NEWS, CURRENT EVENTS

cca

Left to right: Jakob Brewer, Caleb Talley, Amanda Prater, Kayla Chapman, and Brett Williams.

STUDENTS ATTEND CAROLINA COASTAL ADVENTURE

Each year the Oconee Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors two students from Oconee County to attend the Carolina Coastal Adventure in Moncks Corner.  This year, however, OSWCD sponsored five students from Oconee County.  Jakob Brewer (Seneca High School), Kayla Chapman and Brett Williams (West-Oak High School), Amanda Prater (Homeschooled), and Caleb Talley (Tamassee-Salem High School) spent the weekend learning about water resources and conservation with approximately eighty other students from throughout the state.

The students stayed at the Somerset Facility/Wammpee Conference Center on Lake Moultrie in Pinopolis October 9th-12th.  They participated in activities ranging from riding through a cypress swamp and finding out how critters determine water quality to exploring Charleston Harbor from a research vessel and trawling for the creatures that live there.  Carolina Coastal Adventure provided an integrated, hands-on opportunity for ninth and tenth graders to learn about water quality, water quantity, wildlife, soils, hydrology, fisheries and ecosystems.

 

 

OCONEE SWCD SELECTED AS ……...

2009 SC CONSERVATION  DISTRICT OF THE YEAR

In January of each year the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts (SCACD), South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) meet for the SC Conservation  Partnership Conference.   During the conference, conservation issues are discussed, ideas exchanged and awards presented.

 One such award, presented by the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts, is the Outstanding Soil and  Water Conservation District  of the Year .  This year the SCACD Awards Judging Committee selected Oconee SWCD to receive the Outstanding Conservation District of the Year Award  based on exemplary efforts to protect and enhance the natural resources in our county.  OSWCD will represent South Carolina in the Best of the Best at the Southeast National Association of Conservation Districts’ meeting in 2010.

 

Pump Award 

In the above photo, members of the Oconee SWCD Board of Commissioners and staff received the 2009 Outstanding Conservation District Award, “The Traveling Pump,” at the conference in Hilton Head on January 20th.  This the second time Oconee has received the award.  We are extremely proud to have been chosen for this prestigious award.  The pump is an old-time water pump, mounted and restored, and is passed on each year to the next winning district, in exchange for a plaque.

 Through local support from our affiliate members, landowners, schools, and other conservation agencies, the Oconee SWCD has been able to expand its services over the years to address natural resource concerns.  It is with these individuals that we share this recognition.  We wish to thank you for your support and invite to drop by our office where we proudly have “The Traveling Pump” on display!   

 
PROGRAM DEADLINES

FSA


Signups begin January 4th, 2010 for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program-Please call Lavelle at 638-2213 for information


NRCS



CALENDAR OF EVENTS

    *For persons requiring accommodations such as sign language interpreters, Braille, Large Print or Alternative Formats - please contact Ann Herron at 638-2213, Ext. 101 at least seven days prior to board meeting date.

 

Questions about farming or conservation practices.....
Let Aggie help you....
Dear Aggie
HomeAbout UsAffiliate MembersFarmers' ExchangePersonnelProgramsServicesWatershed ManagementContact Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Constructed in 1908, Oak Grove School, located 3.5 miles southwest of Walhalla, is a beloved landmark for the quiet rural community near Five Forks.  Former students have gathered annually for fourteen years to share special memories of their days at Oak Grove School.  Unfortunately, their reunions have taken place in an alternate location because the school has fallen into disrepair.  Broken windows and a leaking roof threaten the still structurally sound building.  Without immediate weatherization efforts, rehabilitation costs may not be feasible.

 Early in 2008 the Oconee Soil & Water Conservation District (OSWCD) learned that the School District of Oconee County (SDOC) was planning to divest itself of unused properties owned by the School District.  The Oak Grove School building sits on one of those properties. Oconee Clemson Extension Service hosts Farm City Days at the Oak Grove 4-H Center located on the adjacent property, also owned by SDOC.  The yearly event educates hundreds of school children about farms, conservation, and rural living. 

 Because of the success of this event and the need to preserve this historic treasure, the OSWCD is actively pursuing the acquisition of the school property for purposes of renovation.  The SDOC has indicated that they would be receptive to the transfer of the property to a government organization or a 501 C-3 (non-profit) organization having a definite and workable plan for public use of the property.  OSWCD is a government organization with a board composed of 5 members, 3 elected and 2 appointed. The SDOC and the OSWCD have been discussing and negotiating the transfer of the school building and property to OSWCD during the past year.  Please read on to learn about the vision OSWCD has for Oak Grove School.  We hope you will support this endeavor for the benefit of the community and to preserve the heritage of this important landmark!

 

Preserving Historic
Oak Grove School

OGS Pic