HomeMy WebLinkAboutOC Soil & Water minutes 090915BOARD MINUTES
ORANGE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Environment & Agricultural Building, Hillsborough
Supervisors Present:
Chris Hogan, Chairman
Morris Shambley, Treasurer
Clay Parker, Supervisor
September 9, 2015
Others Present:
Brent Bogue, NRCS
Gail Hughes, Soil Con
Kenny Ray, Soil Con
Todd Roberts, Soil Con
Lisa Pope, Admin Asst.
Chairman, C. Hogan, called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. immediately following the Local
Working Group Meeting.
August 12, 2015 Minutes were reviewed and approved as submitted. C. Parker moved for
approval, M. Shambley seconded.
Educational Update
The Board discussed the need to increase Area III Educational Dues with rising costs of
educational events such as the Area Envirothon. The Area III Educational Dues have remained
at a consistent $50 for 20+ years with no increases. The board was in favor to increase the Area
III Educational Dues from $50 to $100. A formal vote will be taken at the Area III Fall Meeting
on October 21, 2015 in Chatham County.
Farm To Table: This year's educational outreach program will be held at the Blackwood Farm
Park on September 30th and October 1". 450+ Chapel Hill - Carrboro /Orange County School 4th
grade students are expected to attend. L. Pope has secured donations from Farm Bureau and
Carolina Farm Credit totaling $1,500. to offset cost of event. Pope and Hughes are involved in
assisting the DEAPR Educational /Programming Team with this event as well as serving as
resource presenters.
Discovery Trail at the Blackwood Farm Park: Pope is working with the DEAPR Parks
Division on a hands -on educational trail. Plans for trail have been approved by D. Derby and D.
Stancil. More information on this project is forthcoming from Pope.
N.C. State Fair: Volunteers are badly needed for this year's event. Pope requested Board
members to consider volunteering at the S &W booth October 15 -25. Hughes and Pope will
work the booth on October 20th.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA -NRCS)
Bogue gave N.C. NRCS restructuring update: Teleconference was held two weeks ago to
discuss how supervisory positions will be filled based on seniority, experience and years of
service. Bogue stated that he was offered the "Super DU position for region but declined the
supervisor position. He feels that he can be of more help in the field assisting landowners, other
NRCS staff /District staff members in his area. District Conservationists will have collateral
duties; more information on this is forthcoming. No one will lose their jobs during restructuring
process.
Community Conservation Assistance Program (CLAP)
There are no new contracts at this time and no CCAP funding allocated at this time; waiting on
legislators to approve budget.
319 Horse Fund Application and Contract Approval
68- 2016 -051 — Mike Griffin & Frances Griffin: Stream Protection System /Livestock
Exclusion and water tank. CS = $2,775. (Separate cost share funds for horses)
✓ Shambley moved to approve application; Parker seconded.
✓ Shambley moved to approve contract approval, Parker seconded.
Cost Share Program (N.C. ACSP)
Roberts & Ray discussed and reviewed the PY 2015 -2016 Priority Worksheet. Shambley moved
to approve proposed worksheet; Parker seconded.
The Board moved to approve all applications including Limited Resource Farmers and New and
Beginning Farmers at the 75% cost share rate. Shambley moved to approve; Parker seconded.
68- 2014 -010 — Cedar Grove Farm: Hughes discussed Stock trail, water tank system. This
contract is a request for payment and was approved at the August Board Meeting for a maximum
of $8,500. Corrected actual amount is $7,678. Shambley moved to approve; Parker seconded.
Application & Contract PY 2016
➢ 68- 2016 -001 — Bryant Neville: 8.5 acres 41 month sod -base rotation (CS) totaling
$1,488. Ranking: 510. Parker moved to approve; Shambley seconded.
➢ 68- 2016 -002 — Roger Tate: 1.02 acres Grassed Waterways /.42 acres field borders (CS)
totaling $3,290. Ranking: 495. Parker moved to approve; Shambley seconded.
➢ 68- 2016 -003 — Lee Hollowell: Stream Protection System (CS) totaling $2,772.
Ranking: 485. Parker moved to approve; Shambley seconded.
➢ 68- 2016 -004 — Russell Walker: Stream Protection System totaling $7,921. (CS).
Ranking: 485. Parker moved to approve; Shambley seconded.
➢ 68- 2016 -005 — Mickey Clayton: .51 acres Grassed Waterways & .27 acres Field Borders
totaling $1,509. (CS) Ranking: 445. Parker moved to approve; Shambley seconded.
NOTE: The Board approved the above applications separate from the approval of above
contracts.
Request for Payment
➢ 68- 2013 -401: Milton Durham: Prescribed Grazing (JL) $3,300. Shambley moved to
approve; Parker seconded.
Budget and Other Miscellaneous Discussion
G. Hughes discussed Budget. L. Pope provided the Board with current account balances.
Voluntary Ag Program: Hughes reported on the newest VAD applications which include:
• W &F Family Farm, LLC
• Francis Griffin
Mike, Edward & Katherine Griffin
Claude Hughes & Linda Sakiewicz
Total VAD acres to date is: 281.39
Division Update
NCDA /Division Regional Coordinator, Ralston James, updated the Board on the following:
• Area III Fall Meeting in Chatham County on October 21. More information from
Chatham SWCD is forthcoming.
• Resolutions at the Area III Fall Meeting will include discussion on consistency amongst
Treasurers (i.e.: Keep the same Area Treasurer instead of changing each year).
• Julie Groce is the new Executive Director for the NCASWCD.
With no more discussion meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
By: Morris Shambley, Secretary /Treasurer