“Forests for People: More Than You Can Imagine”
The Piedmont SWCD will be celebrating the National Association of Conservation Districts’ Stewardship Week from April 24 to May 1. An important part of the celebration is the annual poster contest. This year’s theme is “Forests for People:More Than You Can Imagine”. Enter the Piedmont SWCD’s poster contest to show how you much you appreciate the many contributions of the forest: protecting our air, bolstering the economy, absorbing carbon from the air and providing recreation opportunities. If chosen at the local level, your poster will be on display at the Longwood Center for Visual Arts in Farmville, Virginia and could continue on to the State and National Level! For poster contest rules and information contact the Piedmont SWCD at 434.392-3782 ext 131 or email piedmont@moonstar.com
Piedmont SWCD Director Dr. Wilkie Chaffin, center in the above picture with his wife Dora and Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Department of Soil and Water Conservation Jack Frye, is in his tenth year as an officer of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) and just completed a two-year term as president at their annual meeting in Roanoke, Virginia December 5-7.
At the VASWCD awards luncheon Dr. Chaffin and his wife Dora presented cash awards to three outstanding conservation district employees. “Having worked closely with district employees for many years, I am always impressed with their level of commitment” Dr. Chaffin stated. “In 2002, Dora and I recommended the establishment of employee awards, and offered to provide funding for these awards. The VASWCD Board endorsed this offer and approved a set of awards to be called the Chaffin Soil and Water Conservation District Employees of the Year awards.”
The couple was recognized at the VASWCD awards luncheon for their lifetime gift to the Educational Foundation of the VASWCD at the Gold Member level, and for their pledge to meet the Platinum Level. This is the only lifetime pledge of at least $10,000 ever received by the Foundation.
The Piedmont SWCD conducted a training session for approximately 20 students interested in competing in the Canon Envirothion this year. The Local Piedmont District Envirothon is scheduled for March 24th at Twin Lakes State Park, Ceder Crest Conference Center. The winner of this competition will compete at the Area V Envirothon scheduled for April 14th at the Holiday Lake 4H Center. Piedmont SWCD and Peter Francisco SWCDs are coordinating the Area V event. The State Envirothon is scheduled for May 22-23 at Camp Hanover near Mechanicsville, Virginia. Good luck to all of the competitors!
Amelia, Nottoway and Prince Edward County producers met for supper and conservation program updates at the Southern Piedmont Research Station February1.
The 2010 Piedmont SWCD Conservation Education Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Ellke. Taylor is an Amelia County resident and a graduate of Amelia High School where he participated in the Amelia FFA and the Piedmont SWCD Envirothon programs. He is a freshman at Christopher Newport University, Norfolk, VA where he is majoring in Environmental Science.
A $1000 conservation education scholarship is awarded annually to an applicant who shows an on-going commitment to a career in the natural resources field. The application is then forwarded to VASWD to compete at the state level. Application materials will be available in January 2011 at the Piedmont office by calling 434.392-3792 ext 131. Notice of the application process will be in the area newspapers and on our website.
The Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps is now accepting applications from current high school students ages 14-17 to work in a VA state park this summer. YCC crew members are provided room, board, tee-shirts and work related equipment, and receive a $500 stipend at the end of three weeks. The work is outdoors and often physically demanding, but the memories and experiences youth take away last forever. Application deadline is April 13. For more info. contact Gaston at 703.583.5497 or email vspycc@dcr.virginia.gov. You must have the email address of both your references when you apply on line at: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/ycc.shtml
Meet your agricultural partners, hear about program updates and enjoy good eats!
Supper Tuesday, February 1st, 6:30 PM
Southern Piedmont Research Station, Blackstone, VA
•Pre-register by Friday, January 28th
Pre-register now! Call 434.392-3782 ext. # 132
Piedmont SWCD District Manager Deanna Fehrer left, District Director Chuck Arnason and Whitney Lott Foster attended the Virginia Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting Banquet in Roanoke December 7. The annual meeting is an opportunity for the 47 conservation districts to participate in business meetings and breakout training sessions, and to network with other districts.
Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech announced November 30, 2010 that Virginia has submitted its Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The plan identifies actions to reduce the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment entering the Bay from all major sources, including sewage treatment plants, industrial facilities, urban areas, agriculture, forestry and septic systems. It also establishes a special process for evaluating the James River based on its unique characteristics and on water quality standards that apply only to that river.
Piedmont SWCD equipment manager Lindy Hamlett cored, quartered and inspected the apples before they went into the cooker at the Prince Edward County Cannery Tuesday, November 30th. Piedmont SWCD staff made applesauce from a bushel of Nelson County golden delicious apple to auction at the Virginia Association of Conservation District’s Annual Meeting fund raiser in December. No sugar added, none needed!
Uncategorized | admin February 15, 2011 | 
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