Stewardship to Add Nearly $2 Million to SC Economy
Conservation Stewardship Program 2010 First Signup Report Released
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, Columbia, SC, July 19, 2010
– South Carolina State Conservationist Ann English today announced the
results from the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) 2010 first sign
up for South Carolina. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
final report reveals South Carolina enrolled a total of 170,157 acres of
cropland, pastureland, and non-industrial private forestland into the
program. That included over 51,000 acres of cropland, 9,000 acres
of pastureland, and nearly 110,000 acres of non-industrial private
forestland.
Administered by NRCS, the CSP will add $1.9 million to the state’s
economy from this first signup. “CSP is an opportunity tailor-made
for our conservation-minded farmers on working farms and forest lands to
continue to achieve even higher levels of conservation stewardship,”
says English. Through CSP, contract holders get technical
assistance and funding assistance for installing new conservation
practices and adopting additional activities, and improving,
maintaining, and managing existing activities.
Nationally, 10,630 contracts were obligated enrolling over 12.6 million
total acres. “In South Carolina, there are 268 contracts with
farmers who are outstanding conservationists,” reports English.
“We’re proud to be working with producers who are good stewards of our
state’s natural resources–soil, water, air, plants and animals.”
Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who
maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to
adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include
cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland.
Individuals, entities, and Indian Tribes operating agricultural or
private non-industrial private forestland may be eligible for the
program.
“Since the 2010 signups are completed, farmers are advised to start
preparing for the next funding opportunity which could happen with a
signup this fall,” advised English. CSP is a continuous sign-up
program so producers may contact their local NRCS office for an
application at any time. The CSP self-screening checklist is
available to determine if the new program is right for you and your
business. Check with your local NRCS office located at 301 West South
Broad Street in Walhalla, phone number 864-638-2213, extension 3, or on
the NRCS Web site at
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.
This year, NRCS is celebrating 75 years of helping people help the land.
Since 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique
partnership with state and local governments and private landowners
delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs,
while accommodating state and national interests. Visit the SC NRCS
website at
www.sc.nrcs.usda.gov to locate the nearest USDA Service Center.
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.
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!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 5, 2010, 9:00 a.m., OSWCD Commissioners' Meeting, in the Oconee County Agricultural Building*
August 16, 2010, Watershed Directors Election Information needs to be turned in at the County Election Office
September 2, 2010, 9:00 a.m. OSWCD Commissioners'' Meeting, in the Oconee County Agricultural Building
September 6, 2010, Office Closed, Labor Day Holiday
*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.
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!

Fifth Grade:
1st Place, Hannah Hewatt of Keowee Elementary
2nd Place, Brooke Hendrickson of Keowee Elementary
3rd Place, Jeffrey Rochester of Keowee Elementary
Sixth Grade:
1st Place, Isaac Johnston of Oconee Christian Academy
2nd Place, McKayla Crooks of Oconee Christian Academy
Seventh Grade:
1st Place, Noah Quinn Jones of Walhalla Middle
2nd Place, Bowdy Crowe-Key of Walhalla Middle