Message from the State Conservationist

Inside This Issue.... Page

Spring Issue - March 2010

Civil Rights Committee & SEPMs 14

Civil Rights Committee Spotlight

 Employee-Natalie Freeman 13

Central Basin RC&D Receives Grant 5

Conservation Through Cooperation

 in Obion County 7

Conservation Planning Course 2

Earth Team Award Winners 8

Engineers Expedite Design Work

in Cane Creek ARRA Project 3

KY-TN Border Wars Golf Outing 2

Mark Your Calendar 12

NRCS & TWRA Team Up for NWTF 6

SCS/NRCS Tennessee Retirees Club 5

Shelby County SCD Conservation 

Awards Program 3

TACD 66th Annual Convention 10-11

Tennessee Farmland Legacy 

Partnership 9

Tennesseans Donate to Afghanistan 4

USDA Agency Leaders - TN 9

April 27, 2010 will mark the 75th anniversary of our agency. For threequarters of a century the Soil Erosion Service (a name that didn’t last long), 

then the Soil Conservation Service, and finally the Natural Resources Conservation Service have been helping Americans help the land. I am very proud to be 

a part of the agency founded by Hugh Hammond Bennett 75 years ago, and I hope 

you know just how important your work is to the country and to the world. Because 

of your dedication, we have healthier soil, cleaner water, and more abundant wildlife.

Chief Dave White recently laid out his priorities for NRCS as we mark this 

milestone anniversary, I want to share them with you.

First, we can’t do conservation from the office. The Chief has pledged to cut out 

80-percent of the bureaucracy currently tying us up at the field level. Doing that will 

allow you to get away from your desk and do more one-on-one work with customers 

like we used to do.

Second, we will continue to embrace good science. As a technical agency, we must 

use good science to effectively carry out our work. It is the bedrock of what we do.

Third, we cannot work in isolation. Work more closely with your local partners. 

Have more field days. Take advantage of our strong partnerships with the Districts, 

TDA, RC&D Councils, FSA, TWRA, US Fish and Wildlife, and all the other agencies and organizations with an investment in conserving natural resources.

Fourth, local leadership is essential. That means step up. Bring partners together, 

empower your local working group, and prioritize your natural resources needs so 

that your local area receives the most benefit.

And fifth, we must take care of the land. That’s the entire goal of our agency in one 

simple sentence. Our work is essential because we all want to leave the land in better 

condition to be utilized and enjoyed by our children, grandchildren, and all the 

generations to come.

Thank you for doing your part to make NRCS what it is. Here’s to the next 75 years!

Kevin Brown
Current Developments

- 2 - Helping People Help the Land

2010 Kentucky-Tennessee Border Wars Golf Outing

 • Friday, April 23, 2010 • 

 • 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start • Scramble Format •

Lake Barkley (aka Boots Randolph) Golf Course

3500 State Park Road Hwy 68

Cadiz, KY 42211-0790

Toll Free: 1.800.295.1878

The cost is $42.00 per person for registration received prior 

to April 13th, 2010 and $45.00 after the deadline. The fee 

includes green fees, cart fees, a bucket of range balls, catered 

lunch, plus 2 mulligans. Practice range will be available 

beginning at 7:30 a.m.

DRESS CODE: Shirts with collars & sleeves (mock 

turtlenecks are permissible). No cut off shorts or t-shirts. 

No metal spikes permitted.

Prizes will be awarded for Lowest team Score (KY & TN), 

Longest Drive, Longest Putt, and Closest to the Pin, along 

with a random drawing for several other prizes. 

All participants are responsible for their own overnight 

lodging accommodations, if needed. A block of rooms 

has been reserved at Super 8 just west of the I-24/U.S.68 

interchange (near Cracker Barrel) at a rate of $58.53 per 

night which includes taxes and fees...mention you are 

with the NRCS Golf Outing to obtain this rate (phone no. 

270.522.7007). If you prefer, rooms on the lake at Barkley 

Lodge (3 minutes from the course) may be available...

check with http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/lb/

Contact Richard West for more information.

Thirty-two students from across Tennessee and 

Kentucky attended the USDA-Natural Resources 

Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation 

Planning Course held during December and January 

in Cookeville, TN. Initiated by the vision of State 

Conservationist Kevin Brown, Hull-York Lakeland RC&D, 

in cooperation with Tennessee Technological University’s 

(TTU) School of Agriculture, organized the two week course 

which included both field and classroom time. Utilizing the 

three available TTU farms gave the participants a chance to 

view unique perspectives all in one place. 

Students attending the course were Soil Conservation 

District, County government, AmeriCorps, and NRCS 

employees. Training included Conservation Planning, 

Wildlife, Threatened & Endangered Species, Cultural 

Resources, Grazing, Water Quality, Soils, Organic 

Certification, and understanding the planning tools necessary 

to do their jobs well. 

Each group was assigned a real life conservation planning 

scenario and asked to develop a Resource Management 

System (RMS) level plan with a ‘mock’ producer. USDANRCS Resource Specialists reviewed the plan. Successful 

development of the plan was necessary to pass the course. 

State Conservationist Kevin Brown told students to "...take 

what you learn here and use it to be even more effective as 

you help people help the land." 

Conservation Planning Course

 by Kathy Daugherty, Hull-York Lakeland RC&D Coordinator, Area III

Photo above: Conservation Planning Course attendees along with Kathy Daugherty, Hull-York Lakeland RC&D Coordinator and Kevin 

Brown, State Conservationist.
Current Developments

- 3 - Helping People Help the Land

The Shelby County Soil 

Conservation District held its 

annual conservation awards 

banquet on Tuesday, December 8, 

2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Agricenter. 

John Charles Wilson presided over 

the event and presented the Shelby 

County 2009 Conservation Farmer 

of the Year award to the Sneed 

family of The Sneed’s Farm, Inc. 

of Millington. The Sneed family 

was presented a Resolution from the 

State of Tennessee, Lt. Governor 

Ron Ramsey and State Senator Mark 

Norris. The Shelby County Board 

of Commission also presented a 

resolution by Commissioner Matt 

Kuhn. 

Shelby County SCD Conservation Awards Program 

Photo above: John Charles Wilson presents the Shelby County 2009 Conservation Farmer of 

the Year award to the Sneed family of The Sneed's Farm, Inc of Millington.

The featured speaker was Dr. James 

L. Byford, Professor and Dean of 

Agriculture and Applied Sciences at 

The University of Tennessee Martin. 

Miss Anna Melvin of Collierville was 

the entertainer for the event.

Major sponsors and contributors for the 

event were SCD Affiliate Members, 

Agricenter, Cargill, Tennessee Dept. 

of Agriculture, Tipton County Co-op, 

Shelby County Soil Conservation District 

and NRCS Memphis Field Office.

An engineering working meeting 

and training event was held in 

Ripley, TN the week of January 

11 to help out with work on the 

Cane Creek American Recovery 

and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 

Project. The goals of the meeting 

were twofold: 1) for the engineers 

and technicians across the state 

to receive updated training on 

the latest surveying and plotting 

software technologies used to 

design structures; and 2) to expedite 

design work on the time sensitive 

Cane Creek ARRA project. Six 

teams were sent out to perform 

total station surveys on 18 laterals 

along Cane Creek. The teams were 

then tasked with downloading the 

data and developing contour maps 

using AutoCAD and Eaglepoint 

software. This effort saved the Area 

1 engineering staff considerable time 

and allowed them to focus on the 

next phase of work in Cane Creek.

Photo above, seated (l to r) – Ralph Smith, Allen Morrow, Frank Hamlin, Richard Bryan. 

Standing – James Kiah Ewer, Denise Watkins, Terry Horne, Jeremy Ruffell, Phillip Brasfield, 

Will Pinson, Jared Kelley, Jacob Barowsky, Joe Zimmerman, Kelly Gupton, Jorge Ramirez, 

James Gilliam, Alton Miller, Jo Ellen Johnson, Bobby Moore, Steve Koonce, and Cameron 

Williams.

Not pictured – Tate Jenkins, Matt Brown, Robert Anderson, Eddie Donald, James Garrett, 

Carolyn Bartee, and Dwaine Johnston.

Engineers Combine Training and Work Session to Expedite Design Work on Cane Creek ARRA Project

by Betty Brown, Administrative Assistant, Memphis Field Office
Current Developments

- 4 - Helping People Help the Land

Tennesseans have been making a huge difference in 

the lives of some unfortunate women and children in 

Afghanistan. NRCS-Tennessee employee Jeff Sanders 

is on a USDA detail in Afghanistan. When he saw the 

conditions that some women and children there are forced to 

live in, he called on his fellow Tennesseans to help. 

In Afghanistan, the rights of women are almost nonexistent. During the ongoing conflicts there, many women 

have become victims of rape. Instead of calling it what it 

is, their husbands often prefer to call it adultery because 

the idea of rape is too shameful. Adulterous women go to 

prison in Afghanistan, and in many cases they are forced 

to bring their children with them. Other women in Afghan 

prisons are also there because of cultural—not legal—

reasons. For instance, if a man hits a woman, there is no 

penalty. If a woman hits a man, she can be imprisoned. 

Again, they must often bring their children with them.

The women and children imprisoned throughout Afghanistan 

have suffered a long and cold winter. Jeff saw the need for 

warm clothing, blankets, and toiletry items, so he put out the 

word, and the response has been overwhelming.

Jeff’s wife, Cindy, has been at the forefront of the 

Tennessee action. She has organized and coordinated the 

Tennessee efforts from her home in Murfreesboro. Boxes of 

clothes, blankets, and toiletries have been filled by NRCSTN employees, RC&D Councils, District employees, and 

dozens of other volunteers. In all, Tennessee has shipped 

about 80 boxes to Afghani women and children. 

Lori Reeves is a veteran Corrections Officer who works 

directly with the female inmates in Afghanistan. She says 

the donated items are greatly appreciated. “AFGHAN 

WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN PRISON wish to thank 

those that gave from their heart and that donated various 

and sundry items. From warm winter clothing items, to 

toiletries, to toys, to a stuffed animal or doll a child can hold 

and draw comfort from as they sleep through the night...

all of these have made it to the intended folks and are 

much appreciated; they form a special bonding relationship 

between Afghans and Americans that will always remain.”

Reeves sent pictures, which Cindy Sanders has shared with 

us. Prisons in Kunduz, Takar, Baghlan, and Mazar have 

been reached. Reeves says the need is still there, and if you 

want to donate, you can send items to: 

Chuck Bullington, INL, APO AE 09806

Tennesseans Donate to Afghanistan
Current Developments

- 5 - 

Photo above - Seated Front Row (l to r): Judy Bivens, Betty Jo Griggs, Connie Hasty, Sue Sims, Brenda Moore, Lou Richards, 

Ruby Mae Farrar, Ardelle Langdon, and Naomi Johnson. Standing (l to r): Allen Crowe, Ray Curl, Bobby Moore, Bill Johnson, 

Don Bivens, Tom Pointer, Jim Brasfield, Grady Griggs, Anna Chidester, Liz Johnson, Steve Dobbs, Ray Sims, Clarence Jent, 

Donald Dotson, Jim Lansford, Billy Headden, Clarence Richards, and Larry Hasty.

Photo by Vic Simpson

The SCS/NRCS Tennessee Retirees Club meets 4 times 

per year. The purpose of the organization is to maintain 

contact between retirees and to foster the welfare of 

members as a group and individuals. The Retirees Club 

currently has about 95 members, which includes not only 

Tennessee SCS/NRCS retirees, but also those that retired 

from positions in other parts of the country, but came to 

Tennessee to live.

Meetings scheduled for this year are as follows:

June 17, Montgomery Bell State Park

October 21, Cumberland Mountain State Park

December 9, Nashville, Hermitage House Smorgasbord

The photo was taken at the December 2009 meeting. 

SCS/NRCS Tennessee Retirees Club

The Central Basin Resource 

Conservation & Development (RC&D) 

Council received a $1263 grant 

through The Community Foundation 

of Middle Tennessee to reestablish 

trees lost during the tornado that struck 

Murfreesboro April 10, 2009. The 

grant allowed the RC&D to make trees 

available free of charge to property and 

homeowners who lost trees during the 

tornado. 

The Community Foundation of Middle 

Tennessee has distributed more than 

$900,000 in grants to 198 nonprofit 

organizations in 30 Middle Tennessee 

counties as part of The Foundation’s 

annual grant making process. 

Central Basin Resource Conservation & Development Council Awarded Grant by The Community 

Foundation of Middle Tennessee

 by Allen Persinger, RC&D Coordinator, Central Basin RC&D

“As needs in Middle Tennessee 

grow, the work of our nonprofit 

partners to provide vital services 

and innovative programs has 

never been more important,” said 

Ellen Lehman, president of The 

Community Foundation of Middle 

Tennessee. “The Foundation is 

honored to connect generosity with 

need through our annual grantmaking, 

and congratulates nonprofits on 

their efforts to improve quality 

of life for our community.” The 

Community Foundation of Middle 

Tennessee oversees more than 700 

charitable funds. In the past 18 

years, The Community Foundation 

has distributed $440 million to its 

nonprofit partners. 

The Central Basin Resource 

Conservation and Development 

Council serves six Middle Tennessee 

Counties - Davidson, Rutherford, 

Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and 

Wilson. For more information or to 

make a tax deductible contribution 

to the Central Basin RC&D council 

please see the following website:

http://givingmatters.guidestar.org/

NonprofitProfile.aspx?OrgId=2304
Current Developments

- 6 - Helping People Help the Land

During the course of 3 days in February, nearly 45,000 

outdoor enthusiasts descended on Opryland Resort and 

Convention Center in Nashville, TN for the National 

Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) National Convention 

& Exposition. One of the largest events of its kind, 

this convention highlights the efforts made by NWTF 

through its conservation programs as well as its focus 

on natural resource management. Seminars and lectures 

were provided by wildlife biologists and other outdoor 

professionals throughout the three days. There is a large 

exhibit hall where vendors can display and promote 

various hunting and wildlife management products.

At this year’s event, NRCS and TWRA continued 

their partnership efforts by highlighting their private 

lands programs. The two agencies provided a booth for 

landowners to inquire about USDA/TWRA cost share 

programs and receive information about common wildlife 

management practices that can be implemented on private 

lands. The NRCS Area Biologists, TWRA Private Lands 

Biologists, District Conservationists, and other Area staff 

were on hand to answer questions. The biologists also had 

ArcMap software available to develop basic wildlife plans 

if requested. 

During the event, hundreds of landowners interacted with 

NRCS and TWRA staff members. The Private Lands 

Booth received numerous compliments from attendees and 

NWTF staff for the variety of literature and information 

provided, as well as, the professionalism exhibited by 

the volunteers that worked at the booth. As a result of the 

success of the NWTF convention, NRCS and TWRA have 

been invited to take a leading role in a “first-of-its-kind” 

Land and Conservation Expo to be held in August 2010. 

A special thanks goes out to all of the NRCS and TWRA 

employees that helped to make this event a great success. 

It is the commitment and enthusiasm of the employees of 

NRCS and TWRA that have developed the partnership we 

have shared over the years. Look for us to be back once 

again next year when the National Wild Turkey Federation 

rolls into town!

Photos - Top - NRCS & TWRA Private Lands booth before the 

event . Middle - Clint Borum, TWRA Private Lands Biologist, being 

interviewed about our private lands efforts. Bottom - Convention 

attendees looking at literature provided at the NRCS/TWRA booth.

NRCS & TWRA Team Up for NWTF Convention

 by Chris Wolkonowski, Wildlife Biologist, Area II
Current Developments

- 7 - Helping People Help the Land

J

ust south of Union City rests the nice, quiet town of 

Obion, Tennessee. Established in 1872, it is a rural 

community of about 1137 residents. It is also the 

residence of the Windy Acres Farm of Marion Jones, which 

was experiencing erosion issues. 

Ms. Jones initially contacted the Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS) to address an area of erosion 

that was in the corner of another crop field adjacent to a 

drainage ditch that led into the town.

The NRCS District Conservationist, Matthew Denton,

spoke with Ms. Jones regarding the Environmental Quality 

Incentives Program (EQIP), a federal program offered 

through the agency, which would fund 75% of the cost to 

install the practice that would address the erosion concern. 

Denton proposed installing a cattle panel grade stabilization 

structure, a free flow structure that doesn’t catch water or 

sediment but greatly stabilizes the erosion site with geotextile 

fabric and rock.

After Ms. Jones agreed to the construction of the cattle

panel, the town approached Denton about the possibility of 

a partnership using town and possibly county funds to assist 

in the construction of the structure. However, the structure 

would have to be redesigned in the form of a water and 

sediment control basin. A town meeting convened and 

participants voted to change the structure from a cattle panel 

to a water sediment control basin, thereby better controlling 

the water and sediment entering the town.

"The cattle panel was the best fit for the on-farm problem," 

Denton says. "From a financial standpoint it was the best 

option. But when the town approached me, I encouraged 

them to contact the landowner because another structure 

would control the on-farm problem and also control some 

of the town's off-site flooding."

Wes Miller, the Mayor of the town of Obion agreed.

"I thought it was a good idea and that it would be very

beneficial." And Mayor Miller was right. "It has helped 

the water situation in the town and everybody is satisfied," 

he said. "We appreciate the cooperation with you (NRCS)."

Denton says the installation of the water and sediment 

control basin reduced the flood potential for the community. 

"Previously this water would be flowing from the agricultural 

Conservation Through Cooperation in Obion

field with higher velocity and carrying sediment. Now the 

water is slowed and the sediment is contained on the farm."

Through the cooperation of NRCS, Obion County, the town 

of Obion, and Ms. Jones, erosion and flooding were reduced, 

the water quality improved, and the interest of the town was 

well-served. The structure now catches water and sediment 

runoff from 20 acres and slowly drains it out of the field into 

a nearby culvert under the town’s roads and driveways.

Obion County Mayor Benny McGuire said it's only the 

beginning. "We need more retention dams put in the county 

to try to prevent the sedimentation that we have in the Obion 

River watershed now."

 by Leon Tillman, Soil Conservationist, Union City

Cane Creek ARRA Project

Photo above: State Conservationist Kevin Brown and Cane Creek 

Watershed Board Chairman Dennis Lee sign an agreement to further 

work on the Cane Creek Stabilization Project in Lauderdale County. 

The $12.5 million Cane Creek Project is one of dozens of similar 

projects around the country funded through the American Recovery 

and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the stimulus funding act.
Current Developments

- 8 - Helping People Help the Land

Earth Team volunteers play a significant role in carrying 

out the conservation programs across Tennessee. State 

Conservationist Kevin Brown and Earth Team Coordinator 

Dimple Geesling presented awards to five Earth Team 

Award Winners, two of whom were also regional award 

winners, at the 66th Annual TACD Convention. Earth Team 

Award winners include:

Mike Richardson, Putnam County - NRCS Earth Team 

Individual Award Winner

Phillip Dixon, Jackson County - NRCS Earth Team 

Employee Award Winner & East Regional Employee 

Award Winner

Natalie Freeman, Jefferson County - NRCS Earth Team 

Volunteer Coordinator Award Winner & NRCS East 

Regional Volunteer Coordinator Award Winner

Dr. George Smith, UT Extension Service (retired) - NRCS 

Partnership Award Winner

Clinch-Powell RC&D Council – NRCS RC&D Earth 

Team Award Winner

Earth Team Award Winners

Photo above: Natalie Freeman, Jefferson County received the 

TN Earth Team Volunteer Coordinator Award and the NRCS East 

Regional Volunteer Coordinator Award. 

Photo above: Phillip Dixon, Jackson County received the TN Earth 

Team Employee Award and the NRCS East Regional Employee Award.

Photo above: Mike Richardson, Putnam County received the TN 

Earth Team Individual Award.

Photo above: Dr. George Smith, UT-Knoxville (retired) received the 

TN Earth Team Partnership Award.
Current Developments

- 9 - Helping People Help the Land

The USDA Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, along with 

the USDA Rural Development, 

Tennessee Department of Agriculture, 

Cumberland Region Tomorrow, 

MTSU Center for Historic 

Preservation, Tennessee Department 

of Economic and Community 

Development, Tennessee Department 

of Environment & Conservation, 

Tennessee Department of Tourist 

Development, Tennessee Wildlife 

Resources Agency, Tennessee Farm 

Bureau Federation, Tennessee 

Wildlife Resources Agency, The 

Land Trust for Tennessee, and The 

University of Tennessee Institute of 

Agriculture partnered to preserve 

Tennessee farmland by forming 

the Tennessee Farmland Legacy 

Partnership. The partnership will 

serve as an authoritative resource for 

farm level and community planning 

to promote preservation and viability 

of working farms in Tennessee. 

The Tennessee Farmland Legacy 

Partnership’s goal is to raise 

awareness among farmers and other 

landowners, government officials 

including community planning 

and zoning officials, developers, 

business and civic leaders, media 

and residents as to the values, 

needs, and opportunities for 

farmland preservation in the state. 

The Partnership will also provide 

information on the technical and 

financial programs available through 

organizations and agencies related to 

farmland protection.

“In Tennessee, we’re losing valuable 

farmland to development and other 

non-farm uses at a rate of 100,000 

acres per year,” said state Agriculture 

Commissioner Ken Givens. 

TN Farmland Legacy Partnership

“Agriculture is a $3 billion industry at the farm level. This partnership is about 

giving farm families options for keeping their land in sustainable production 

for future generations.”

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the number 

of Tennessee farms in 2008 totaled 79,000, down 8,000 since 2003. Land 

in farms decreased during the same period from 11.5 million acres to 10.9 

million acres, for an average annual loss of 100,000 acres. According to state 

agricultural officials, factors contributing to the loss of farms and farmland in 

the state include the loss of Tennessee’s tobacco industry, higher production 

costs, natural disasters and development pressures. 

Under the Memorandum of Agreement, participating agencies and 

organizations agree to:

• Share information, staff and resources.

• Collect and disseminate information to stakeholders on the preservation of 

working farms.

• Conduct and provide support for educational workshops and conferences 

on farmland preservation issues.

• Serve as a central resource on technical and financial programs offered by 

private organizations and state and federal agencies. 

For more information on the Farmland Legacy Partnership, visit:

 http://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/marketing/legacy.html. 

Photo above: State Conservationist Kevin Brown met recently with his USDA-TN counterparts 

Gene Davidson, FSA State Administrator and Bobby Goode, RD State Director.

USDA Agency Leaders - Tennessee
Current Developments

- 10 - Helping People Help the Land

TACD 66th Annual Convention

Photo above (l to r): Weldon and Anita Akins, Jim Nance's son-in-law and daughter; Ken 

Givens, TN Commissioner of Agriculture; Jim Nance; Barry Lake, TACD President; John 

McClurkan, TN Department of Agriculture; and Roy Gillis, TN NACD Representative. 

Photo above: Earl Smith (far right) of Hardeman County was the recipient of the TACD & 

Farm Credit Services of MidAmerica's Category I Conservation Farmer of the Year for 2010. 

Also pictured are his wife Judy and son Justin. Justin is a Hardeman County SCD Board 

Member.

"Clean Water - A Dwindling Resource" 

was the theme for the 66th Annual TACD 

Convention. Barry Lake, TACD President 

welcomed the approximately 350 

attendees. Ken Givens, Commissioner of 

Agriculture, gave a special welcome. 

Keynote speakers were Paul Sloan, 

Deputy Commissioner, TN Department 

of Environment and Conservation, and 

Margo Farnsworth, Senior Research 

Consultant, Cumberland River Compact. 

A highlight of the convention was 

the Gubernatorial Forum on Rural & 

Agricultural Issues in Tennessee All 

Gubernatorial candidates addressed the 

group and answered questions.

On Tuesday afternoon, board members 

had the opportunity to visit with their 

legislators to update them on agriculture 

and conservation issues. 

Jim Nance, Tennessee Department of 

Agriculture, was the recipient of the 

TACD 2010 Distinguished Service 

Award. To view the video presentation on 

this and other TACD awards, visit TACD 

on You Tube at TACDTN1. 

The scholarship auction raised more 

than $4500. This money is divided three 

ways between the TACD Scholarship 

Fund, Auxiliary Scholarship, and TCDEA 

Scholarships. A special thanks to 

Lynice Broyles for chairing the Auction 

Committee, to Dwight Dickson for 

serving as Auctioneer, and Lois Garren, 

McMinnville Field Office, and Nancy 

Holt, Springfield Field Office for being 

the convention photographers. 

TACD will be hosting the Southeast 

National Association of Conservation 

Districts in Nashville on August 8 - 11, 

2010 at the Airport Sheraton. And NACD 

will be meeting in Nashville at the 

Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention 

on January 30 - February 2, 2011. 

TACD is now on YouTube listed as TACDTN1. Go to www.youtube.com and search for 

TACDTN1. Video's of Jim Nance's Distinguished Service Award and the TACD Awards are 

now available. Other video's will be posted in the near future.
Current Developments

- 11 Helping People Help the Land

Photo above: Paula Petty, who along with her husband Ronnie 

manages Camp Discovery in Jackson County, accepts the TACD 

2010 Category II Promoter of Conservation Award for Camp 

Discovery from Barry Lake, TACD President.

Photo above: Darlene Coffee of Grainger County was the recipient 

of the TACD 2010 Conservation Educator of the Year Award.

Photo above (l to r): The 2010 TVA Conservation District of the Year 

is the Hawkins County Soil Conservation District. Daniel Horne, 

District Conservationist; Bennie Davis, SCD Chairman; Ken Givens, 

Commissioner of Agriculture; Barry Lake, TACD President; Bernice Scalf. 

Programs Administrator, and Roy Gillis, TN NACD Representative. Daniel 

Horne was the recipient of the 2010 Outstanding District Conservationist 

of the Year Award. Bernice Scalf received the Outstanding District 

Programs Manager Award; Amy Chandler received the Outstanding 

District Employee Award and Jordan Southern received the Outstanding 

District Technician Award. Amy and Jordan were not available for photos.

Photo above: Mendel Wade, Soil Conservation Technician, Crockett 

County SCD, is the 2010 Conservation District Employee Association 

Employee of the Year. Mendel is currently President of the Southeast 

Conservation District Employees Association. 

Photo at right; TCDEA employees met at the Ellington Agricultural 

Center to plant a tree to honor the memory of Olin Sims, former 

NACD President. A plaque was also placed at the site. Standing 

left to right: Janice Weiss, Cheatham County SCD, Anna Moore, 

President, TCDEA - Washington County SCD; Sandra Greene, 

Union County SCD; Bobbi Campbell, Obion County SCD; and 

Mendel Wade, Crockett County SCD.
Current Developments

- 12 - Helping People Help the Land

Charles V. Roberts has retired from NRCS after 

nearly 40 years of service. Charles, a native of 

Springfield, TN, began his tenure with the Soil 

Conservation Service in 1971 as a student trainee. When 

he stepped down in January 2010, he had risen to the 

position of Area Conservationist for NRCS-TN Area 3.

Charles began his career in the Lebanon Field Office. 

From student trainee, he went to Soil Conservationist 

(Jackson, Hartsville), District Conservationist (Sullivan 

County), IRM Coordinator (Johnson City area), Area 

Resource Conservationist (Johnson City area), Assistant 

State Conservationist for Watershed Resources (Nashville 

State Office), and finally Area Conservationist in 

Cookeville, TN. 

Charles Roberts Retires

Mark Your Calendar

Sustainable Management Farm April 21, 2010

 Field Day at Delvin Farms 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

 6290 McDaniel Road 

 College Grove, TN

 Register by April 16-Contact Janet Regen 

 admin@cumberlandrivercompact.org or 615-331-3787

State Envirothon May 10-12, 2010

 Lipscomb University

 Nashville, Tennessee

 For more info, contact 

 Chandra Owens at

 931368-0252, ext. 5

State Civil Rights Committee May 18-19, 2010

 Meeting

 Memphis, TN

Milan No-Till Field Day July 22, 2010

 Milan, Tennessee

Southeast NACD Meeting August 8-11, 2010

Photo above: Terrance Rudolph presented Charles Roberts with his Airport Sheraton

retirement gifts. 

Charles served as an EEO Mediator/Counselor as a 

collateral duty. He also had the honor of serving on two 

details to the NRCS National Headquarters where he 

worked in the Legislative Affairs Office. He also serves 

on the NEDC cadre for Civil Rights Compliance in 

Program Delivery—a position he is continuing with since 

his retirement.

Charles is a member of the of the Tennessee Chapter of 

the Soil and Water Conservation Society. He has served 

as Chapter President and Secretary-Treasurer. He is also a 

life member of the National Organization of Professional 

Black NRCS Employees, serving for three terms as the 

NOPBNRCSE National Treasurer. 

Friends and coworkers held a dinner reception on 

January 15, 2010 at Ellington Agricultural Center to 

honor Charles. He was joined there by his daughter 

TaJuan and his granddaughter Zoey, aged 11. Charles told 

the crowd he’d be spending his retirement enjoying his 

family and improving his golf game!

Photo above: State Conservationist Kevin Brown reminiscences 

about Charles Roberts career with NRCS. 
Current Developments

- 13 - Helping People Help the Land

The Civil Rights Committee 

spotlight employee this quarter 

is Natalie Freeman. Natalie 

is the District Conservationist in the 

Dandridge Field Office. She has been 

in Dandridge since February 2009.

Natalie came to NRCS through the 

Student Internship Program where 

she spent 2002 in the Lebanon Field 

Office, 2003 in the Crossville Field 

Office, and 2004 in the Smithville 

Field Office.

Natalie graduated from Tennessee 

Technological University in 2004 

with a BS in Agriculture with a concentration on Environmental Agriscience.

Natalie came on board with NRCS 

full time in January 2005 as the Soil 

Conservationist in the Morristown 

Field Office.

She serves as the Area 4 Earth 

Team Coordinator and received the 

Tennessee Earth Team Volunteer 

Coordinator Award and the Volunteer 

Coordinator Regional Earth Team 

Award for FY09.

Natalie grew up in Putnam County on 

a 5th generation beef cattle farm. She 

enjoys being outdoors, spending 

summers on the lake, and photography. She also enjoys spending 

time with family and friends especially her niece and nephew.

Civil Rights Committee Spotlight Employee - Natalie Freeman

Photo above: The Civil Rights Committee chose Natalie Freeman, District Conservationist in 

the Dandridge Field Office for the Spotlight Employee for this quarter.

by Pam Hoskins, District Conservationist, Woodbury Field Office

A Farm Field Day is scheduled for April 21st from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at Delvin 

Farms, 6290 McDaniel Road, College Grove, Tennessee. The field day theme 

is “Sustainable Management Strategies for Strawberry and Vegetable Farmers." 

Pesticide points will be available for those needing them to maintain certification. 

Curt McDaniel will be representing NRCS as one of the speakers.The field day is 

being sponsored by the Cumberland River Compact as part of its Local Officials 

Community Water Curriculum. 

Anyone who wants to attend should register in advance so planners will have 

adequate meals and farm transportation on hand. If you have questions, please 

contact Allen Persinger at 615.444.1890 x110. Partners include: 

Cumberland River Compact

Delvin Farm

EPA, Region IV

Resource Conservation & Development Council

Natural Resource Conservation Services

Tennessee Dept of Agriculture

UT Agriculture Extension

Davidson County Soil Conservation District

Farm Field Day on Sustainable Management Strategies for 

Strawberry/Vegetable Farmers
Current Developments

- 14 - Helping People Help the Land

Photo above (l to r): Front row seated - Kelly Gupton-American Indian/Alaska Native SEPM; Ralph Smith-Chairperson, Civil Rights 

Committee; Pam Hoskins-Civil Rights Committee Member; Kenneth Williams-Civil Rights Committee Member. Second row - Susan HopkinsCivil Rights Liaison Officer; Jorge Ramirez-Hispanic Emphasis Program Manager; Carolyn Dillard-Civil Rights Committee Member, 

Ladonna Caldwell-Federal Women's Program Manager; Lori Pittman-Asian American/Pacific Islander SEPM; and Nearlene Bass-Civil 

Rights Committee Member. Back Row - Todd Reed-Disabilities Employment Program Manager, Amanda Cash-Civil Rights Committee 

Member-Kevin Brown, Deputy Civil Rights Officer; Perry Stevens-Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender SEPM; Wayne Coates-Civil Rights 

Committee Member; and Terrance Rudolph-Black Emphasis Program Manager.

Tennessee Civil Rights Committee and Special Emphasis Program Managers