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1 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

What’s Inside:

Pages 2-3

• CFCKickoff• DustBowlScreenings• AllredReceivesNRCSAward• AgroforestryinPerryCounty• ArchaeologicalInvestigation

Pages 4-5

• PCBIReceiveAward• FACMeeting• GulfCoastEcosystem

RestorationCouncilEngineering News

• EWPSitesCompleted• Sub-surfaceDripIrrigation• BridgesofPickensCountyPages 6-7

• BuildingIrrigationReservoirs• PleasantHomeSchool• Andress-AwardforHerFather• CountyLandJudgingContests

Pages 8-9

• ConecuhFarm-CityLuncheon• NorthRegionFieldDay• CulturalResourceMeeting• JoiningForcesforFairBooth

Pages 10-11

• WidnerSWCDOutstandingEmployeeoftheYear

• FarmingFieldDayinMorganCounty

OutreachNews

• JewelBean• ThomasOliverFarmWorkshop• SeasonalHighTunnelsin

RandolphCounty• OrganicPartnersMeet• PartnershipMeetingin

Tuskegee• SummerIntern

Pages 12-13

• PAWCMeetinginTuskegee• WhiteOakVineyardsOutreach• SmallFarmersCoop• BarbourCountyFieldDay• JolleyandWoodlandGrazing• ALSmallFarmeroftheYear• STCPresentsatKiwanisClub• ALNationalSmallFarmerof

theYear

Pages 14

• GotcherFamilyReceivesFarmAward

• Personnel• InSympathy

Current DevelopmentsNRCS Alabama

From the State Conservationist - Dr. William Puckett The Field Office of the Future is Bright!

Asyouknow,weareinacontinuingresolutionuntilMarch28,2013.Wehavereceivedsomeprogramalloca-tionsandarecontinuingtoimplementconservationontheground.Itisimportantthatweputtogethergoodconser-vationplansanddesigns,followpolicy,andensurethatweexhibitintegrityinallthatwedo.

IamproudtoannouncethatAlabama’snomination,EarlandCharisseSnellofDaleCounty,receivedthe2012NationalLloydWrightSmallFarmeroftheYearawardduringtheNationalOrganizationofProfessionalBlackNRCSEmployees(NOPBNRCSE)meetinginJackson,Mississippi,inDecember2012.LloydWright,whofoundedNOPBNRCSEandisthenamesakeoftheaward,presentedtheSnell’swithanengravedsilverbowl.TheSnell’swereselectedasthe2011AlabamaSmallFarmer’softheYearfortheirenviron-mentalstewardship,innovations,andcommunityleadership.

Inanefforttoempowerpeoplefromruralcounties,liketheSnells,AlabamawaschosenbySecretaryofAgricultureVilsackasaStrikeForcestate.Throughthisinitiative,USDAisworkingtoensureallproducershaveaccesstoprogramsthatcanhelpthemthrive,includingprovenconservationprograms.Inpartnershipwithlocalcommunity-basedorganizations,threeAlabamaUSDAagencies—NRCS,FarmServiceAgencyandRuralDevelopment,areworkingtoimproveouroutreachtothesecommunitiesinordertoincreasetheiraccessto,andparticipationin,ourprograms.

ThroughStrikeForce,wearemeetingwithAlabamaUSDAagencyleadersandotherpartnerstoputtogetheraplantoaddressthepersistentpovertyin22Alabamacounties.Theintentistoenhancetheopportunitiesforcommu-nitiesinthesecountiestothriveeconomicallyandtoincreasethequalityoflifesothattheyareplaceswherepeoplewillwanttolive.TheNRCSstaffinthesecountieswillbeaskedtoworkcloselywithStrikeForcestaffandpartnerstomakethisinitiativeasuccess.

Aswemoveintothenewyear,withmuchuncertaintyabouttheeconomy,changesinournation,thefiscalcliff,sequestration,andFarmBillbattles;remember,ourcustomersandpartnersareourfirstpriority.WewillcontinuetofollowourconservationconscienceandHelpAlabamiansTakeCareoftheLand.

2 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

CFC KickoffBy Jason Forrester, CFC Project Manager, NRCS, Auburn, AL

OurCombinedFederalCampaign(CFC)kickedoffwithashortpresen-tationinOctober2012.EmployeesfromtheStateOfficeattended.WetalkedaboutthethingsthatCFChelpsaccomplishintheworld.

WewerechallengedbyCFCwithanotherlargecampaigngoalof$6,750.Thankstothegenerousgivingofmanyemployees,andagreatsilentauction/bakesale,weraised148%ofourgoal,foratotalofover$9,000.Thankyousomuchforallthosewhocontinuetosupportthisgreatcause!

Dust Bowl Advanced Screenings

InNovember2012,threespecialadvancedscreeningsandcommunityforumsfor“TheDustBowl,”anewdocumentaryfilmbyfilmmakerKenBurnswereheldafewdaysbeforePBSstationstelevisedthefilm.ThescreeningswereheldinBirmingham,Huntsville,andMobile.

TheAlabamaStateSoilandWaterConservationCommittee(SWCC),theAlabamaAssociationofSoilandWaterConservationDistricts(SWCD),andNRCSlaunchedthecommunityforumstoexplorethehistoryandlessonsofthedustbowl.Ateachscreening,NRCSpersonneltoldaboutconservationpracticesthatprotectAmerica’ssoiltoday.

ThefilmchronicledtheenvironmentalcatastrophethatdestroyedthefarmlandsoftheGreatPlainsthroughoutthe1930’s.TheprairieswereturnedintodesertsanddeadlyduststormsreachedasfarastheeastcoastofAmerica.Totheresidentswithinthearea,itprobablyseemedneverending.

From The State Office

Allred Receives Alabama Top Honor

JeffAllredreceivedthe2012JerryL.JohnsonAward.Thisannualaward,giveninhonorofthelateJerryJohnson,retiredStateStaffForester,recognizesanNRCSemployeewhoexhibitsexcellenceinpublicservicethroughemployment,profession,community,andfamily.

Allred,theResourceEngineerfortheCentralTeaminBessemer,wasnominatedbyWildlifeBiologistsJeffThurmondandJimSchrenkel.

(l-r) Dana and Jeff Allred, and Alabama NRCS State Conserva-tionist Dr. William Puckett.

Agroforestry Practice Reviewed in Perry CountyBy Tim Albritton, State Staff Forester, NRCS, Auburn, AL

AgroforestrypracticesarenotwidelyknownorpracticedthroughoutAlabama.Weliketopromotethemandhighlighttheirusewheneverwehavethechance.InSeptember,Richard(Rich)Straight,theTechnologyTransferLeadwiththeUSDA’sNationalAgroforestryCenterinLincoln,Nebraska,cametovisitAlabama.

RichhadothervisitstomakeinAlabama.Whilehewasherehewantedtovisitagroforestrypracticesinaction.IhadpreviouslyworkedwithPerryCountyDistrictConservationist(DC)SuttonGibbsandknewofalandownerthathadrecentlyconvertedapine

3 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

standintosilvopastureundertheEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP).Thelandowner,RoyBarnett,wasverypleasedwiththeimprovementtohisgrazingpotentialusingsilvopasture.

Rich’svisitprovidedanopportunityforothersinter-estedinthesilvopasturetocometogetherandreviewthepracticeanddiscussitsmanybenefits.Ipresentedsomeinformationonconvertingapinestandtoasilvopasture.EddieJolley,NRCSConser-vationAgronomist;andBrigettaGiles,ForesterwiththeAlabamaForestryCommission,werealsopresent.

Wediscussedthepracticeswesawalongthewaytomakesurethestatedgoalsandobjectivesarebeingaccomplished.Itwasunanimous;thesilvopasturepracticeisworkingwonderfully.Everyoneagreedthatitwasagoodvisit.

Archaeological Investigation in Cleburne CountyBy Teresa Paglione, Cultural Resources Specialist, NRCS, Auburn, AL

EarthTeamvolunteersfrommembersoftheAlabamaArchaeologicalSocietyhelpeddeterminethenatureofseveralarchaeologicalsitesinCleburneCounty.FieldworkwasconductedonaSeptemberweekendunderthesupervisionofJasonMann(TroyUniversityarchaeologist)andme,alongwithadozenunder-graduateandgraduatestudentsfromAuburnand

(l-r): Tim Albritton, NRCS State Staff Forester; Roy Barnett, landowner; Charles Holmes, SWCD Board; Rich Straight, USDA National Agroforestry Center, Nebraska; Sutton Gibbs, Perry County NRCS DC; and Cedric Hudson, Alabama Forestry Commission.

TroyUniversitiesandfriendsandneighborsofthelandowners.

Severallate19thtoearly20thcenturyhistoricsitesareonthelandowner’sproperty,includingamoonshinestillandanoldhousesitewithadugwelladjacenttoahistoricroadbed.Inaddition,thereareseveralprehistoricsites,twoofwhichwerepreviouslyrecorded.

Perhapsmostinterestingwasthereportofanunrecordedbluffshelter(notreportedintheASSFatMoundville).Thepreviouslandownerhadalloweddiggingattheshelterdecadesearlierandartifactswereremoved.Whatkindorhowmanywerenotdetermined.

Two2-footsquaretroweltestswereexcavatedinsidetheshelter.Threeincheswerecarefullyscrapedandscreenedandcontainedsevenflakes,flecksofcharcoal,twopiecesofgraphite,anEtowahCompli-catedStamppotterysherd,andplainsandtemperedpotsherd.TheEtowahComplicatedStamppotsherdclearlyindicatesthatitwasusedduringtheMissis-sippiantimeperiod,circaAD1150–1350.ThispotterytypeiswellknownfromtheEtowahmoundsitelocatedinCartersville,Georgia.

ItseemslikelythatthisBluffShelterwasusedasacampsiteinprevioustimeperiods,perhapsoverthousandsofyears-orpossiblyjustahundredyearsbeforedeSotoandhisentourageroamedAlabamaandtheSoutheastlookingforgold.Returnvisitsarebeingconsideredtofurtherinvestigatethisarchaeo-logicallysignificantsite.

Perhaps most interesting on the investigation was the previously unreported bluff shelter (opening is visible behind group).

4 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

(l-r) David Elliott, Program Analyst/Tribal Liaison, Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI), NRCS, Atmore, AL; Robert Thrower, PBCI Tribal Historic Preservtion Officer; Shannon Weaver, Assistant State Conservationist (ASTC)-Technology, NRCS, Auburn, AL; Frank Nalty, Chair, Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee; Dr. William Puckett, State Conservationist, NRCS, Auburn, AL; Michael Martinez; Special Assistant to the Chief, NRCS, Washington, DC; and Steve Musser, ASTC-Programs, NRCS, Auburn, AL.

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration CouncilNRCSandotherpartnersandagenciesattendedtheGulfCoastEcosystemRestorationCouncil’sfirstpublicmeetinginDecember2012attheRenaissanceMobileRiverviewPlazaHotel,inMobile,Alabama.TheCouncilwilldevelopandhelpimplementaplantorestoretheecosystemandeconomyoftheGulfCoastregioninthewakeoftheDeepwaterHorizonoilspill.Thismeetinggavethepublicaforumtodiscussissueswithpartici-patingstateandfederalrepresentatives.

(l-r) Keith Martin, Tribal Council Member and Billy Smith, Tribal Elder, accept the limited edition print.

PBCI Receive Forestry AwardThePoarchBandofCreekIndians(PBCI)receivedtheHeleneMosleyMemorialTREASUREForestAwardfortheSouthRegionattheAlabamaNaturalResourcesCouncil(ANRC)AwardsBanquetonFebruary8,2013,inAuburn.ThisawardrecognizesthemostoutstandingTREASUREForestsinAlabama,withrespecttotheireducationalvalueanduse.

Dr. William Puckett (standing) addresses the FAC group.

FAC MeetingTTheFoodandAgricultureCouncil(FAC)metinMontgomeryonJanuary24,2013,todiscusstheselectionofAlabamaasaUSDAStrikeForcestatefor2013.NRCS,FSA,andRD,willpartnerwithotherfederalagenciesandorganizationstoprovidefinancialandtechnicalassistanceto22persistenthigh-povertycountiesinthestate.BenMaloneisleadingthestrike-forceeffortinAlabama.AplanhasbeendevelopedandsubmittedtoWashingtonforapproval.

5 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

Engineering News

Final EWP Sites CompletedBy Jessica Mills, Resource Engineer, NRCS, Guntersville, AL

ThetornadooutbreaksofApril2011,causedsuddenimpairmentsofwatershedsthroughoutnorthandcentralAlabama.TheEmergencyWatershedProgram(EWP)wasimplementedinmultiplecountiestoremovedebrisfromstreamsinordertoprotectpropertyfromfloodinganderosion.

ThepresenceoftwoendangeredsnailspecieswasdiscoveredatthreeoftheEWPsitesinLimestoneCounty.DebrisremovalwasdelayeduntilathoroughinvestigationbycontractedfishandwildlifeexpertswascompletedanddeliveredtotheUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService(USFWS)forreview.ThearmoredsnailandslendercampelomafoundonthesiteshavebeenontheendangeredspecieslistsinceFebruary2000.

AplanwasmutuallydraftedbytheUSFWSandNRCStoremovestormdebriswhilemaintainingandprotectingthesnails’habitat.AswithallEWPsites,noequipmentwaspermittedtooperateinthestream.Atleast20footbuffersweremaintained.Debriswasnotdraggedfromthestream,butliftedoutofthewaterinstead.Beforeremovingdebris,itwasshakenoverthewaterallowingsnailstodetachanddrop-off.Theseprecautionsallowedfortheremediationofblockedwaterwayswithoutcompromisingtheexistenceofthetwoendangeredspecies.ThesitesweresuccessfullycompletedonDecember4,2012.

An EWP site after debris was removed.

Slender campeloma were found on three sites.

(photo by Jeff Selby, AST Engineering, Decatur, AL )

Sub-surface irrigation allows precise application of water.

Sub-surface Drip Irrigation Project By Perry Oakes, State Con Engineer, NRCS, Auburn, AL

AlabamaNRCS’sfirstSub-SurfaceDripIrrigation(SSDI)projectwillbeinstalledinLimestoneCounty,Alabama.SSDIhasproventobesuccessfulatAgriculturalExperimentStationsthroughouttheSoutheastandisfindingitswayintofieldsbeyondtheexperimentalphase.

SinceAlabamaNRCShadlimitedknowledgeofthistypesystem,werequiredthesystemdesignandinstallationcertificationtobeperformedbyaCertifiedIrrigationDesigner(CID).Designreviewassis-tancewasprovidedbyDr.HamidFarahani,WaterManagementEngineerattheEastNationalTechnicalServiceCenter;andRandyOdom,NRCSAgricul-turalEngineeratMoultrie,GA.Dr.JohnFultonwithBiosystemsEngineeringatAuburnUniversityalsoprovidedSSDIinformationtoNRCS.Theapproximate100acresystemwilloperatein3zoneswithapumpflowrateofjustover1,000gallonsperminute(gpm).Thesub-surfacetapewillbeinstalledusingRTK(RealTimeKinematic)guidancetechnology.Thesurfacewatersupplywillrequireanextensivesandfiltertoensurethewaterwillnotclogemitters.TheproposedSSDIsystemisexpectedtobeinstalledandfunctioningbytheendoftheyear.The Bridges of Pickens CountyBy Fay Garner, PAS, NRCS, Auburn, AL

InNovember2012,thePickensCountySWCD/NRCSfieldofficeandthestateofficeengineeringsection,hostedatourtoprovideinformationabouttwofarm

6 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

Building Quality Irrigation Reservoirs By Alberto Atienza-Reyes, Ag Engineer, NRCS, Troy, AL

IrrigationisbecomingamorevitalpartofAlabamaagriculture.Itnotonlyincreasesyields,butalsoincreasestheprobabilityofasuccessfulcrop.

Therearetwomajorcomponentsinirrigation,awatersourceandsometypeofirrigationsystemtoconveywaterfromthewatersourcetotheplant.

Onetypeofwatersourceisastoragereservoirwhichcanbeusedtocapturerunoffand/orstorewaterpumpedfromothersources(wellsorstreams).Thesestoragereservoirsneedasitespecificevaluationanddesigndependingonwaterneedsandthesizeofoperation.ThroughtheAlabamaAgriculturalWaterEnhancementProgram(AWEP)producerswhoarestrugglingtofindenoughwatertoirrigate,canapplyfortechnicalandfinancialassistancefromNRCStoconstructirrigationreservoirs.

Manyfactorsaretobeconsideredinthedesignofaqualityreservoir.Theyincludetopographyofthearea,soils,drainagearea,rainfalldata,landslope,groundcover,reservoirstorage,andconstructionmaterials.Soilsaremostimportantbecausetheywilldetermineifthereservoirwillholdwaterornot.

Thefirstthingneededtobuildaqualityreservoirisagoodengineeringdesignthatevaluatesallofthesefactors.Designsincludeasetofdrawings,constructionspecifications,andoperationandmaintenanceguidance.NRCSandprofessionalengineershavebeendevelopingsuchdesignsforAWEP.

Oncedesigned,aqualifiedcontractormustconstructthereservoir.Thecompactionandborrowmaterialselectionarecriticalforasuccessfulproject.Aqualifiedinspectorisneededincriticalstagesoftheprojecttoensurethequalityandplacementofmaterials.

The tour group at the new bridge stream crossing at Cow Creek Ranch in Pickens County, AL. AWEP pond being constructed in Coffee County, AL.

bridgesconstructedfortwolandownersthrougha2011pilotprogramusingEQIPfinancialassistance.

Thetourconsistedofstateofficeandfieldstaff,DistrictSupervisors,USFishandWildlifepersonnel,localagencies,andlandowners.

ThefirstpartofthetourbeganwithapresentationgivenatthePickensCountyServiceCenter,followedbyabarbequelunch.Becauseofashorttimeframe,theparticipantswereabletovisitonlyonebridgesite;“CowCreekRanch”ownedbyJoyReznicek.

WhenReznicekheardaboutthebridgeprogram,shesigneduptoinstallawoodenbridgeacrossaspanwhereanoldculvert-typecrossingwaslocatedthatneededcontinuousmaintenanceovertheyearsandwasnolongersafetonavigate.Shesaid,“Wehavenotbeenabletoharvestforageinthefieldacrossthestreambecausewewereunabletogetequipmentovertoit.”

ThenewpracticeprovidedatremendouslearningcurveforthePickensCountyDCTerryWilliams.ThepilotprogramrequiredhimtoquicklylearntheinsandoutsofconstructingtheonlyNRCSfundedwoodenbridgesbuiltinAlabama.Terryindicatedthatbeingthefirstcountytodosotookalotofresearchandhands-ondevelopment.Sometimes,hesaid,itwasachallengejusttolocatethematerialstomeetthestrictconstructionspecifications.Somematerialswerenotavailablelocallyandhadtobemail-ordered.Othermaterialshadtobecustommade.

Thebridgepracticeprovidesanenvironmentallyfriendlywaytokeeplivestockandequipmentoutofthestreamwhenusedinapastureoracropfieldsituation.Thedownsideofconstructingawoodenbridgeisthehighcost,evenwithfinancialassistance.Buttothelandowners,thecostisworthitbecausethepracticeallowsaccessibilitytolandthatwasotherwiselandlocked.

7 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

AtarecentFranklinCountyFarm-CityBanquet,SharonAndress,ConservationProgramManager,NRCS,Russellville,AL,acceptedanawardinductingherfather,ThomasHarbin,intotheFranklinCountyAgricultureHallofFame.HeisaformerVice-ChairoftheFranklinCountySWCD.

County Land Judging Contests

Lauderdale County SWCD/NRCSheldtheirAnnualLandJudgingContestonLawrenceSmith’sfarmonCountyRoad222inNovember2012.ThefourschoolsparticipatingwereLauderdaleCounty,Lexington,Rogers,andFlorenceFreshmanHighSchools(HS).FlorenceFreshmanwonfirstplaceandwillcompeteattheDistrictlevel.

Mr. Smith hosted teachers and students from participating schools for the land judging contest.

Florence Freshman wins contest. (l-r) Matt Ball, Teacher; Brenda Hand, Lauderdale Co. DAC; student Josh Pannel; Lawrence Smith, District Supervisor; and students Brandon Rieff, Shelby Atwood and Jacob Graham.

Blount County heldtheircontestattheJerryMarshFarminOctober2012.Fiveteamscompeted:Appala-chian,Cleveland,J.B.Pennington,LocustFork,andSusanMooreHighSchools.HollyPondHSfromCullmanCountyjoinedthecompetitionasawarmupfortheircountycontestthefollowingweek.

From the Field

Pleasant Home SchoolBy Patricia Gable, District Educational Specialist, SWCD, Andalusia, AL.

NRCS/SWCSstaffledahands-onlessonwith2ndgradersatPleasantHomeSchool.Theycreatedandlabeledthepartsofatreeandthendiscussedtheimportanceoftreesandtheforesthabitat.

Andress Accepts Award for Her Father

(l-r) Jack Hargett, FCSWCD Board member and FC Cattleman director; Orland Britnell, FC Cattleman director; Frank Mitchell, FCSWCD Board Member and FC Cattleman director; Sharon Andress, NRCS employee and daughter of Thomas Harbin; Greg Smith, FC Cattleman director; Jimmy Murphree, FCSWCD Board Chairman, and David Welborn, FCSWCD board member.

8 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

Students from participating Blount County, AL, teams.

TheBlountCountySWCDfurnishedlunchfortheteamsatLocustForkPark.Aftereatingandashorttimeoffellowship,thegroupwenttotheJerryMarshFarmtojudgefoursites:forestland,pastureland,homesite,andcropland.

Atthecroplandsite,theteamshadvisitors,anearbyyellowjacketnest.Thankgoodnesstheywerefriendly.

WiththehelpofemployeesfromBlountCountySWCD/NRCS,andtheAlabamaForestryCommission,thecontestwentsmoothly.

TheBlountCountySWCD/NRCSgivesoutthankstoJerryMarshforhostingthecompetition,District4CommissionerWaymonPittsandtheBlountCountyCommissionforpreparingthecompetitionsites;andNRCSResourceConservationistTracyColeforjudgingthecompetition.

Cleveland HS (pictured) finished first, Appalachian HS second, and Locust Fork HS third.

Conecuh Farm-City Conservation Appreciation Luncheon

ConservationpartnersjoinedforcesastheConecuhFarmersFederation,SWCD/NRCS,andMidrocCorporationhostedaFarm-CityluncheoninDecember2012,attheOldDepotindowntownEvergreen.Theluncheonhelpspromotepartnershipandprovidesinformationtolocalcommunityleadersandrepresentatives.ItalsoservesasawayofsayingthankyouforthecontinuedsupportofthemissionoftheSWCD/NRCS.

Atleast56peoplegatheredfortheluncheon.WewerehonoredtohaveAlabamaRepresentativesHarryShiverandCharlesNewtontojoinus.Inaddition,localleaderssuchastheCountyCommis-sioners,EvergreenKiwanisClubmembers,AlabamaCattlemen,andEvergreenCityrepresentativesattended.

RonShumack,ChairmanoftheConecuhSWCD,welcomedthecrowdandmadeintroductions.AninvocationwasofferedbylocalministerRev.WayneNevlous.AlabamaFarmersFederationGovern-mentalandAgriculturalProgramsDirectorMittWalkeraddressedthecrowdduringtheluncheon.HegaveabriefingoftheFarmBill,itspurpose,andhowfundingisbrokendownintheBillbypercentages.

Duringlunch,servedbylocalcatererJuneStinson,thegroupinteractedwithleadershipandpartnersthatattended.

The District values the partnerships of everyone with

whom we work.

The group is welcomed to the meeting.

9 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

Cultural Resource Meeting

WendySmith,AmericanIndian/AlaskaNativeSpecialEmphasisProgramManager,hostedaCulturalResourcemeetinginDecember2012inMontgomery.InformationwasofferedtoNRCSemployeesaboutIndianHeritage.

AdreamcatchercontestwasheldforallNRCSemployeeswhowishedtoparticipate.FirstplacewithfourhourstimeoffwenttoErikaJustiniano-Velez,AgriculturalEngineer,GroveHill,AL;andsecondplaceoftwohourstimeoffwenttoLuisCruz-Arroyo,DC,Jackson,AL.

Erikasaid,“Itisdifficulttododreamcatchers,especiallyworkingwithsinew,beads,andfeathers,theygeteverywhere.ButIhadagreattimeworkingwithit.Luisevencarvedacemioutofwood!”(ThecemirepresentstheTaino’sreligionandgods.TheTainoIndiansweretheindigenouspeopleinPuertoRicoandtheCaribbean.)

Counties Join Forces For Fair Booth By Renea Dyer, DC, NRCS, Lauderdale County, AL

SWCS/NRCSfromLauderdale,Franklin,andColbertCountiesteameduptohostaboothattheNorthwestAlabamaStateFairinSeptember2012.Theboothwasstaffedtheentireweektoanswerquestionsandletthecommunityknowwhatwedo.Thisyear,weusedanationalsoilsdisplay.Thedisplaywasthreedimensionalandcouldbeseenonbothsidestogivethecommunityanideaofhowimportantoursoilsare.WegaveawaylotsofinformationalbrochuresonvarioustopicsinbothEnglishandSpanish.Wepotentiallyreachedmorethan1,000customersovertheweek-longevent.

North Region Forestry Field Day By Jimmy Tucker, Soil Con Tech, NRCS, Oneonta, AL

TheNorthRegionForestryFieldDaywasheldinOctober2012,atMountainShadowsFarmsinBlountsville.JerryJonesSr.andJerryJones,Jr.welcomedeveryonetotheirbeautifulwildlifefarm.

Thefielddayeventbeganwhenguestsweretrans-portedbytrailerstofourteachingstations.Thefirststationwas“NativeGrassandWildlife”presentedbyJimSchrenkel,CertifiedWildlifeBiologist,workingwiththeNRCS.Thesecondstationwas“WetlandManagement”coveringForestry,WildlifeandNaturalResourceManagementpresentedbyAndrewBaril,RegionalExtensionAgent.Thethirdstationwas“TimberManagementforWildlifeIssues”presentedbyJonathonBartlett,WildlifeBiologist,AlabamaDepartmentofWildlifeandFreshwaterFisheries.Thefourthstationwas“InvasiveSpecies”presentedbyDr.NancyLoewenstein,SchoolofForestryandWildlifeSciences,AuburnUniversity(AU)andDr.StephenEnloe,AssistantProfessorofAgronomyandSoils,WeedManagementExtensionSpecialist,InvasivePlantSpecialist,AU.

Afterrotatingthroughallthestations,guestsweretransportedbacktothemaintentwheretheyspenttimewithvendorsandenjoyedaWhisker’sCatfishlunchprovidedbytheBlountCountyNaturalResourcesPlanningCommittee(NRPC).

Followinglunch,MerryGaines,NRCSDC,introducedAllenVarnerwiththeAlabamaForestryCommission.Varnermadepresentationsandthefollowingawards:StewardshipForests,TREASUREForests,TreeFarm,OutstandingPlanningCommittee,andtheHeleneMosleyMemorialTREASUREForestAward.

Vendorsandsponsorsprovideddoorprizesforthe130attendees.TheBlountCountyNRPCorganizedtheeventwithleadershipfromtheAlabamaNaturalResourcesCouncil,AlabamaForeverForestFoundation,andtheAlabamaTreeFarmCommittee.

(l-r) Drs. Stephen Enloe and Nancy Loewenstein explains different types of invasive plants and how to control them.

Dream catcher winners (l-r) Erika first place and Louis second place.

10 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

Deborah Widner Named Outstanding Employee of the YearBy Wesley Halbrooks, Program Assistant, NRCS, Decatur, AL

DuringtheAlabamaAssociationofConservationDistricts’AreaOneAnnualMeetinginMadisonCounty,ChairmanCharlesButleroftheMadisonCountySWCDrecognizedDeborahWidnerastheAlabamaAssociationofConservationDistrictOutstandingEmployeeoftheYear.

DeborahistheCullmanCountySWCDCertifiedDistrictAdministrativeCoordinator.Shestartedworkingforthedistrictin1998asanAssistantDistrictAdministrativeCoordinator.In2005,shewaspromotedtoDistrictAdministrativeCoordinator,andin2010shecompletedtrainingasaCertifiedDistrictAdministrativeCoordinator.

DeborahhasservedasTreasureroftheSoutheastDistrictEmployeesAssociation,AreaIDirector,andchairpersonoftheAssociationDirector-HandbookCommitteefortheAlabamaConservationDistrictEmployeesAssociation,andonadditionalcommittees.SheisontheplanningcommitteefortheCullmanCountyGroundWaterFestivalandisthetreasurerfortheCullmanForestryPlanningCommittee.

Farming Field Day in Morgan County By Summer Stidham, SWCD Education Coordinator, Morgan County, AL

Wheredoesourfoodcomefrom?Justaskthe700thirdgradestudentsthatattendedFarmFieldDay,attheMorganCountyCelebrationArenainDecaturinNovember2012.Thestudentsvisitedseveral

educationalstationswheretheylearnedthebasicsoffarmingandhowitresultsinfoodattheirlunchroomtable.ThisFarmFieldDayfeaturededucationoncotton,forestry,aquaculture,dairycattle,beefcattle,poultry,farmequipment,bees,horticulture,andhorses.ParticipatingorganizationswereMorganCountyExtension,LimestoneCountyBeekeepersAssociation,SouthwestDairyFarmersMobileDairyClassroom,HartselleHighSchoolFFA,andTheHaystackers4-HHorseClub.

Thefieldtripandtransportationwasfreetostudents.TheeventwasorganizedbySummerStidham,EducationCoordinatorwithMSWCDandwassponsoredbytheMorganCountyEnvironmentalEducationFoundation,MorganCountyFarmersFederation,MorganCountyCooperativeExtensionSystem,andAlabamaFarmersCo-Op,andtheMorganCountyStateProductsMartBoard.

Amanda Griffith, with Southwest Dairy Farmers, uses the Mobile Dairy Classroom, a traveling milking parlor, to demonstrate how to milk a real cow. She describes how milk goes from the farm to consumers. She answered questions from the audience. This is an innovative program that brings the dairy experience directly to children.

Local sheep farmer Curt Stidham introduced the students to his sheep “Nacho” and her twin lambs.

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Outreach News from Alice Love

A conservation partner stakeholder meeting was held in Montgomery to discuss targeting small farmers with interest in organic cropping systems.

Jewell Bean (r) is proud of her greens crop grown in her hoop house installed using financial assistance through EQIP. Victor Kahn (l), Tuskegee University Horticulturist/Plant Breeder, and advisor to producer looks on. This is the second harvest in a year.

At a workshop held at Thomas Oliver Farm in Randolph County, Alabama, Eddie May (l), Executive Director, Coosa Valley RC&D, demonstrates planter adjustments. Victor Kahn (r), talked about various crops suitable for hoop house production. Conservation practices were planned/installed through a farm plan that was developed by Oliver and former DC, Craig Johnson, who has since relocated to Linden.

Victor Kahn (r), conducts onsite training on the fundaments of Seasonal High Tunnel production and maintenance in Randolph County, AL.

2012 Forestry and Natural Resources Council partnership meeting was held at the Kellogg Conference Center atTuskegee University.

Zackery Hayes (l), Soil Scientist, Normal, Alabama, shares work experiences with students within the College of Agriculture at Tuskegee University. He achieved career work experiences through summer internships with USDA Forestry Service and NRCS. He emphasized how summer internships can result in a career conditional/permanent appointment upon graduation.

12 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

(top) USDA-NRCS Regional Conservationist Leonard Jordan speaks to participants at the 2012 Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) in Tuskegee, AL.

(bottom l-r) USDA-NRCS panel at 2012 PAWC: Ronald Harris, USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach; James Tillman, Georgia State Conservationist; Dr. William Puckett, Alabama State Conservationist; Ann English, South Carolina State Conservationist; Terry Cosby, Ohio State Conservationist; and Leonard Jordan, NRCS Regional Conservationist.

Coosa Valley RC&D hosts Outreach Information Meeting at White Oak Vineyards in Anniston, AL.

Tuskegee College of Agriculture and Extension Staff work with producers to form a Small Farmers Cooperative.

Don Nelson, NRCS DC for Barbour County, AL, informs field day participants of the Farm Bill status relating to Fiscal Year 2013 USDA-NRCS programs.

Eddie Jolley, NRCS Conservation Agronomist, hosts a preplanning meeting with partners to discuss recommended changes to woodland grazing criteria.

13 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

(l-r) Dr. William Puckett and Duane Andrews-Alabama NRCS- presented Small Farmer of the Year Award to Richard and Prentella Smith.

AL 2013 Small Farmer Of the Year RichardSmithofMarengoCountywasnamedtheAlabamaNRCS2013SmallFarmeroftheYear.Anengravedclockwaspresentedtohimandhiswife,Prentella,byDr.WilliamPuckettattheFederationofSouthernCooperative’s45thAnnualMeetingattheirTrainingCenterinEpes,Alabama.

TheSmith’sarerecognizedasgoodstewardsofthelandandareavaluetotheircommunity.Ontheir190acrefarmtheygrowwatermelons,purplehullpeas,okra,andothervegetables.Throughthefamilybusinesstheyhaveemployedcommunityhighschoolstudentswhodesiretolearntheagriculturalbusiness.TheextrahandsalsohelptheSmithsprovidethelocalcommunitywithfreshlocally-grownproduce.

TheSmithsappliedforandreceivedfinancialassis-tancethroughNRCStoinstallconservationpracticessuchasmicro-irrigation,awaterwell,aseasonalhightunnel(orhoophouse),andanorganicactivityplan.

RichardwasveryappreciativeoftheSmallFarmeroftheYearAwardandthehelphehasreceivedfromNRCS.Hesaid,“IappreciatetheNRCSstaffinMarengoCounty,theyhavealwaysbeenveryhelpful.Theyarealwayswillingtotryandhelpwithmyfarmingneeds.Someofthegoalsformyfarmingoperationcouldnothavebeenmetwithoutthem.”

NRCS STC Presents at Kiwanis Club

InNovember2012,NRCSStateConservationistDr.WilliamPuckett(l)wasaskedbyretiredNRCSPublicAffairsSpecialistMorrisGillespie(r)tospeaktotheKiwanisinAuburn.Dr.PucketttalkedabouttheprogramsandservicesofferedbyNRCS.Theattendeesappreciatedthevisitandthepresentationwaswellreceived.

(l-r) Lloyd Wright presents Earl and Charisse Snell with the 2012 National Lloyd Wright Small Farmer of the Year award.

National Small Farmer of the Year

EarlandCharisseSnellofDaleCounty,Alabama,receivedthe2012NationalLloydWrightSmallFarmeroftheYearawardduringtheNationalOrganizationofProfessionalBlackNRCSEmployees(NOPBNRCSE)meetinginJackson,Mississippi,inDecember2012.

LloydWright,whofoundedNOPBNRCSEandisthenamesakeoftheaward,presentedtheSnell’swithanengravedsilverbowl.

TheSnell’swereselectedasthe2011AlabamaSmallFarmer’softheYearfortheirenviron-mentalstewardship,innovations,andcommunityleadership.

14 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - February 2013

PromotionsZackeryHayes,SoilScientist,Huntsville,2/24/13JesiKing,SoilConservationTechnician,Auburn, 1/13/13CodieYelverton,SoilConservationist,Livingston, 1/27/13DarnaeHopkins,SoilScientist,Auburn,2/10/13MichelleFloyd,SoilConservationist,Jackson,7/29/12JessicaCleveland,SoilConservationTechnician, Athens,9/9/12AlexanderJohnson,SoilConservationist,AlexCity, 8/12/12AdamThreatt,SoilConservationTechnician,Troy, 8/26/12

Term Appointment DanielCollins,SoilConservationTechnician, Andalusia,12/2/12DanielB.Dearmon,SoilConservationTechnician, Mobile,12/16/12

ReassignmentYoulandaCaudle,HRSpecialist,BMLP/Huntsville, 9/23/12JimmyLewis,HRSpecialist,BMLP/Bessemer, 9/23/12EbonyRicks,HRSpecialist,BMLP/Bessemer,9/23/12MarshallColburn,SoilConservationTechnician, Mobile/Greensboro,11/18/12EdgarMersiovsky,SoilScientist,Auburn,10/21/12CrystalBlackburn,ContractingOfficer,Auburn/NHQ, 10/7/12JaredWorthington,SoilConservationTechnician, Greensboro/Montana,11/18/12

DemetrisJohnson,SoilConservationist,Ozark/Troy, 12/16/12JimmyLewis,HRSpecialist,Bessemer/Ohio,2/24/13CharlieMcAlpine,Reassignment,Outreach Coordinator,Auburn,1/27/13WesleyHalbrooks,Reassignment,ProgramAssistant Huntsville/Auburn,2/24/13JoeFrankCochran,Reassignment,Soil Conservationist,BayMinette/Brewton,9/23/12

ResignationLeslieNalty,AdminClerk,Auburn,9/13/12

TerminationAldenHarris,AdminClerk,Auburn,9/24/12

RetirementRandyHale,DistrictConservationist,Troy,10/3/12LeonWages,SoilConservationTechnician, Andalusia,10/3/12RobertBeaty,SoilConservationist(Easement), Auburn,10/31/12LindaMcGraw,OfficeManagementAssistant, Bessemer,12/29/12BettyWalker,Secretary,Auburn,12/31/12BennieMoore,DistrictConservationist,Luverne,1/3/13CarlPennington,ResourceConservationist, GroveHill,1/3/13SusieDaniel,Secretary,Auburn,12/31/12

Personnel

(l-r) Henry, Will, Marc, Ben, Kathy, and Danny McWilliams, ACES coordinator, Colbert County, AL.

NRCSer Receives Local Recognition

OurveryownKathyGotcher,NRCSDCinLawrenceCounty,Alabama,andherfamilyreceivedthe2012ColbertCountyExtension“FarmFamilyoftheYearAward”duringNationalFarm-CityWeek.

AslifelongresidentsofColbertCounty,Alabama,thisawardshowstheyhavedeeprootsinagriculture.IamsurethatKathy’sconser-vationknowledgehelpedthefamilysustaintheaward-winningfarm.

HerexperiencealsoallowshertoworkcloselywithfarmersandranchersinColbertCounty.WaytogoKathyandfamily!

JohnFuller,retiredTechnicianfromDeKalbCounty,Alabama,passedawayonNovember18,2012.Hewas82yearsold.

In Sympathy