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1 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

What’s Inside:

Pages 2-3• CelebratingtheFirstGenerationofSoilSurvey

• Multi-agencyHardwoodWorkshop

• Oakes-TwoAwards• Mason-FFAAward• Pennington-JerryJohnsonAward

Pages 4-5• SoilScientistsProbeforthePast

• GopherTortoiseinMobile• ReadAcrossAmericaDedicatedtoKarenHayes

• WiregrassRC&DHostsaFarmerWorkshop

Pages 6-7• Farmer’sCooperativeOutreachMeeting

• CovingtonCo.SWCDHostsAnnualYouthEvent

• ForestryFieldDayinEpes• DaleCo.SWCD’sNewSoilTunnel

• FarmDayinCullmanCo.

Pages 8-9CelebratingEarthDay• BlountCo.• ColbertandLauderdaleCos.

WaterFestivals• LeeCo.WaterFestival• MadisonCo.DrinkingWaterFestival

Pages 10-11EarthTeamVolunteers• CashPromotesConservation

• ETVsHonoredinMadisonCo.

OutreachNews• TuskegeeScholarsProgram

• BlackBeltCommunityFoundationExtravaganza

• NRCSCareerDisplayatTuskegeeUniversity

Pages 12-13• NewandBeginningFarmerSignup

• StudentInterns• WomeninAgMeeting• ReachingOuttoCommunityLeader

• ThomastonPartnership• WomeninAgSymposium Pages 14-15• Personnel• InSympathy• BlackHistoryMonth• ALSWCSWinsAwards• ALDACsAttendTraining

Current DevelopmentsNRCS Alabama

From the State Conservationist - Dr. William Puckett Field Office of the Future is Bright

Congratulationsonagreatyearinconservation.YouandtheconservationpartnershiphavecontributedsignificantlytoanimprovementinAlabama’snaturalresources.Withyourefforts,Alabama’sfarmers,ranchersandforestlandownershaveappliedconservationpracticesonhundredsofthousandsofacresandpumpedtensofmillionsofdollarsintolocalruraleconomies.Eachdollarissaidtochangehandsseventimes,therebymagnifyingtheimpactwhereitismostneededinruralAlabama.

Becauseofyou,Alabama’scitizenshavemoreacresofhealthysoil,cleanerrivers,lakesandstreams,purerair,morewetlands,abundantwildlifeandmorediverseforestecosystems.Becauseofyourcandoattitude,severalspecialprojectsinvolvinglongleafpine,gophertortoise,waterqualityandtheGulfofMexicohaveprovidedadditionalconservationopportunitiesthatotherwisewouldhavenotbeenavailabletoAlabama.Yourcompassionwasevidentintheefforttohelpcommunitiesandindividualsrecoverfromoneofthelargestoutbreaksoftornadoesinthestate’shistory.

Youhelpedintroducenewtechnologies,suchasprecisionagriculture,whichhasreducedtheamountsoffertilizersandpesticidesappliedandalsoreducedenergycost.Thousandsofacre-feetofwaterhavebeensavedduetomoreefficientirrigationtechnologieswhichhashelpedduringthecurrentprolongeddrought.

Theamountoflocallygrownfoodhasincreasedduetothemanyhoophousesthathavebeeninstalledacrossthestate.Increasedoutreachhasresultedinmoreparticipationbynewandbeginningandunderservedfarmersandranchers.CongratulationstoMr.RichardSmithandhiswifePrentellaintheirselectionasNRCS’2013SmallFarmersoftheYear.TheSmith’sarefromMarengoCo.andexemplifyhardworkingfamiliesacrossthestatethataremakinggreatstridesinlocallygrownagriculture.

Anothermilestonewasachievedthisyearwiththecompletionofthefirstgener-ationsoilsurveybytheAlabamaCooperativeSoilSurveyPartnership.ThecitizensofAlabamanowhave24/7accesstosoilsinformationviatheWorldWideWeb.

NRCSanditspartnershavemadetremendousstridesinconservationoverthelastyear.Eachofyoushouldtakegreatprideinyouraccomplishmentsandmakesuretothankthedistrictstaffandothersthathavemadeusallsuccessful.

2 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Celebrating the Completion of the First Generation of Soil Survey

NRCSisproudtoannouncethecompletionofitsfirstgenerationsoilsurveythatidentifiessoilconditionsinAlabama.Tomarkthishistoricevent,membersoftheAlabamaCooperativeSoilSurveyPartnershipgatheredinMontgomery,Alabama,asGovernorRobertBentleysignedaproclamationcelebratingthenextgenerationoftheAlabamaCooperativeSoilSurveyPartnership.

ThisisacollaborativeeffortbetweenNRCS,AlabamaA&M,AuburnandTuskegeeUniver-sities,aswellasfederal,state,andlocalpartnerssuchastheAlabamaAssociationofConservationDistricts(AACD)andAlabamaStateSoilandWaterConservationCommittee(SWCC).NRCSStateConservationistDr.WilliamPuckettsaidthisgroupiscommittedtodeliveringscience-basedsoilsinfor-mationtohelppeopleprotectandmaintainAlabama’svaluableresources.“Soilhealthisimportanttoallofus.Itsupportsplantgrowth,recyclesnutrients,regulatesandfilterswaterflow,supportsbuildingsandroads,andprovideshabitatformanyplantsandanimals.Itisvitaltoourexistence,”saidPuckett.TheproclamationnotedtheimportanceofpromotingtheconservationandwiseuseofAlabama’ssoil,water,air,plant,andanimalresources.“The

AlabamaCooperativeSoilSurveyPartnershiphasworkedtogetherforoveracenturytoinvestigate,inventory,document,classify,andinterpretthesoilsofAlabama,”saidMO-15TeamLeaderCharlesLove.AgeneralsoilsmapforAlabamawascompletedin1929andacomprehensiveanddetailedcountylevelsoilsurveywascompletedin2012.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (center) l-r: Harold McCool, Retired Executive Director SWCC James Plaster, NRCS MO-15 Leader Charles Love, Pickens Co. Soil and Water Conser-vation District Chair Diane McCool, Alabama SWCC Executive Director Steve Cauthen, NRCS State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett, AACD President Dr. Carol Knight, William Cosby, and Drayton Cosby.

Multi-agency Hardwood Workshop by Tim Albritton, State Staff Forester, NRCS, Auburn, AL

InApril,personnelfromNRCS,AlabamaForestryCommission(AFC),AlabamaDepartmentofNaturalResources,USArmyGarrison–Redstone,andprivateconsultantforestersattendedatwo-dayhardwoodworkshopattheHuntsvilleUSDAServiceCenterinMadisonCo.andafieldtriptoJacksonCo.

Topicscoveredintheworkshopincludedinterme-diatestandtreatments,fireinuplandhardwoods,corridorthinning,andvarioushardwoodmanagementoptions.Theseconddayoftheworkshopincludedatourofalocalhardwoodsawmillandavisittoaresearchsitewherevarioushardwoodspecieswereplantedforariparianbuffer.Theinteractionbetweenagencypersonnelandconsultantshasproventobeavaluablelearning

experience.Thisisthefourthmulti-agencyhardwoodworkshopcoordinatedbyDr.CallieSchweitzer,USForestService;JimJeter,AFC;andTimAlbritton,NRCS.Plansaretocontinuetheworkshopseveryotheryear.

Group at riparian buffer site.

3 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Employees in the News

Perry Oakes Receives Two Awards

2012 Outstanding Alumni Award - TheAuburnUniversity(AU)CollegeofEngineeringnamedOakesasOutstandingAlumni.Perryearnedhisbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesatAUinagricul-turalengineering.AsStateConservationEngineerforNRCS,heprovidesengineeringoversightfortheagency’sstateengineeringprograms.In2008,hewasselectedastheNRCSNationalEngineeroftheYear.

2012 SWCS President’s Leadership Award-AsamemberoftheALChapteroftheSoilandWaterConservationSociety(SWCS),PerryreceivedtheNational2012SWCSPresident’sLeadershipAward.Thisawardwasgiveninrecognitionofhisexcep-tionalsupportprovidedtothestudentchapterswithinAlabama,andspecifically,hiseffortinstartingtheTuskegeeUniversityStudentChapter.

Pam Mason Receives FFA Top Award

PamMason,NRCSDCforElmore,Tallapoosa,andCoosaCounties,receivedthehighesthonorgivenbytheAlabamaFutureFarmersofAmerica(FFA)Associ-ation--anHonoraryStateFFADegree.Shereceivedtheawardatthe84thAnnualStateConventioninMontgomeryinJune.Thisdegreeisawardedtoexceptionalindividualswhoprovidelife-changingexperiencesforFFAmembers.

Jacob Davis, Education Specialist with the Alabama Department of Education (sponsor of the FFA), presents Pam the Honorary State FFA Degree in June 2012.

Oakes accepts an Auburn University Alumni Award.

Pennington Receives NRCS Top HonorsCarlPennington,NRCSResourceConservationistinGroveHill,AL,receivedtheNRCSJerryL.JohnsonAwardinFebruary2012forexcellenceinpublicservicethroughfamily,employment,profession,andcommunity.Hewasselectedforcommunitycontribu-tionsthroughvolunteerworkandchurchactivities,andforhisleadershipinsoilandwaterconservationactivitiesinAlabama.

Inaddition,Carlwasnamed“OutstandingYoungManinAmerica”forthreeconsecutiveyearsandhasservedhiscountryforover32yearsasaLieutenantColonelintheU.S.ArmyReserve.HeisanadvocatefortheBoyScoutsofAmericaservingasscoutmasterfor15years.HealsoservesasaBoardofDirectorfortheWhiteSmithLibraryinJackson,AL.

TheJerryL.JohnsonAwardwasestablishedin2005andisfundedbytheBradley/MurphyForestryandNaturalResourcesExtensionTrust.

Carl Pennington (center) was recipient of the Jerry Johnson Award. (l-r) AACD President Dr. Carol Knight, NRCS Acting State Conservationist Perry Oakes, Pennington, and SWCC Chairman Frank Nalty.

4 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

From the Field

Soil Scientists Probe For The PastBy Cooper Nichols, Soil Scientist, MLRA Soil Survey Area 15-4, Auburn, AL

OnahotandhumiddayinJuly,TeresaPaglione,AlabamaNRCSCulturalResourcesSpecialist,encouragedagroupofNRCSstateofficeemployeestovisita“dig”onAU’sE.V.SmithResearchCenterfarm.ThearchaeologicalexcavationsatthissitearedirectedbyAU,butrecentlyincludedstudentsfromLehighUniversity(Pennsylvania)andVermont.

ArcheologistsDr.JohnCottier,AU;andDr.CameronWesson,LehighUniversity,alongwithmorethanadozenarchaeologyfieldschoolstudentsfrombothUniversitieswerealsopresent.

ThisimportantprehistoricarchaeologicalsitewasoccupiedbyvariousNativeAmericangroupsoverthousandsofyears.Recentresearchsuggeststhelargestoccupationoccurredduringwhatsouth-easternarchaeologistsrefertoastheLateMissis-sippianperiod.

NRCSSoilScientistJohnBurnsandIwereaskedbacktothesiteinhopesofansweringDr.Cottier’squestionsaboutthesoilsinthearea.Usingafluxgategradiometer(amagnetometerthatmeasuressoildisturbancethroughgeophysics),Dr.Wessonhadpredeterminedthatapastureareawasthoughttohaveanextensionofsomekindofdefensivewallthatranaroundtheperimeterofthevillage.

Thesiteinquestionwasflaggedintenmetertransects.Boringsweretakenatonemeterintervalstolocatetheexactlocationofthislinearstructurewhichcontainedartifacts,charcoal,andfiredclay(daub).BurnsandIusedaGiddingsSoilExplorationProbetopullsoilsamples.Wehelpeddescribethesoilprofilesanddiscussedthelandscapegeomor-phologyofthearea.

Evidenceofthewallwasconfirmedonthefourth,fifth,andsixthholeswheresoilcompositionwaschangedandremainsofdaubandcharcoalwerefounddeepwithinthesoilprofile.Thisdiscoveryprovedthatthegradiometerreadingswereextremelyaccurateindepictingsoildisturbance.

Dr. John Cottier (kneeling) talks to Alabama NRCS employees about the Elbert Canebrake archeology dig site.

Thiswasanamazingexperience.Itreallymakesmyjobworthwhiletodiscoversomethingnewormakeasciencebreakthrough.

AdditionalinformationisontheAlabamaNRCSwebsiteatwww.al.nrcs.usda.gov.

Gopher Tortoise Shows Off in Mobile

Gophertortoisesareusuallyelusivecreatures,butonerecentlyallowedMobileCo.SoilConTechMarshallColburnarareandupclosemomentasshelaidhereggsinafreshlycultivatedfield.

“Iwasonalandowner’spropertydoingasiteassessmentfortheWorkingLandsforWildlifeprogram,whenIobservedagophertortoiselayingeggs,”Marshallsays.“Shehadduganestabout20yardsawayfromherburrowinsoftsoilwherethelandownerhadplantedchufasthedaybefore.Iwasabletostandandtakephotosabouttwofeetfromtheapronofthenest.Itwasprettycool!”

5 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

2012 Read Across America Dedicated to the Memory of Karen Hayes

The2012ReadAcrossAmericaeventwasheldinMadisonCo.DACKathyWalker;SteveMorrison,ChiefDeputyforMadisonCountySheriff’sDepartment;andBetsyStine,AssistanttoMadisonCo.ChairmanMikeGillespie;readbooksandusedpuppetstoactoutthe“RealStoryoftheThreeLittlePigs”astoldbyAlexanderT.Wolf...akathewolfinsheep’sclothing.

StudentsatMartinLutherKingElementarySchoolenjoyeddifferentbooksandthepuppetsthatwereusedtoencouragea“loveofreading!”

Nothingcomeswithoutdramathough.About15minutesintothepresentation,thetornadowarningsirenssoundedandthekidsreluctantlywenttotheirsafeplaceintheinterioroftheschool.

Thestudentsweresoexcitedabouttheprogramthatwescheduledareturnvisit.

ReadAcrossAmericainMadisonCo.wasdedicatedtothememoryofMarshallCo.DACKarenHayes.Forfiveyears,thiswasoneofKaren’sfavoriteprojects.ShewasinstrumentalinitssuccessinMadisonCo.Karenwasscheduledtohelpagainthisyear,butshediedunexpectedlyinFebruary2012,attheageof45.

Karen Hayes

Students enjoy the “Read Across America” program.

Wiregrass RC&D Hosts a Farmer WorkshopTheWiregrassResourceConservationandDevel-opment(RC&D)CouncilinOzark,wentoutoftheirwaytohelpareafarmers,especiallysmallandlimitedresourcefarmers,learnaboutresourcesandprogramsavailabletohelpthemsucceedatfarming.

TheCouncilsecuredanationalRC&Dgrantforthe“Tri-StateFarmersOutreachWorkshop”thatwasheldinFebruaryatLandmarkParkinDothan.

Over200peopleattendedtheevent.Speakersfromtri-state(GA,FL,andAL)universitiesandstate,federal,andlocalagenciespresentedinfor-mationaboutprogramsandservicesofferedbytheirrespectiveorganizations.

Twobreakoutsessionswereoffered.Onewasalivedemonstrationonplasticulturewithmicro-irrigationthatshowedhowatractorwithanattachmentinstallsthepractice.Anotherbreakoutsessionwasanindoorpresentationaboutsmallruminanthealth.

Variousdemonstrationsincludingcrossfencingandsolarenergywereinstalledonthegroundsofthepark.Vendorsandagenciessetupdisplaysinsidetogiveinformationabouttheirwaresandprograms.Outside,alargefarmequipmentvendordisplayedtractors,implements,andotherfarmingmachinery.Theattendeeswereabletoinspecttheitemsandtalkdirectlywitharepresentative.

In one breakout session, a live demonstration shows how a tractor with a specialized implement installs plastic and micro-irrigation on the ground.

6 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Farmers Cooperative Outreach Meeting

TheWiregrassFarmersCooperativehostedanoutreachmeetingforproducersandyouthattheCoopBuildingonGoatHillRoadinMarch2012.SpeakersanddemonstratorsincludedAdamSconyers,NRCS,Geneva;JamesCurrington,WiregrassRC&D;VictorKhan,PlantBreederandHorticulturistfromTuskegeeUniversity;andJanieHowell,DAC,GenevaCo.SWCD.

About40adultsandyouthlearnedproperinstallationandmaintenanceofSeasonalHighTunnels.Mr.Kahngaveapresentationonproperconstructionandversatilityoftunnelhousegrowing.Healsoshowedhowtoproperlyplantdirectlyinthetunnelhouse.

JamesCurringtonandAdamSconyerssharedoppor-tunitiesavailabletoproducersthroughNRCSandtheWiregrassRC&D.

RepresentativeDonnieChesteenencouragedtheattendeestolearnnewtechniquesandknowledgetotakeadvantageofnewagricultureprogramsthatbecomeavailable.

JanieHowellpresentedtheEnviroscapetodemon-stratewhatcanbedonetotakecareofoursoilandwater.

Theyouthseemedtoenjoyadayoftheirspringbreaklearninghands-onprojectstohelptheenvironment.Thankstoalltheadultswhoparticipatedandhelpedmakethemeetingasuccess.

Janie Howell (r) uses the Enviroscape to teach soil and water conservation at the Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative youth day.

Covington County SWCD Holds Annual Youth Event

StudentsfromacrossCovingtonCo.werehonoredinAprilattheAnnualYouthEventfortheirachieve-mentsinseveralarea-wideconservationcontests.Over100parentsandteacherssharedinthefun,food,andfellowshipattheOakwoodLodge.

Thisyear’stheme,“SoiltoSpoon”wasillustratedbypostersmadebypartici-pating3rdgraders.

Ahighlightoftheeventwasahamburger–hotdogdinnerwithanamazingchocolatecakedecoratedwithrealfruitsandvegetables.

Theeventwasco-sponsoredbytheCovingtonCo.Commission,FarmersFederation,andForestryPlanningCommittee,andtheCityofAndalusia.

Forestry Field Day Held in Epes

AForestryDemonstrationWorkshopwasheldinAprilattheFederationofSouthernCooperativesinEpes,AL.About25peopleattended,includingtwolandownersfromMississippi.

TheNRCSforestryandwildlifedisplaywasvisitedbymany.Allofthelandownersappreciatedtheavailableprograminformation.

NRCSwaswellrepresentedwithStateStaffForesterTimAlbritton,AgronomistEddieJolley,SoilConservationTechnicianWadeWilliams,andSoilConservationistCodieYelverton.

7 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Dale County SWCD Creates New Soil TunnelAmidshoutsof“SoilRocks!”and“Soil,yougottadigit!”,Wiregrassareachildrenarelearningtheimpor-tanceofsoilintheirdailylives.TheDaleCo.SWCDvisitedareaschoolsandyouthorganizationsrecentlywiththeirnewestenvironmentaleducationtool,theSoilTunnel.

Thefunactivitysimulatesatripundergroundtoillustratetheimportantfunctionsofsoil.Usingaflashlight,studentscrawlthroughthetunneltoviewimagesandobjectsonthesoiltunnel’swallsandceiling.TheactivityalsoincludesaseparatePowerPointdemonstrationtoenhancetheactivityandteachstudentsabouttheimportanceofsoilinourdailylives.

Fivefunctionsofsoilareaddressed:waterpurifi-cation,plantgrowth,materialsforhumans,habitatfororganisms,andwasterecycling.

CreatingthethreebysixfootwoodenstructurewasacooperativeeffortandwasfundedbyaneducationgrantthroughtheWiregrassRC&D.

GWLongHighSchool’sagri-scienceteacher,Mr.JackHarrisandhisstudentsbuiltthewoodenstructure.CarrollHighSchoolteachers,Ms.LindaDees,environmentalscience;andPamelaNolin,art;

Standing l-r: Dale Co. NRCS DC Joshua Elliott, Wiregrass RC&D Council member Kurt McDaniel, Executive Director James Currington, and Council member Estus Walker; State Representative Steve Clouse, and District Education Specialist Janet Benton. Camp Oz students are also pictured.

Farm Day Held in Cullman County

TheCullmanCo.SWCDparticipatedintheVinemontElementarySchoolFarmDay.Over500studentswerepresentasthestaffcoveredprogramssuchas“WhereDoesitGrow”-discussinghowfarmersplayalargeroleinoureverydaylives,and“WhereOurMilkComesFrom”-whereeachstudentgotthechancetomilkapretendcow.

Therewasalsoademonstrationofacottonginthattaughtstudentshowcottonplaysanimportantpartinoureverydaylives.

andtheirstudentsparticipatedinthetunnel’sdesignandcreation.

JanetBenton,thedistrict’seducationspecialistcommented,“Thisexperiencehasbeenanexcellenteducationalexperienceforthehighschoolstudentsaswell.”TheDaleCo.SWCDthankstheteachersandstudentsforsharingtheirexpertise.Withtheirhelp,thehighqualityeducationaltoolisavailableforuseinourschoolsforyearstocome.

8 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Celebrating Earth Day 2012

Blount County

EarthDaywasagreatdaytogetoutdoorsandlearnabouttheenvironmentandhowthingsareallconnectedandfunctiontogether.ClevelandHighSchoolinvitedtheOneontaSWCD/NRCSstafftoteachWaterTestingandtheEnviroscapeto7th–12thgradescienceclasses.

AttheWaterTestingstation,thestudentswereinstructedonhowtotestfordissolvedoxygenusingasimpletestkitprovidedbytheSWCD.

TheEnviroscapepresentationtaughtstudentsaboutthedrinkingwatercycleinacitysettingtoshowthedifferencebetweenDrinkingWaterTreatmentPlantsandWasteWaterTreatmentPlantsandhowtheyfunction.Inaruralsettingstudentssawthatwatertestingisimportanttomakesurethewellwaterpeopleuseiscleanandsafetodrink.Thestudentsalsolearnedhowsepticsystemsfunctionandwhentheyneedtobecleanedoutandinspected.

EarthDayisadaytoreconnectwiththeenvironment.Itisadaytorememberthatdrinkingwaterdoesn’tjustcomefromafaucetanditdoesn’tjustdisappearwhenitgoesdownthedrain.ThestudentsatClevelandHighSchoollearnedthattheiractionswillhaveeitherapositiveornegativeeffectontheenvironment.

Polly Morris and Mark Butler talked with students about dissolved oxygen testing and how it relates to water quality and a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

Colbert and Lauderdale Counties

ColbertandLauderdaleCountiesSWCDsjoinedforcestoparticipateinthe5thAnnualEarthDayeventonthegroundsoftheColbertCo.Court-house.

Theday-longeventfeaturedenvironmentalmagicianSteveTrashandmanylocalperformers.

Eventhoughtheweatherwascool,thetownsquarewasabuzzwithactivitiesanddisplaysfrommanyconservationgroups.

DACsBrendaHand(LauderdaleCo.)andEttaMask(ColbertCo.)staffedabooth.

Teachers and others appreciated the posters and other hand outs that the SWCD/NRCS provided.

7th-12th graders view the Enviroscape presentation.

9 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Water Festivals

(l-r) Yarbrough Elementary teacher Ms. Kaye, John Wild (A-O Tourism Bureau), t-shirt winning designer-4th grader Lisa Park, Liesa Simpson (City of Auburn), and Paul Cash (Environmental Magician).

Madison County Drinking Water Festival

MadisonCo.DACKathyWalkersaidthe15thannualDrinkingWaterFestivalinHuntsvillewasacompletesuccess.“Foronce,”shesaid,“therewasnodrama.”Shealsoindicatedthattheweatherparticipatedandwasgorgeousforachange.

ThefestivalwasheldinMayattheUniversityofAlabamainHuntsvilleintheSpraggin’sHallGymnasiumwhere22schoolswith1,600studentsparticipated.Sixty-sixvolunteershelpedregister,teach,andguidestudentsthroughtheactivities.Whenteachersregisteredtheirclasstheychosethreeactivitiesfortheirstudentsfromfivedifferentactivities:CaveShrimp,Filtration,WetlandsMetaphors,Watersheds,andWellinaCup.

Lee County Water Festival The9thAnnualLeeCo.WaterFestivalwasdeemedasuccessbythemorethan1,700,4thgradestudentsandtheirteacherswhoattendedthisyear’sfreeeventinMayatAU’sHaleyCenter.Participatingstudents,teachers,andvolunteersreceiveda“MakeEveryDropCount”t-shirtthatwasdesignedby4thgraderLisaParkfromYarbroughElementarySchool.

WithintheclassroomsofHaleyCenter,thestudentsrotatedbetweenthreeeducationalactivitiestohelpthemunderstandtheimportanceofcleanwater.Inoneactivity,studentslearnedaboutthewatercyclebymakingbraceletswithbeadsrepresentingtheperpetualchainofevaporation(andtranspiration),condensation,precipitation,andcollection.TheylearnedthatthesamewaterhasbeenonEarthmillionsofyearsandthelimitedamountofwaterkeepsgoingaroundandaroundinwhatiscalledthe“WaterCycle.”

Inanotherclasssetting,studentsmadeedibleaquifers.Usingicecream,clearcola,andsprinklestorepresenttheaquifer(undergroundwatersource),andstrawstosimulateapump,thestudentscreatedatasty,hands-onillustrationofhowvariouscontami-nantspollutethewatersource.

Inathirdsession,thestudentslayeredsandandotheritemstosimulatethenaturalwaterfiltrationsystem.

TheeventwastoppedoffbytheEnvironmentalMagicianPaulCash.

Students listened and learned as instructors talked about soil and water conservation at the Madison Co. Drinking Water Festival.

10 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Alabama Earth Team Volunteers Shine

ETVs Honored in Madison CountySeniorcitizensarevaluableassetsasvolunteers.TheMadisonCo.SWCD/NRCSlocalofficereapsgreatbenefitsbecauseoftwoETVs:BertieWeitzel,86yearsofage,andInezWhiddon,77.

WeitzelsaidsheenjoysthetimeshegivesasanETV.ShehelpsotherseniorsatAgapeAssistedLivingFacilitywithoneofKathy’s,MadisonCo.DAC,signatureconservationcrafts,thesoilbaby.Weitzelsharesherconservationconcernsandmakessurethatalloftheresidents,includingthoseinwheelchairs,areabletoparticipate.

Whiddonandherhusbandassistswithteacherworkshopsandtheannual“ChangingFaceofAgriculture”tours.Whiddonsaid,“ItmakesmewanttobeyoungagainsoIcanfarm.ItisamazingtolearnwhatcanbedoneandwhattheMadisonCo.staffdoestohelptheenvironment.IlearnwhileIamvolunteering.”

Kathyhopestheeffortoftheseladieswillencourageotherstosignupasvolunteers.Shesaid,“WeenjoyworkingwithourEarthTeamVolunteers.TheyarevitaltotheHuntsvillefieldoffice.Theytellmetheylookforwardtohelpingandalwaysgetmorebackthantheygive.”

Cash Promotes ConservationThePaulCashEnvironmentalMagicShowhasbeenanexcitingadditionattheLeeCo.WaterFestivalforyears.Childrencanbarelycontaintheirgleeastheywatchtheshow.

Thisspringhemadeitevenmoreexciting--heperformedadditionalshowsasanEarthTeamVolunteer(ETV)alongwithLeeCo.ETVAnneMiller.PaulCashtookhisshowtoBeauregardElementarySchool,LeeCo.DevelopmentCenterinOpelika,HorseshoeBendElementarySchoolinNewSite,AL,andD.C.WolfElementaryinShorter,AL.BeauregardElementarywastheonlyLeeCo.schoolthatcouldnotattendthisyear’swaterfestival,soPaulandAnnetooktheWaterFestivaltothem.The4thgradersweregivenWaterCycleBraceletstoputtogetherandAnntalkedtothemabouttheconservationmeaningofthebeadcolors.

Itisagreatopportunityforstudentstolearnabouttheenvironmentandwatercycle,andhowtoprotecttheworldtheylivein.Theytakehomeinformationaboutconser-vationtotheirparents—dailyhouseholdthingstheycandothemselvestoconservewater.

LeeCo.NRCS/SWCDwasproudtohavePaulasanETVtopromotehisconservationmessagethroughhismagicshow.

Paul Cash (r) developed his magic show about 15 years ago when he performed for WorldFest, Los Angeles’ largest Earth Day festival. The purpose of the show is to educate children about beneficial environmental practices while entertaining them.

Madison Co. SWCS/NRCS is honored to recognize these ETVs, not because of their age, but because of their commitment and dedication to volunteering. (l-r) Madison Co. DC Anthony Hudson; ETVs Bertie Weitzel and Inez Whiddon; and Madison Co. SWCD DAC Kathy Walker.

Anthonysaid,“Teachingtheimportanceofsoilandwaterwithlotsofhands-onactivitiesisachallengewithoutextrahandstohelp.Weappreciatethehelpthatthesetwoindividualsgivetheconservationeffort.”

11 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Tuskegee University Scholar’s Program

Outreach News from Alice Love

Dr. Walter Hill, Dean, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences (CAENS) at Tuskegee University signs a Cooperative Agreement Extension (Scholars Program) between Tuskegee University and Alabama NRCS.

This program targets students within CAENS majoring in natural resources, agriculture, or other closely related science. Alice Love serves as the Technical Liaison for this agreement which has been in effect since 2008.

Locally grown watermelons were a part of the Black Belt Community Foundation 2012 Extravaganza – “Taking What We Have, To Make What We Need!” Alice Love participated in this event as part of NRCS outreach.

Demetris Johnson participated in the Scholar’s Program. He is instrumental in promoting the program and sharing his NRCS summer work experiences with fellow classmates. He recently gave a presentation entitled, “The Effects of the 2010 Oil Spill on Migratory Birds.”

Demetris now works full-time as a Soil Conservationist with NRCS in Ozark, AL.

Tuskegee University and conservation partners welcomed new and returning students to the College of Agriculture for the Fall 2012 Semester.

Alice Love staffed a display during registration where inter-ested students received information about NRCS career opportunities.

12 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Alabama Women In Agriculture Chapter hosts their quarterly meeting in Tuskegee, AL. Tammy Steele, Executive Director from Oklahoma City, (3rd from left in white shirt) attended. Alice Love is an NRCS outreach advisor to the chapter.

Assisting Farmers. (l-r) Khalia Giles, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician, Macon Co., AL , helps New and Beginning Farmer Kathy Nelms enroll in USDA financial assistance.

Alabama NRCS State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett meets with summer interns after their presentations to the state office staff prior to their return to designated univer-sities for the 2012-13 academic school year.

Alabama NRCS Reaches Out to Community-Based Leader

NRCSSTCDr.WilliamPuckettandASTC-FOEastRichardColliermetwithBarbaraShipman,attheCottageHouseinBarbourCo.Thegrouptalkedaboutruralcommunities,outreach,andhowtoenhanceservicestocustomers.

OnethingmentionedbyMs.Shipmanwastheneedforasystemtoinstallmicro-irrigationplasticultureinherarea.Manyproducersfindithardtolocatetheequipmentneededtoinstallthepractice.

TheNRCSagencyleadersinformedMs.ShipmanoftheassistanceavailablethroughthelocalNRCSfieldofficesandlocalpartners.

Ms.Shipmanthankedtheleadersformeetingwithherandfortheopportunitytoaddressconcernsinhercommunity.

(l-r) ASTC-FO Richard Collier, Mrs. Shipman, and Alabama NRCS STC Dr. William Puckett talk about community outreach.

13 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Thomaston Conservation PartnershipBy Alice Love, Agricultural Outreach Liaison, Auburn, AL

AlabamaconservationpartnerssponsoredatrainingworkshoponSeasonalHighTunnels(hoophouses),apilotprogramofferedthroughtheEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP).TheworkshopwasattheAlabamaRuralHeritageCenterlocatedinThomaston,AL.SponsoringpartnersincludedNRCS,RC&D,AlabamaCooperativeExtensionSystem(ACES),TuskegeeUniversity,andAlabamaRuralHeritageCenter.

Theprogramincludedhoophousedesign,wateringdevices,plantingtechniques,anddiseasecontrol.NRCSpersonneldiscussedfinancialassistanceavailablethroughEQIP.

AttendeesgainedfirsthandknowledgeofhoophouseoperationsfromJeanMilesandCarolEichelberger,SouthernSustainableAgricultureWorkingGroupmembers.Theyencouragedpartici-pantstolearnaboutareamarketsandconsiderbecomingaproducerwithCommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA).

VictorKhan,TuskegeeUniversityResearcher/PlantBreeder,presentedhoophouseresearchthathestartedinthe1990s.Hediscussedtheimportanceofthelayouttogainmaximumnaturalbenefits(lightinganddirectsunforheatingpurposes,etc.).Heacknowledgedthatcropsgrowninhoophousescanbeeasilymanagedwithimprovedcropqualityandreduceduseofpesticides.Healsostateditislaborintensive,soitisimportanttoplantcropstomaximizeincomebasedonmarketdemand.

JamesMiles,ACES,informedtheattendeesofessentialelementstowatchinhoophouseproduc-tionssuchassoiltemperatures,balancingphlevels,moisturemethods(dripheadsanddriptapes),fertilizers,andsecuringproperdrainageofsite.

Theattendeesvisitedahoophouseduringtheworkshop.ContractorsfromtheUnitedChristianCommunityAssociationinstalledthehoophousefortheworkshopandwereavailabletoaddressconstructioninquiries.

John Lewis, NRCS Wilcox Co. Soil Conservation Technician, informs participants of EQIP incentive payments and hoop house design criteria.

About 60 participants attended the workshop.

National Women in Ag Association Symposium - Tuskegee University

l-r: Dr. William Puckett, NRCS; Dr. Walter Hill, TU; and Daniel

Robinson, Farm Service Agency, spoke during the meeting.

Alice Love and Barbara Shipman.

The2ndAnnualNewGenerationSymposiumforthisnationalagriculturaloutreachassociationwasheldattheKelloggCenteronTuskegeeUniversity(TU)inApril2012.Thesymposiumtargeted“GrowingCharacter,Health,andIncomefromtheGroundUp.”

14 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

EmployeesandguestsmetinthestateofficeconferenceroominFebruarytocelebrateBlackHistoryMonth.Thethemethisyearwas“BlackWomeninAmericanCultureandHistory.”

StateConservationistDr.WilliamPuckettwelcomedthegroup,followedbyGregDansby,BlackEmphasisProgramManager.OtherscontributingtotheprogramwereSylviaLong,AliceLove,MartyBright-Rivera,AldenHarris,andDarnaeHopkins.

Theeventendedwithaluncheonofsoulfoodfavoritesthathighlightedsoutherncookingatitsbest.

Black History Month

AccessionsZackeryHayes,SoilScientist,Normal,Feb12DarnaeHopkins,SoilScientist,Auburn,Feb12DemetrisJohnson,SoilCon,Ozark,Jun12ErikaJustiniano-Velez,AgEng,GroveHill,Jan12SteveLloyd,SoilConTech,Evergreen,Jul12JessicaMills,AgEng,Guntersville,Jun12CooperNichols,SoilScientist,Auburn,May12ChristopherStory,SoilConTech,Huntsville,Oct11CodieYelverton,SoilCon,Livingston,Jan12

PromotionsAlbertoAtienza-Reyes,AgEng,Troy,Aug12WilliamBodiford,SoilConTech,Monroeville,Nov11JessicaCleveland,SoilConTech,Athens,Sep12J.FrankCochran,SoilCon,Linden,Feb12LuisCruz-Arroyo,DistCon,Jackson,Feb12GregoryDansby,AsstStateCon(FO),Decatur,Jul12JamesDawson,SoilConTech,Autaugaville,Mar12JeremyEdmonds,SoilConTech,Scottsboro,Jun12DavidElliott,ProgAnal,Brewton/Atmore,Nov11MichelleFloyd,SoilCon,Jackson,Jul12JasonForrester,HumanRes.Asst,Auburn,May12ChristopherJoe,DistCon,Tuskegee,May12AlexanderJohnson,SoilCon,AlexCity,Aug12RobertKerr,SoilConTech,Talladega,Mar12JesiKing,SoilConTech,Auburn,Jan12JoyceLane,DistCon,Athens,Sep12JohnLewis,SoilConTech,Camden,Jan12ScottyNoles,SoilConTech,Wedowee,Oct11KennethParham,SoilCon,Carrollton,Feb12NancyReagan,HumanRes.Spec.,Auburn,Apr12AdamSconyers,SoilCon,Geneva,Jan12JeanSparks,ContractSpecialist,Auburn,Jul12SheaStrickland,SoilConTech,Abbeville,Jul12AdamThreatt,SoilConTech,Troy,Aug12JoshuaTilley,SoilCon,Vernon,Mar12JaredWorthington,SoilConTech,Greensboro,Jan12

Reassignments JefferyAllred,AgEng,Bessemer,Mar12FrankCochran,SoilCon,Linden/BayMinette,Jan12CharlesMcAlpine,OutreachCoord.,Auburn,Oct11

ResignationsDetraBoutwell,SoilCon,Brewton,Jun12William“Blake”Ray,SoilConTech,Auburn,Jun12HeidiRichards,RC&DCoord,Birmingham,Oct11LydiaSmith,SoilConTech,Mobile,Jun12

PersonnelRetirementsJamesCurrington,RC&DCoord,Ozark,Jul11JamesHyde,SoilConTech,Evergreen,Jun11JudyHill,AsstStateCon(FO),Decatur,Jun12EddieMay,RC&DCoordinator,Oxford,Jul11LarryMcCray,AgrlEngineer,Tuscaloosa,Dec11CharlieMeek,RC&DCoord,Tuscumbia,Aug11MikeRoden,RC&DCoord,Decatur,Jul11DerylSharp,SoilConTech,Huntsville,Aug11LynnThomas,ContractingOfficer,Auburn,Feb11

TransfersJamieCarpenter,fromDistCon,AthenstoASTC-FO,Atlantic,Iowa,Jul12JoshHalpin,SoilCon,AndalusiatoRangelandMgmtSpec,Montana,Jun12GwendolynLewis,fromDistCon,TuskegeetoU.S.ForestService,Jan12

Bob Thompson,retiredheadoftheWaterResourcesStaffpassedaway,January2012.

Jeffery Ethridge,formerHenryCo.SoilConservationTechnician,diedinMay2011athishomeinHouston,Texas.Hewas52.

Karen Hayes,DistrictAdministrativeCoordinator,inMarshallCo.,diedFebruary2012,attheageof45.

Guest speaker, Dr. Sophia Bracy Harris, Executive Director of the Federation of Child Care Center of Alabama, (FOCAL) spoke to the group about the contributions of black women in America.

In Sympathy

15 www.al.nrcs.usda.govCurrent Developments - September 2012

Alabama Chapter of the SWCS wins the Outstanding Chapter Award

TheAlabamaChapterofSWCSwontheOutstandingChapterAwardforthethirdyearinarow.EarlNortonwasatthe67thConferenceinFt.Worth,TX,inJulytoreceivetheawardthatwasgiveninrecognitionofaccomplishmentsoftheAlabamaChapterduring2011tocarryouttheSWCSgoalsandobjectives.

NortongaveapresentationattheAwardWinningChaptersbreakoutsession.HehighlightedtheAlabamaChapter’s30YearsofActivities1982–2012.Itemshementionedincluded:•thechapter’ssupportoftheCertifiedProfessionalErosionandSedimentControl•threestudentchapters(AuburnUniversity,AlabamaA&MUniversity,andTuskegeeUniversity)•successfulannualmeetings•thestatewideerosionandsedimentcontrolprogramincludinghandbooksandtheClearWaterAlabamaSeminarsandFieldDays•brochuresandinformationmadeavailabletothoseinterestedinsoilandwaterconservation.

Alabama SWCD Delegation Attends Training

DACsRhondaBryars(BaldwinCo.),ChastityPettis(EscambiaCo.)andEttaMask(ColbertCo.)attendedProgressiveAgDayTrainingFebruary2012inWiggins,MS,onthe7-LFarm.

ThistrainingisrequiredforallcoordinatorswhoplantohaveaProgressiveAgDayin2012.Itwasagreattimeoflearningandsharing.

Next Issue

Submissions for Current Developments, potential success stories, and news releases are welcomed, and appreciated anytime.

Contact Communications, Marketing, and Outreach (CMO) staff with questions or submissions by e-mail:

AL-nrcs-publicinfo@one.usda.gov.

ALABAMADr. William PuckettStateConservationist

Julie YatesDirectorofCMO

Fay Garner

PublicAffairsSpecialist

Alice LoveAgriculturalOutreachLiaison

TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)prohibitsdiscriminationagainstitscustomers.IfyoubelieveyouexperienceddiscriminationwhenobtainingservicesfromUSDA,participatinginaUSDAprogram,orparticipatinginaprogramthatreceivesfinancialassistancefromUSDA,youmayfileacomplaintwithUSDA.InformationabouthowtofileadiscriminationcomplaintisavailablefromtheOfficeoftheAssistantSecretaryforCivilRights.USDAprohibitsdiscriminationinallitsprogramsandactivitiesonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,age,disability,andwhereapplicable,sex(includinggenderidentityandexpression),maritalstatus,familialstatus,parentalstatus,religion,sexualorientation,politicalbeliefs,geneticinformation,reprisal,orbecauseallorpartofanindividual’sincomeisderivedfromanypublicassistanceprogram.(Notallprohibitedbasesapplytoallprograms.)

Tofileacomplaintofdiscrimination,complete,sign,andmailaprogramdiscriminationcomplaintform,availableatanyUSDAofficelocationoronlineatwww.ascr.usda.gov,orwriteto:USDA,OfficeoftheAssistantSecretaryforCivilRights,1400IndependenceAvenue,SW.,Washington,DC20250-9410,Orcalltollfreeat(866)632-9992(voice)toobtainadditionalinformation,theappropriateofficeortorequestdocuments.Individualswhoaredeaf,hardofhearing,orhavespeechdisabilitiesmaycontactUSDAthroughtheFederalRelayserviceat(800)877-8339or(800)845-6136(inSpanish).USDAisanequalopportunityprovider,employer,andlender.Personswithdisabilitieswhorequirealternativemeansforcommunicationofprograminformation(e.g.Braille,largeprint,audiotape,etc.)shouldcontactUSDA’sTARGETCenterat(202)720-2600(voiceandTDD).

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURENATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

P.O. Box 311Auburn, Alabama 36831-0311

334-887-4500http://www.al.nrcs.usda.gov

Official BusinessPenalty for Private Use, $300

Rhonda Bryars (Baldwin), Chastity Pettis (Escambia) and Etta Mask (Colbert).