chesterfield soil & water conservation district...chesterfield swcd 2010 annual report page 2...

Notable Links

T wo links that we have previously

seen in our reports are the Web Soil

Survey (WSS) located online:

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov and

our own district webpage located online

at www.chesterfieldswcd.com. The WSS

enables online access to soil surveys as

an alternative to traditional hardcopy

publication and provides the means for a

quicker delivery of information. In addi-

tion to the soils information, users can

also access crop yield information, for-

estry site indexes, septic tank suitability

and soil limitations.

The District also has information avail-

able on the web. It includes office infor-

mation as well as any programs that are

currently underway. Workshop forms

and contest information is also posted

when applicable.

Soil & Water

Conservation

District

Ch

est

er

fi

el

d

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. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

Assistance & Partnership

P artnerships with local agencies allow the

SWCD to accomplish their annual goals.

Thanks to Clemson University Extension Service,

the USDA-Farm Service Agency, the SC Depart-

ment of Natural Resources, and the USDA-

Natural Resource Conservation Service for their

assistance with our programs.

Our services are open to all landowners with

natural resource (air, animal, plant, soil or wa-

ter) questions or concerns. Our staff is avail-

able to help develop a conservation plan, design

livestock watering areas (wells, tanks, pipeline),

engineer practices such as terraces and water-

ways, or help with optimal placement of live-

stock feeding and heavy use areas. We also ad-

minister Farm Bill programs such as EQIP, GRP,

CRP, CSP etc. There is no obligation to the

landowner. We work together to help YOU find

ways to manage your property within your

means, both financially and physically.

Chesterfield SWCD 106 Scotch Rd. Chesterfield, SC 29709-1728 843-623-2187 ext. 3 - Phone 843-623-2311 - fax http://www.chesterfieldswcd.com

6 Chesterfield SWCD 2010 Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2010 Conservation Farmer of the Year 1

Cost Share Programs 3

No-Till Drill 4

Affiliate Membership 5

Awards & Recognition Banquet 6

USDA/NRCS News 8

SWCD Commissioners & Staff 10

Poster Contest 12

SC Commissioners School for Ag 13

Photo Contest 14

SCACD Poster Contest 15

2009-2010 NACD Photo Contest 15

New Contest Dates & Themes 15

Links & Assistance 16

Chesterfield

Soil & Water Conservation District

2010 Annual Report

Chesterfield SWCD 2010 Annual Report

By: Susan Griggs

C onsisting of 319 acres, the

Carolina Nature Conservancy

is a privately owned agricultural

operation devoted to the produc-

tion of organic livestock. Cattle,

sheep, and goats are not only

raised as commercial products, but

are used to manage the land for

the improvement of wildlife habitat

and the control of invasive species

such as Chinese Privet Hedge.

Following the wishes of the Pe-

ques’ parents who founded the op-

eration in 1989, the family oper-

ates the farm without the use of

commercial fertilizers, chemicals,

or parasite control agents. The

primary goal is to return the land

to a permanent condition that

closely resembles the property

prior to European settlement, in-

cluding open grasslands and

sparsely wooded areas that were grazed by buffalo and other roaming herds.

Paxton and his children Rachael, Spencer, and Lanier move their animals to a different

grazing area at least once a day to maximize forage production and avoid over grazing of

any one area. By doing

so, water quality is pro-

tected and the plant

community is returning

to its native condition.

Conservation practices

such as a well, watering

facilities, fences, organic

nutrient and pest man-

agement and prescribed

grazing have been im-

plemented to assist the

Pegues achieve their

ultimate goal. L to R above- Olivia & Rachel Pegues, Dwight Johnson; SWCD Chairman, Paxton, daughter-in-law Kayler; and son Lanier. Left: Rachel

Clockwise from top left- Paxton; Spencer; Spencer and Rachel move tempo-rary fence as livestock waits to be moved.

Page 15 Chesterfield SWCD 2010 Annual Report

By: Sharon Workman

2009 and 2010 NACD Photo Contest Results

W hitney Atkinson was the 2009 Chesterfield SWCD’s First Place Photo Entry in the

Jr. Category. Her entry (cow, shown below) to the 2009 NACD Photo Contest

won first place in the national photo contest.

Whitney’s 2010 SWCD Photo Entry (butterfly, shown below) won First place in the

Sr. Category. Her entry to the 2010 NACD Photo Contest won Honorable Mention in

the national photo contest. Great Job!

2010 SCACD State Poster Contest

T he 2010 SCACD State Poster Contest was judged at the SCACD Mid-Year Session, and

was held October 12, 2010 at the SC Farm Bureau in Cayce, SC by the SCACD Ex-

ecutive Committee. First place in each category received $25 and will be judged at the

NACD National Contest. The results from the Chesterfield SWCD entries were as fol-

lows: Grades: (K-1) Kessler Cutchin-First; (2-3) Samuel Little-First; (4-6) Calvin

McFarlin-Second; (7-9) Calvin Gibson-First; and (10-12) Trent Hutto-First. The pic-

tures of the posters & students are on page 12.


By: Sharon Workman

2010 Photo Contest

T he 2010 Third Annual Chesterfield SWCD Photo Contest photos were displayed and

judged at the Chesterfield YWCA. Photos were entered in two categories: Jr (grades

6-9) and Sr (grades 10-12) with the theme, “Conservation Habits=Healthy Habitats.

Whitney Atkinson and Bethany Heath won the Junior and Senior photo divisions respec-

tively, each receiving $25 and a ribbon. David Atkinson and Tylar Gooden received $15

and a ribbon for their second place in the Junior and Senior divisions respectively.

Schools & teachers represented in the photo contest were Mitchell Bayerowski of McBee

High School (McBee) and Miranda Helms & Susan Waller of South Point Christian,

(Pageland).

2010 Contest Judges and Sponsors

T he SWCD is able to host the contests because of our faithful sponsors. Chesterfield

sponsors include Carolina Eastern, Farm Bureau, Soil & Water Conservation

District, Grits and Groceries, and Susan Griggs Photography and Design. Jeffer-

son sponsors include Jenkins Farms and Dwight Johnson. Pageland sponsors include

First Citizens Bank, Hair Flair by Cathy and ShaRay’s Painted Oaks.

Mary Davis, Margaret Dotson and Ashley Hatcher judged the 2010 Poster Contest.

Mary Davis taught Math and Social Studies in North and South Carolina for 25 years.

Mary likes to oil paint. Margaret Dotson has spent the last 30 years teaching Acrylic

Painting, China Painting and Watercolors. She is the art gallery coordinator for the Ches-

terfield Visual Arts Alliance. She has won numerous Best in

Show awards at the NC State Fair. Ashley Hatcher is a

graduate of Cheraw High School and Northeastern Technical

College and is currently employed as a designer for “The Link”

newspaper. Ashley has received many awards from the South

Carolina Press Association.

Below (L-R) Bethany Heath & Whitney Atkinson. Right Atkinson and Heath’s (left) winning entries.


T he USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service is dedicated to preserving Ches-

terfield County’s natural resources. This is accomplished through resource evalua-

tion, planning, education, and in some instances cost-sharing environmental conserva-

tion practices. Some of the programs are outlined below:

Conservation Reserve Program-(CRP) Provides landowners with the opportunity to

retire cropland in environmentally sensitive areas. The continuous sign-up allows for

the establishment of filter strips, riparian buffers, trees, and wildlife areas. Several

thousand acres have been retired from agricultural production and placed in the CRP.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program-(WHIP) Provides financial incentives to de-

velop habitat for wildlife. One of the main objectives with WHIP is to protect or re-

store fish and wildlife habitat to benefit at-risk species. Cost share is available for

practices such as herbaceous weed control, longleaf tree planting, native cover man-

agement, prescribed burning and timber stand improvement.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program-(EQIP) Cost sharing for conservation

practices such as animal waste facilities, erosion control, field borders, livestock man-

agement, and pasture improvement. Provisions for Beginning, Limited Resource, and

Organic Farmers.

Wetland Reserve Program-(WRP) Restore previously drained wetlands. Landown-

ers can establish permanent conservation easements.

Conservation Stewardship Program-(CSP) Recently released in the 2008 Farm

Bill. Provides incentives as a result of past conservation activity accomplishments. It

also encourages producers to enhance their operations by implementing additional

conservation activities in addressing natural resource concerns.

Regardless of program application, all potential partici-

pants must meet eligibility requirements prior to apply-

ing for program funding.

To learn more or to develop a conservation plan for

your property, please contact the Chesterfield NRCS

office: 843-623-2187 x3 or email:

Charles Babb: [email protected]

Susan Griggs: [email protected]

Sharon Workman: [email protected]

2011 SWCD

Cost Share Programs

T he Chesterfield Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD)

currently has two programs for landowners in Chesterfield County:

Hill’s Creek Watershed Grant Longleaf Pine Grant

Use the contact information at left to inquire about these programs.

By: Sharon Workman


No-Till: Why Is It Better?

T he Chesterfield SWCD has a John Deere no-till drill that is ideally suited for crop and

pasture improvement practices. The drill is beneficial to farmers who don't have ac-

cess to this type of equipment.

Conservation Tillage, also known as no-till

or reduced till, is a method of growing crops

with minimal soil disturbance.

Traditional tillage disturbs the soil in vari-

ous ways, usually by disking. This is disrup-

tive to earthworms and microbes in addition

to degrading soil structure. The land can

also become compacted below the imple-

ment depth, and wind and water erosion can

occur.

In no-till farming the soil and crop resi-

due is left intact, and reduces the unfavor-

able effects.

Advantages of no-till farming include:

Better Soil Tilth - It builds up a rich layer or organic material on the soil surface. This

increases water infiltration and moisture holding capacity.

Less Erosion - Year-round ground cover can abate erosion by up to 90% compared to

an unprotected, traditionally tilled field.

More Soil Moisture - Crop residues reduce

evaporation from the soil. More soil mois-

ture means more is available to growing

plants.

Reduced Labor and Fuel Needs - As little as

one implement trip for planting compared

to two or more with conventional tillage.

The SWCD no-till drill is rented at a per

acre cost. Reservations can be made at 106

Scotch Rd, Chesterfield, or by phone:

843-623-2187 ext. 3 or e-mail:

[email protected].

By: Sharon Workman

Above– Soybeans are commonly planted no-till.

Above– Specialized no-till equipment is used to plant crops into a cover crop such as wheat or rye.

By: Sharon Workman


C ourtney Threatt from McBee High School was accepted to the South Carolina Commissioners School for Agri-culture (SCCSA) held at Clemson University, July 17-23, 2010. McBee agriculture instructor Pat Earle has

been instrumental in identifying delegates to apply for and attend the SCCSA. Katie Black; Student Relations & Recruitment for Clemson University; said in an e-mail to the Chesterfield SWCD about Courtney, “We absolutely loved Courtney during her time here with SCCSA and I've gotten to know her even better through her time as a SC State FFA Officer. She certainly is another Chesterfield County rockstar!!”

Courtney’s SCCSA 2010 registration was sponsored by: First Citizens Bank (Chesterfield), Marc and Melanie Marsh (Cheraw) and McLeod Farms (McBee). Each summer, top juniors and seniors from around the country gather together for a week at Clemson University to learn about the diverse industries of agriculture and natural resources. These select students participate in academic tours and presentations as well as conduct laboratories and re-search projects. Over 100 students have attended this program since its establishment in 2004.

The SCCSA’s Mission:

SCCSA is a premiere career and leadership summer program. This program is designed to inform, inspire and challenge students to consider a career in the agricultural, natural resource and life science industries as well as to be model citizens of leadership and influence for these industries as they embrace an agriculturalist philosophy.

Students choose from one of three academic tracks

including:

Animal & Veterinary Sciences Horticulture, Turfgrass & Soil Science Forestry, Wildlife and Environmental Science

SC Commissioner’s School for Agriculture

SCCSA Sponsors:

SC Dept of Agriculture

&

Clemson University’s

College of Agriculture,

Forestry & Life Sciences

All the pictures on this page had Courtney Threatt in them: Clockwise from Bottom Left-Courtney is in the Pink Shirt. Top Left-Courtney is in the 1st row, 2nd from the right. Top Right-Courtney was blindfolded w/ white shirt. Bottom right-Courtney has the pink shirt on.


By: Sharon Workman

T he Chesterfield Soil & Water Conservation District (Chesterfield SWCD) held its Third An-

nual Poster Contest for Chesterfield County students. 102 posters were entered from

grades K-12 (K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, & 10-12) with the 2010 theme, “Conservation Habits =

Healthy Habitats”. The posters were on display and judged at the Chesterfield YWCA.

K e s s l e r

Cutchin, Calvin

Gibson, Trent

Hutto, Samuel

Little, & Saxton

McFarlin all won

their divisions at

the district level

and each re-

ceived $25 and a

ribbon. Joey

(JR) Mangum,

Wyatt McAllister,

Adam Parks, &

Samuel Wiggins

all placed sec-

ond, pocketing

$15 and a rib-

bon. Emily Bess,

Cameron Boan,

Philip Robinson,

& Olivia Tucker

placed third, winning $10 and a ribbon.

Devion Funderburk, Tatiyana Freeman,

Casandra Funderburk, & Regine Rivers received

honorable mention ribbons, while participant

ribbons were given to: Carlotta Blakeney,

Elijah Burr, Daneon Crowley, Justin Davis,

Megan Holden, Caleb Jacobs, James Johnson,

Raivaysha Johnson, Kyle Outen, Jerrel Slater,

Tiffany Townsend, Haley Winburn, & Hayley

Wright.

Schools & teachers participating were: Tim

Maye- Central High (Pageland); Valerie Pusser- Chesterfield High & Palmetto Learning Cen-

ter (Chesterfield); Amy Carter, Denise Daves, Dayna Stevens -Edwards Elementary

(Chesterfield); Hannah-Emet Little- Little Bethel Academy-(Jefferson); Mitchell Bayerowski-

McBee High-(McBee); Miranda Helms, Susan Waller- South Pointe Christian (Pageland).

Trent Hutto (below) and his winning 10-12 Grade Place Poster

(Above left) Calvin Gibson & Samuel Little. (Middle) Little’s 2-3 grade winning poster. (Right): Gibson’s 7-9 grade winning posters.

(Below left) Saxton McFarlin, Kessler Cutchin. (Middle) McFarlin’s (4-6 grade) and (Far Right) Cutchin’s (K-1) winning posters.

Long Meadow Farms-Monroe, NC

Lynches River Electric Co-Op - Pageland

Marc & Melanie Marsh-Cheraw

McLeod Farms, Inc.-McBee

Medlin Farms-Mt. Croghan

Joel Mills-Chesterfield

Dr. Jerry Perry, MD-Chesterfield

Phillips Farms - Cheraw

Pigg/Catoe Farms - Jefferson

Roger D Smith Farm - Jefferson

ShaRay’s Painted Oaks-Pageland

Spencer Law Firm - Chesterfield

James Spencer-Cheraw

Susan Griggs Photography

& Design-Chesterfield

Wadesboro Lumber & Barns - Wadesboro, NC

Walking Acres Farm - Ruby

Woodward Farms, - Pageland

Yarbrough Farms - Jefferson

YMCA - Chesterfield

Arbor One - Florence

Bill Ardrey Forestry, Inc - Lancaster

Carolina Eastern - Chesterfield

Russ & Amy Carter - Chesterfield

Cedar Lane Supply, Inc - Pageland

Chesterfield Co. Farm Bureau-Chesterfield

Circle S Ranch, Inc. - Monroe, NC

Douglas machine Shop - Mt. Croghan

CJ Eddins - Cheraw

First Citizens Bank-Chesterfield

First Citizens Bank-Pageland

Founders Federal Credit Union-Lancaster

Gemini services, LLC - Jefferson

Grits & Groceries-Chesterfield

Hair Flair By Cathy-Pageland

High Hope Farms - Pageland

Holley Farms-Jefferson

Jenkins Farms-Jefferson

Dwight Johnson-Jefferson

Ray & Sarah Lear-Chesterfield


T he Chesterfield SWCD is pleased to announce our 2010 Affiliate Members, which area a vital part of our team. With their generous support, we are able to continue our education programs.

The District believes that early conservation education helps students understand the importance of conservation and they will carry these lessons through adulthood. Chesterfield County residents are blessed to have an abundance of natural resources such as air, animals, plants, soil and water. We

must remember that “It is Our Opportunity To Protect and Preserve these Natural Resources”!

We look forward to working with you to as we “Protect and Preserve Our Natural Resources!”

Please Clip & Return How Do You Want Your Membership Listed?

Name ______________________________________Contact Person _________________________

Address _________________________________City, St. Zip ______________________________

Phone # _________________________________________Donation Amount $_________________

E-mail____________________________________________________________________________

$1-$24-Regular, $25-$99-Silver, $100-$249-Gold, $250-$$499-Diamond, $500-Up-Corporate Membership

Return Form to:

106 Scotch Rd. Chesterfield, SC 29709

Make Checks Payable to:

Chesterfield SWCD

Please circle your choice above


Some of the Affiliate Members attending the Banquet: (L-R) Ray Lear, Roger Smith, Calvin Phillips, Michael Nicholson, Billy Jen-kins, William Griggs, Justin Rivers, AC (Kemp) McLeod, Jr., Dwight Johnson, Cathy Casper, Joel Mills & Jerry Woodward.

NRCS & SCDNR Representatives attending the Banquet: (L-R) Ray Lear; retired NRCS, Fred Plyler, Jr; retired NRCS, Daniel Griffin; Soil Conservationist (Marlboro Co.), Justin Rivers; past NRCS, Charles Babb; District Conservationist, Marc Cribb; Program Mgr, for Conservation Districts, & Frank Stephens; Supervisory District Conservationist.

Marc Crib; SCDNR, awarding Sharon Workman; Chesterfield SWCD Administrative Assis-tant an engraved vase from the SC Conservation Districts Employees Association for 10 years of service.

Some of our youth attending the Banquet: (L-R) Whitney & David Atkinson, Courtney Threatt; Samuel Little.

Some of the Teachers attending the Banquet: (L-R) Jane Plyler, Jessica Griffin, Tammy Nicholson, Tim Maye, Pat Earle, Valerie Pusser, Amy Carter, Dana Tucker, Jane Johnson, Robin Threatt, & Olivia Pegues


By: Sharon Workman

By: Sharon Workman

T he South Carolina Association of

Conservation Districts (SCACD)

Mid-Year Session was held October

12, 2010 in Cayce. District Admin-

istrative Assistant Sharon Workman

attended the meeting.

SCACD President Sterling Sadler welcomed com-

missioners and staff as well as representatives from

the USDA-NRCS, SCDNR, and the Farm Bureau. The

delegates attended one of three committee meetings

in session one: Awards, Education & Public Affairs,

or Legislative. In session two, the choices were: District Operations, Forestry, Wildlife &

Recreation, or Land use and Water Quality. Workman attended the Education & Public Af-

fairs Committee and the Forestry, Wildlife & Recreation Committees.

After lunch, the representatives heard committee reports from both sessions. They also

discussed district and partner concerns.

Above: Sessions

one & two of the

Standing Commit-

tee Meetings.

(L-R) Dwight Johnson,

William Griggs & Marc Cribb.

William Griggs Receives 25 Year Faithful Service Award

Chesterfield SWCD Commissioner William Griggs was recognized for 25 years of service at the SWCD 2010 Awards and Recognition Banquet held on March 22, 2011. William went to work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1974 after graduating from Chesterfield High Schoo. In 1976 he be-came a full-time farmer.

In 1983, Griggs was recognized as the Conservation Farmer of the Year for his commitment to conserv-ing natural resources with high levels of erosion control using no-till, terraces, waterways and field bor-

ders. William was one of the first farmers in the county to use contour strip cropping for erosion control.

Marc Cribb; SCDNR; pre-sented William with a lapel pin for his 25 years of service and the Chesterfield SWCD pre-sented William with a plaque.

“Just as we can count on the seasons to change, Ches-terfield County can count on William and his dedication,” said Cribb.

As reported in “The Link” by Leighton Bell

A board of five commission-

ers, (three elected every

four years in the General Elec-

tion and two appointed by the

South Carolina Department of

Natural Resources (SCDNR)),

commits to exercising the rights

and responsibilities of commis-

sioners as spelled out in the Soil

and Water Conservation District

Law, of the South Carolina Code

of Laws.

This law charges conservation districts to provide first-line leadership in prioritizing con-

servation needs. In addition, it charges the district to develop and implement plans to

meet those needs, as well as finding the resources to implement those needs.

The board meets bi-monthly every third Monday at 7:00pm at the District Office.

Commissioners attend various educational and support meetings throughout the year.

In June, SWCD Commissioner Griggs joined USDA-NRCS District Conservationist Charles

Babb; USDA-Farm Service Agency County Executive Director Russ Carter; Clemson Ex-

tension agent Keith Hall; Jerry Mills; owner of Mill’s Farm, Inc. at the Pee Dee Water-

shed local working group meeting.

Representatives from Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon & Marlboro Counties attended the

meeting held at the Landmark Restaurant in Bennettsville, SC. Attendees set priorities

for the “Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)” for the Pee Dee Watershed.

In August, Griggs and Marsh attended the SC Association of Conservation Districts

(SCACD) Leadership Meeting held in Columbia, SC. Sterling Sadler, SCACD President

welcomed commissioners and staff from around the state. Topics discussed included:

SCACD changes, District Networking for Employees, Delivering Conservation Informa-

tion to Land users, and Moving Legislative Issues Forward.

An open board meeting followed with the Conservation Districts’ Leaders Participation.

In September, Marlboro SWCD hosted the 2010 Pee Dee Area Tour & Meeting. Atten-

dees toured either the Palmetto Brick Company or the Marlboro County Historical Mu-

seum, Jennings-Brown House and the new Marian Edelman Public Library. Following a

catered dinner at Moree’s Lodge, Campbell Cox of Carolina Plantation River gave a pres-

entation on rice production. The Pee Dee Area Meeting was held after the presentation.

Chesterfield SWCD commissioners Griggs, Jenkins and Marsh attended.

By: Sharon Workman

Chesterfield SWCD 2010 Annual Report Page 10

2010 Commissioners: (L-R) Billy Jenkins, Dwight Johnson, William Griggs, Marc Marsh.


Left Clockwise: Pat Earle; Ag Instructor-McBee High School speaking about SCCSA workshop and the delegates. Charles Babb speaking about the SWCD and the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Partnership. Dwight Johnson commenting on the importance of the Affiliate Membership. Bottom: 2011 SWCD Commissioners; (L-R) William Griggs; Secretary/Treasurer, Roger Smith & Jack Hurst (both new commissioners), Billy Jenkins; Vice-Chairman, Dwight Johnson; Chairman.

Left: (L-R) Dwight Johnson presenting Paxton Pegues with a plaque for Conservation Farmer of the Year.

Bottom : Attendees at the banquet.

By: Charles Babb


H istorically, the longleaf pine ecosystem cov-ered approximately 90 million acres along the

eastern seaboard and gulf coast states from Vir-ginia to Texas, but only three million acres remain today. The USDA-Natural Resources Conserva-tion Service (NRCS) along with other federal and state agencies are working to reverse this trend.

The habitat of many animals is tied to the longleaf ecosystem. With the fragmentation of existing longleaf forests, species such as the Red Cock-aded Woodpecker, Southern Pine Snake, and the Pine Barrens Tree Frog now warrant special con-cern. Longleaf habitat has also been shown to

provide excellent habitat for quail, turkey and the fox squirrel. Many birds use the longleaf ecosys-tem for feeding and nesting in the grassy under-story.

Throughout the longleaf plantation life span, many products are available for harvest and can provide a steady income, if done responsibly. Raking pine straw can start as early as twelve years after plant-ing, and income averages 200 dollars annually per acre. Most longleaf stands should be thinned be-tween years 20 and 30 with second and third thin-nings producing valuable telephone poles. Pole-quality trees often bring twice the value of saw logs (40+years). Older trees are used for flooring and other value products with trees continuing to mature for centuries.

The NRCS has a high-priority goal to restore long-leaf habitat in the southeast. Through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), eligible land-owners can receive technical and financial support to convert land into longleaf pine habitat. During 2010, the Chesterfield NRCS assisted 32 landown-ers with financial contracts, to restore over 1900 acres.

Funding remains available in 2011.

Above– Immature longleaf pine trees.

Above– Mature longleaf ecosystem

By: Charles Babb


H omeowners have long recognized the value of com-posting to use as soil amendments for vegetable

gardens. Over time, composting creates a rich organic soil that has an improved ability to hold water and provide nutrients for plants. “Organic” gardens stem from the idea that healthier foods can be produced without the addition of commercial fertilizers and chemicals. Families today are increasingly concerned about how their food is pro-duced, and as a result, large-scale organic farming is find-ing a niche in Chesterfield County.

Grocery stores are be-ginning to carry spe-cialty organic foods,

with high demand in metropolitan areas such as Charlotte and Columbia. Chesterfield’s proximity to these larger outlets pro-vides an opportunity for local producers to market organic crops with reduced costs for short distance shipping. Both vegetables, and livestock can be raised and certified as “organic”.

In an effort to support the organic farming initiative, USDA has committed a portion of its technical and financial assistance to help producers who are currently or wish to become certified or-ganic. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can assist farmers install practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, pollinator habitat, pest management, and others. Financial assistance helps offset the higher production costs and

intense labor inputs. Eligibility is generally based on past produc-tion records of agricul-tural products.

To become “certified” as an organic farm, there is extensive record keeping and specific require-ments that must be followed. Clemson Extension can help producers understand the requirements and obtain certification.

Producers interested in cost-share assistance through the

USDA may obtain more information at the local NRCS

office at 843-623-2187 x3.

Above– Organic farmers often plant vegetables into a cover crop to reduce weeds and increase rainwater infiltration.

Above– Livestock can be certified organic if all of the requirements are met.

Above– Crops such as tomatoes can be grown in high-tunnel houses to extend the growing season.

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