Three Florida Farmers Nominated 

for National Small Farmer Award 

by Gail Hendricks, VIS

The National Organization of 

Professional Black NRCS Employees 

(NOPBNRCSE) will be choosing a 

person or group to receive the 2006 

Small Farmer Award in December. Florida has 

submitted videos on 3 farmers for consideration.

Our first nominee is Richard Hardy, an 82 

year old small and limited resource 

beef producer. Richard stopped 

by the Calhoun County USDA 

Service Center seeking advice on 

how to get rid of the pesky carpet 

grass that was taking over his cow 

pasture. In addition, he wanted 

to increase his herd of cattle and 

improve his pastures but did not 

have the necessary resources to do 

so. He was introduced to Brian McGraw, District 

Conservationist for NRCS. After a visit to the 

farm, Brian explained the Environmental Quality 

Incentives Program (EQIP) to Richard. He was 

very excited to show off his 200 

acre farm. Because of Richard’s 

limited income, most businesses 

would only go 30 days out on their 

payment; therefore, it was agreed 

that NRCS and FSA would work 

together to provide assistance. An 

EQIP application was approved 

as a Limited Resource Producer 

with 90 percent cost-share and 

a Conservation Plan Schedule of 

Operations was developed.

Richard has made great progress on the farm 

given the fact that he is doing most of the work 

himself. The farm is the main 

source of food for his family and 

allows them to trade with other 

farmers for other family needs. 

With assistance from the EQIP 

program, cross fencing, installation of a well, and pasture renovations are taking place. Richard 

raises vegetables, chickens, ducks 

and geese, much of which he 

shares with his community. He 

often invites elementary students out to his farm 

and gives tours to the children of the various farm 

animals. He is well respected in his community. He 

is without a doubt the person that other farmers seek 

out for guidance and direction. Richard participates 

in every field day/farm bill program that is offered in 

his county and is eager to learn all that he can about 

NRCS programs. His story is one that proves when 

USDA agencies (FSA/NRCS) work together toward 

similar goals, social barriers can be broken and new 

ground laid for our agricultural future.

Next is Roseann Sadler, a new and beginning 

cattle farmer. She is a role model for other female 

farmers in the community. Since 1999, Roseann has 

worked to restore a large piece of her family history, 

a 99-acre cattle farm that was previously operated by her mother and 

ancestors before her, with only the 

help of her young daughter, Jennifer. 

It has been both a financially and 

physically daunting task for a middle-aged nurse, new to farming. 

However, Roseann demonstrates a positive can-do attitude. 

She knew few technical details about 

cattle farming and was spending a sizeable amount of 

her income on fencing, troughs, and other farm necessities. She visited Crenel Francis, an NRCS Resource 

Conservationist. Crenel offered advice on farming 

techniques and got Roseann involved 

in EQIP. The resource management 

system on this farm is planned in a 

manner that provides for maximum 

protection from soil erosion and water quality benefits. Roseann grows 

peanuts that are marketed at the local level for food consumption. She 

also does rotational grazing. Because 

rotational grazing is an environmentally friendly practice that helps to 

protect plant life from over-consumption, wetlands 

from being eroded by cattle traffic, and more, the EQIP 

program has allowed Roseann to acquire new fencing, and will eventually finance pipelines and water 

troughs on her land.

The Gwinn Brothers are 

Suwannee County farmers that 

practice what NRCS promotes - 

good conservation! By following 

the NRCS developed Conservation 

Plan for their 1,137 acre farm, the 

Gwinn Brothers have been able to 

improve water quality, enhance 

water quantity, reduce soil erosion, 

improve animal and plant health, and enhance wildContinued on page 2

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Florida NRCS Outreach Update FY 2006 #2 April - September

Florida

Bryan McGraw, DC, Richard Hardy 

and Ann Bowens, Outreach Coordinator

Gwinn Brothers with Chris Menhennett, 

(right) NRCS DC in Suwannee County

Roseann Sadler
life habitat on their farm. Donell and Robert Gwinn are 

brothers who have been farming together under the entity 

known as Gwinn Brothers Farm for over 25 years. The 

Gwinn Brothers are highly esteemed, well respected farmers 

throughout the farming communities of Florida and South 

Georgia. Crops produced by the Gwinn Brothers include 

watermelons, peanuts, iron clay peas, bahiagrass seed, hay, 

and beef cattle. They operate a packing house in McAlpin, 

FL, during watermelon season where they employ mostly 

high school students needing summer employment. Their 

watermelons are enjoyed both locally and throughout the 

eastern United States. 

By utilizing cover crops and herbaceous wind barriers, 

they are able to conserve many tons of soil by protecting 

it from wind erosion that is so prevalent in North Florida 

during the early spring. NRCS Practice Code 645 – Upland 

Wildlife Habitat Management, helps the Gwinn Brothers 

improve and enhance wildlife habitat on their farm. By following their NRCS developed nutrient and pest management 

plans, they work to protect and improve water quality. They 

just recently participated in an Irrigation Retrofit Initiative 

through EQIP to increase the application efficiency and 

distribution uniformity of their irrigation systems, all in an 

effort to conserve water. 

Along with their row crop farming operation, the Gwinn 

Brothers manage a 70 head beef cattle operation. They 

follow an NRCS developed prescribed grazing plan to assist with this effort, which helps them improve animal and 

plant health on their farm. Here again, through their efforts 

to conserve soil and water on cropland, improve wildlife 

habitat, improve water quality, and implement prescribed 

grazing practices on pastureland, the Gwinn Brothers prove 

they are trying to implement the best possible conservation 

practices on their farm.

In addition, the Gwinn Brothers recently embraced and 

implemented the new technology of precision agriculture on 

their farm to take their farm management to a new level. 

They installed GPS systems in several of their tractors. 

The GPS systems are used for precision planting, precision 

nutrient application, and precision pesticide application. 

This addition has helped them save thousands of dollars 

in fertilizer and pesticide costs, while adding tremendous 

environmental benefits, especially to water quality. 

Conservation to the Gwinn Brothers is more than 

an idea; it is a way of life! Good conservation has been 

paramount to their farming success. They attribute good 

conservation as a key factor in enabling them to enjoy the 

quality of life associated with doing what they love to do 

– FARM! 

We wish all of our nominees the best of luck.

Continued from page 1

Volunteer Award Nominations 

Nominations due October 31, 2006

It’s that time of year to think about those volunteers, 

partners, and employees who deserve recognition for 

their efforts with the Earth Team. 

In FY05, Florida had 662 volunteers for 22, 170 

hours. Let’s recognize 

these great volunteers.

Award categories:

• Individual & Group 

Volunteer

• Chief’s Recognition

• Employee

• Partnership

All forms can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/emp/forms/.

Nominations and questions should be directed to 

Bonnie Weller at bonnie.weller@ia.usda.gov. Additional 

guidance can be found in the General Manual Title 360, 

Part 428, Subpart G. 

by Ann Bowens, Outreach Coordinator

On June 3, 2006, Florida 

A&M University, along with 

NRCS, FSA, Heifer International, and the Southeastern 

Small Farmer’s Network, presented the Fourth Annual TriState Farm Field Day. The 

field day was held in Jasper, 

Florida and covered Florida, 

Alabama and Georgia.

Jazelle Jusino, Jasper DC, 

gave an NRCS Programs overview. Concurrent sessions 

included discussion on Herd 

Health, Emergency Management Information, NRCS 

Programs, FSA Programs, Record Keeping for Small Scale 

Livestock, and Value-Added 

Products using Goat Meat. 

The event was well attended 

by local farmers in the community.

Tri-State Farm Field Day a Success

Florida NRCS Outreach Update FY 2006 #2 April - September 

Jazelle Jusino giving presentation

Display

Ann Bowens with attendees
Outreach Through Education

Highlands SWCD Promotes Conservation 

Education

by Jackie Bailey, Highlands SWCD

The Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was featured in the May/June 2006, 

issue of the National Association of Conservation Districts newsletter. This is an honor for our local district. 

There are over 3,000 districts nationwide and 17,000 

men and women who serve on their governing boards.

A major long-range goal of 

Highlands SWCD is education. 

The article featured many educational and outreach efforts of 

the district. Highlands SWCD 

annually sponsors an Envirothon 

team and the Speech Contest. 

The Soil Tunnel, produced in the 

office, is a hands-on tool that more than a thousand county 

elementary school students have crawled through. Annually, 

the district is represented at the CCC Festival, Earth Day and 

the Lorida Round up. With their many partners, Highlands 

SWCD has participated in a Rain Barrel Workshop, produced a Lakes brochure and has a grant for replacing toilets 

with more water efficient models. The district also maintains an up-to-date website that promotes the latest events, 

happenings and opportunities for the community it serves. 

Please visit www.highlandsswcd.orgfor more information.

AP Teachers Study Science

By Ken Liudahl, Area IV Soils Specialist

I recently taught a portion of a National College 

Board Advanced Placement (AP) Program itinerary to 25 Broward County Science Teachers at an AP 

Environmental Science Teachers Workshop. This AP 

program gives High School science teachers the ability to teach advanced science classes that give the students college curriculum credits, while in high school.

I used satellite images to explain how Florida developed morphologically through a marine environment, why 

plant communities exist in their present day location, and 

how hydrology, climate, and time is a function of this process. I also discussed common soil parent materials found 

throughout the United States, to provide a better foundation and understanding of the morphology in the region 

where they grew up or in their travels. I also emphasized 

the impact of atmospheric conditions, global change, and 

how they relate to urbanization, industrialization, farming, and soil quality/health. They were taught about GIS 

databases, projections, and the science of spatial data – and 

most importantly, its uses in making intelligent, science 

based federal, state, and local land use, growth management, and sensitive environmental decisions for the future.

I find that the teachers are always very receptive to detailed local and global science knowledge and how it pertains 

to real life situations, local learning objectives, and their 

teaching curriculum, without making them reinvent the wheel 

for teaching purposes. Participation is a very big part of any 

learning process and they must have asked 101 questions. 

They absorb data very well and everyone enjoyed the day. 

I would encourage any NRCS staff to get involved in this 

great education program to provide further knowledge and 

greater opportunities for students to achieve higher future 

goals and skills, and encourage future agricultural studies. 

Earth Day Event Thanks Farmers

by George Johnson, DC, Flagler and Volusia Counties

 I did an “Earth Day at the Gilespie” event on April 22. The 

Gilespie is a museum at Stetson University. Approximately 

750 people attended. We displayed the SWAPA resource 

concerns as they relate to the on-site soil profile. I had the 

kids fill out “thank the farmer” cards which I will put in correspondence and /or conservation plans for my cooperators. 2006 Leon County 4-H Ecology Field Day

Phil Cook, Soil Conservationist, and Darrell Johnson, DC, 

(in blue shirt) participated in the 13th Annual Ecology Day 

for 5th grade students from Pineview Elementary School

Florida NRCS Outreach Update FY 2006 #2 April - September 
Cedar Key Clam Farmers Get Help from 

USDA and RC&D

by Ann Bowens, Outreach Coordinator (left front)

On September 26, the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, representing over 150 members and clam 

farmers, saw a dream become reality. Chuck Clemmons, 

Florida Director for USDA Rural Development (far right 

in the picture) presented the association with a check for 

$300,000 to purchase a much needed parking lot, through 

a grant from his agency. Several aids from Congressmen 

Bill Nelson’s office were present for the check presentation along with USDA staff and Suwannee River RC&D 

Coordinator, Doug Ulmer. This parking area will allow 

clam farmers a place to park their trucks and trailers and 

easy assess to the water where they harvest their clams. 

About 25 shellfish wholesalers purchase clams from 

growers, add value, and distribute the product to markets 

throughout the nation. The industry also provides local 

employment and seafood retail and restaurant establishments are supported through sales of clams to customers.

Current issues affecting the clam farming, such as the 

need for market expansion and assurance of water quality standards, are being addressed. To increase the area’s 

awareness and support of their shellfish resource-based 

economy, the association has placed banners proclaiming, “We’re USA’s #1 Producer of Farm Raised Clams.” 

Currently, Suwannee River RC&D is working with the 

clam farmers to remove and relocate more than 3,000 

derelict clam bags from the waters around Cedar Key.

Annie Mattox Summer Reading Program

By Doug Ulmer, RC&D Coordinator

Reading has always been fundamental in building a 

successful student who can grow and succeed in a future 

career. But just learning the mechanics of reading usually 

is not enough for students to reach their potential. There 

should be a love of reading and learning so that reading is 

not a chore but a joy. Over the past few months, students at 

the Annie Mattox Recreational Center in Lake City, Florida 

participated in a Summer Reading Program and learned the 

joy of reading and learning. Through books and supplies, a 

portion of which were donated by the Suwannee River RC&D 

Council (SRRCD), the students were able to exceed their 

initial goals and read over 2,000 books. Leaders of the program were delighted with the student’s interest and enthusiasm to read and were impressed with their commitment.

The students were rewarded with a cookout celebration 

and a visit by Linard Johnson, Chairman of the Columbia 

County School Board. Mr. Johnson generated a lot of excitement during his comments to the students by showing 

them a stack of dollar bills which he produced from his 

jacket. Mr. Johnson told the students that he was going to 

give them their first “scholarship” and proceeded to hand 

out a dollar to each student. He told them that if they keep 

reading that this was just the first of many scholarships that 

they could qualify for. A party followed the presentations 

and the children played basketball on the newly refurbished 

courts that were a joint SRRCD and NRCS outreach project.

Florida NRCS Outreach Update FY 2006 #2 April - September 

For more information on Outreach, contact :

Ann Bowens, Outreach Coordinator

P.O. Box 141510

Gainesville, FL 32614

352-338-9516

ann.bowens@fl.usda.gov

Outreach Editor:

Gail Hendricks

Public Affairs Staff

352-338-9560

gail.hendricks@fl.usda.gov

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

in all 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, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a 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, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 

Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 

795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

USDA - NRCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.