Summer 2007

675 U. S. Courthouse

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

615/277-2531

www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov

Message from the State Conservationist

Inside This Issue....

Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Page

Current

Cannon County Farmer Receives

 2007 Governor’s Environmental

 Stewardship Award 9

Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D Awards 3

Envirothon Winner 11

Naomi Johnson Retires 5

Native Warm Season Grass Mix

 Benefits Wildlife 5

NRCS Employees Helping People 7

TWRA Private Land Biologists 

 in NRCS Offices 8-9 

Regional Chief Coombe

 Visits Tennessee 4

SWCS Scholarship Award 2

TCDEA Workshop Held 11

TDA Ag Enhancement Program 6

Upcoming Events 2

Wheelin’ Sportsmen Event 10

I

t is a hot summer in Tennessee, and while farmers here have been wrestling with dry 

conditions, much of the heat in the nation’s capital is being generated by debate over the 

Farm Bill. Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees have their own versions 

of the bill, and each chamber must pass its legislation so a compromise version can be 

hammered out in conference committee. Secretary Mike Johanns released his Farm Bill 

proposal back in April with an emphasis on adding more money to the Conservation Title and 

simplifying conservation programs overall. 

I am hopeful that the Secretary’s priorities will remain in the final version approved by 

Congress, but we still don’t know a timetable for completing the Farm Bill. There is 

some hope based on discussions at the national leadership meeting earlier this month in 

Washington. Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Chuck Conner and others indicated that the 

administration expects a Farm Bill to be approved before the end of this fiscal year. I will keep 

you informed as I learn more. 

In the meantime, we all need to keep performing our duties and going about our jobs with the 

same excellence and dedication that make NRCS employees among the best in the federal 

government. Farm Bill politics traditionally involve a lot of rumors and hearsay, but until the bill 

is passed out of conference committee, approved again by both chambers, and signed by the 

president, just remember that anything we hear is only speculation. 

I hope your summer is a good and productive one and that you are able to enjoy some of 

the great natural resources Tennessee has to offer. I’ve been enjoying getting out to the field 

offices and meeting each of you individually, and I will be spending the next several weeks 

doing more of the same. Another thing I’m particularly looking forward to is the state RC&D 

annual meeting in Jonesborough August 2nd and 3rd. Tennessee’s Resource Conservation and 

Development councils are an integral part of the state’s success in conserving our natural 

resources, and I am happy to support them as they, too, help people help the land.

Kevin Brown

State Conservationist
2 Helping People Help the Land

Current Developments

TN Chapter SWCS 2007 Scholarship Awarded to Ashton A. Smith

The TN Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Chapter’s 

2007 Scholarship has been awarded to Ashton A. Smith of Crossville. 

The $300 scholarship, which is administered by the Chapter, was 

established as an incentive to encourage young people to attend 

college and major in a natural resources curriculum.

Ashton is the daughter of Richard and Lisa Smith of Crossville. 

She was very active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) while 

attending Cumberland County High School, serving as Secretary 

and Chapter President. She was also active in the Pep Club, DECA, 

Church Youth Group, and Fellow Christian Students. 

She grew up working on the family’s beef cattle farm where Best 

Management Practices (BMPs) were incorporated into their farming 

operation to improve water quality and reduce soil erosion. She 

has assisted with feeding and vaccinating cattle, building fences, 

and harvesting hay. In addition to that, Ashton participated in public 

speaking and livestock judging, either winning or placing very high in 

those competitive events. Another outstanding accomplishment for 

Ashton was receiving the American Farmer Degree which required a 

lot of hard work and dedication.

Ashton is an active member of the Fredonia Baptist Church where she organizes fundraisers for local and overseas missions. She also provides 

transportation for younger children so they can attend various church functions. In addition, Ashton donates her time in helping the Good 

Samaritans, Cumberland County Fair Board, and Cumberland County Fire Department.

Ashton will be majoring in Agriculture Education at Tennessee Technological University this fall, having completed two years of study at Roane 

State Community College. Her career goal is to be a Vocational Agriculture teacher. 

Ashton Smith receives the 2007 TN SWCS Chapter Scholarship from SWCS 

member Chester Bush.

Upcoming Events

Tennessee State University 4th Annual 

Small Farms Expo For more info, contact: 

Ms. Hilda Gooch at 615-963-5530, email: 

agooch@tnstate.edu, or Ms. Bridgette Bush 

at 615-963-1842, email: bbush@tnstate.edu

August 2, 2007

7:30 - 3:30

TSU Demonstration and Agricultural 

Research and Extension Demonstration 

Farm, Ashland City

Tennessee RC&D Council Annual Meeting

“The Economics of Sustainable Tourism” 

To register, go to: www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov or 

www.TNRCD.org. For more information, 

contact the Appalachian RC&D at 423-753-

4441, ext 4. or your local RC&D office.

August 2-3, 2007

Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. 

Lunch Session - 11:00 am

The International Storytelling Center in 

Historic Jonesborough 

TN-NRCS All Employees Meeting November 7-8, 2007 Fall Creek Falls State Park
3

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

RC&D Council Awards Excellence

T

he Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D Council has been busy since the 

beginning of 2007 giving out awards. On February 23, 2007, the 

council co-hosted the 3rd Annual Conservation Nation Science Fair 

and Recycled Art Contest. This year’s theme was “Water – Keeping It 

Clean.” The event, which was held at Freed-Hardeman University in 

Henderson, Tennessee, consists of a judged science poster/essay contest 

and a judged recycled art contest and is open to 7th and 8th graders in 

West Tennessee. During the judging the students participated in a handson science lab led by Freed-Hardeman Science Department personnel. 

Plaques were awarded to the top five winners in the science poster category 

and the art contest. The top three winners in each category also received 

cash prizes of $200, $150, and $100. Over 75 students participated and 

there were several outstanding entries – making judging a very difficult 

process. The judges were from several departments at the University and 

the local media. The students, teachers, and parents present not only 

learned about the importance of keeping the world’s water supply clean, but 

they had a lot of fun doing so.

On March 12, 2007, the Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D Council, along with the 

West Tennessee Leadership Development Corporation, Tennessee Farm 

Bureau, Tennessee Farmers Cooperatives, and UT Agricultural Extension 

Service, awarded 11 graduation plaques to the 2007 Class of AgStar. The 

graduation banquet, held in Jackson, was a fitting end to another successful 

year for the AgStar Leadership Program. This is the sixth class to graduate 

from this leadership program that creates an awareness of the vital need 

for agricultural leaders and developing their leadership, communication and 

policy skills to advance the agriculture and forestry industries and improve 

the quality of life. The course consists of four one-day classes, a two-day 

trip to Nashville to visit with the State Legislature, and the graduation 

banquet. Class members range from farmers and ag-related business 

professionals to state and federal agency personnel. To date, 63 class 

members have completed this important program. The Council and the 

other sponsors will offer the AgStar Leadership Program again in 2008.

Photo above: Judges are impressed by Conservation Nation Poster/Essay 

contestant from Jackson Christian School in Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D Area.

Photo above: Clock made from recycled coke cans was one of the 65 entries 

in the Conservation Nation Recycled Art Constest.

Photo above: AgStar Leadership Program graduating Class of 2007. Class members represented Chester, Crockett, Fayette, Hardeman, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, 

and Madison Counties in West Tennessee.
All-Employees Meeting Scheduled 

NRCS in Tennessee is planning an all-employees meeting on November 7-8, 2007 

at scenic Fall Creek Falls State Park in Pikeville, Tennessee. This will be the 

first two-day all-employees meeting held by the agency in several years. State 

Conservationist Kevin Brown has asked Gary Mast, the Undersecretary for Natural 

Resources and the Environment, to be the special guest and speaker. The meeting 

will happen over two half-days to allow employees from all over the state to travel to 

and from the meeting. Events also will include additional speakers, plenty of food, 

and a statewide awards ceremony. Mark your calendars and watch your email for 

more details!

- 4 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

The Conservation Journey - 

64th Annual TACD Convention

Planning is underway for the 

64th Annual TACD Convention 

scheduled for February 24-26, 

2008 at the Jackson Doubletree Hotel. 

The theme for the convention is The 

Conservation Journey. NRCS is looking 

forward to having increased participation 

in the 2008 TACD convention. 

NRCS Regional Assistant Chief Dick 

Coombe made a site visit to middle 

Tennessee in May where he toured 

more than half a dozen farms in Davidson, 

Cheatham, and Montgomery counties 

accompanied by State Conservationist Kevin 

Brown and Area Conservationist Paul Fulks. 

Mr. Coombe was also the featured speaker 

at the Five Rivers RC&D Council’s 35th 

anniversary celebration in Robertson County.

The Regional Assistant Chief later toured the 

Dairy Experiment Station in Marshall County 

before winding up his brief visit to the state. 

AC Paul Fulks says he enjoyed spending 

time with the RAC. “I really appreciated the 

emphasis that Dick has on the field and 

conservation on the ground. During the 

tour when we reached a farm Dick got in the 

vehicle with the DC and spent as much face 

time as possible getting their perspective. 

When Dick was on the farm he talked to 

the farmers and asked their opinions. He is 

sincerely concerned with our customers and 

our employees.”

NRCS Regional Assistant Chief Dick Coombe Makes Site Visit to Middle Tennessee

Photo above, l to r: Jim Root (Veterinarian and cattle producer); Area Conservationist Paul Fulks; 

Regional Assistant Chief Dick Coombe; State Conservationist Kevin Brown; District Conservationist 

Carolyn Dillard (Cheatham/Davidson Counties). Photo below: The group views a stream crossing.Photo 

at bottom left: Regional Assistant Chief Coombe showed off his riding abilities on a Tennessee walking 

horse in Lewisburg during his visit to middle Tennessee. 
- 5 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

A

fter 37 years of service with the agency, 

Naomi Hamilton-Johnson is retiring 

effective August 3, 2007. Naomi has 

been working as the State Conservationist’s 

Administrative Assistant since July 1997, 

but she began her career in May 1970 as a 

part-time employee with the Soil Conservation 

Service working as a Clerk in the Personnel 

Section. Over the years, she has worked as a 

Clerk-Typist and Secretary in every state office 

section, but most of her career was spent 

working for the State Soil Scientist. 

About her tenure, she says, “I’ve seen many 

people come and go, including five State 

Conservationists, three State Administrative 

Officers, five State Soil Scientists, and too 

many others to list.”

Naomi was born 90 miles northeast of Nashville in the small community of Free Hill near the 

town of Celina in Clay County, Tennessee. She came to Nashville in 1969 to attend Falls 

Business College, where she received her degree in Secretarial Science.

Outside the state office Naomi is best known as the pleasant and soothing voice you have 

heard over the past decade any time you have tried to reach the State Conservationist by 

phone. Naomi is well known and respected also for her unofficial collateral duties which 

include—but are not limited to—sharing her strong opinions, advice and counseling with others. 

Naomi is married to George Johnson and together they have six children and 16 grandchildren 

(with a new arrival expected any day now!) She looks forward to spending more time doing 

volunteer work with various non-profit organizations. For the past two years, she has donated 

her time and energy to the Victory Over Crime Program, which assists elderly crime victims. 

She also anticipates spending more quality time with her grandchildren and doing a little 

shopping!

We’re going to miss you, Naomi!

Naomi Hamilton-Johnson Is Retiring After 37 years of Service

by Dwaine Johnston

Mike Hansbrough, USDA NRCS Wildlife 

Biologist from West Tennessee and Dwaine 

Johnston from the USDA NRCS Ripley 

Field Office have been jointly working with 

landowners from Lauderdale County to 

plan and apply the Native Warm Season 

Grass mixture on cropland fields under the 

Conservation Reserve Program. 

Cropland conversion to native warm season 

grasses will have a positive impact on 

wildlife habitat while improving water quality 

and reducing soil erosions on these cropland 

fields. Hansbrough noted that landowners 

who choose native warm season grass 

mixtures are providing additional food and 

shelter for a large variety of wildlife species 

including quail and turkey. 

Johnston commended the Lauderdale 

County Farm Service Agency staff for their 

cooperative efforts under the Conservation 

Reserve Program to assist local landowners 

in planning and implementing soil and 

water conservation programs in Lauderdale 

County that will help protect the natural 

resource base. Johnston pointed out that 

Lauderdale County Soil Conservation 

District has worked cooperatively with the 

Tennessee Department of Agriculture and 

the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 

to obtain a no-till drill with the capability of 

establishing native warm season grasses 

on lands in Lauderdale County. Johnston 

said that this is an excellent example of how 

local, state, and federal agencies working 

cooperatively with local landowners can 

make a positive impact on the environment 

for today and for future generations.

Photo at left: Mike Hansbrough, NRCS Wildlife 

Biologist from West Tennessee (left) and 

Derry Newman, landowner from the Mary’s 

Chapel community in Lauderdale County in 

West Tennessee examine a cropland field in 

preparation for the seeding ofthe Native Warm 

Season Grass mixture.

Native Warm Season Grass Mix 

Benefits Wildlife
- 6 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is accepting applications 

for the third season of the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement 

Program cost share assistance for hay storage, farm diversification 

and cattle improvement. 

“With the passage of Governor Bredesen’s budget and a $21 million 

increase in funding for the Ag Enhancement program, the Tennessee 

General Assembly recognized that the investments we’re making in 

Tennessee farms are working,” said state Agriculture Commissioner 

Ken Givens. “The increase in funding will help us to meet the 

producer demand that we’re experiencing in all of our cost share 

areas.”

Farmers have until Oct. 1 to apply for 35 percent, up to $3,500 in cost 

share assistance through the Hay Storage Facility cost share program 

for the construction of a new hay storage facility or an addition to 

an existing structure. To be eligible, farmers must be a Tennessee 

resident and operate a farm or agribusiness located in the state with 

at least 10 head of cattle or 50 acres of hay production. 

Farmers interested in diversifying their farming operation and 

investing new or emerging areas of agriculture like grape growing, 

organics or agritourism can apply for cost share assistance through 

Aug. 31. 

The goal of the Tennessee Agricultural Growth program is to build 

farm income by helping farmers expand or improve their operations 

through production of diversified agricultural products. Diversified 

agricultural products include agritourism, aquaculture, bees, fruits 

and vegetables, horticulture, goats and sheep, organics, valueadded products, grapes and others as approved by the Tennessee 

Department of Agriculture.

Tennessee farmers can apply for reimbursement at a 35 percent 

cost share up to $10,000 for farm infrastructure, specialty equipment 

purchases and marketing activities. New for this year, farmers can 

apply for 50 percent cost share up to $15,000 for investments in 

T

he Rhea County Soil Conservation District has had great 

success over the last few years and is always looking for ways 

to give back to the community. At its February 2007 meeting, 

board members decided to start a scholarship to help one local 

student to continue their education at any post secondary school. A 

scholarship entry form was developed and delivered to all secondary 

schools county wide. 

The Rhea County Soil Conservation District awarded Miss Amanda 

Turner with its first scholarship. Miss Turner graduated in May from 

Rhea County High School where she excelled both academically as 

well as in her extracurricular activities. Rhea County Board member 

Eric Smith recognized Miss Turner by presenting her with a plaque 

and scholarship recognition letter at the annual Rhea County High 

School honors program. She will enter Austin Peay University this 

fall and plans to pursue a degree in nursing. Amanda will be the first 

person in her family to graduate from high school and attend college.

by Audrey Burton

Photo above: Amanda Turner was the recipient of a plaque and scholarship 

from the Rhea County SCD. Board member Eric Smith made the 

presentation at the Rhea County High School honors program.

priority areas. Priority areas include agritourism, goats and sheep, 

organics and grapes of certain varieties. 

The department will accept applications beginning Aug. 1 for the 

Cattle Improvement Initiative to help producers purchase cattle 

handling equipment or to improve herd genetics through bull 

purchases and leases or artificial insemination. 

New for this year, the cost share allowance for the purchase of 

livestock handling equipment has been increased to $3,500, and 

certified Master Beef Producers can qualify for 50 percent cost share. 

Requirements for the Cattle Improvement Initiative are otherwise the 

same as those required for the last fiscal year. Tennessee beef and 

dairy farmers can apply for reimbursement of 35 percent, up to $850, 

for the cost of a bull purchase or lease, or for artificial insemination to 

improve cattle genetics. Certified Master Beef Producers can receive 

up to $1,000 maximum cost share for genetics. The department will 

also reimburse producers up to an additional $175 for the cost of a 

herd evaluation by an approved evaluator. 

Cattle farmers can also apply for a 35 percent reimbursement up 

to the new maximum of $3,500 for the costs of such cattle handling 

facilities as headgates, holding chutes and other approved equipment 

used for managing cattle. Dairy producers have the opportunity to 

receive cost share on items such as vacuum pumps, commercial hot 

water heaters, and headlock stanchions.

Producers with livestock must also register their premises with the 

National Animal Identification System. Livestock premises can be 

registered at most Farm Service Agency, UT Extension, Farm Bureau 

or Co-op locations, or online at www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/tpis. 

Increase in Cost Share Dollars Marks Third Season for TAEP

For more information about and applications for TAEP cost share 

programs, visit online at www.picktnproducts.org, or call the 

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Market Development Division at 

(615) 837-5160. 

Rhea County SCD Gives Back
Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land -7 - 

On Friday, June 22, I received a phone call about 4 pm from a family 

friend that moved from the Alamo area to the Friendsville area in 

East Tennessee about 4 years ago. She and her husband have 5 

children; after a couple of years, the dad skipped town leaving her 

and the children alone and he was not paying any child support. She 

was working 3 different part-time jobs trying to make ends meet and 

everything was going ok until her car broke down and she could not 

get to work. She called me out of desperation; she just didn’t know 

what to do.

Around 6 pm I went by the office and talked to Dwaine Johnston, my 

Soil Conservationist, and asked him if he could think of anyone we 

knew in the Friendsville area. Dwaine got out the NRCS phone book 

and began going over names. One of the names that came up was 

Fred Walker who is a District Conservationist. I have known Fred for 

several years since he worked as a soil conservationist in Dyersburg 

for a time.

I called Fred that evening and told him the story of the young lady 

who was a family friend in desperate need and I ask him if he would 

be willing to go check on her and find out about her car. I knew Fred 

was a real good shade tree mechanic because he and I had worked 

on his old Chevy truck together a few years ago. Fred liked old trucks. 

The next day Fred went to see her and called me back saying she 

NRCS in Tennessee has been making a positive difference by conserving Tennessee’s natural resources for many years, and that 

is our number one job, but the good works of our employees aren’t limited to conservation. Do you have a story or anecdote 

about how one of your coworkers is making a difference for the better? Send it to Perry Stevens or Jeanne Eastham and it may 

appear in the next issue of Current Developments.

NRCS Employees....Helping People

by Richard Cooke

Governor Phil Bredesen was on hand to mark 

the release of a new plan to connect the people 

and communities of northeast Tennessee with 

the greenways and trails of Appalachia. The 

Southern Appalachian Greenways Alliance 

(SAGA) announced the plan in Kingsport in 

April. SAGA is a nonprofit organization of 

community leaders and volunteers whose 

mission is to advocate, develop and sustain a 

creative and comprehensive system of trails 

and greenways in eight Northeast Tennessee 

counties and three Southwest Virginia counties. 

Appalachian RC&D Coordinator Roy Settle 

says the multistate effort really sets the course 

in working toward regional connectivity. The 

plan includes dozens of action items, including 

developing trail infrastructure, instituting 

stream zone protection ordinances, creating 

conservation corridors, and establishing local 

“Safe Routes to Schools” programs in local 

communities to teach traffic safety and promote 

walking and biking activities. Settle says the 

next step is for a bi-state commission to work 

with communities on implementing the plan.

needed a new radiator, and most likely some other parts as well. Of 

course when she called me earlier she was already overdrawn at the 

bank and did not have enough money to repair her car. So now what?

The church I attend “Cypress United Methodist Church” has a special 

fund to help people in need, so I contacted the chairman of the “MAW 

CARES PROGRAM” at the church and anyone else I could think of 

that might help. We raised $750 dollars to help with the car repairs. I 

have a brother in-law who also lives about 30 miles from Friendsville 

and my wife told him If he would take her the $750 dollars that we 

would send him a check to cover the expense. So the following 

Monday the lady met up with my brother-in-law to get the money we 

had raised. Fred went back and repaired her car and got her back on 

the road.

This single mom with five children who had been abandoned by her 

husband, faced with a broken-down car and not enough to make 

ends meet, really needed help. This situation makes me realize that I 

have been truly blessed. It’s great to know that we have great NRCS 

friends that will extend a hand to help someone else’s friends. My 

thanks to Fred Walker, District Conservationist. I am glad to call Fred 

“My Friend”.

Governor Bredesen On Hand for Release of Greenway and Trail Plan

Photo above (l to r): Representative Nathan Vaughn, RC&D Coordinator Roy Settle, 

Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips, Governor Bredesen, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, and Allison 

Bullock - National Park Service Rivers Trails & Conservation Assistance Program.
- 8 -

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Wally Akins is a native of Monroe County in eastern Tennessee. He received a B.S. in 

Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1991 

and a M.S. in Wildlife Management from West Virginia University in 1994. From 1996-

1999 Wally worked for TWRA as Wildlife Officer in Hancock and Meigs Counties. In 1999 he 

became Area Manager of Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, where he worked until his most recent 

appointment with NRCS. 

Farming practices on the refuge and surrounding wildlife management areas included grain 

farming primarily of corn, wheat, soybeans, millet, grain sorghum, and native warm season 

grasses. He has additional background in timber management and wildlife census and survey 

techniques. Wally’s work focus will be Farm Bill programs and technical assistance for Area 3. 

He is working out of the Knoxville Area Office.

During his spare time Wally enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping when time permits. He also 

conducts a small hay and beef cattle operation in Meigs County, Tn. 

Thanks to a new cooperative agreement with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, we are happy to welcome four new Private Lands 

Biologists into NRCS offices across the state. Under the agreement, NRCS provides office space, a computer and guidance on a daily basis, 

but the four biologists are supervised and employed by TWRA. 

NRCS has signed on for a one-year agreement and there is great hope that additional funding will allow the cooperative agreement to 

become permanent and expand to include even more Private Lands Biologists. Our neighboring states, Kentucky and Missouri, have similar 

agreements. Kentucky’s plan has been in effect for five years, and the Tennessee agreement is based off that model. There is a precedent for 

the program to grow. For example, Missouri started out with a handful of Private Lands Biologists working with NRCS offices, but now that state 

has one in every county!

Clint Borum, TWRA Private Lands Biologist - Murfreesboro Area Office

Clint Borum comes by his interest in agriculture and wildlife resources honestly—his dad 

is a wildlife officer for TWRA, and Clint—along with his brother, dad, and grandfather—

manages a 200-acre farm in middle Tennessee where he owns about 60 head of cattle. 

Clint is the new Private Lands Biologist working from the Murfreesboro Area Office. Clint 

received his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from UT-Martin where he was a member of the Wildlife 

Society. While he was getting his degree, Clint interned at a west Tennessee fish hatchery 

doing information and education work. That led to a permanent position conducting stream 

surveys which eventually resulted in Clint being in charge of conducting stream surveys in 

three large areas of west Tennessee. 

He then moved to Nashville to take a position managing the TWRA’s Landowner Incentive 

Program. He says his new position now allows him to help administer the same programs that 

he helped coordinate with NRCS previously. Clint says with so much of the state’s land being 

privately owned, the job that he and the other Private Lands Biologists are doing is especially 

needed. “This will help landowners learn what’s out there. 90-95% of Tennessee has little to no guidance as far as wildlife management goes. 

You can really make a difference with that land.” 

When he’s not working or farming, Clint likes to hunt and fish, but he spends most of his free time with his three year old son, Gauge Riley. A 

new addition to the family—a baby girl—will make her arrival in late September. 

Wally Akins, TWRA Private Lands Biologist - Knoxville Area Office

Four New Private Lands Biologists in NRCS Offices Thanks to a Cooperative Agreement with TWRA
- 9 - Helping People Help the Land

Aubrey Deck, TWRA Private Lands Buiologist, Jackson Area Office

Aubrey Deck is originally from Knox County, but now he lives in west Tennessee where 

he works from the Jackson Area office. Aubrey received his B.S. in Wildlife and Fishery 

Science from the University of Tennessee and his M.S. in Wildlife and Fishery Science 

from Texas A&M. Previously, he did an internship in the Great Smoky Mountains trapping 

feral hogs and black bears as part of the National Park Service’s damage control efforts. After 

school, he worked fulltime with USDA Wildlife Services. Later, he was an Extension Wildlife 

Specialist at the U-T Extension Service.

Aubrey is certified as an Associate Wildlife Biologist and says he is enjoying his new job. “This 

is like a dream job for me. Working with landowners every day to help them understand and 

help them facilitate putting more wildlife on the ground is my dream. I grew up on a dairy farm 

so I understand the mentality of a farmer as well as that of a wildlife specialist. I think education 

is the key to bridging that gap.” 

Aubrey is the proud parent of a six year old daughter, Kailynn, who went deer hunting with her dad for the first time last year. He says they didn’t 

bag a buck, but Kailynn learned Stage One, which is learning to walk quietly in the woods. So what is Stage Two going to be? “Learning to be 

quiet in the deer stand,” Aubrey says.

Chris Hunter grew up in Dyer County in West Tennessee. He graduated from UT-Martin 

in 1999 with a degree in Natural Resources Management and received his Masters in 

Biology from Murray State University in 2004. Chris is working out of the Brownsville 

Field Office and his work focus is wetlands and continuous practice contracts.

Chris is a former park ranger with the Tennessee State Parks who was hired by the Tennessee 

Wildlife Resources Agency as a non-game biologist to work on the Congressionally-mandated 

State Wildlife Action Plan. Because of his work, he was a co-recipient of the 2005 Wildlife 

Biologist of the Year Award. 

Chris says the work he is able to do with NRCS is satisfying because it makes a difference. 

“It’s about putting habitat on the ground to promote landowners’ needs. Anytime you can 

change a cornfield to a native warm season grass field, that’s beneficial from my standpoint.” 

Chris has been married for two years and has a 10-month old son. 

Current Developments

Chris Hunter, TWRA Private Lands Buiologist, Jackson Area Office

Raymond Cooper, Cannon County Farmer, receives 2007 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award 

for Excellence in Agriculture

Pictured (from l to r): Deputy Governor Stuart Brunson; Raymond Cooper; District 

Conservationist Pamela Hoskins; Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan.

The 2007 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for 

Excellence in Agriculture has been awarded to Cannon County 

Farmer Raymond Cooper and to the Cannon County Soil 

Conservation District. Mr. Cooper and District Conservationist Pamela 

Hoskins accepted the honor in June at a ceremony held at Ellington 

Agricultural Center in Nashville.

Mr. Cooper recently worked with the Canon County SCD and NRCS 

to host a farm tour. Attendees had an opportunity to see first hand 

his innovative approach to his farm operation, especially his cattle 

operation.

He has reduced his hay feeding to the bare minimum, averaging 

250 lbs/per year/per head by adjusting stocking rates and rotational 

grazing. Rotational grazing keeps cattle out of the woods and streams 

and allows nutrients to be recycled to the pasture. He also maintains 

a legume balance that allows pastures to produce their own nitrogen 

and reduce the need for additional fertilizer on his pastureland.
Current Developments

- 10 - Helping People Help the Land

T

he Third Annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen Event wheeled onto two 

Campbell County farms this year. Over 1500 acres on these 

farms are devoted to wildlife habitat, especially elk, and are 

enrolled in the NRCS’ Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). 

Robin Mayberry, NRCS Wildlife Biologist, worked closely with the 

farms’ owners to optimize wildlife habitat and with the National Wild 

Turkey Federation (NWTF) and other sponsors to insure that this 

year’s Wheelin’ participants had a memorable outdoor experience

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) sponsors the nationwide 

Wheelin’ Sportsmen event that allows wheelchair-users or otherwise 

mobility-limited people the opportunity to experience hunting, fishing, 

and other outdoor activities that they might not otherwise participate 

in. In Wheelin’ Sportsmen events, mobility-limited people are paired 

with volunteers who assist them in outdoor recreation at no cost to the 

participant with disabilities. 

Toby Steele, President of the Knoxville NWTF Chapter known as 

the Rocky Top Long Beards, stated “This is our 3rd annual Wheelin’ 

Sportsmen event. We have approximately 125 folks sharing the 

outdoors and fellowship. This event is about more than just hunting. It 

is sportsmanship, safety – safety is our #1 priority, and an opportunity 

to establish new relationships.” 

Terry Lewis and Ron Cunningham own the Campbell County farms 

who hosted this year’s event. “I have established 37 different food 

plots to date,” stated Terry Lewis. “Robin Mayberry, NRCS Wildlife 

Biologist, looked at my property, discussed my goals with me, and 

gave me some additional insight and ideas that helped me develop 

a plan. Then he introduced me to Matthew Denton, NRCS District 

Conservationist in Campbell County. Matthew has been on the 

farm several times and helped me get enrolled in WHIP. With his 

assistance, I have planned some stream bank restoration and a 

curtain wall of trees and planted warm season grasses and annual 

and perennial plots to increase habitat for wildlife. During this process, 

Matthew helped me look at each area as it applied to habitat and as a 

result, I have several areas with improved habitat. Both Matthew and 

Robin were very helpful.”

“This Wheelin’ Sportsmen event is about more than harvesting 

a turkey,” Lewis further stated. “It is about fellowship, safety, 

conservation, camaraderie and enjoying the great outdoors. 

Harvesting a turkey is great, but it isn’t at the top of anyone’s list.” 

Ron Cunningham, who owns 1600 acres adjacent to Lewis, said 

“Today is all about sharing and giving other’s an opportunity. When I 

purchased this land it was strip pit land that had the timber cut. The 

first year I owned it I saw one deer. I’m now in my 8th year in the WHIP 

program and I have an abundance of wildlife including turkey, deer, 

rabbits, grouse, and some quail. I have installed food plots, ponds, 

and I’m working with the timber. These days I spend most of my time 

in land management because that’s what I enjoy.” 

Dana Bowman, a retired Sergeant First Class with the US Army, 

was the guest speaker for the event. Bowman was a Special Forces 

Soldier and a member of the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights who lost his 

legs in a midair collision during the team’s annual training in 1994. 

Today he is a motivational speaker emphasizing “It’s not the Disability 

– It’s the Ability.” For more information, go to www.danabowman.com. 

Wheelin’ Sportsmen Event 

Photo above: The 3rd Annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen event was held on two 

Campbell County farms that have more than 1500 acres devoted to wildlife 

habitat and are enrolled in WHIP. 

Photo above: In upper East Tennessee, food plots are especially important 

due to the fact that typically cropped acres are less than other parts of the 

state and climatic conditions like this year’s drought could adversely affect 

mast production. Photo below: Charlie Vogel, one of the many participants 

in this year’s event, reflects back over the day’s hunt before heading back to 

camp.
- 11 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

T

he Tennessee Association of 

Conservation Districts Employees 

Association (TCDEA) held its Spring 

Workshop in May at Fall Creek Falls State 

Park. East Tennessee Wildlife Biologist 

Robin Mayberry and Bledsoe County District 

Conservationist Randy Parnell helped with 

a Native Warm Season Grass (NWSG) 

demonstration. 

The group also visited the farm of retired 

NRCS engineer Jim Bickford to view different 

stages of NWSG growth. TCDEA Area III 

Coordinator Renita Beaty says, “We couldn’t 

have put on such an awesome workshop 

without these outstanding USDA/NRCS 

employees!”

After winning the statewide Tennessee Envirothon competition in May, 

five Southern Middle Tennessee RC&D youth will be traveling to the North 

American Canon Envirothon competition, being held in Geneva, New 

York, during the week of July 29. 

Jeremy Mills, Daniel Sherrouse, Jordan Kelly, Jonathan Mills and 

Andrew Russell, all Coffee County 4-H members, will participate in North 

America’s largest high school environmental education competition along 

with teams from 44 states and 8 Canadian provinces. Participating teams 

complete training and testing in five natural resource categories: soils 

and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and current environmental 

issues. This year’s theme is alternative and renewable energy. Teams 

compete for recognition and scholarships while demonstrating their 

knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management 

through exercises that showcase their training, problem-solving and 

presentation skills.

The Coffee County team ranked first out of 11 other teams representing 

the various RC&D Councils across the state. The Southern Middle 

Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development Council through 

NRCS sponsored the team from Coffee County. Team adviser Sara Steelman is a Conservation Technician with the Coffee County Soil 

Conservation District. She says becoming the state winners of the Tennessee Envirothon competition was a great honor for the students. 

“The Envirothon competition is a hands-on environmental problem-solving competition for high school-aged students in the United States and 

Canada. It is very challenging and our young people rose to that challenge.” Ms. Steelman and Coffee County Agriculture Extension Agent 

Steve Harris will be accompanying the team to the North American contest. 

The Southern Middle TN RC&D consists of Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Lincoln, Lawrence, Marshall, Maury and Moore Counties. The 

RC&D is actively pursuing community development projects such as the Quilt Trial, First Wheels and Envirothon. For more information 

regarding the Southern Middle TN RC&D and its programs, please contact your local SCD/NRCS office. 

Coffee County Team State Envirothon Winner

Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts Employees Association (TCDEA) Workshop

Pictured (l to r) Jonathan Mills; Andrew Russell; Daniel Sherrouse; Bill Mayo, 

1st Vice President TN RC&D Ccouncil; Jordan Kelly; Bill Williams, President, 

TN RC&D Council: Jeremy Mills; Sara Steelman (team adviser); Alan 

Persinger (RC&D Coordinator)
- 12 -

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Dr. Carroll Rose, a well known surgeon in Claiborne County, and his wife Janice own a 700 

acre farm that they manage for wildlife habitat. The Roses have an avid interest in the history 

of the area and believe in giving back to the community. They have restored cabins and built 

cantilever barns on their property to give their farm the look of an old Appalachian farmstead. 

They hold an annual festival at their farm the second weekend in October that is open to the 

public with horse and buggy rides, molasses making using grain sorghum from their farm, an 

apple-butter stir-off, sour-kraut and hominy making and more. 

Dr. Rose worked with NRCS and the Claiborne County Soil Conservation District to develop 

wildlife habitat on his farm through farm planning and technical assistance. He utilized the 

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program to install practices for wildlife habitat. 

He is especially interested in bringing quail back to the farm and has converted over 200 acres 

of fescue/clover fields to Native Warm Season Grass including Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, 

Switch grass, and Indian grass. He is currently working with the Tennessee Division of 

Forestry to install or establish woodland openings and edge feathering. 

Claiborne County Landowner Gives Back to the Community

Photo above: Dr. Rose was recognized as the 

Claiborne County Soil Conservation Educator of 

the year. Photos below show one of the restored 

Appalachian cabins with the cantilever barn in the 

background and the wagons used for the horse and 

buggy rides.

Helping People Help the Land 

Display Now Available

A new display, Helping People Help the 

Land, is now available. Each area office 

will receive two copies - one for table top 

displays and one for floor displays.

A copy of each will also be available 

in the State Office. If you have display 

needs, please contact the Public Affairs 

Staff to reserve a display. 

Plan ahead....It’s county fair time in 

Tennessee so reserve your display early!