OCTOBER 2010

Annual Report Madison County Soil and Water Madison County SWCD Volume 8, Issue 1

District Sponsoring Two New FY-10 Education Projects The Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA) lost their long time sponsor for the Best Environmental Education Programs (BEEP) 2010 Awards Program. EEAA contacted Madison County Soil and Water to ask if they knew of anyone who might be able to sponsor the FY-10 program. The board discussed the importance of environmental education programs and the need to keep these programs going. Marshall and Cullman County were contacted and the three counties agreed to partner in sponsorship of this program for FY-10. District Administrative Coordinators from each of these three districts are already actively working with local schools, teachers and students; and it just seemed to be a good partnership effort. To find out more about this program, go to EEAA’s website www.EEAA.us.

LtoR: Madison’s Mayor Paul Finley, Children’s Living Library Liaison, Kristin Kulavich, AMR&V RC&D Project Manager, Renona Seibert and Charles Butler, Chairman of Madison County SWCD participate in a kickoff meeting for “The Children’s Living Library” project on September 21, 2009.

Madison, Marshall and Cullman Counties Partner in Education Program

Inside This Issue BEEP Award Sponsorship Education Partnerships

1

Agriculture Tour October 20, 2009

2

NRCS District Conservationist Serves in Afghanistan

2

NRCS Trainee Receives Hnads-On Learning From Soil Conservationist

2

District Award Winners Drinking Water Fest

3

Legislative Meeting

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District Accomplishments

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 Supervisors  Charles W. Butler  Jeannie B. Harvey  Dave Mann, Jr.  Mark Harris  Roger Jones  SWCD Staff  Kathy Walker

Kathy Walker, Madison County; Karen Hayes, Marshall County and Deb Widner of Cullman County made presentations at the Water Festivals and at the EEAA Workshop.

 Sam Sandlin  Danny Williams

We strive to teach students the importance of where their food is grown. Students and teachers alike are usually surprised to learn that farmers in other countries who export foods to us do not have to follow the same strict guidelines for growing that the American farmer does. Teaching students in fun ways such as the Conservation Caterpillar and games using seeds help them to understand about nutrient use and growing conditions for plants.

 NRCS Staff  Anthony Hudson  Joyce Lane  Deryl Sharp

Promoting the District Through Changing Face of Agriculture Tours

SWCD/NRCS, Farmers Federation, Cattleman’s Assoc and AMR&V RC&D sponsored this tour for fifty-three elected officials, city, county, state and local leaders to showcase the diversity in farm size, crops grown and methods of farming in our county.

NRCS District Conservationist, Anthony Hudson Serves in Afghanistan Major Anthony Hudson shown on left with his family ,was called to serve one year of active duty with the U.S. Army Reserve Program in Afghanistan in October of 2009. Anthony has served for 19 years in the U.S. Army Reserve Program. We thank Anthony for his service to our country.

Anthony and his wife, Carolyn with their daughters Whitney and Kelly, and son, Xaviar.

A big thank you to Marshall County District Conservationist, Shawn Manning pictured on the right with his family, for being so willing to assist Madison County during Anthony’s absence. Shawn has worked both counties in Anthony’s absence and has done a great job!

Shawn and LaCreshia with their son, Bryson and daughter Madelyn.

NRCS Trainee Learns by Observing in Huntsville Field Office Mrs. Joyce Lane, Soil Conservationist for NRCS teaches summer intern, Ms. Jonjala F. Jackson how NRCS works with local farmers on conservation programs. Ms. Jackson has not only been able to meet the local farmers and observe many diverse farming operations; but she has seen just how much documentation is required from Mrs. Lane as a Soil Conservationist.

Joyce Lane and trainee, Jonjala Jackson work on contracts for local cost share programs.

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Ms. Jackson said “I really enjoyed my training in the Huntsville Field Office. Everyone made me feel welcome and I learned a lot”. She is from Newbern, AL and is presently a Senior majoring in Environmental Science at A&M University in Huntsville. She is a summer intern at the MLRS office located on the A&M Campus.

Annual Report

Three Individuals are Honored for Their Dedicated Service

FY-10 Madison County “Teacher of the Year” award went to Tom Summerville, New Hope High School Agriscience Teacher on March 25, 2010. He is diligent in teaching about agriculture in his classroom. Mr. Summerville went on to win at the Area I level also.

District One County Commisioner, Roger Jones was nominated for the FY-10 “Elected Official of the Year” award. This award recognizes officials who go above and beyond their required duties. Mr. Jones won at the Area I and state level also.

Chairman Charles Butler was selected as Madison County SWCD, FY-10 Supervisor of the Year. Several new projects have been implemented with the leadership of Mr. Butler. He continues to excel as our leader.

District Helps Sponsor North Alabama Regional Science & Engineering Fair Madison County SWCD was a sponsor for the North Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair held March 4-6, 2010 on the University of Alabama Huntsville Campus.

Austin lives with his family on their family farm in rural Cullman County. The purpose of his project was to show how organic matter added to the soil affected plant growth.

A total of three awards are presented by Madison County SWCD to winning students at this level. Kathy Walker judged the event. Students who won at their school level and at the regional level, will now compete at the state level. GREAT JOB STUDENTS!

GET HE SCOOP ON DIRT! First Place Winner, Austin Richard of Cold Springs High School in Cullman County.

He used various kinds of organic matter to enhance the nutrient levels in the soil; and he used various plants to show how no-till practices help on their farm. The no-till method of farming has increased their annual yield.

13th Annual Drinking Water Festival Presented in Madison County Approximately 2000 fourth grade students and 75 volunteers participated in this two-day event on May 18 and 19 on the University of Alabama, Huntsville Campus. Even though the date had to be changed due to unforeseeable circumstances, the festival was a complete success. Thank you so much to our wonderful volunteers who present, guide, fetch and carry to make this so successful. Volume 8, Issue 1

We would especially like to thank our loyal sponsors who fund this festival annually. Without your help, we could not have reached over 25,000 fourth grade students over the past 13 years. We had a paramedic come to work at the festival this year who had gone through the festival when he was in the fourth grade. He told us that he remembered how much fun he had. AWESOME! Page 3

Madison County SWCD 819 Cook Avenue, Suite 137, Huntsville, AL 35801 Supervisory Board meets second Tuesday Evening of each month-Public is welcome to attend. Phone: 256/532-1692 Ext #3 Fax: 256/539-6484 E-mail: [email protected]

Planting Seeds of Environmental Awareness Through Education!

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication or program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc) should contact USDA, Office of Communications at 202-720-7807 (TDD). To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250, or call 202/720-7327 (voice) or 202/729-1127 (TDD). USDA us an equal opportunity employer.

Madison County SWCD Accomplishments in FY-10 Held 10 regular monthly board meetings Conducted Classroom Presentations Attended AMR&V RC&D Qtrly/AL Mtgs Attended Area I Mtg in Limestone County Attended Legislative Meeting in Montgomery Developed Annual Plan of Work

THANKS SENATORS AND LEGISLATORS The annual Legislative Reception was held on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 in Montgomery. This meeting is always a good time to meet with our legislative members to discuss better ways to protect and preserve our natural resources for future generations. We greatly appreciate their taking time out of their very busy schedule to meet with our Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Reviewed MOU’s with other agencies Published and distributed Annual Report Thirteenth Annual Drinking Water Festival Held 6 District Watershed Meetings District Prog Applications………

59

USDA Prog Applications……….....

56

Tech Asst to Land users………....

450

Conservation Practices Applied by Users………………..... 263 Land Benefited by Application of Practices (acres) 11986

Pictured L to R: Kathy Walker, Brenda & Roger Jones, Charles Butler, Representative Howard Sanderford and Lori Lioce, Representative Mac McCutcheon and Senator Hinton Mitchum. Also attending but not pictured were Senator Tom Butler and Representatives Butch Taylor and Randy Hinshaw.