Message from the State Conservationist Inside This Issue.... Page

675 U. S. Courthouse

801 Broadway

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

615/277-2531

www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov

Current

Developments

Anyone who has heard me 

speak lately knows that 

I have focused on “Back 

to Basics”. We are facing a lot of 

unknowns right now with the Admin 

Reorganization, PAS Modernization, 

Soil Survey Reorganization, and 

CDSI. Another unknown is the 

outcome of the 2012 Farm Bill. 

While our budget is okay this year, 

we may be facing some discretionary 

spending cuts in the 2013 budget. 

It would be easy to get discouraged as 

we face all these unknowns. But on a more positive note, while other agencies 

have had some office closures, NRCS is not planning to close offices. We have 

a strong conservation partnership in Tennessee. And we have a workforce of 

professional, committed employees.

With all these unknowns, it is important to focus on the basics of conservation 

planning and service to our customers. I want to commend the field 

employees for working to meet our goals and following through and getting 

everything reported. The best way to ensure the well being of the agency is to 

remain focused on doing our job and getting conservation on the ground.

Our work is important because we do make a difference in the lives of 

Tennessee landowners. I thank each of you for doing your part.

Kevin Brown

State Conservationist

Spring 2012

Ag on the Hill 18

AIANEA 5

Bradley County Annual Awards 6

 Banquet

Bradley/Polk Counties Receive 2

 Community Involvement Award

Central State Forest Soils Workshop 20

Conservation in the Classroom 19 

 Madison County

Cox Receives 2011 2

 Oscar Scott Educator Award

Current Non-Discrimination Statement 12 

Davidson County SCD Work 4

 With Community/School Garden

Distinguished Partnership Awards 17

Earth Team Award Winners 15-16

Employee Spotlight 9

Geesling Receives Civil Rights Award 8

Hamilton County Agriculture 7

 Hall of Fame Banquet

High Tunnels 10

Koonce Mentors Regional 3

 Science Fair Winner

Lofton Retires 14

Mapping at TSU 11

People’s Garden 3

Publications Available 20

TACD Award Winners 16

TSPs 12-13
- 2 - Helping People Help the Land

Current Developments

Cassandra (Kay) Timberlake 

Cox was the recipient of the 

2011 Oscar Scott Conservation 

Educator of the Year Award given 

by the Hamilton County Soil 

Conservation District. 

Kay Cox worked with the USDA 

NRCS for 41 years. With her years of 

experience, her infinite patience and 

knowledge of working with people, 

she is truly a positive influence on 

everyone who gets an opportunity to 

work with her. The Hamilton County 

Soil Conservation District Board of 

Supervisors and Office staff were 

fortunate to have the opportunity to 

work with her. 

She worked diligently for years to 

assist in the “Give-a-Hoot” for Kids 

program with Oscar and Barbara 

Scott. This award is named in honor 

of Oscar Scott who no doubt would 

be proud to see Kay recognized for 

her efforts. 

Kay has dedicated many hours to 

community outreach in the promotion 

of conservation education and the 

preservation of natural resources. 

She has also worked tirelessly in 

many community organizations such 

as the Aldersgate Garden Club, the 

Tennessee Federation of Garden 

Clubs, several county district events, 

state and federal committees, and 

church programs to name a few. 

Kay teaches youth and adults the 

importance of conservation with her 

own special flair and enthusiasm. 

Her commitment to conservation and 

to faith, family, and fellowship are 

evident. 

Congratulations to Kay Cox recipient 

of the 2011 Oscar Scott Conservation 

Educator of the Year Award.

Photo above (l to r) - Jesse Hewlett, Hamilton Co. SCD Supervisor; Dr. Patrick Tyree, 

Hamilton County SCD Chairman; Cassandra (Kay) Cox, Tom Crawley, Hamilton County 

SCD Vice-Chairman; Johnathan Smith; Hamilton County SCD Supervisor; and Michael Reed, 

Hamilton County SCD Secretary/Treasurer.

Kay Cox Receives 2011 Oscar Scott Conservation Educator of the Year Award

by Renita (Shorty) Beaty, District Technician, Chattanooga Field Office

Bradley/Polk received the Area 4 Outstanding Community Involvement of the Year Award for their dedication in involving local communities in 

soil and water conservation activities throughout the two county area.

Photo above (l to r): Chase Hicks,Soil Conservationist; Kevin Brown, State Conservationist; 

Joyce Green, District Technician; Wayne Coates, District Conservationist; Jim Ledford, Soil 

Conservation Technician; and Terrance Rudolph, Knoxville Area Conservationist.

Bradley/Polk Counties Receive Area 4 Outstanding 

Community Involvement of the Year Award
- 3 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Sarah Grover, a Lauderdale Middle School 8th grade 

student, placed 1st in the Association of Woman’s 

Geoscientists, 2nd in the Physical Science Jr. Division 

and Overall Excellence Stockholm Jr. Water Prize at the 

Regional Science Fair competition on March 9th at Union 

University in Jackson.

Sarah’s project was Soil Erosion in West TN. Sarah and 

her mother, Robin met with Dwaine Johnston and Steve 

Koonce in early November at the Ripley Field Office to 

begin gathering information on soil erosion.

Dwaine and Steve discussed various erosion control 

practices that are used in West Tennessee, such as rock 

drops, pipe drops, rock chutes, blankets, matting, etc. 

Steve met with Sarah and Robin several times over the 

next few months to review Sarah’s progress and offer 

suggestions. 

Steve also joined Sarah and her Mom on several field 

trips to inventory and evaluate practices in the field where 

Sarah gathered information and photos.

One of Sarah’s demonstrations included four containers 

of soil with different types of erosion control practices, 

such as rock, grass, matting etc. Sarah simulated rainfall 

by watering the containers once a week. She then measure 

and recorded the data on graph paper for comparison.

“Steve has donated many hours of his personal time to 

Sarah and her project,” stated Will Pinson. “Not only 

did Sarah win in the Regional Science Fair competition, 

but now she plans on becoming an Earth Team Volunteer 

when she turns 14.” 

“With her knowledge of soil erosion, she will be an 

excellent addition to Tennessee’s Earth Team Program,” 

stated Steve Koonce. “I enjoyed working with her and 

I’m proud of her accomplishments; the awards were well 

deserved.”

Congratulations to Sarah! 

Steve Koonce Mentors Local Student Sarah Grover, Recipient of Multiple Awards in the Regional 

Science Fair Held in Jackson

Photo above l to r - Sarah Grover, Regional Science Fair Winner and 

Steve Koonce, NRCS Civil Engineering Technician.

Many folks are wondering just what is the People’s Garden?

When President Lincoln founded USDA in 1862, he called 

it "The People’s Department." USDA continues to honor 

his vision for a Department that serves the American people 

every day and in every way through the People’s Garden 

Initiative.

People’s Gardens vary in size and type, but all are required 

to have three components in common. They must benefit 

the community, in some cases by creating recreational 

spaces and in others by providing a harvest for a local food 

bank or shelter. They must be collaborative - that is, the 

garden must be created and maintained by a partnership of 

local individuals, groups, or organizations. And third, they 

must incorporate sustainable practices. The gardens 

might use compost or mulch made by participants. They 

might contain native plants or encourage beneficial insects. 

They also might exemplify water conservation, for instance, 

capturing rain in a barrel to water the garden.

People’s Garden coordinators for Tennessee are Carolyn 

Bartee, Area 1; Sharon Englett, Area 2; Sarah Singhurst, 

Area 3; and Shirley Childs, Area 4. 

Gardens located at private residences are not eligible to 

become People’s Gardens. You can declare an existing 

garden as a People’s Garden as long as it incorporates the 

three components. For more information on the People’s 

Garden, go to www.usda.gov/peoplesgarden

People’s Garden
- 4 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

The Davidson County Soil Conservation District’s work 

with community gardens throughout the city and in social 

economic urban areas provides fresh nutritional food 

and educational opportunities to teach students about 

agriculture. The Soil Conservation District and other 

partners have received $87,300 in grants to establish 

community and school gardens in Davidson County.

The Park Avenue Enhanced Option School is located 

on the north side of Charlotte Avenue near the Sylvian 

community. It is a low income, predominately 

minority, diverse neighborhood with a large swath of 

public housing. In this urban environment, agriculture 

production is not a part of everyday life. The vision of the 

Outdoor Garden was to work together to meet academic 

and social learning needs in an environment where 

families are welcomed and students are challenged. The 

Community Garden was started so the children and their 

families could experience the wonder and joy of food 

production. 

Plants, trees and fruit bushes were chosen that would 

ripen while school was in session. Window gardens were 

used to produce starter plants. The vision is to surround 

the grounds with a variety of edible plants and trees 

that celebrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of the 

neighborhood. 

The soils had to be improved substantially. Soil amendments started with volunteers gathering bags of leaves 

from the neighborhood. 

Classes are also held for students and adults from the Park 

Avenue Career Center located on the property. 

A green house is used during cooler weather and seedlings 

are started on the window sills in January as part of the 

year round program. New international types of plants are 

part of the garden and provide interest and diversity for 

the students and neighborhood. 

The partnership between the school, volunteers, neighbors 

and partners has been a success and source of pleasure. 

Park Avenue Enhancement Option School Outdoor/

indoor/greenhouse gardens were featured on TV. 

Davidson SCD Works with 15 Community Gardens & 27 School Gardens

by Carol Edwards, Administrative Assistant, Davidson County SCD 

Other successful community garden locations in 

Davidson County include Glencliff High School; J.C. 

Jones Community Center; Jefferson St. Baptist Church; 

Bells Bend Nature Center: Ellington Agriculture Center, 

Bethlehem Center; Nassau St. (across from Union 

Mission); Caldwell School; and Woodmont Church.

Photo above: Community gardens across from Nashville Rescue 

Mission.

Photo above: Raised bed gardens at Bells Bend Nature Center. 
- 5 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land
- 6 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Photo above (l to r): Wayne Coates, NRCS District 

Conservationist; Don Wyatt, Bradley County Farmer of the 

Year; and Todd Watson, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America.

The Bradley County SCD held its Annual Awards 

banquet November 17, 2011 with nearly 100 people 

attending. Each year a landowner is recognized who has 

made a difference in Bradley County by installing Best 

Management Practices to protect the natural resources. 

The 2011 Farmer of the Year was Don Wyatt who farms 

444 acres and has installed 14,667 feet of fencing, 

3,995 feet of pipeline, 10 watering facilities, 1 stream 

crossing, and 47 acres of pasture management with 13 

paddocks.

He follows a Prescribed Grazing Plan he developed 

himself that shows the total requirement for dry 

matter needed for his cattle. He also participated in 

the Ag Enhancement Program and purchased 2 bulls, 

installed weight scales and a head shoot and is planning 

to purchase a creep feeder. He has completed the 

Master Beef Program. Mr. Wyatt has made significant 

accomplishments in conserving soil and protecting 

water quality in Bradley County. 

For more information on the Bradley County SCD, go 

to http://bradleycoscd.com

Bradley County SCD Holds Annual Awards Banquet

by Joyce Green, District Technician, Bradley County SCD

Photo above: Nearly 100 people attended the 2011 Bradley 

County SCD Annual Banquet.

Photo above: The Bradley County SCD's annual banquet provides 

an opportunity to highlight the significant accomplishments in 

agriculture in the county.
Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land -7 - 

The Hamilton County Agriculture Hall of Fame inductees 

for 2011 were Jesse W. Hewlett, Sr. and F. G. Longley. 

Both Hewlett and Longley were honored at the annual 

banquet, along with special recognition recipients Bill 

Hullander, Hamilton County Trustee, and Greg Atchley, 

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Induction into the Agriculture Hall of Fame is to honor, 

preserve and perpetuate the names and accomplishments 

of outstanding Hamilton County agricultural leaders, 

and other present or former citizens of Hamilton County 

who have made noteworthy contributions in farming, 

silviculture, agriculture inventions or other rural 

development accomplishments.

Jesse W. Hewlett, Sr., was born in Nashville, Tennessee. 

He developed a love of animals and farm life while 

spending time on his grandparent’s farm in Columbia, 

Tennessee. He received a B.S. in Agricultural Economics 

and M.S. in Agricultural Sciences from Tennessee State 

University. Mr. Hewlett worked for the Extension Service 

for twenty-eight years. 

In Hamilton County, he provided leadership for the Urban 

4-H Program and later was the Area Agent for Hamilton, 

Bradley and Marion counties. After retirement, he began 

work with the Tennessee Department of Conservation 

at the Booker T. Washington State Park. This work has 

allowed him the opportunity to teach others about animals 

and plant science. Mr. Hewlett presently serves as a 

Director on the Hamilton County Farm Bureau Board 

and he is a Supervisor on the Hamilton County Soil 

Conservation District Board.

For many years Hewlett and long-time farmer Oscar 

Scott, hosted “Give a Hoot for Kids.” This program 

offered urban kids interaction with the farm, farm 

animals and discovery about food. His other involvement 

in the community includes membership as a Mason, 

Toastmasters International and member of Warren 

Chapel AME Church. Hewlett and his wife Fannie live in 

Chattanooga.

F. G. Longley and his wife Dot live in Ooltewah, Tennessee. Mr. Longley has been farming in the Collegedale 

community for more than seventy years. He resides on 

the farm where he was born. He began farming early in 

his life. His father died when he was eight, and it became 

his responsibility to provide the food for his family. 

Photo above, front row seated (l to r) F. G. Longley and Jesse 

Hewlett. Back row (l to r) Greg Atchley and Bill Hullander.

Four honored at Hamilton County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet

by Renita (Shorty) Beaty, District Technician, Chattanooga Field Office

The Longley family currently farms more than three 

hundred acres with one hundred head of beef cattle and 

grow more than one hundred acres of hay. The beef 

production has been in operation for more than fifty years. 

Mr. Longley is a member of the Apison Baptist Church. 

He has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for more 

than fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Longley have two daughters, 

Myra (Jerry) Burgess and Joy (David) Newby and one 

grandson, Joshua. Mr. Longley has a lifelong devotion to 

the land and agriculture.

In addition to those inducted, special recognitions were 

given to two well deserving supporters of agriculture 

in Hamilton County. Bill Hullander, Hamilton County 

Trustee, was recognized as the 2011 Distinguished Service 

recipient. Greg Atchley, Tennessee Wildlife Resources 

Agency, is the 2011 Special Achievement recipient. Both 

Hullander and Atchley have supported and continue to be 

strong supporters of agriculture.
- 8 -

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

The recipient of the 2011 Civil Rights Award is 

Dimple Geesling. Through her NRCS-related duties, Ms. Geesling has labored tirelessly to advance 

Civil Rights and to contribute to the agency’s mission of 

making NRCS the "Employer of Choice". 

It’s been said that “magic” happens when Dimple is 

around because she has a way of creating a diverse, 

cooperative, and effective working atmosphere. And it 

is this atmosphere that has contributed to the success of 

many projects including but not limited to: Upper Cumberland Quilt Trails; Free Hills Community Sears/Rosenwald School Project; Agri-Tourism and BioAssessment 

Watershed Initiative; State-wide Earth Team Volunteer 

Initiative; Wildlife Habitat Enhancement and Restoration 

Projects. 

Dimple has encouraged and supported many NRCS 

employees in activities that improve quality of life and 

conserve natural resources. "Dimple assisted me and the 

RC&D council in securing funding for that much needed 

group of African Americans from Clay County and her 

help made this project a wonderful success," stated Phillip Dixon, District Conservationist. 

Through her NRCS-related duties, Dimple has labored 

tirelessly to advance Civil Rights and to contribute to 

Agency’s mission of making NRCS the “Employer of 

Choice”. 

Dimple has been instrumental in recruiting, organizing, 

and training partners and volunteers. She has provided 

training to numerous District Employees at TACD State 

meetings and set up Earth Team displays. Earth Team 

Volunteers are an important component in the Agency’s 

success and Dimple has played an integral role in recruiting volunteers and in training field office employees on 

how to successfully recruit and retain volunteers. During 

the year, Dimple provided training to approximately 9 

Area Volunteer Coordinators and 36 field offices and she 

worked with Area Coordinators and Area Conservationists to recognize and award outstanding volunteers and 

NRCS employees. She has delivered presentations to 

our state Leadership Team and has developed a yearly 

Earth Team (ET) Business Plans. As a result of Dimple’s 

efforts, Tennessee’s Earth Team volunteers contributed 

nearly 22,000 hours during Fiscal Year 2011. 

Yes, "magic" happens when Dimple is around. But it’s 

not really magic...it’s an Agency crusader who is totally 

committed to seeing the "best" in people and elevating 

them to a "higher level". For her commitment and extra 

effort in the area of civil rights, the 2011 Civil Rights 

Award Recipient is Dimple Geesling.

Dimple Geesling is the 2011 Civil Rights Award Recipient

Photo above: Dimple Geesling, Cookeville Area Office, is the 

2011 Civil Rights Award Recipient. 

by Lori Pittman, Chairperson, Civil Rights Committee, Murfreesboro Area Office
- 9 - Helping People Help the Land

Current Developments

The MLRA Soil Survey Office in 

Milan is the Employee Spotlight 

“Group” this quarter. For those who 

are unfamiliar with NRCS MLRA 

Offices, they are a group of soil 

scientist and specialist who work to 

update and manage data for use in 

the Web Soil Survey. 

The MLRA office in Milan covers 

Major Land Resource Areas 131A 

and 134 which are the Mississippi 

Delta and Loess Hills region. That 

geographical area includes parts of 

Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, 

Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee 

and covers about 10 million acres. 

The group ensures that soil survey 

information from traditional soil 

surveys for each county and state are 

presented and available as a seamless 

unit that provides information on 

soils and ecology for the different 

landscapes within the MLRA. The 

Milan MLRA office is staffed by 

MLRA leader Caleb Gulley, Soil 

Scientist Craig Harris and David 

Thomas, and Ecologist Barry Hart.

Caleb Gulley is a native of 

Smithville and graduated from 

TN Tech University where he was 

a student trainee/intern for three 

summers. After graduation, Caleb 

worked in the Bishopville, SC 

MLRA office until returning to TN 

as the MLRA leader in Milan.

Craig Harris is a native of Dickson 

and also graduated from TN Tech 

University. He worked on Soil 

Survey in Cheatham County briefly 

before joining NRCS in North 

Carolina as a soil scientist. Craig 

and his wife Alison have two boys, 

16 and 13 years old. He enjoys 

perennial gardening, refereeing 

soccer, and outdoor activities.

Civil Rights Committee Employee Spotlight

by Pam Hoskins, NRCS District Conservationist, Woodbury Field Office

David Thomas is a native of Haywood County and attended UT Martin and 

joined the SCS a long time ago. Dave has experience in soil survey in 15 

Tennessee counties. In 2010, he was honored as a “Million Acre Mapper” 

for mapping more than one million acres in his career. He lives in Paris with 

wife Melinda and 13 year old son.

Barry Hart is a native of Dickson County. He graduated from Austin Peay 

State University and UT Knoxville for his undergraduate/graduate degrees 

with studies in Biology and Ecology. He has experience with all vertebrate 

taxonomic groups, select invertebrate groups, and plants. He is a new 

employee with NRCS and lives in Cumberland City with his wife Michelle 

and two daughters, ages 19 and 16.

Photo above (l to r): Soil Scientist Craig Harris; MLRA Leader Caleb Gulley, Soil 

Scientist David Thomas, and Ecologist Barry Hart.
Current Developments

At the Little Creek Farm produce stand, customers come and 

go, ever in search of quality fruits and vegetables. The items 

in demand include: sweet corn, green beans, and tomatoes. 

Wayne Moss talks to customers as he packs up ears of sweet 

corn by the baker’s dozen. Beyond the produce stand, the 

fields and garden structures that help him generate his wares 

are visible. In one particular structure, the tomato plants are at 

least seven feet tall. Small tomatoes hang from vines that grow 

so closely together, you have to push your way into the jungle 

that is Wayne Moss’s high tunnel.

He estimated that the plants yielded 100 pounds of tomatoes 

per week, beginning in June and lasting until the end of 

August. Different varieties of tomatoes, including grape and 

Park’s Whopper, grown under the same roof produced fruits 

that kept customers coming in all summer long.

Moss’s production system is slightly different from many 

producers. Instead of a greenhouse or hydroponic facility, his 

tomato crop was grown in a high tunnel structure. It looks like 

a large greenhouse, but with a plastic roof and sides that can 

be rolled up by hand. The soil inside is tilled, fertilized, and 

covered with plastic prior to transplanting the plants. 

“We keep hearing about high tunnels at different meetings 

like the Southern Association of Organic Growers,” stated 

Moss, “ and they just seem to be the way to go.” According to 

Moss, who already had a green house, a high tunnel system 

is conducive to a more intense, high-yield production system. 

Compared to conventional planting and plasticulture, it grants 

the grower better control of water usage and temperature, 

while increasing yields and adding days to the plants’ growing 

season. Moss estimates the plants in his high tunnel gained an 

extra 30 days of production. He also reports that the quality 

of his tomatoes improved in the high tunnel. Grape tomatoes 

produced in the high tunnel had fewer splits and better yield 

than the same plant grown in the field.

Moss utilizes plasticulture in his fields and inside the high 

tunnel. Plasticulture involves covering tilled soil with 

transparent green plastic (he does not recommend red plastic, 

as yields were lower than those of green plastic), then planting 

seedlings in this prepared bed. Because soil-borne diseases 

are easily transmitted via water, farm equipment, and splashes 

from raindrops, plastic coverings are a means of maintaining 

clean soil and preventing pathogenic contamination. Plastic 

also holds soil in place, diminishing erosion and transfer 

from one plot to another. Another attractive aspect has several 

growers excited: plasticulture can increase yields, sometimes 

twice those of conventional plantings. In a high tunnel, yields 

are even greater than similar plasticulture field plots.

A primary incentive, however, is the cost: building a high 

tunnel costs significantly less than a standard greenhouse. 

The structure itself is more simply designed and easily built. 

Daytime ventilation is achieved by raising the sides, which 

prevents burning the plants with excess heat. It gets hot in a 

high tunnel throughout the day; depending on climate, the need 

for a secondary heat source may be nonexistent. Moss did not 

install a heat source, stating that none would be needed as long 

as the sides were kept down overnight and the temperature 

stayed above 25° F. The design also allows for cold weather 

cropping, meaning production can continue year-round.

Moss was able to install his high tunnel at a reduced rate 

through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s 

(NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 

He qualified for a cost-share program that assisted with the 

installation cost. It permitted him to install a large high tunnel 

for very little money. “The incentive from NRCS was just 

incredible,” said Moss. “We only had a couple hundred dollars 

in it after the EQIP payment.”

The EQIP program provides up to a 75% cost-share on farm 

conservation practices for qualifying applicants. In addition 

to fixing problem areas on farms, it assists producers in 

constructing fences, improving wildlife habitat, and conserving 

water resources, all in the name of conservation and better 

farm production.

His success has encouraged others in the area to look into 

building high tunnels and inquire about conservation pro-rams. 

He hopes to construct a second high tunnel specifically for 

growing heirloom and grape tomatoes in the future.

High Tunnels

 by Mary Penick, Soil Conservationist, Livingston Field Office

Photo above: Wayne Moss stands by the tomato plants he grew in 

his hoop house. 

- 10 - Helping People Help the Land
- 11 - 

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

The Tennessee State University 

(TSU) Main Campus 

Agricultural Research and 

Extension Center, often referred 

to as the farm, is located along the 

banks of the Cumberland River in 

Nashville. Approximately 400 goats 

pasture in some 50 paddocks covering 

127 acres on the farm. There is a 

community garden and research plots 

on an additional 32 acres. 

While this area was part of the 

Davidson County Soil Survey, 

Dr. Jason De Koff, Extension 

Assistant Professor - Bioenergy 

Crop Production, Department of 

Agricultural and Environmental 

Sciences, TSU asked NRCS for help 

in producing a detailed soils map of 

the farm to aid them in planning for 

research projects. 

The original soil map had thirteen 

different soil polygons and was 

accurate at the published scale. The 

new soil map has approximately 50 

soil polygons with some as small as 

.10 acre in size. 

A survey grid was needed to organize 

the mapping effort and provide this 

level of detail. The NRCS GIS staff 

produced a digital grid of the entire 

farm providing 150’ sample spacing 

on the areas used for pasture and 

75’ spacing on the planned research 

plots. The digital grid, aerial imagery, 

topographic map, contour lines, 

and the existing soils data were all 

downloaded to Trimble GPS units for 

use in the field. 

A geodatabase was created with 

domains (pick lists) to capture soils 

information for sample points on 

the grid. By utilizing the check-in/ 

check-out features of ESRI ArcPad 

software, information from multiple 

GPS units could be checked back 

into the geodatabase after each days 

field work was completed. 

Two person teams were used to 

sample each site on the grid; a soil 

scientist described the soil while the 

other team member collected the 

location and attribute information 

using the GPS unit. After the last 

hole was bored, soils scientists 

had sampled 340 locations on the 

TSU farm. Using these data points 

identified with soil series, new map 

unit boundaries were delineated with 

high accuracy. 

NRCS Soil Survey, GIS, and 

Engineering employees, Patrick 

Bowers of the Wounded Warrior 

Program, and Jerry Dickerson, 

Tennessee Department of 

Environment and Conservation, 

worked together to complete the 

project. 

Photo above (l to r): Melissa Oliver, NRCS Soil Scientist; Debbie Brasfield, NRCS Soil 

Scientist; Jerry Dickerson, TDEC; Gabe Krantz, NRCS Soil Scientist; Dave Barker, 

NRCS Cartographer; Patrick Bowers, Wounded Warrior Program; and Lori Pittman, 

NRCS Cartographer.

Photo above (l to r): Kevin Davis, 

State GIS/NRI Specialist; Lori Pittman, 

Geographer; and Bobby Mimms, GIS 

Specialist.

Mapping at TSU

by Gabe Krantz and Melissa Oliver, Cookeville MLRA 
- 12 -

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Karen Wynne grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, 

and her mother says that her enjoyment of the 

sandbox in rain and snow was an indicator of 

future aspirations. As a young adult, Karen worked and 

volunteered on farms, detasseling corn in Iowa, teaching 

public health in rural areas of Mexico and Paraguay, playing 

an active role in the student-run Miller Farm and starting a 

student-led sustainable agriculture class at Earlham College 

in Indiana, and working for three seasons at Wheatland 

Vegetable Farms in Virginia.

Karen tried to settle down in Newfield, New York, where 

she started Stick and Stone Farm in 1995, a seven-acre 

organic truck farm that is now a successful 25-acre farm 

very much due to the efforts of her former partner Chaw 

and his wife Lucy. She was a board member and eventual 

president of the Ithaca Farmers Market, a 120-member 

cooperative that operated farmers markets three days a 

week. While Karen was in upstate New York, she also 

worked nights as a baker at the Ithaca Bakery and finished 

up her degree in soil science at Cornell.

Dissatisfied with working on rented land, after she finished 

school in 2000, Karen decided to get rich quick by taking a 

job as a soil scientist with Ecological Resource Consultants 

in Florida. While she didn’t get rich, she did spend lots 

of time looking at wetlands and pine forests in Florida, 

Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas. 

She learned about soil mapping, wetland delineation and 

mitigation (especially pitcher plant bogs), and geographic 

information systems, and spent her days off paddling around 

the swamps of the Florida panhandle. She also became 

licensed and certified as a soil classifier and scientist.

In 2003, Karen migrated to north Alabama, where she 

began her own consulting business, Crotovina, Inc. She 

continued to work for clients needing her expertise in soil 

characteristics and wetlands, primarily for builders in North 

Alabama. She also began working with small farmers again 

through the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network 

and briefly with the American Pastured Poultry Producers 

Association. Her family bought a small farm in Hartselle 

(Rosita’s) where they raise cows, pigs, chickens, honey 

bees, and organic vegetables and experiment with organic 

production methods. These days she focuses primarily on 

working with small and beginning farmers, organic and not, 

Meet Karen Wynne, TSP

 by Danny Jones, Soil Conservationist, SRC Staff - Nashville

on planning for successful and sustainable businesses and 

improving their access to resources.

Karen Wynne can be reached at P.O. Box 18782 in 

Huntsville, Alabama 35804. 

Photo above: Technical Service Provider Karen Wynne.

Current Non- Discrimination Statement

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 

in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital 

status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, 

political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part 

of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance 

program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons 

with disabilities who require alternative means for communication 

of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 

TDD).”

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil 

Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, 

DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 

877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 

845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider and employer.
- 13 -

Current Developments

Based in Greeneville TN, Hayden is in position to service 

all of the counties in the NRCS Knoxville Service Area. 

He is a Certified Conservation Planner specializing in 

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs), 

and general farm conservation planning. Hayden has about 

10 years of experience in conservation planning and for 

a period of 15 years owned and operated a Black Angus 

pure bred cow-calf farm in West Virginia. 

Hayden has completed several CNMPs for beef operations 

in east TN and is currently working on a project that will 

eventually include 14 feeding structures for a cow-calf 

operation in northeast Tennessee. 

Hayden is also contracted to the Middle Nolichucky 

Watershed Alliance (MNWA) where he provides farm 

planning to local residences through funds provided 

by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency-Land Owner 

Improvement Program; the US Fish and Wildlife Service - 

Partners Program; and general fund raising of the MNWA 

(a not for profit organization). The most frequent installed 

BMPs are stream exclusion fencing, watering facilities and 

pumping stations for livestock watering. 

In addition to the normal planning and support for 

farm operation, Hayden has extensive experience in 

Low Impact Development Design and Stormwater 

Management. At present, he is providing support to 

the Greene County Soil Conservation District in the 

management of a 319 grant for the improvement of 

College Creek, which is a 303d listed stream for sediment. 

Over the last 3 years, two major stormwater retention 

ponds have been designed and installed to reduce the flash 

of runoff during an intense rain storm. Also during this 

time numerous rain gardens and rain harvesting systems 

have been put into operation. Additionally, there are three 

created wetlands being designed to help improve filtration 

of the runoff from a cluster of buildings on Tusculum 

College campus. 

Part of the Tusculum project will include a large pervious 

pavement parking lot and an outdoor classroom adjacent 

to the wetlands for teaching elementary through college 

age students about the ecology of the wetlands and other 

Best Management Practices installed in the project.

Farm BMPs are also part of this 319 program with 

emphasis on livestock stream exclusion, stream accesses 

and water systems.

These various assignments provide a full time operation 

for this small company and Hayden, the TSP that is at the 

core of the operations. 

Meet Paul Hayden, TSP

 by Danny Jones, Soil Conservationist, SRC Staff - Nashville

Photo above: Paul Hayden, Technical Service Provider.
- 14 -

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Larry Lofton retired with 32 years 

of service from USDA – NRCS on 

September 30, 2011. He served as 

Project Coordinator for the Buffalo/

Duck River RC&D (Resource 

Conservation & Development) Council 

since its authorization in April of 1994. 

The Buffalo/Duck River RC&D is a 

non-profit organization working to 

improve natural resources, education, 

and economic and community 

development in Hickman, Lewis, Perry 

and Wayne Counties. Prior to this 

assignment, he was a Soil Conservation 

Technician for NRCS serving 

Hickman, Lewis and Perry Counties.

Larry received many awards for his 

many accomplishments with NRCS 

and the RC&D Program, including: 

(1) stream bank stabilization along 

the Tennessee River at Mousetail 

Landing State Park that resulted in the 

protection of a navigational channel, 

(2) preservation of a Native American 

burial ground, and (3) providing a 

heritage river kiosk depicting life along 

the river. 

Through his leadership, the council 

developed numerous working relationships with various agencies including 

the Tennessee Department of Tourism, 

which assisted the RC&D’s four 

counties through their Chambers 

of Commerce. He assisted in the 

establishment of the Devil’s Backbone 

State Natural Area and kiosk in 

Lewis County, the Waynesboro City 

Park Trail, the Duck River Trail in 

Hickman County, the Wayne County 

Welcome Center in Collinwood, 

and the Collinwood Railroad Depot 

restoration. Lofton developed 

“Communities Tomorrow” that led 

to two adult leadership programs and 

Three-Star Certifications. He secured 

Lofton Retires with 32 Years of Service 

 by Sharon Englett, Office Assistant, Area II 

a grant with the US Forest Service that allowed Perry County to host the first of 

many festivals. He was also instrumental in the development of the Perry County 

Chamber of Commerce. 

His leadership in the council’s partnership with the Center for Historic Preservation and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area led to the completion 

of projects such as the placement of historical Civil War markers located at all 

four courthouses in the RC&D area and throughout each county. He worked to 

bring the Century Farms Program to the RC&D area and as a result, several farms 

were recognized as 100-year old farms. Among those recognized, was a family 

farm dating back to 1871 owned by the Craigs, who are African- Americans. The 

Craig farm is now on the National Historic Register as well. 

In partnership with the USDA Farm Service Agency and other RC&D councils, 

he organized three statewide Outreach Workshops for women, minorities, 

and socially disadvantaged Farmers who actively engage in agriculture. The 

workshops provided economic and conservation based opportunities to these 

farmers who have historically faced difficult challenges. 

These are but a few of the projects the RC&D Council accomplished with Larry’s 

leadership in partnership with USDA/NRCS, local units of governments, and 

other organizations. Larry is continuing to assist the RC&D council and is finally 

putting his Master Degree in Art to good use by pursuing his love of art. Larry 

and his wife, Sheila, reside in Waverly. 

Photo above (l to r): Sharon Englett, Office Assistant; Jim Azbill, President Buffalo-Duck 

RC&D Council; Larry Lofton; Ancil Balentine, RC&D Council Member; and Patricia 

Skelton, RC&D Council Member.
- 15 -

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Delilah Anderson, Niota, was recognized as the top volunteer 

in the eastern United States by USDA Natural Resources 

Conservation Service (NRCS). Anderson received the 

NRCS Earth Team East Region Individual Volunteer Award 

and the Tennessee East Region Individual Volunteer Award 

from Tennessee State Conservationist Kevin Brown at the 

Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts Convention 

in Jackson on February 28, 2012. 

Brown praised the selection. “Delilah Anderson is a very 

busy volunteer. She is a full-time college student, works 

part-time, and helps her family with many chores including 

feeding livestock and bailing hay. As busy as she is, 

Delilah finds time to volunteer for us,” said Brown. “Our 

Cleveland Field Office staff credits her with helping them 

meet program deadlines and being able to better serve 

their customers. In 2011, she conducted field inspections 

including 2,400 feet of stream fencing and 1,500 feet of 

pipeline, 2 watering facilities and a stream crossing for 

NRCS staff. She works with enthusiasm and is always 

ready to take on new tasks.” Congratulations Delilah!

Leon Tillman received the Volunteer Coordinator of the 

Year Award for 2012. With Leon’s leadership, Area 1 more 

than doubled the volunteer hours and number of offices 

working with volunteers. And the number of volunteers in 

Area 1 almost tripled. Congratulations Leon!

The Tennessee Earth Team Group Award was presented 

to Union City Boy Scout Troop 55 who made a positive 

impact on their community by volunteering their 

time to plant shrubs for wildlife habitat enhancement. 

Congratulations Boy Scout Troop 55!

The Tennessee Earth Team Field Award recipient was the 

Union City Field Office. With the assistance of volunteers, 

the Union City Field Office obligated and completed nearly 

$1 million in EQIP. Congratulations Union City Field Office!

In fiscal year 2011, 618 volunteers donated 11,158 hours in 

Tennessee helping NRCS staff with conservation projects. 

Nationally, Earth Team Volunteers donated 435,653 hours 

of service to NRCS worth $9.3 million. 

April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week. Thank you Earth 

Team Volunteers for your volunteer spirit!

Earth Team Award Winners

 by Dimple Geesling, State Earth Team Coordinator

Photo above: Recipients of the Earth Team Field Award Union 

City Field Office. Back row (l to r): Matthew Denton, NRCS and 

Leon Tillman. NRCS, Front row (l to r) Bobbi Campbell, District 

Secretary and Kevin Brown, NRCS State Conservationist.

Photo above: Delilah Anderson, Bradley County is the recipient

of the Tennessee and East Region Individual Volunteer Awards. 

Photo above (l to r): Recipient of the Earth Team Volunteer 

Coordinator Award Leon Tillman, Union City and NRCS State 

Conservationist Kevin Brown.
- 16 -

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

Photo above: Kevin Brown, State Conservationist with Troop 55 

Boy Scouts Will Riley, Will Harris, Taj Reid, Garrett Hay, Austin 

Jefferson, Austin Kessel, Jeff Hay, Leader and Shea Riley, Leader.

Photo above (l to r): Category I District Cooperator of the 

Year winner Jason Crabtree of Obion County and Jerry 

McCullough, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America.

Photo above: Recipient of the Vickie O’Bryant/Carolyn Franks 

Scholarship Janet Reyes, District Secretary, Lincoln County SCD.

Photo above (l to r): Recipient of the TCDEA Employee of the 

Year Award for 2011 Lois Garren, District Secretary, Monroe 

County SCD, and Anna Moore, TCDEA President.

More Award Winners at the TACD Convention

Photo above: Glen Long, Roane County, was the recipient of 

the TACD Distinguished Service Award for 2012.

Photo above (l to r): Carolyn Dillard, Recipient of the TVA/

TACD Outstanding District Conservationist of the Year Award, 

and Kevin Brown, NRCS State Conservationist.
Current Developments

Photo above: Distinguished Partnership Award recipients Clay 

County SCD. (Back row, l to r) Jeff Young, NRCS District 

Conservationist and Kevin Brown, NRCS State Conservationist. 

(Front row, l to r) Jeanette Finch, District Secretary and James 

Stevens, District Supervisor.

State Conservationist Kevin Brown presented Distinguished Partnership Awards to five soil conservation districts at the 

TACD conventions. Districts receiving the award included Clay, Davidson, Humphreys, Jackson, and Macon. 

Photo above: Distinguished Partnership Award Recipient 

Davidson County SCD. (Back row, l to r) Jerry Graves, District 

Supervisor; John Leeman, District Chairperson and Kevin 

Brown, State Conservationist, (Front row, l to r) Carolyn Dillard, 

NRCS District Conservationist and Carol Edwards, District 

Technician/Office Administrator.

Photo above: Distinguished Partnership Award Recipient 

Macon County SCD. (Back row l to r) Kevin Brown, NRCS 

State Conservationist and Brandon Moore, NRCS Soil 

Conservationist. (Front row, l to r) Barbara Spivey, District 

Secretary and Keri Craig, District Technician.

Photo above: Distinguished Partnership Award recipients 

Jackson County SCD. (Back row, l to r) Jeff Young, NRCS 

District Conservationist and Kevin Brown, NRCS State 

Conservationist, (Front row, l to r) Kelly Stockton, District 

Supervisor and Pamela Flatt, District Secretary. 

Humphreys County SCD was not available for photos.

Distinguished Partnership Awards

- 17 - Helping People Help the Land
On Tuesday, March 20th, NRCS 

and TACD promoted conservation 

and conservation districts at the 

Tennessee Legislative Plaza at Ag on 

the Hill 2012. NRCS, TACD and over 

35 other agricultural stakeholders had 

displays and demonstrations at the 

annual event.

Ray Weaver, President of TACD, 

Sara Steelman (Coffee County), 

Carol Edwards (Davidson County) 

and Andrea Northcutt (Coffee 

County) staffed the inside display 

and Greg Brann (NRCS), Donna 

Garrettson (NRCS) and John Rissler 

(NRCS) staffed the rain fall simulator 

at the outside display. Hundreds of 

legislators, staff and others visited. 

Ag on the Hill 2012

Photo above: NRCS Grazing Land Specialist Greg Brann 

demonstrates the rainfall simulator.

Photo above (l to r): NRCS State Resource Conservationist John 

Rissler visits with conservation partner Mark Gudlin,TWRA.

Photo above (l to r): Sara Steelman, Coffee County Administrative Secretary, and Ray Weaver, 

TACD President, staff the TACD exhibit.

- 18 -

Current Developments

Helping People Help the Land

by Carter Harris, Program Analyst
- 19 - Helping People Help the Land

Current Developments

Mary Beth Flowers, Madison County District 

Secretary, visited the third grade classes of 

Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Browning at Jackson 

Preparatory School in December.

Mary Beth showed a powerpoint presentation she 

developed and discussed the role of the Soil Conservation 

District and NRCS. 

She also set up an Enviroscape model to provide a handson demonstration to students showing the runoff from 

farms, factories, and residential areas. The presentation 

also showed how sediment, chemicals and other 

pollutants can flow into streams and lakes if adequate 

conservation measures are not used. 

The hands-on demonstration helped students see 

how they can help conserve the natural resources. 

Upcoming Events

Macon County Farm Management April 26, 2012 Jerry Ray Farm & Willette Community

Workshop & Field Day Center, Red Boiling Springs 

Pesticide Points Available Meal Provided - RSVP by April 20, 2012 

For more information, contact: 

Macon SCD Office @ 615-666-4016 

SWCS Meeting May 18, 2012 Jackson Experiment Station

For more information, contact: 

Jenny Adkins

2012 Milan No-Till Field Day July 26, 2012 Milan Experiment Station

 Milan, Tennessee 

Land & Wildlife Expo August 9-11, 2012 Opryland Convention Center

Conservation in the Classroom

Photo above: Mary Beth Flowers talk to students about the 

role of Soil Conservation Districts.
- 20 - Helping People Help the Land

Current Developments

The new Water Cycle poster has 

arrived at the NRCS Distribution 

Center and is now available for 

ordering. The poster measure 40” 

x 35” and is 2-sided. The poster 

is packaged in boxes of 100. To 

view and order FREE National 

NRCS publications and forms, 

please visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov/

distributioncenter

NRCS Publications and Forms 

Seventy people from ten states 

attended the 31st Annual Central 

States Forest Soils Workshop was held 

in the Natchez Trace State Forest area 

near Lexington, Tennessee on October 

11- 13, 2011. Attendees included 

soil scientists, foresters, ecologists, 

educators and land use consultants and 

managers. 

The workshop began with speakers 

from the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, Tennessee 

Department of Agriculture, Sewanee 

University of the South, University of 

Tennessee at Martin and University 

of Tennessee Experiment Stations 

welcoming and introducing 

participants to the area. Participants 

had the opportunity to learn about 

the soils and forestry conditions 

and plans at eight different sites in 

the Natchez Trace State Forest, and 

at forestry research projects at the 

UT Experiment Station at Jackson, 

Tennessee.

31st Annual Central States 

Forest Soils Workshop

 by Debbie Brasfield, Soil Scientist, 

 Columbia Field Office

Photo above: Participants from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, 

Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas attended the Central States Forest Soils Workshop 

in Lexington, Tennessee.