September 2004

675 U. S. Courthouse

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Telephone: 615/277-2531

FAX: 615/277-2577

USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service

NRCS

From the office of the State Conservationist

Current

Developments

Inside This Issue....

 Page

Area 1 News 4, 5

Area 2 News 6, 7

Area 3 News 8

Beason Completes Training 2

Conservation Buffers 2

EWP 11

FRPP-A Farm Forever 12

Outreach & Education 9

RC&D 10

National Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15, 2004 - October 15, 2004

Hispanic Americans "Making a Difference in our Communities and Nation"

F

rom my perspective as I travel across the state I have viewed a tremendous increase

in the amount of conservation applied to the land. As NRCS employees, we can be

proud of our accomplishments.

The amount of conservation on the land can be attributed to...

Our landowners...be sure to commend landowners and let them know how much we

value their stewardship and commitment in applying conservation on the land.

Our partners...thank our Conservation Partners at every opportunity. Their support is

vital as we strive to meet needs of our customers.

This year, we have met many challenges and endured many frustrations, but it is all

worthwhile when we can take pride in our accomplishments. Please remember our work

is far-reaching and important. We must remain vigilant in our efforts for our customers,

our communities, and the State of Tennessee.

I would like to share with you just a few of our accomplishments this year...

•Over $13 million in Farm Bill funding was obligated and provided to Tennessee

 landowners in FY04.

•Through the EQIP Program, over $9 million was obligated on 803 EQIP contracts.

•Over $l million was obligated for 84 rental agreements on approximately 7,400 acres

 through the Grassland Reserve Program.

•The Cruze Dairy Farm in Knox County was preserved as a “farm forever” with

 assistance through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program and with the

 assistance of our Partners...Knox County Government, the Land Trust of Tennessee

 and others.

•Landowners have installed over l,000 miles of Conservation Buffers thereby helping to

 bring back the Bobwhite Quail and other wildlife in areas where numbers had declined

 for several years.

•Mary’s Creek Dam Rehabilitation Project was completed and the lives of many citizens

 are being protected. Project funds were authorized in the amount of $350,000 with

 $187,000 local cost-share.

I hope each of you can experience pride in your accomplishments and look forward to

new and exciting challenges in the coming year.

James W. Ford

State Conservationist
In the News Current Developments

Darrell Beason completed his first phase

of Warrant Officer training in the Army

National Guard at Fort Rucker, Alabama and

graduated on September 2. The training was

rigorous with only half the people who

began the training completing it. Trainees

weren't allowed to have candy, soft drinks,

burgers or fries...actually no extras at all

and no free time except to sleep during the

first phase of this training. According to

Darrell, the first cheeseburger he ate after

training “was better than Christmas.”

Darrell returned to work on September 7

and will work until his second phase of

training begins. He will be stationed in

Maryland for that three month phase of

training.

-2-

Conservation Buffer Ceremony Beason Completes Phase 1 of Training

Held to Recognize Landowners

A ceremony was held on August 24,

2004 in Somerville, Tennessee to

highlight the efforts of landowners

who have voluntarily applied over 1,000

miles of conservation buffers on private

lands.

James W. Ford, State Conservationist with

the USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service, praised the efforts

of Tennessee landowners. He said “We

have been pleased with the number of

landowners in Tennessee who have

established conservation buffers that

included Native Warm Season Grasses

(NWSG’s). NWSG’s, a wildlife friendly

mixture good for Bobwhite quail and other

wildlife species, have now become the most popular cover type

for filter strips and field borders.”

The outdoor ceremony was held on Mark and Joseph McNabb’s

Farm located 4 miles west of Somerville, Tennessee.

Cooperative efforts between the Natural Resources Conservation

Service, Farm Service Agency, Tennessee Wildlife Resources

Agency, and non-profit conservation groups such as Quail

Unlimited have helped to increase landowner participation in

USDA programs that favor wildlife friendly practices. These

programs include

the Conservation

Reserve Program

(CRP), Wildlife

Habitat Incentives

Program (WHIP),

and others.

Mack Gray, Deputy

Undersecretary for

Natural Resources

and Environment,

attended the

ceremony and

presented research

grants to

representatives

from The University of Tennessee and Mississippi State

University. These grants as well as several others in nine states

were recently announced by Secretary of Agriculture Ann

Veneman as part of a Bobwhite Quail Restoration Project.

Mack Gray, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural

Resources and Environment, USDA, Washington,

DC, is shown presenting grant checks to The

University of Tennessee and Mississippi State

University.

Mike Hansbrough, NRCS Wildlife Biologist, is shown making a presentation

about conservation buffers and the benefits they provide for Bobwhite quail

and other wildlife species.

 by Lavonne Winters

Photo above, l to r – James Ford, State Conservationist, Natural Resources

Conservation Service; Mack Gray, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources

and Environment; Gary Myers, Executive Director, Tennessee Wildlife Resources

Agency; and Bob Bryant, Quail Unlimited. Cooperative relationships between

these partners have led to the successful participation in USDA programs and

establishment of critical habitat for bobwhite quail and other wildlife.
In the News Current Developments

-3-

Colin Loring Volunteers to Assist in Disaster Response to Hurricane

Charlie and Ivan

On August 13 Hurricane Charlie hit the West coast of Florida about 60 miles South of

Tampa. Charlie was a category 4 hurricane with winds of 145 mph, and left a wide path of

destruction across central Florida from the West coast to the East. CNN reported that at

least 27 deaths, many more injuries, and an estimated 11 billion dollars in damage and

about 7 billion dollars of insurance claims resulted from Hurricane Charlie.

Hurricane Ivan, a category 3 hurricane, hit the NW panhandle of Florida near Pensacola

September 16, 2004. Ivan caused at least 54 deaths in the U.S., and at least several billion

dollars in damage according to CNN. The effects of both storms were felt well beyond

Florida.

Colin Loring spent six days in central Florida after Hurricane Charlie, and four days in the

Western Panhandle between Pensacola and the Alabama state line, after Hurricane Ivan.

He went as a volunteer with the US Air Force Auxiliary/Civil Air Patrol, operating the

SDIS system and conducting aerial photo damage assessments of affected areas. “We

receive locations for assessment on the ground prior to flight and in the air by radio. I’ve

always felt compelled to help in times of need, and serving as a volunteer with the Civil Air

Patrol has allowed me to combine participation in Emergency Services/Search and Rescue

operations, with an interest in aviation,” said Colin.

Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit organization with almost 62,000 members nationwide. CAP

performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air

Force Rescue Coordination Center. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster

relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The

members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost

27,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been

performing missions for America for more than 60 years, according to a CAP news release.

The SDIS (Satellite Digital Information System) consists of a 5 mega-pixel digital camera,

tablet computer running Windows XP with outlook express, and a satellite modem, which

enables digital images to be sent near real-time as e-mail attachments. GPS coordinates and

any other pertinent information are sent with each image to multiple customers such as

state emergency management agencies and FEMA. It takes about four minutes to transmit

each image from the air.

Colin’s group conducted air searches of rural areas for isolated locations showing damage

that may not have received assistance. They would get lat-long coordinates from the

onboard GPS for sites of interest, and if needed, guide ground teams in for a closer look.

Working in a disaster relief operation is a challenging, fluid situation, with rapidly

changing plans and tasking that requires flexibility and improvisation, while maintaining

organization. Nothing can be taken for granted other than to expect the unexpected. “While

in Central Florida after Charlie, we landed at the Arcadia Airport for a short break. Arcadia

was one of the areas most hard hit by the storm. The destruction was nearly indescribable

and unlike anything I’d ever seen first hand. A young deputy I spoke with said he and other

deputies had been sleeping in their cars for the past few nights,” said Colin.

“My sympathy goes out to the people affected by these storms. This was an experience I’ll

never forget, and certainly makes me appreciate the simple things in life,” said Colin.

Photo above, l to r: Tennessee volunteers Colin,

Linda, Jim and Harry

Photo above: Flood isolation in northwest Florida

Photo above: Civil Air Patrol planes

Photo above:Rural areas received extensive damage

Photo above: Trees down in northwest Florida
Focus on the Field - Area 1 Current Developments

 by Wray Pulliam

On June 8, 2004, NRCS and the

 Crockett County Soil Conserva-

 tion District conducted a tour to

highlight accomplishments by area

landowners.

The tour began with a wildlife/CRP/

bobwhite quail calling demonstration by

NRCS Wildlife Biologist Mike

Hansbrough. Mike was the 2001 National

Quail Calling Champion. He has been

very successful in working with landowners in West Tennessee and other areas

in establishing wildlife habitat. The

results are already visible with a huge

increase in the numbers of Bobwhite quail

and other wildlife.

The tour then proceeded to the Mark

Wardlaw farm where a discussion of pond

construction and water quality protection.

Participants were also given an

opportunity to see Wardlaw’s Labrador

retriever training facility.

At the next stop participants visited the

Bobby Griggs Farm to observe a hybrid

bermuda-grass hay operation. Included in

the discussion were planting, harvesting,

managing, and marketing of hybrid

bermudagrass.

The tour concluded on the David Porter

Farm where an entire “face lift” was

performed utilizing the Environmental

Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

funds. Porter implemented numerous

practices to conserve natural resources

while improving the production,

environment, and value of his farm.

Included were a grade stabilization

structure, water and sediment control

basin, diversion, grassed waterway,

critical area treatment, and other practices.

Crockett County SCD Tour Highlights Area Landowner

Accomplishments

Approximately 200 people recently

gathered at the Tennessee State University (TSU) Research and Demonstration

Farm in Cheatham County for the annual

Small Farms Expo. The highlight of the

Expo is the Tennessee Small Farmer

Recognition Program which was

established to honor small farmers

throughout the state. Seven small farmers

and their families were selected this year

from different categories and income

groups with one overall winner named

Tennessee Star Small Farmer of the

Year. Winners were selected in Best

Management Practices, Alternative

Enterprise and Innovative Marketing with

two winners selected in each categoryunder $100,000 in annual farm sales and

over $100,000 but less than $250,000 in

annual farm sales.

The Overall Star Small Farmer of The

Year for the state is Scott Penick from

Martin. Scott has worked diligently to

become one of the area’s best conservation farmers. He utilizes no-till crop

production, the Conservation Reserve

Program, and grows a truck crop every

year. Scott also maintains a wide variety

of custom activities such as brush and

tree removal and custom seeding. The

Weakley County Soil Conservation

District nominated him for this award

because of his commitment to conservation. The event was sponsored by

TSU, Farm Service Agency, Natural

Resources Conservation Service, and the

TN Dept. of Agriculture to recognize and

award small farmers in the state.

Weakley County Farmer selected

Tennessee Star Small Farmer of

the Year

EQIP project on David Porter farm

Bobby Griggs hybrid Bermuda-grass hay operation

Mark Wardlaw farm includes a Labrador retriever

training facility.

Quail calling demonstration by NRCS Wildlife

Biologist Mike Hansbrough.

Photo above, l to r: Dr. Clyde Chesney, TSU

Cooperative Extension Program, with Overall Star

Small Farmer of The Year Scott Penick, and Asst.

Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Pat Clark

-4-
Focus on the Field - Area 1 Current Developments

Field Day at Tolley’s

by Gary L. Blackwood

Quality water

 is important

to humans

but just as important

to livestock as well.

A recent field day at

the Marty Tolley

farm in Darden

addressed these and

other farming issues

that impact

landowners in

Decatur and

Henderson Counties.

Today’s farmers are

faced with many

decisions that will help keep them in

business, but how does water affect these

decisions.

“An adequate supply of quality water

keeps my livestock healthier and gives

me peace of mind that water is available

regardless of weather conditions,” stated

Marty. Over the past 2 years, Marty has

participated in the EQIP program. This

program has assisted Marty in sowing

permanent vegetation on land that was

growing soybeans. Also, water lines have

been installed to supply 4 freeze proof

watering facilities with heavy use areas

around each one to reduce mud and

erosion. Heavy use areas have been

installed for feeders and hay rings.

Other stops at the field day included

weed control, rotational grazing, and fly

control.

TVA and the TN Department of

Agriculture have also provided funding

to install similar practices throughout

Decatur and Henderson Counties.

“An adequate supply of quality

water keeps my livestock

healthier and gives me peace of

mind that water is available

regardless of weather

conditions,” stated Marty Tolley.

Brothers Jeff and Lee Asbridge do not

like to see land deteriorate! They have

devoted part of the 2004 summer to

installing conservation practices to stop

erosion on three different farms using

funding provided through the Tennessee

Department of Agriculture. Personnel

from the Gibson County NRCS and SCD

office surveyed and designed water and

sediment control basins and pipe drop

outlets specifically for this project. The

Asbridge’s were familiar with NRCS

practices and specifications and they

performed the work using heavy earth

moving equipment. 

They are excited about the next cropping

sequence on one 70-acre farm because

they will be able to plant all the acreage

instead of steering around gullies only to

see them get worse. On another farm

they were able to work around a 200

year old red oak tree to build a structure. 

In an area where trees and crops do not

normally exist in the same area, these

farmers made an exception for historical

and aesthetic

reasons.

The Asbridge’s

raise over 2,000

acres of no-till

corn, wheat, and

soybeans in Gibson

County. Lee and

Jeff are hard

working individuals

who help make

agriculture what it

is today and their

positive outlook

make working with

them a pleasure.

The Asbridge’s already have their next

project planned–installing seven acres of

CRP filter strips in the summer of 2005.

Photo above: Mr. Asbraidge, along with sons Jeff

and Lee (2 generations of family farmers) and

NRCS Soil Conservationist Trent Cash on

structure site with large oak in the background. 

Landowners Realize Harmony

Between Trees and Crops

-5-
Focus on the Field - Area 2 Current Developments

Local, State and Federal officials, landowners, and other

individuals were on hand on July 16, 2004 at the 30th Annual

Dickson County Farm Tour. The tour is conducted annually to

highlight outstanding conservation accomplishments by

Dickson County landowners. It has grown in popularity over

the years with approximately 200 participants attending the tour

this year. Tour stops had appeal to all participants and consisted

of conservation practices, cultural and community interests, and

landscaped homes with ponds and gardens.

The tour is a partnership effort and the result of community

involvement, commitment, and planning by Dickson County

officials.It was officially sponsored by the Dickson County

Soil Conservation District, the Natural Resources

Conservation Service, the Chamber of Commerce and several

other local agencies, organizations, and businesses.

Participants were given the opportunity to gain knowledge

about conservation and their community on the tour.

NRCS District Conservationist Wynne Mitchell provided

information on the conservation practices installed on the

farms utilizing the Environmental Quality Incentives Program,

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, Conservation Reserve

Program, funding from Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Cost-Share Program and other programs.

The local radio station, WDXN, taped the entire tour for

broadcast on the Morning Show the next day. Newspaper and

other media representatives also attended.

30th Annual Dickson County Farm Tour

-6-

 by Wynne Mitchell
Focus on the Field - Area 2 Current Developments

-7-

The Williamson County Soil Conservation District, along with the

Music City Chapter of Quail Unlimited sponsored a Wildlife Field

Day at Misty River Farms in Franklin, TN on September 16. Misty

River Farms is a 3,000 acre property owned by Mr. Chuck Elcan that is

primarily managed for bobwhite quail and other upland wildlife species.

This field day was held to educate landowners on the methods of

establishing wildlife habitat, with an emphasis on creating early

successional habitat through the planting of native warm season grasses.

In addition, landowners were provided valuable information on the

benefits of native grasses as quality forage for livestock. Other agencies,

organizations, and individuals that provided additional support were the

Davidson County Soil Conservation District, Tennessee Department of

Agriculture, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Williamson County

Farmers Co-OP, Fairview Farmers Co-OP, and Tommy Pardue.

Over 140 people attended, even enduring intermittent rain showers from

Hurricane Ivan. Fortunately, the rain held off for most of the morning and

people were able to get a first hand look at the habitat practices that were

currently being developed on the farm. Tractors and wagons were provided

by Gentry Farms to transport

people to various tour stops

throughout the property.

At the first tour stop, Mike

Hansbrough, NRCS Area

Biologist, discussed the

benefits of native grasses for

wildlife along with proper

establishment techniques. At

tour stop two Russ Skoglund, TWRA

Regional Biologist, provided information

on how landowners can

 manage their property for bobwhite quail.

At tour stop three, attendees learned about the value of native grasses for hay and forage

production from Greg Brann, Grazing Lands Specialist, NRCS. At the final stop of the

tour, Bryan Kinkel, Wildlife Specialist with Woods & Associates, Inc. gave a

presentation about the philosophy behind Quality Deer Management (QDM) on private

lands and how to incorporate wildlife food plots into a current QDM management

strategy.

Lunch was provided at the farm headquarters by Tennessee Wildsides gourmet chef,

Mr. Tommy Pardue. Door prizes, donated by Quail Unlimited, Inc., TWRA, and the

Williamson County Co-OP, were presented. Chris Wolkonowski presented awards to several individuals for their help and support of

the field day. Mike Shoffner provided additional information on the availability of USDA programs for wildlife that can assist private

landowners.

A focus on the importance of wildlife conservation on private lands helped people understand the need for habitat improvement on a

grand scale. Landowners learned they can work together to improve conditions for declining species like bobwhite quail, while at the

same time helping a multitude of other wildlife populations. The information provided at the field day helped many landowners develop

management strategies they could apply to their land as well. The success of this wildlife field day was a direct result of many

individuals and organizations coming together to help for a common cause.The event was so successful, plans are underway to make it

even bigger and better next year. Primary organizers of the event were Chris Wolkonowski - NRCS Area Biologist, Mike Shoffner -

District Conservationist, Cory Hodge - Soil Conservationist, and Vina Winstead - Office Manager, Williamson County SCD.

Photo by Jhampton Photography

Photo by Jhampton Photography

Photo by Jhampton Photography

Photo by Jhampton Photography

Williamson County SCD and Quail Unlimited Sponsors Wildlife Field Day

 by Cory Hodge
Focus on the Field - Area 3 Current Developments

The Loudon County Soil Conservation District and the Natural

Resources Conservation Service participated again this year

with the Loudon County Farm Day. This annual event is for all

second graders in Loudon County and is coordinated by the

Loudon County Farm Bureau Women.

District employee Karen Hewett and NRCS employee Alicia

Whitten taught the children how surface water becomes

contaminated using the Enviroscape, a plastic scale model of a

typical watershed. The students also learned what everyone can

do to prevent non-point pollution and promised to do their part

to protect water quality.

This year was a great success with over 550 students in

attendance. The District also provided conservation education

material for each student to take home.

Photo above: NRCS employee Alicia Whitten teaches a group of second

graders about water pollution.

Loudon County Annual Farm Day

The Jamestown Field Office is

proud of the relationship they

have formed with York Agricultural

Institute (Y.A.I.) in Jamestown. The

school has a Special Education Work

Based Learning Program. The district has

worked with the school for the past four

years, allowing Ms.Jody Hancock to bring

3 to 4 students to the office each week to

work for a couple of hours. Students have done data entry, participated in conservation

field days, and helped with the 5th Grade Conservation Day where they do a station on

worms, annual picnic and tree sales. Currently students are working on a soil tunnel

that can be used by all elementary students.

This has been a valuable program in the community and the soil conservation district

is providing students an opportunity to work on conservation initiatives and gain

general office skills. The soil conservation district schedules field trips to dairies and

poultry houses, providing students a hands-on learning experience. For many students

this is the first time they have actually

seen and touched a farm animal.

As Earth Team Volunteers, students gain

the self-satisfaction of volunteering for

their community. The students also work

at a couple of other businesses in town

each week to learn different job skills.

Jody Hancock does an outstanding job

with the students. The soil conservation

district is honored to help these students

gain skills and knowledge that will shape

their future.

J

ohnny Powell, local Meigs County

landowner, decided to established

native warm season grasses to

provide better wildlife habitat for small

game on his farm. He enrolled 28 acres in

the Conservation Reserve Program last

spring.

In March, Johnny destroyed the existing

stand of Kentucky 31 tall fescue in

preparation for seeding warm season

grasses. The seed mixture of Little

bluestem, Sideoats grama, Indiangrass,

Partridge pea and Shrub lespedeza were

planted in April to provide food, shelter,

and nesting habitat for quail and rabbit.

Information about the Conservation

Reserve Program was provided by the

Farm Service Agency and the Natural

Resources Conservation Service provided

technical assistance and a conservation

plan. Richard Conley, Tennessee Wildlife

Resources Agency biologist, assisted

Johnny by providing a grassland drill

equipped for seeding warm season

grasses.

Mr. Powell is not alone in his efforts to

establish wildlife habitat for small game.

Five landowners in Meigs County

planted 292 acres of native warm season

grasses this year.

Meigs County Landowners Plants

Warm Season Grasses for Wildlife

Fentress County Earth Team Habitat

Volunteers

Photo above, l to r: Jody Hancock, Dwight

Dickson, and students

Photo at left: Johnny Powell, Meigs County

landowner, enrolled 28 acres in CRP

 by Dwight Dickson

 by Alicia Whitten

 by Wayne Coates

-8-
The Ducks Unlimited tenth

Great Outdoors Festival was

held on June 4-6th, 2004 at

Agricenter International in

Memphis. This was a

successful educational and

informational project including

adults, children and teachers,

reaching non-traditional groups

such as the urban non-farming

public from the United States

and Canada. Once again, the

District sponsored a booth in

Conservation Village with the

theme on a “wetlands” display

by NRCS.

Approximately 47,000 attended the threeday event with 2,000 people stopping by

the booth. Andy Neal and Troy Taylor,

NRCS Memphis Field Office; Nancy

Dollar, Bill Vautrot, Catherine Neal,

Becky Neal, Sam Brown, Earth Team

Volunteers; Betty Brown and Carolyn

Kiesel, Shelby County Soil Conservation

District staffed the exhibit.

This marks the tenth year anniversary

that NRCS and Shelby County SCD has

participated in the Ducks Unlimited

Great Outdoors Festival. With more than

one million supporters, Ducks Unlimited

is the world’s largest wetlands and

waterfowl conservation organization.

This project was sponsored by the Shelby

County SCD and NRCS.

Shelby County Soil Conservation District and NRCS participate in

Great Outdoors Festival Girl Scouts Visit NRCS Office

Girl Scouts from Benton County, who

attended day camp recently, visited the

local Natural Resources Conservation

Service office. Twenty-three girl scouts

and their leaders visited with James

Woodall, District Conservationist to learn

more about aerial photography and how it

is used to conserve natural resources.

The girl scouts saw photography of their

school, homes, and other familiar locations

and learned how technology like

computers and aerial photography help

landowners take care of their natural

resources.

Pictured above are Brownies, Daises and Junior Girl Scouts visiting with District Conservationist James

Woodall in the USDA Camden Field Office.

Outreach and Education Current Developments

On August 5th, Aaron Loyd, Rhea County SCD Soil Conservationist and Gloria York,

NRCS District Conservationist, conducted an Aquatic Workshop for Maria

Kazmark’s Home School Day Camp for 20 students in grades K-3. They met at the

Kazmark Farm in Sale Creek in the Cranmore Cove Community of Rhea

County. After a brief educational presentation by Gloria York, the children

were led on a short nature walk to pristine Sale Creek where Aaron and

Gloria led discussion and identification of aquatic species caught on site.

Using the species that were captured, they rated the pollution level of the

creek according to the Izaak Walton work sheet of pollution sensitive

organisms. The creek was found to be very low in point source pollution.

The children were later led to a local overpass where they could observe the

effect of trash being dumped into the creek. Gloria and Aaron touched on

water quality, conservation, pollution and reclamation along with identification of local flora and fauna. They finished up with a brief question and

answer segment and passed out age appropriate literature on water quality

along with pencils from the Rhea County Soil Conservation District.

Aquatic Workshop in Rhea County

Photo above: Rhea County students enjoy visit to Sale Creek.

-9-
T

RC&D News Current Developments

The 2004 Tennessee RC&D Council

Annual Meeting was held August 5-6 in

Townsend with Bill Williams, Chairperson of the Smoky Mountain RC&D

presiding. James Ford, NRCS State

Conservationist, gave an overview of

NRCS/RC&D programs. Dr. Jack H. Britt,

Vice-President, UT Institute of Agriculture, gave the keynote address.

Several outstanding speakers addressed

the group including Linda Caldwell,

Executive Director of the Tennessee

Overhill Heritage Association, who spoke

on trends in rural tourism. Ed Harlan,

Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture,

spoke on agriculture business development for the state.

Lewis Kearney, Staff Officer with the

Cherokee National Forest presented Larry

Blick, RC&D Program Manager an award

from the Southern Group of State Foresters and the Southern Region of the Forest

Service. The Southern Region of the

Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry

Branch, recognized Larry for his role in

promoting the Rural Community Assistance economic action programs of

the USDA Forest Service.

Annual RC&D awards were presented at

the banquet on August 5th. Award winners

for 2004 are:

 • Bob Peters - Outstanding Coordinator

 • Brandi Lamb - Outstanding Office Asst.

 • Southeast TN RC&D Council - Outstand-

 ing RC&D Council

 • Jesse Wilcox - Outstanding RC&D

 Council Member

 • Southeast TN RC&D Kudzu Project -

 Outstanding Project

Photo above: Bob Peters receives Outstanding

Coordinator award from Charlene Shelton,

President, Tennessee RC&D Council.

Photo above: Brandi Greene receives Outstanding Office Assistant from Charlene Shelton,

President, Tennnessee RC&D Council.

Photo above: Southeast TN RC&D Council was selected as Outstanding Council. Pictured l to r are:

Joyce Green, Bud Weaver, Audrey Burton, Juanie Weaver, Charlene Shelton, Bob Aikman, & John Solsbee.

RC&D Annual Meeting

Clinch/Powell & Appalachian RC&Ds - Clothesline of Quilts in Appalachia

In a classic example of three states’ Resource Conservation and Development initiatives,

representatives from two Ohio RC&D’s, four Kentucky RC&D’s and two Tennessee

RC&D’s attended a “Clothesline of Quilts in Appalachia” meeting at the Kentucky

Artisan Center, Berea, Kentucky on July 13, 2004. This meeting, led by Ohio’s Donna

Sue Groves representing the Ohio Arts Council, and Lindy Turner and Candy Barbee from

Tennessee’s Clinch-Powell RC&D, featured presentations of completed sections of the

Ohio trail, the Clinch-Powell RC&D’s trail and the Appalachian RC&D’s trail.

The topic of this discussion was inter-locking the Adams County

Ohio quilt trail with the Clinch Powell/Appalachian quilt trails in

TN by crossing the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each section

would be a loop in itself but would connect with others to build a

continuous “clothesline” across the states.

These quilt blocks are painted on plywood or barnwood canvases

and then hung on barns and buildings throughout the region. The

blocks which are at least 8’x8' are painted in vivid colors that stand out against their

backdrops. The blocks are “pinned” to the quilt trail as they are completed.

The purpose of this unique quilt trail is to draw tourists off the interstates and into our

beautiful rural areas. Not only do these small towns and farm lands have beautiful vistas

and excellent outdoor recreation venues, they also have hometown eateries, handmade

crafts and fine arts, farm produce stands and a genuine desire to show-off their rural brand

of hospitality while gaining tourism dollars that will boost the economy.

-10-
The Rhea County Soil Conservation

District partnered with the Southeast

Tennessee RC&D to host a Farm Field

Day on June 15, 2004 in Rhea County.

Approximately 80 folks turned out for the

event including local farmers, SCD,

NRCS, FSA, and UT Extension Service

personnel, and Earth Team Volunteers.

On the Donnie Mickel Farm attendees

looked at heavy use areas, cross-fencing,

use exclusion fencing and watering tanks.

Mr. Mickel has utilized several cost-share

programs including EQIP and TDA’s Ag

Conservation fund.

The next stop on the tour was the Bruce

Norton Farm. At this farm, they observed

an actual Bermuda Sprigging demonstration and Mr. Norton talked about the

benefits of having Bermuda on the farm.

Mr. Norton utilizes several cost-share

programs including the CRP, EQIP and

TDA’s Ag Conservation fund on his farm.

While at the Norton Farm, the group also

viewed a fencing demonstration by the

Bobby Loyd & Sons Fence Company

from Pikeville, TN. The Loyds demonstrated a post driver and constructed a

corner brace system for hi-tensile fencing

that meets NRCS specifications and

standards.

Rhea County SCD & Southeast

Tennessee RC&D Partner to

Host Field Day

-11-

Other News Current Developments

Water is running a lot clearer in the Big Creek watershed these days. Major

flooding occurred in August 2001 in the Southern Appalachians causing

extensive bed loading and steam bank erosion in several East Tennessee

counties. Many roads washed out resulting in significant property damage.

Terry Horne, Engineer and Jenny Adkins, Water Quality Specialist organized and led

damage survey assessments. Once Congress approved funding for east TN counties,

NRCS did the surveying. NRCS engineers Allen Morrow and Joe Zimmerman

completed design work.

Construction began once contracts were written. Though some construction work is

ongoing, many counties have now completed construction inspections.

The Emergency Watershed Protection Program has brought much needed assistance

to economically strapped portions of east Tennessee. This major accomplishment is

due to a team effort involving numerous partners.

Photo above, left to right: Final inspection on the

Cocke County portion of EWP work relating to

flooding in east Tennessee was completed in

January 2004. L to r (seated) Allen Morrow, Joe

Zimmerman, Steve Koonce, (standing) Gary

Handley, Randy Franks, and Alton Miller.

Photo at right: Work continues on extensive

gabion placement on Upper Dry Fork Creek.

EWP Work Near Completion
Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program Current Developments

A ceremony was held on September 8 to

celebrate the preservation of the Cruze

Family Farm located in Knox County.

Attending the event were Knoxville

Mayor Mike Ragsdale and other county

officials; representatives of partners

working with the Cruze Family to

preserve their land; Richard Swenson,

representing NRCS Chief Bruce Knight,

Washington, DC; State Conservationist

James Ford; as well as landowners from

the surrounding area.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation

Service (NRCS) in partnership with the

Land Trust of Tennessee, Knox County

Government and other partners are

assisting the owners of a 425-acre dairy

farm on the French

Broad River to keep

their land a “farm

forever.” The Cruze

Dairy Farm in Knox

County is the “first

in the state” to be preserved and protected

through the Farm and Ranch Lands

Protection Program (FRPP).

The FRPP is a voluntary program that

helps farmers and

ranchers keep

their land in

agriculture.

FRPP was

reauthorized in

the Farm Security

and Rural

Investment Act of

2002 (Farm Bill).

USDA’s Natural

Resources

Conservation Service cooperates with

local entities, like the Land Trust of

Tennessee, to place a conservation

easement on farmland that will protect the

land from future conversion to nonagricultural uses. The landowner receives

an easement payment for the encumbrance

placed on the land.

According to the 1997 National Resources Inventory (NRI), Tennessee is losing

prime agricultural land to urban development at a much higher rate than most other

states (8th in the U. S.). There are approximately 6 million acres

of prime farmland in Tennessee. The NRI shows a loss of

approximately 124,000 acres of prime farm land from 1992 to

1997.

James Ford, State Conservationist with the USDA Natural

Resources Conservation Service said, “We are pleased the Natural Resources

Conservation Service is a part of this important partnership to preserve and protect

Tennessee’s farmland. This is a historic event in that this is the first farm in

Tennessee protected through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. The

Cruze Family members are to be commended for their efforts in preserving and

protecting their land and serving as a model for other

landowners.” Ford added.

Landowner Cheri Cruze said, “ Preservation is complicated,

but from my perspective it is simple and from Earl’s it is a

no-brainer. By that I mean his

heritage is so completely about

the land and the enjoyment of

open space, and yet his own

reality has been to see “his”

land, the land of his childhood

memories, covered with waste

rock, made into a trash dump, or buried beneath a

manufacturing plant.”

“Earl wants to make binding decisions about his land that still leave choices to other

generations, yet reflect his choice for them which is: Farm the land, enjoy the land,

but don’t divide the land or sell the land. He wants to make the choice that his

grandchildren and other people’s grandchildren will not be able to make. The choice

to conserve the land in perpetuity is now or never. This is his legacy to those who

come after him,“ Cruze added.

L to r: Earl Cruze, James Ford, and Cheri Cruze

Cruze Family Farm...a Farm Forever

Photo above, l to r: Richard

Swenson, NRCS and Cheri Cruze

Cruze family farm

-12-

"This is his legacy to those

who come after him."

by Lavonne Winters