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!
The board met on November 23 at a regular meeting to approve conservation plans submitted by their staff. After approval of three cost-share practices, a total of 4,600 feet of stream in Prince Edward County will be fenced to ensure that livestock do not enter the stream. These stream sections are considered impaired through the TMDL program.
Keith Moyer, pictured here with his mother Mrs. Mary Ellen Moyer, received a Piedmont SWCD 2010 Outstanding Conservation Farmer Award in recognition of his contribution toward clean waters. Mr. Moyer operates Hill Top Farm, a family dairy farm started by his parents in 1948. In cooperation with the Piedmont SWCD, Farm Service Agency, NRCS and DEQ, Mr. Moyer has installed numerous best management practices on his farm over the last 25 years. In 2010, Mr. Moyer completed installation of two wells, three watering facilities and a total of 8,044 feet of stream exclusion fencing. His cattle are now excluded from Flat Creek, an impaired stream, and drink clean water from a reliable alternative watering system. Additional conservation practices in use on the farm include: conservation tillage, strip cropping, cover crops for nutrient managment and residue management, preside dress nitrogen testing, wildlife habitat improvement, grassed waterways, rotational grazing, and nutrient management plan.
Piedmont SWCD director Chuck Arnason, left, attended the Nottoway Small Ruminant Farm Tour and Dinner October 13th. The weather was perfect for the well attended event, planned by Whitney Lott, center, and Charlie Wootton, right, TMDL Conservation Specialists with the District. Goat producers were especially pleased with the information presented.
Marvin Fisher, shown here with four of his sons, was honored at the Prince Edward County Farm Bureau Banquet for installing a number of conservation friendly practices on the family beef cattle farm. Kevin Dunn, right, presented the award and said that, “Mr. Fisher has voluntarily invested time, energy and finances to carry out conservation practices that will protect water quality for citizens throughout the commonwealth.”
Uncategorized | admin January 25, 2011 | 
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