Call 812-450-7000 to register for this free educational seminar. Visit www.deaconess.com/joint to learn more about the nationally recognized Deaconess Joint Replacement Program. www.deaconess.com/joint