September 2006

675 U. S. Courthouse

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Telephone: 615/277-2531

FAX: 615/277-2577

Message from the State Conservationist

Current

Inside This Issue....

Developments

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Helping People Help the Land

Aaron Robinson New NRCS Statewide 2

 Outreach Coordinator

Appalachian Quilt Trail 13

Cheatham County Partnership 4

 Protects Water Quality

Davidson County Landowner Makes 10

 Strides for Conservation

Fugate Receives Tennessee 5

 Small Farmer of the Year Awar

FWPM - Farewell and Thanks 2

Giles County SCD's Wildlife Habitat 15

 & Native Grass Field Day

Grazing for Profit Conference 4

 for Maury County

Knoxville Area Office Opens 15

Manchester 4-H Wildlife Judging 6

 Team Places 3rd in the Nation

Memorial to Arthur Bentley, NRCS 9

 Soil Conservation Technician

Memorial to Samuel Bacon and 8

 Joe K. Thomas

Perry County Farm on National 11

 Register of Historic Places

Restoring Native Plants with 7

 the Grassland Reserve Program

RC&D National Meeting 14

Tennessee Soil Scientists Attend 12

Page

We have come to the end of another fiscal year. This has been a difficult year; in fact, we have

just lost three longtime friends of conservation - Arthur Bentley, Joe K. Thomas and Samuel

Bacon.

No doubt, Arthur Bentley, a NRCS Soil Conservation Technician, was responsible for putting

more conservation on the ground in Lauderdale County than any other person. All of them

have made outstanding contributions to conservation in their lifetime. We will miss them, not

just as fellow employees or friends of conservation, but simply as the friends they were to

many of us.

In many ways, this has also been a rewarding year because we discovered new ways to test our

dedication and commitment to conservation. We have proven how remarkable and successful we

can be when we work as a team for a common cause. The difficulties of this year have caused us

to scope our vision deeper into the future and to renew and restructure our relationship with our

partners in conservation.

It was early this year when I informed you that NRCS in Tennessee was experiencing a budget

shortfall. While our Financial Assistance allocations to landowners have risen over the years (which

is good news), our Technical Assistance allocations—the money that pays our bills—has not been

rising accordingly (and that is not good news.)

We tightened our belt by developing a plan to save money on rent and also move toward a

watershed based field delivery structure. We are implementing that process now, and will continue

to do so over the next year or two. In the meanwhile, you picked up the ball and ran with it.

As a team, you went into overdrive promoting and encouraging conservation through our Farm Bill

programs, resulting in an unprecedented number of EQIP and WHIP applications. During FY 2006,

due to your great efforts, we saw an increase of 90% in EQIP applications and 75% in WHIP

applications. I am extremely proud of your efforts, which was one element that turned our budget

situation around. Thanks to the increases in Farm Bill program applications and our

comprehensive cost savings plans, we are finishing this fiscal year on budget. We did it—you did

it—by working ourselves out of the deficit, by working closely with the conservation districts, and by

working in tandem with our state and local partners. We have worked together with a lot of people

to touch the land, and the beneficiaries are the landowners and the land itself.

In future years we will use the National Strategic Plan as a roadmap for conservation. If we can

stay focused on the three Guiding Principles—Service, Partnerships, and Technical Excellence—

then we can make Conservation in Tennessee the model of the nation.

James W. Ford

Upcoming Events on Page 3
- 2 -

Current Developments

A

s my tenure as Federal Women’s Program Manager comes to an end I’d like to take this

opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed serving in this capacity, and how much I

 have appreciated the cooperation and support I have received from all of you. I hope

you will continue this support with the new FWPM. I leave you with these words:

We have different educational levels— high school diplomas, technical degrees, bachelor and

master degrees. We work in a variety of positions in the agency. We are biologists, soil

scientists, administrative assistants, district conservationists, managers, technicians, and more.

We have diverse interests. We have women who ride motorcycles, play sports, and run

marathons. Others sew, garden, paint, quilt, and volunteer in their community. Some are

photographers, avid collectors, musicians, artists, and bird watchers.

Across the board, we are single, married, divorced and widowed. We have dealt with loss and

triumph. We are a mixture of different ethnic groups. Some of us still live in the home town we

grew up in; others have lived in several states and/or foreign countries. Some have infants and

small children; others have children who are finishing high school or college; some are dealing

with the “empty-nest” syndrome while still others are caring for aging parents and grandparents.

And yet, in spite of these differences, we are friends and coworkers who share a common goal

of protecting and improving our natural resources. In our own way, each of us is “helping

people help the land.”

In retrospect, my term as Federal Women’s Program Manager has been a very positive and

rewarding experience. I have especially enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the NRCS

employees across the state. Albert Schweitzer once said, “In everyone’s life, at some time, our

inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We

should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” To those of you who

rekindled my inner spirit, I thank you.

Federal Women's Program Manager

The art of Perry County artist Clara Fodor

now has a permanent home. Ms. Fodor is a

nationally known quilting and embroidery

artist who has lived in Perry County since

1981.

Clara Fodor has had an interesting journey

through life. Clara grew up in Hungary and

the former Czechoslovakia in the 1920’s.

She loved traditional Hungarian embroidery,

but due to poor eyesight was discouraged to

learn it by her school. However, a neighbor

taught her how to do the traditional

embroidery, which was the only training she

ever received. She would later use a

magnification lamp to enable her to develop

her talent.

She immigrated to the US at seventeen with

her family, later married Eugene Fodor;

attended college, raised three children and

taught school. During this time, she never

lost her love for quilting and has now

produced between 700 and 800 appliquéd

quilts.

She showed her love for America by creating

a quilt hanging for each state, completing

the last one in 1994. She donated her fifty

state quilts to the Tennessee State Museum.

In 2003, Clara received the Folklife Heritage

Governor’s Award in the Arts for her work as

a quilting and embroidery artist. She

recently created a hanging for Perry County

at the request of Jim Azbill, Mayor of Linden

and RC&D director.

The Buffalo/Duck River RC&D Council

received a grant from the Tennessee Arts

Commission to construct a museum quality

display for that quilt. Thanks to the grant

funding, Perry County residents and visitors

can view Ms. Fodor’s art which is now on

exhibit at the Perry County Community

Development Center.

by Debbie Brasfield

Grant Puts Local Artist’s

Work on Permanent Display

James Ford, NRCS State Conservationist (left) has

named Aaron Robinson as the new Statewide

Outreach Coordinator for NRCS-Tennessee.

New NRCS Statewide Outreach

Coordinator Named

State Conservationist James Ford has named

Aaron Robinson to be the new Statewide

Outreach Coordinator for NRCS. Aaron also

serves as the Community Resource and

Economic Development Specialist at

Tennessee State University. Prior to those

positions he spent five years as the Small

Farms Specialist for Giles, Lincoln, and Maury

Counties under TSU’s Cooperative Extension

Program.

Aaron grew up in Brookhaven, Mississippi and

received his associates degree in Agriculture

from Copiah-Lincoln Community College; his bachelor of science in Agriculture Economics

from Alcorn State University; and his master of science in Agriculture Education from Alcorn

State. In addition to his knowledge and love for agriculture, he’s a big football fan (especially

the Titans!), and he is the proud father of two children. Welcome, Aaron!
Smoky Mountain RC&D Development Forum September 26-27, 2006

 Contact Eston Williams at 865-674-8890 RSVP by September 21, 2006 with number attending

 for more information to eston.williams@tn.usda.gov or call 865-674-8890

Giles County SCD Wildlife Habitat & October 4, 2006 (8:00 -1:30)

 Native Grass Field Day, RSVP by 9/22/06 to 931-363-5353, ext. 3

 Contact Rusty Walker or KrisBailey for more or email - Kris.bailey@one.usda.gov

 information at 931-363-5353, ext. 3

Soil & Water Conservation Society October 13-14, 2006

 For more info, call Charles Roberts @ Falls Creek Falls State Park

 615-277-2575 or email cvroberts@comcast.net

6th Mid-Atlantic Dairy Grazing Conference October 31 - November 1, 2006

 For more info, call Steve Washburn, at Goldsboro, NC

 Steve_Washburn@ncsu.edu or 919-515-7726

SAMAB's 17th Annual Conference November 28-30, 2006

 Call 865-974-5912 or go to www.samab.org Holiday Inn SunSpree; Gatlinburg, TN

Upcoming Events

- 3 -

North Carolina to host 6th Mid-Atlantic Dairy Grazing Conference

The 6th Mid-Atlantic Dairy Grazing Conference will be held in Goldsboro, NC on Tuesday, October 31 and Wednesday, November 1, 2006 with

registration beginning at 12:00 Noon.

The conference presentations kick off at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31. The

keynote talk will feature Mr. Gary Zimmer, of Mid-Western Bio-Ag. Gary is an organic producer from Wisconsin and author of The Biological

Farmer. CEFS is the location of a wide range of multi-disciplinary studies, including dairy, long-term cropping systems, organic cropping, a

hoop house swine unit, and a beef cow-calf system. Optional tours of the work at CEFS will be conducted on Tuesday morning, October 31.

The conference will feature highlights of recent applied research work at the CEFS dairy unit. This dairy comprises a 160-cow herd managed

under a fall-calving, pasture-based system and includes purebred Holsteins and Jerseys and crosses between these breeds. A 3-year trial with

cows stocked at either 1 cow/acre or 1.5 cows/acre is just being completed. Information on production, reproduction, economics, parasite

control, indicators of health and immune function, milk flavor differences from pastured cows, and other topics will be presented.

Dairy genetics researchers from around the U.S. will be joining dairy graziers on Tuesday afternoon and evening to discuss breed selection

strategies for pasture-based dairy systems. The Tuesday afternoon program will include presentations on several practical research topics,

and a tour and discussion of various aspects of the management of the dairy unit, which will be in the middle of the fall calving season.

On Wednesday, November 1, the conference activities will move to the nearby Wayne County Agriculture Center in Goldsboro for more

presentations and discussion. Topics including facilitating smooth dairy farm transitions to the next generation, management of dairy grazing

systems, organic dairy production, and discussions featuring experienced dairy graziers from several states will highlight the second day’s

events. Conference proceedings will be available. Research work at CEFS is supported in part through the USDA Sustainable Agriculture

Research and Education (SARE) program.

Registration information for the conference will be available at: www.cefs.ncsu.edu or by contacting Steve Washburn, Extension Specialist,

North Carolina State University at Steve_Washburn@ncsu.edu or (919) 515-7726.

Current Developments
Current Developments

- 4 -

A severely eroded streambank on Sycamore

Creek was cause for concern for Cheatham

County landowner, Danny Cuff. “For years we

raised corn on this field and each year the

creek eroded the fields washing away

valuable top soil”, said Cuff. “You can’t get

that back once it is gone. For this reason we

will never grow corn in this bottom again.”

They were also losing several feet of streambank to erosion yearly, resulting in increased

sediment loads to the stream. Since this is a

detriment to water quality and fish habitat.

Mr. Cuff contacted the Cheatham County Soil

Conservation District for assistance.

By working with the soil conservation district,

Natural Resources Conservation Service, and

the TN Department of Agriculture, Mr. Cuff

received cost share assistance to address

this problem. A combination of rock jetties

and riprap were used on the streambank.

Trees and grass were planted on the bank to

stabilize the riparian area and to protect the

bank from further erosion.

Before Stream Bank Stabilization

Photo above: Rock jetties and riprap were used on the streambank on the Danny Cuff farm in Cheatham

County. Trees and grass were planted to stabilize the riparian area and to protect the bank from erosion.

by Carolyn Dillard

Cheatham County Partnership Reduces Streambank Erosion

Grazing for Profit Conference to be Held Friday, October 6 in Spring Hill, TN

As many as one hundred cattle producers and other livestock owners are expected to take part in the upcoming Grazing for Profit Conference

in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The conference, scheduled for Friday October 6, 2006 at the Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center in

Spring Hill, will offer participants important information leading to a more productive and profitable grazing operation.

Experts scheduled to appear at the conference include retired agronomist Dr. Burt Smith of the University of Hawaii, who has written books on

grazing and herding. He will discuss the art and science of low stress animal handling. Dr. Jennifer Lanier, a private consultant currently

working in Latin America, will talk about generating high profits from low stress handling, transport and slaughter of livestock.

Dr. Frederick Provenza, a professor in the Department of Forest, Range, and Wildlife Sciences at Utah State University, will talk about his

research into animal behavior. He will share the results of years of study into the behavior of very young animals, looking especially at how

they learn from their mothers and the importance of early nutrition. Dr. Provenza oversees a consortium of regional universities working to

increase the ability of producers and land managers to use behavioral knowledge to better reconcile the ecological, economic, and social

facets of management.

Other speakers will discuss improving foraging management, understanding foraging behavior, and becoming acquainted with diseases

affecting cattle in Tennessee. The cost for participating in the Grazing for Profit Conference is $50 per person or $80 per couple.

The sponsors include Maury County Soil Conservation District, Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center, USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Grazing Coalition, and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

To register, and to learn more information, contact Judy House of the Maury County Soil Conservation District at 931-388-1307 ext 3.
Current Developments

- 5 -

Fugate Receives Tennessee Small Farmer of the Year Award

Claiborne County resident Rodney Fugate was the recipient of the Tennessee Small Farmer of

the Year Award on August 3, 2006 at the TSU Agricultural Research and Extension

Demonstration Farm in Ashland City. The award is presented through the Tennessee State

University Cooperative Extension Program annually.

After writing a college research paper exploring the possibility of converting his farm from beef

cattle and tobacco production to an alternative sustainable livestock operation, Rodney Fugate

made that possibility a reality. He has used both best management practices and an innovative

marketing strategy to help increase his farm income. This process started in 1999 when he went

to the Claiborne County Soil Conservation District to request technical assistance to change his

farm operation and make it more productive. In 1999 Rodney’s farm operation consisted of a

small cow/calf beef cattle operation of 20 cows and 1 bull. The farm also grew one acre of

tobacco and had small pork production for private use.

In 2001 through the used of best management practices, Rodney converted his farming system

into a high intensity rotational grazing meat goat operation. He now has 70 head of Boer meat

goats with provisions to increase and maintain a 200 head Boer meat goat operation.

Ten acres of tobacco/fescue hay were converted to Cheyenne and Wrangler Bermuda grass.

The Bermuda grass is used for summer forage and hay production, and he has an additional

forty-two acres of fescue pasture to graze goats. Rodney is one of the pioneers for using

Bermuda grass for hay and forage in Claiborne County.

Mr. Fugate installed a watering system in 2003 for high intensity rotational grazing. This system

consists of five freeze-proof water tanks located in fence rows and strategic areas to provide

optimum rotational grazing. Water for the system comes from two wells and is pumped to

underground storage tanks which feed the freeze-proof watering tanks. He also installed 7,120

feet of six strand high-tensile electric fence. This fence breaks up the larger fields into smaller

paddocks and allows for the high intensity rotational grazing.

Mr. Fugate faced some financial and educational obstacles to implement this transition. He

worked with the Claiborne County Soil Conservation District and the Natural Resources

Conservation Service to help with cost share in implementing the best management practices.

He also learned new farming skills and management practices to overcome his lack of goat

production experience.

He has used innovative marketing including the internet, direct ads, the local newspaper, and TV

advertisement to help promote his Boer meat goat operation. Another innovative marketing

approach he used was to become a member of the Tennessee Goat Producers Association

(TGPA). In August 2005 he was elected to serve on the board of directors of TGPA as the

Secretary and Treasurer. He is using his position as on officer with the TGPA to promote goat

production. Mr. Fugate is also working with the TGPA Board to secure a grant from USDA to

create a cooperative market for meat goats. And he is also an Advisory member of the

Claiborne County Soil Conservation District where he promotes conservation throughout

Claiborne County.

Mr. Fugate’s work with goats has created greater interest in the goat market in Claiborne and

surrounding counties. This new endeavor has increased feed store purchase in the local

economy and has increased goat sells at the nearest markets. Rodney has had a substantial

income increase from his previous operation and has even greater income potential in the

future.

Photo above: TSU representatives (left) with

Rodney Fugate and Ken Givens, Tennessee

Commissioner of Agriculture.

Photo above:James Ford, NRCS State

Conservationist, with Rodney Fugate.

Photo above: Todd Reed, District Conservationist, Claiborne County and Rodney Fugate at the

NRCS exhibit.
Current Developments

- 6 -

Manchester 4-H Wildlife Judging Team Places 3rd in the Nation

The 4-H Wildlife Judging team from Manchester placed third in the nation at the National

Wildlife Habitat Judging Contest held outside of Madison, Wisconsin. The team, consisting of

Will Rhoads, Jeremy Mills, Jonathan Mills and Pierce Morrison tested their skills against the

best in the United States.

4-H Wildlife Judging teaches students skills including how to evaluate a site for many different

wildlife species, wildlife management practices, and in what instances to apply them;

to interpret aerial photographs for different wildlife species, then to orally give reasons as to

their placings; to identify foods that wildlife animals eat and which animals eat them; and

how to write a rural wildlife management plan and an urban wildlife management plan.

After spending months of preparation, the team competed in evaluating a rural wildlife site and

selecting appropriate management practices; writing a complete wildlife management plan;

evaluating an urban wildlife site and writing a complete wildlife management plan and

landscape sketch; interpreting aerial photographs for wildlife species and giving oral reasons;

and identifying wildlife foods and the animals that eat those foods.

The team placed third overall in the contest, second in the nation with their Rural Wildlife

Management Plan, and third with their Urban Wildlife Management Plan.

Jeremy Mills ranked 4th highest individual in the nation in wildlife foods, 6th in wildlife

management practices and ninth in the aerial photograph interpretation and oral reasons.

Jonathan Mills ranked 7th in the nation in aerial photograph interpretation and oral reasons.

Barry Rhoads, adult volunteer leader and coach, and Sara Steelman, coach of the team,

accompanied the team to the contest.

Sponsors making the trip possible were the Southern Middle TN Quail Unlimited & Dove

Chapter # 696; Ducks Unlimited local chapter; the Coffee County Agricultural Extension

Service – 4-H Clubs; Coffee County Soil Conservation District; Mike Thompson Ford-MercuryMazda; Aerospace Testing Alliance; Orville-Rhoads and Associates, and the State 4-H Office

of Tennessee.

Photo at left: The Manchester Wildlife Judging

team with coach Sara Steelman received sponsorship to the National Contest in Wisconsin from

various groups including the local Quail Unlimited

Chapter. Chris Wolkonowski and Gary Moore,

representives of the local Quail Unlimited Chapter,

made the presentation on behalf of the local

chapter.

Photos above and below: Team members compete

in the National Wildlife Habitat Judging Contest in

Wisconsin.
Current Developments

Photo above (l to r): Natalie Freeman, Soil Conservationist,

Hamblen/Grainger County; Paul McQuade, District Conservationist,

Hamblen/Grainger County; and Dr. David Buehler, landowner and

wildlife professor at UT Knoxville. Photo by Josh Landrum, a

Wildlife and Fisheries Student at the University of Tennessee.

Restoring Native Plants with the Grassland Reserve Program

Dr. David Buehler, a wildlife professor at the University of Tennessee

Knoxville, recently became one of the first private landowners to establish

native warm season grass under the Grassland Reserve Program in the

state of Tennessee. Dr. Buehler is giving something back to the wildlife that

he educates students about while working at UT. The Grassland Reserve

Program (GRP) is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity

to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property.

Dr. Buehler planted a short grass mixture on his Grainger Co. farm in

hopes of increasing the presence of wildlife. In just one year since

establishment of native warm season grasses, he has seen a “very positive

response” of wildlife. He has seen more grassland dependent songbirds,

rabbits, and turkey using his fields in the past year. He hopes that in time

he will be able to attract northern bobwhite quail to his farm.

He has also expressed interest in the advantages of using native warm

season grass for grazing and haying. While he does not own cattle himself,

he hopes to establish a cooperative agreement with his neighbors who own

cattle where he will trade his native warm season grass hay for some of

their beef. His expectations are that limited grazing might actually help

improve the wildlife habitat.

When asked about his overall experience with native warm season grass,

he said, “I am very pleased with the success of the establishment of the

grasses and the wildlife response although I have encountered weed

control problems that I didn’t anticipate. My experience has clearly shown

that establishment of native warm season grass is fairly easy although it

requires regular maintenance to control weeds and maintain the structure that you want for wildlife.” Dr. Buehler’s willingness to share his

success in using native grasses for wildlife and cattle will encourage other private landowners to use the Grassland Reserve Program to

establish native warm season grasses on their property.

by Josh Landrum, Earth Team Volunteer

- 7 -

Emergency Watershed Protection Project on Deerfoot Creek

“Everything has changed for the better since this project was completed,”

stated Phillip Farmer about an EWP project completed on Deerfoot

Creek. Farmer, who owns the property adjacent to the eroded bank on

Deerfoot Drive in Cheatham County said, “We lost over $30,000 due to

property damages in 11⁄2 hour during the last 3 to 4 inch rain that we had

before the project was completed.”

Another neighbor, Margaret Dill, stated that the project is working well

and she hopes nothing happens to mess it up. “This has really made a

difference to us”, Dill stated.

The streambank restoration project was a cooperative effort between the

Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Cheatham County

Highway Department.

Photos at right: Top photo shows streambank before EWP project. The bottom

photo shows the Deerfoot Creek EWP project when completed.

by Carolyn Dillard

Before
Samuel R. Bacon

1900—2006

Current Developments

- 8 -

NRCS-Tennessee mourns the loss of Samuel

R. Bacon, 106, of Cookeville, who died on

September 9, 2006.

Mr. Bacon, who was born on July 1, 1900, was

NRCS’ senior former employee in the entire

nation. He was honored last year at his 105th

birthday celebration and awarded

commendations from State Conservationist

James Ford, then-Chief Bruce Knight, and

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

Mr. Bacon worked for the U.S. Department of

Agriculture for 35 years. A large part of that

time (1945-1963) was in Tennessee with NRCS

(then known as the Soil Conservation Service.)

In Tennessee, Mr. Bacon was a soil scientist,

and he co-authored several soil surveys

produced for counties throughout the state.

Mr. Bacon graduated from the University of

Maryland in 1924 and worked for the Agricultural Research Service starting in 1928.

He continued with the Soil Erosion Service

in North Carolina in 1935, and then came to

Tennessee as a soil conservationist in 1945.

After 35 years with the USDA he retired in

Cookeville and started his own business

distributing small items to retail stores. He

retired from that second career at age 91. Mr.

Bacon and his late wife, Reba, contributed to

dozens of charities, and they were instrumental in helping to establish the Cumberland

Art Society. In his last years he remained quite

active, serving meals-on-wheels to shut-ins

and visiting regularly with his friends and

former co-workers at NRCS.

Joe K. Thomas

1946 - 2006

NRCS-Tennessee lost a great friend and the

people of Tennessee lost a conservation

leader this month. Joe K. Thomas, III died in

an accident on his Sullivan County farm on

Monday September 11, 2006.

State Conservationist James W. Ford said,

“Joe K. Thomas, III is leaving a conservation

legacy unlike no other, and he will be greatly

missed by NRCS and our employees, both

here and throughout the nation. Joe was a

leader, a doer, and the very model of a good

steward of the land. In short, he was the

perfect farmer.”

In 2005, the Sullivan County District Board

voted unanimously to honor Mr. Thomas as the Conservation Farmer of the Year. In early

September 2006, he received the Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts

Conservation Farmer of the Year award for East Tennessee. He was a Soil Conservation

District Supervisor for 30 years, beginning in 1976, serving as District Chairman for the last

20 years. He also served the TACD as Vice-President from 1981 to 1985 and as President

from 1985 to 1989.

Mr. Thomas’ commitment to conservation was not limited to Tennessee. He sat on the Board

of Directors of the National Association of Conservation Districts from 1984 to 2002, where he

was able to lend his knowledge and expertise to conservation-minded farmers and

landowners across the nation.

But it was in Sullivan County where Joe set the best example of good stewardship for other

landowners. His and his wife Clara’s consistent improvement to the land, crops and cattle

showed others that conservation work will improve the land, the business and the community.

Because of Joe and the Thomas family, visitors from far and wide have benefited from seeing

what has been accomplished on the family farm.

NRCS in Tennessee is grateful for Joe’s unyielding commitment to conservation and to the

betterment of the community. He was a mentor to many young conservationists throughout

Tennessee and the United States, and his legacy will live on through them as well as through

the lasting good work he accomplished helping the land.

Three grand essentials to happiness in this Three grand essentials to happiness in this

life are something to do, something to love life are something to do, something to love

and something to hope for. - and something to hope for. -

Joseph Addison
Current Developments

Smoky Mountain RC&D Development Forum

Scheduled for September 26-27, 2006

- 9 -

T

he USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service recently lost a

true friend to soil and water

conservation. Arthur Bentley, Soil

Conservation Technician for the Ripley Field

Office died on August 3, 2006 at Baptist

Memorial Hospital from a massive heart

attack.

Arthur Bentley

1936 - 2006

The Smoky Mountain RC&D invites everyone to join them at the

upcoming forum A New Vision for Regional & Economic Development.

The forum will open with a reception at 6:00 p.m. on September 26th

at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Morristown. The seminars

and workshops will begin at 9 a.m. EDT on September 27th at the

same location.

There is no fee for the conference, but anyone planning to attend should email or call Eston Williams at eston.williams@tn.usda.gov or 865-

674-8890. This will allow them to plan for the number of attendees.

Workshop topics include:

• Becoming Uncommon: And Winning in the NOW Economy”

• “Global is the New Local”

• “New Demographic Groups in the South and Their Impacts on Economic Development

• “Can Small Towns Be Cool”

The Holiday Inn Conference Center is located off I-81 at Exit 8 in Morristown. The lodging/reservation, please call 423-487-2400.

Arthur began work in the 1960’s as a WAE assisting with watershed work on Cane Creek in

Lauderdale County, Tennessee. He began working full-time as a Soil Conservation Technician

in the Ripley Field Office in 1974.

Arthur was highly respected for his expertise in soil and water conservation and for his

willingness to go the extra mile to help landowners in Lauderdale County with any soil and

water conservation matter. NRCS employees lost more than a co-worker, they lost a friend.

He will truly be missed by his NRCS co-workers, Soil Conservation District officials, Cane

Creek Watershed District officials, and local landowners in Lauderdale County.

He also operated a family farm in the Halls, Tennessee area. Arthur was 69 years old and is

survived by his wife, Elizabeth Bentley; one son, Terry Bentley; one daughter, Beth Bentley;

two grandchildren, five brothers, and numerous other relatives.

Arthur's commitment to conservation left a mark on the land that will endure for generations.

Photo at right: Arthur Bentley working with

Launderdale County landowner.
Current Developments

- 10 -

 CSP Update

Davidson County Landowner Makes Strides for Conservation

Alan Williams has made strides for conservation on his family farm in the Whites Creek

Community. The 144 acre farm includes 74 acres of woodland and 70 acres of pastureland.

Alan’s goals for the farm include: timber production; wildlife habitat improvement for the turkey,

deer and quail; and adequate grazing for the cattle and horses on the farm. Over time, the

streambanks of Tranthom Branch, a tributary to Whites Creek, had been eroded by the cattle

and horses having open access to the creek.

For assistance in reaching his goals, Alan turned to the Natural Resources Conservation Service

and the Davidson County Soil Conservation District. Together, they developed a plan that would

enable him to achieve his goals and improve the soil and water quality on his farm. Several Best

Management Practices were installed to help him meet these goals.

First, a heavy use area was installed as a feeding pad to reduce mud problems. Stream

crossings were established to provide stable areas for equipment and livestock to cross the

stream and allowing access to other paddocks. Then an eroding streambank was treated to

reduce sedimentation in the creek.

After these projects were completed, fencing was installed to exclude livestock from forest land,

creeks and sensitive areas and to divide the fields for a rotational grazing system. Cost share

assistance for these projects was provided by the TN Dept. of Agriculture and the Natural

Resources Conservation Service.

Future plans include a warm season grass planting, perennial food plot, and timber harvest.

Photo above: Davidson County landowner Alan

Williams installed exclusion fencing to achieve his

conservation goals.

Photo above: The heavy use area before the

feeding pad was installed.

by Carolyn Dillard

Photo above: Fencing was installed to exclude livestock from forest land, creeks and sensitive areas and

to divide the fields for rotational grazing.
Current Developments

- 11 -

M cDonald Craig, a RC&D director and

 Perry County farmer now has the

 distinction of having his family farm

placed on the National Register of Historic

Places. The designation was recently

announced by Herbert Harper, Exec. Director

of the Tennessee Historical Commission.

The road to the designation began as a

partnership activity between the Buffalo/Duck

River RC&D Council and the Center for

Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee

State University. Buffalo/Duck River RC&D

staff provided Mr. Craig assistance in applying

for a Tennessee Century Farm designation.

The Center for Historic Preservation saw the

significant history and the potential for the

Craig family farm in the Century Farm

application.

McDonald’s great grandfather, a freed slave,

purchased the farm in 1871 and the farm has

been in the family since that time. Farm

enterprises have included corn, soybeans,

pasture and hay, and livestock, as well as,

managed stands of hardwood and softwood

timber. The farm is also home to a bus

McDonald used to drive African-American

children to Henderson County schools during

the era of school segregation.

The Craig family loved music and McDonald

Craig has carried on this tradition playing his

own brand of traditional country music for

over fifty years at venues in Tennessee and

throughout the United States.

Perry County Farm on the National

Register of Historic Places

Photo above: Rosetta and McDonald Craig on their family farm that has been listed on the National

Register of Historic Places. Photo provided by Tennessee Arts Commission.

by Larry Lofton

Kris Bailey, a district technician for the Giles County Soil Conservation District, is Treasurer of

the Milky Way Chapter of Quail Forever which got its charter on March 31. A group of local quail

enthusiasts led by Quail Forever biologist Andy Edwards, a Pulaski native, pulled together to

form this chapter. The group will focus its efforts on improving Giles County habitat for local

quail populations, adult education forums, and youth events to get youth involved in

conservation, wildlife and outdoors in general.

Quail Forever was launched by Pheasants Forever to address the continuing loss of habitat

suitable for quail and subsequent quail population decline. Unlike other national conservation

organizations, local chapters of Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever determine how 100

percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. Because members have local

control they get to see the fruits of their efforts while getting the benefits of belonging to a

national organization. Tennessee has five other chapters located in DeKalb County; Memphis;

the Cumberland Plateau; the Tri-Cities of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport; and Knoxville.

Bailey said the chapter’s habitat efforts will focus on the promotion of conservation programs

available for landowner enrollment which will deliver an immediate benefit for quail in Giles

County. “Giles County landowners care about quail and all species of wildlife. However, I don’t

think there’s ever been enough focus on promoting these conservation programs to those

landowners, so they don’t understand the financial and wildlife benefits to enrollment,” reported

Bailey. “This chapter will serve to narrow that gap in understanding, because habitat is the key.

Quail will be gone from the landscape if we don’t act to improve the habitat situation today.”

As much as 80 percent of the country’s bobwhite quail have disappeared since 1980 because

of the substantial loss of habitat suitable for quail. Factors leading to the loss of quail habitat

across the U.S. include intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland

ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue, and urban sprawl.

For information on starting a new chapter, contact Andy Edwards at 931-424-3211 or

931-638-9478. Kris Bailey can be contacted at 931-363-5353, x110 or kris.bailey@one.usda.gov.

Kris Bailey, left, and Andy Edwards, officers of the

Milky Way Chapter.

Milky Way Chapter of Quail Forever Organized
Current Developments

- 12 -

The 18th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) was held in Philadelphia, PA July 9-15 of this

year. This was the first World Soils Congress held in the U.S. since 1960. The scientific program

focused on multi-disciplinary soil science advances under the theme, “Frontiers of Soil Science:

Technology and the Information Age.” This event was hailed by the organizers as being a

“unique convergence of the world’s leading professionals in soil science.” The previous WCSS

was held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2002 and the next will be held in Brisbane, Australia in 2010.

Presentations organized into topical symposia were given by thousands of soil scientists from

around the world on such topics as GIS technologies, land-use analysis, environmental soil

biology, plant/soil interaction, hazardous waste remediation, precision agriculture, and more.

Access to other information including abstracts of the presentations are available at:

www.18wcss.org.

Rick Livingston and Anthony Khiel, NRCS Soil Scientists in Tennessee, attended the recent

World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) and made poster presentations related to current soils

work in Tennessee. Rick’s presentation was titled: “Predicting Depth to Subsurface Soil

Features Using Differential GPS and GIS Techniques.” Dwain Daniels from the NRCS National

Cartographic and Geospatial Center in Fort Worth, TX and David McMillen, Tennessee Assistant

State Soil Scientist ,coauthored the presentation. Anthony’s presentation was titled: “Soil

Resource Inventory of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park” and was coauthored by Doug

Thomas, NRCS Soil Scientist in North Carolina.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the United States Geological

Survey (USGS) were the two primary sponsors of this meeting and both contributed funds at the

“Diamond” level which is a contribution of more than $50,000 each. The NRCS had the most

prominent display in the exhibitors area. Highlights of the large display included three high

definition computer displays that were used to demonstrate web based soils information. Web

accessible information such as the Web Soil Survey, Soil Data Mart, Official Soil Series

Descriptions, and Soil Lab Data, were among the applications displayed and demonstrated to

congress attendees from all over the world. Additionally, a compact disc containing all of the

current National Cooperative Soil Survey Standards Documents, posters of the Global Soil

Regions and History of Soil Science, tote bags and other items were free to the attendees.

Tennessee NRCS Soil Scientists at the 18th World Congress of Soil Science

Photos (above and below): NRCS had the most

prominent display in the exhibitors area. Highlights

of the large display included three high definition

computer displays that were used to demonstrate

web based soils information such as the Web Soil

Survey, Soil Data Mart, Official Soil Series

Descriptions, and Soil Lab Data.

by Doug Slabaugh
Current Developments

- 13 -

Appalachian Quilt Trail

 by Lindy Turner

There are currently 145 Quilt Squares

installed in East Tennessee counties

with a projected 194 to be installed

within 12 months. The Appalachian

Quilt Trail is being coordinated as a

special project of the East TN

Foundation with leadership and block ownership by Clinch-Powell,

Appalachian and Smoky Mountain Resource Conservation &

Development Councils (RC&D). The RC&D Councils are 501C3 notfor-profit organizations working to blend community development with

natural resources protection.

The idea for the quilt trails in Tennessee was a result of tourism feasibility commissioned in 2000 by the Clinch-Powell Enterprise

Community. The Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community is a ten year

federal designation by the USDA Rural Development. The ClinchPowell EC serves Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins and Union

counties. The Clinch-Powell RC&D Council serves as the lead entity

and fiscal agent for the Enterprise Community.

The AQT is capturing and showcasing East Tennessee’s unique

culture and heritage along rural roads in our region. The AQT is

defined by a tapestry of large wooden blocks which have been handpainted using traditional quilt patterns. The striking quilt patterns

which are displayed in conspicuous settings on barns, artists’ studios,

locally owned shops and historic buildings situated along intentional

loops will guide tourists, cultural visitors and residents through a

maze of East Tennessee’s beautiful countryside.

The Appalachian Quilt Trail provides visitors with opportunities to

slow down and experience hospitality, arts, crafts, local produce and

agricultural products, as well as history along the rural roads of

Appalachia. This comprehensive tourism strategy links business to

culture and heritage to preservation by offering small towns and

communities across Tennessee a means to preserve their way of life, conserve their natural resources, create new jobs and celebrate what

makes them unique and authentic.

The 20th and final Grainger County quilt block was installed on Thursday August 20th, marking a milestone in the development of the AQT.

Grants are being awarded by USDA Rural Development to the Clinch-Powell RC&D/EC to jump start the marketing for the portion of the trail

located in the Clinch-Powell region (Grainger, Claiborne, Hancock, Hawkins and Union counties). These funds will be used to develop a

comprehensive website, signage and marketing plan that will be the basis for the entire Appalachian Quilt Trail in the future.

Additionally funds to develop a plan for a Heritage Craft Enterprise built around the AQT are also being awarded. The AQT is committed to

maintaining an authentic and quality experience in all aspects related to the AQT. The logo is being trademarked and products marketed will

fall under a legal license in order to promote them using the quilt trail and logo. This is in an effort to ensure that local resources stay in local

communities to support local businesses.

For more information about the Appalachian Quilt Trail, visit the web site at www.quilttrail.org.

Photo above: Congressman Zach Wamp and Cherry Acuff, Chairperson,

Photo above: Doris Hixon, barn owner; Cherry Acuff, Clinch-Powell RC&D

Chairperson; Ruth Tackett, State Director Rural Development; Paul Merritt,

Grainger County Mayor; Frances Rasnic, C-P Enterprise Community Chair;

Congressman Zach Wamp; and Terry Holley, East TN Foundation VP.
Current Developments

- 14 -

Photo above: The Tennessee delegation at the Southeastern RC&D

Conference.

National RC&D Meeting held in Savannah

Photo above: President Bill Williams leads the TN delegation in issue

discussion before the listening session.

RC&D directors from ten Tennessee councils, USDA-NRCS personnel and partnering agency

representatives attended the national RC&D Meeting in Savannah. Over 1400 people from

across the United States participated in the four day event.

National Association President Sharon Ruggi presided over the conference. Speakers

included United States Under-Secretary of Agriculture Mark Rey, then-Chief Bruce Knight and

National RC&D Association Executive Director Roberta Jeanquart.

The National RC&D awards banquet featured a presentation by Coach Bill Yoast, author of

“Remember the Titans” that inspired the acclaimed movie. Coach Yoast spoke on leadership

that inspires, motivates and builds consensus and cooperation to make all communities better

places. He noted that the RC&D program was a classic example of leadership that works for

communities at the local level.

Over sixty training sessions were held addressing a wide variety of natural resource management conservation as well as community development needs. Ninety nine success stories

illustrated how RC&D councils are making a difference in communities all across the nation

through effective partnerships with local governments, organizations and agencies.

Above, Glenda Rickman looks for items at the

Silent Auction.

Below: Attendees reached the convention hotel

by boat.
Current Developments

- 15 -

Giles County Soil Conservation

District's Wildlife Habitat &

Native Grass Field Day -

Wednesday, October 4th,

8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Attendees will learn to manage and improve

wildlife habitat and to include native warm

season grasses for forage production. The

tour is at the Wade Edde Farm which has

over 200 acres managed primarily for quail,

deer, and turkey. Lunch will be provided.

The program includes:

Burning for Wildlife - Andy Edwards,

 Regional Biologist-Quail Forever, Inc.

CRP Buffers - Mark Gudlin, Private Lands

 Liaison-TWRA

Quail Management 101 - Dr. Craig Harper,

 Extension Wildlife Specialist-UT

Establishing Native Warm Season

 Grasses - Robin Mayberry, Private Lands

 Biologist-NRCS

Improving Your Farm For Wildlife - Mike

 Hansbrough, Private Lands Biologist-NRCS

Optional afternoon sessions include:

Calibrating Native Warm Season Grass Drill

and Herbicide Sprayers and a presentation on

USDA cost-share at the Giles County SCD

office.

The morning attendance will earn a possible

3 CCA points; all-day attendance will earn a

possible 5 CCA points. Pesticide points may

also be available for attendance. Please

RSVP by September 22nd to 931-363-5353,

ext. 3 or email to Kris.bailey@one.usda.gov

Partners include: Wade Edde; Giles County

SCD: Milky Way Chapter Quail Forever; Quail

Unlimited; National Fish & Wildlife Foundation; NRCS; TDA; TDF; UT; and TWRA.

Directions: From Pulaski take Hwy 64 East

and take a right on Aymett Town Rd. The farm

will be on the right. If you are coming from I65, get off at Exit 14 and take Hwy 64 West

for approximately 5 miles, then take a left on

Leatherwood Creek Road; then turn right on

Aymett Town Road. The farm will be on your

left. Signs will be posted on Hwy 64.

The Knoxville Area Office is now open at 9737 Cogdill Road, Suite 152. Area Office personnel

moved in September 6. The phone number is 865-671-3830.

The Field Office moved to this location on September 14, and the Smoky Mountain RC&D is

scheduled to move in October 1.

Area Office Open in Knoxville

Soil and Water Conservation Society's Annual Fall Meeting

Fall Creek Falls State Park - Piney Room

October 13 and 14, 2006

The International Erosion Control Association is co-sponsoring this two-day event which will

begin at 12:00 noon on October 13. There is no registration fee and it is open to anyone

wishing to attend.

Topics on the agenda include:

An Introduction to the International Erosion Control Association

Soil Surveys - A history of how they were compiled and accessing the current on-line data

 bank

Stream Determinations - Differences between Streams, Intermitten Streams and Wet

 Weather Conveyances

Wetland Determinations-Remediation Successes/Failures

Beaver Creek Restoration Project Overview

New RUSLE II Construction Module

An Introduction to CPESC

There will also be a social on Friday night, a chance to play golf, and hike to Fall Creek Falls.

Contact Charles Roberts for more information at cvroberts@comcast.net or 615/824-6349 or

615-277-2575.

Photo above: The Knoxville Area Office is now open at 9737 Cogdill Road, Suite 152.
Current Developments

- 16 -

2006 East Regional Earth Team

Volunteer Conference

 by Dimple Geesling

Dimple Geesling, State ET coordinator

 attended the 2006 East Regional

Earth Team Volunteer Conference

held on August 14-18 in Charleston, SC.

Earth Team Volunteer Coordinators from

along the East coast gathered together to

share ideas and discuss hot topics of

interest.

Tennessee was one of the two states that set

up an exhibit to highlight Earth Team projects

and accomplishments.The exhibit also

included a scrapbook showcasing

Tennessee Earth Team projects.

Some topics of discussion included

“Understanding the Earth Team Database”,

“Earth Team Security Issues”, “Volunteer

Demographics” and “Welcoming Diversity”.

Earth Team Volunteer Coordinators also had

the opportunity to enjoy the warm Carolina

sun by participating in a hands-on dune

restoration project on the shore of Sullivan’s

Island, as well as get a taste of the South

with an authentic Lowcountry Beaufort Stew

dinner.

Photo top right: Dimple Geesling staffs the TN

Earth Team Exhibit at the East Regional Earth

Team Volunteer Conference.

Photo bottom right: Conference attendees

participated in a hands-on dune restoration project on the shore of Sullivan’s

Island.

Early Successional Habitat Field Day

More than 150 natural resources professionals and private landowners attended the UT/

NRCS Early Successional Habitat Field Day conducted on June 22, 2006 at Mayfield Farm

in McMinn County. The Mayfield Farm is one of seven study sites used in early successional

habitat research by the University of Tennessee in conjunction with the USDA/NRCS

Bobwhite Restoration Project.

This field event included morning and afternoon tours with technical sessions and vendor

booths scheduled during lunch. Topics included native warm-season grass establishment

and management, establishing quality early successional habitat using the seedbank,

bobwhite biology, prescribed fire management, and more. For an overview of the field day

events, go to: http://hdclel.cfr.msstate.edu/nbci/UT_Project_field_day.htm