Regular Features

NEWS, CURRENT EVENTS

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.

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!

OSWCD HOSTS ANNUAL AWARDS COOKOUT

Students who participated in this year’s essay and bulletin board contests sponsored by the Oconee Soil and Water Conservation District were honored at an Awards cookout at South Cove County Park on Thursday, April 29^TH.

The essay contest was open to all students in grades 5-8, and the bulletin board contest was for students in kindergarten-4^th grade.

The topic for this year’s essay contest was Fire! Can Fire Be Good for the Environment? Essays by students listed pros and cons of prescribed burning. The topic for the bulletin board contest was Hooray for Habitats! What is a habitat and how are habitats important?

At the conclusion of the cookout the winners were announced and presented checks and certificates. The essay winners are:

Fifth Grade:

1^st Place, Hannah Hewatt of Keowee Elementary

2^nd Place, Brooke Hendrickson of Keowee Elementary

3^rd Place, Jeffrey Rochester of Keowee Elementary

Sixth Grade:

1^st Place, Isaac Johnston of Oconee Christian Academy

2^nd Place, McKayla Crooks of Oconee Christian Academy

Seventh Grade:

1^st Place, Noah Quinn Jones of Walhalla Middle

2^nd Place, Bowdy Crowe-Key of Walhalla Middle