Kingfisher lands at Family Farm Day

The giant Kingfisher evidently didn’t faze the young lady examining the soil tunnel at the Family Farm Day held September 8 at the SPAREC in Blackstone.

New Employee Amanda Braham

The Piedmont District is happy to announce that Amanda Braham is the new Program Support Technician.  Amanda is working part-time and is especially looking forward to her involvement with the youth outreach program.  She is a 2012 graduate from Southside Community College is Business Administration.  Welcome aboard Amanda!

Family & Farm Day September 8

Come and join us on September 8 for a day of fun and educational activities about Virginia Agriculture from 9 am til 2 pm (rain or shine) on September 8 at the Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont Center near Blackstone.  For more information call P. J. Shepherd at 434-292-5331 or visit http://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/southern-piedmont.

Appomattox River under Drought Watch

The Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Drought Watch for the Appomattox River.  On thier website you can find the following

“Between 1950 and 2000, the United States population nearly doubled while the demand for water more than tripled. Water is not an inexhaustible resource, and it is essential that we take responsibility for our water usage and set goals to reduce the amount of water we consume in our everyday lives. A single person uses approximately 100 gallons of water a day and our resources are diminishing rapidly. While it may appear that there is an abundance of water on earth, the fact of the matter is that less than one percent of the world’s water supplies are available for human use. Conservation is key.  Click on the link below to find out what you can do to conserve water in your watershed.

http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/PollutionPrevention/VirginiaGreen/ResourcesLinks/Water.aspx

FREE pesticide disposal pick up program

Sept 26. John Randolf VFD, 2145 Cumberland Road, Farmville

Sept 13. Meherrin Ag & Chemical Co, 100 North Ave., Blackstone

This program offered by Virginia Cooperative Extension is for the disposal of unwanted and outdated pesticides currently stored by agricultural producers, licensed pesticide businesses, homeowners and golf courses.

Acceptable: Agricultural, commercial, homeowner pesticides, pesticide rinsate and pesticide dilutions.

Not acceptable: Medical waste, radioactive waste, ammunition, tires, biological waste, contaminated waste, paint or oil.

Contact your local extension office for instructions and questions.

Prince Edward County Extension phone number: 434.392.4246

Amelia County Extension Phone:804.561.2481

Nottoway County Extension Phone: 434.432-7770

Agriculture & Education Program Support Technician

The Piedmont SWCD is advertising for an Agriculture & Education Program Support Technician. This position will be a part time position working  in Amelia, Nottoway, and Prince Edward Counties.  A basic knowledge of agriculture, conservation and water quality practices are needed.  Requires a flexible schedule.  For position description click here: postiondescripeducation or  call Piedmont SWCD  434/392-3782 ext 131. State application required. Deadline July 20, 2012.

New Equipment Program Technician

Stephen Reames of Amelia County is the Piedmont SWCD’s newest staff member.  As of May, Stephen will manage the conservation equipment program following the retirement of longtime manager Lindy Hamlett of Prince Edward County.  To rent one of the District’s four drills, call Stephen on his cell phone at (804) 393-0246

CDC Leaves DCR

Conservation District Coordinator Carrie Hagin had her final meeting with the Piedmont SWCD in April.  Ms. Hagin is moving on to work with the private sector.  Her work with the District is greatly appreciated and she will be missed.

Poster Contest Winner Announced

This year’s poster contest theme was “Soil to Spoon”.  Over 1,000 posters were submitted.   The winning poster comes from Ms. Keri Lindsey’s second grade class at  Crewe Primary School. The contest was judged by LCVA Education Specialist Emily Gresham.  The poster will be on display at the LCVA for the Month of June and the artist will receive a $25.00 gift certificate.

Nottoway Team Places 2nd in Area V Dominion Envirothon

The Nottoway team placed Second Overall at the Area V competition held at Sweet Briar College near Lunchburg on April 25.  They took first place with their Oral Presentation.  Now they proceed to the state competition scheduled for May 19-20 at James Madison University.  Good luck team!