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GIBSON COUNTY

SOIL AND WATER

CONSERVATION DISTRICT 

1252 Manufacturers Row, Trenton, Tennessee 38382
731-855-0023 Ext 3

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News Release

USDA NRCS Announces Funding Opportunity to
Adopt Conservation Practices through Initiatives and Special Projects
Deadline for Applications is Friday, November 2, 2018

TRENTON, September 28, 2018 - The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is announcing a funding opportunity through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to facilitate the adoption of conservation practices for several of the NRCS National Initiatives and Special Projects. To be considered in this fiscal year (FY) 2019 first funding cycle, applications must be received by Friday, November 2, 2018.

“While we accept applications for this program on a continuous basis, only the applications received by November 2 will be considered for funding this fiscal year,” said Sheldon Hightower, Tennessee NRCS State Conservationist. “This early sign-up places a priority on water quality, water conservation, and promotes soil health practices by offering assistance to landowners to address resource concerns on eligible agricultural land.”

EQIP is an incentives-based program that provides technical and financial assistance to eligible private landowners for conservation systems such as animal waste management facilities, irrigation system efficiency improvements, fencing, and water supply development for improved grazing management, riparian protection, and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Projects to be considered for this early funding cycle include:

• Mississippi River Basin Initiative: To address water quality concerns and agricultural sources of nutrients and sediment, NRCS works with farmers and conservation partners to implement conservation practices that help trap sediment and reduce nutrient runoff to improve the overall health of the Mississippi River.

 News Release 10 2 18 Pic
 
Interested applicants must meet the specific funding pool’s required criteria to be considered for funding in this early signup. EQIP applications submitted after the cut-off date of November 2, 2018 will be accepted on a continuous basis and may be considered for funding at a later date in the fiscal year.

For more information about signing up for EQIP please visit the Trenton USDA Service Center (1252 Manufacturers Row, Trenton, TN 38382). For more information about Tennessee NRCS, visit the website at www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov.

 

 

 

New District Technician

Trenton Field Office Welcomes Luke Hemby

The Gibson County Soil Conservation District is proud to announce the newest addition to the Trenton Field Office, Mr. Luke Hemby. Luke was hired on as the new District Technician in August. We are very excited and know that Luke will be an asset for the Trenton Field Office and the producers of Gibson County.

Luke is a native of Gates, Tennessee and a 2012 graduate from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a degree in Agriculture. He has spent the last 4 years working as a District Technician for the Lauderdale County Soil Conservation District. In Luke’s free time, he enjoys raising horses, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and being a pickup man in saddle bronc and bareback riding competitions at rodeos.

               

Gibson County Fair Booth 2019

Gibson County Soil Conservation District Takes Home Blue Ribbon

 


The Gibson County Soil Conservation District along with NRCS participated in the 164th Gibson County Fair by displaying an exhibit that won first place. The theme of the Gibson County Fair was Let The Good Times Grow. The booth displayed this theme well by incorporating agriculture into a fun environment for children and adults to enjoy. Many of the props were made by Mr. Hill Rodgers, retired GCSCD technician. Pamphlets and other handouts were provided at the exhibit to offer education on conservation to a non-traditional audience.

 

 

Soil Conservation District Technician Position

The Gibson County Soil Conservation District is accepting application for the Soil Conservation District Technician Position. This position is responsible for field work activities to plan and implement conservation practices, and to assist with the daily operation of the GCSCD. Extensive field work is required in a variety of adverse weather conditions.  Job related duties require thorough knowledge of soil conservation practice standards and specifications. Strong organizational, interpersonal, and decision-making skills are necessary to perform job duties. Employee must have sufficient physical strength (Ability to lift 50+ pounds, extensive walking, etc.) and agility to perform field related activities in a variety of adverse weather conditions. Minimum required qualifications include: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent; Must be proficient with Windows based computer software (Microsoft Office Software Suite etc.); Possession of a valid driver’s license and demonstrate a safe driving record.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Engineering Technology, Soil and Water Conservation or closely related field is preferred, but not required. Agricultural background is preferred. GIS Experience is preferred. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, July 31, 2018 or until a qualified applicant is selected.

Soil Conservation District Technician Description

Soil Conservation District Technician Application

EQIP DEADLINE

USDA NRCS in Tennessee Now Accepting FY 2018 EQIP Applications
Application Deadline: Friday, November 17, 2017

 Producers in Tennessee who are interested in implementing conservation practices to improve natural resources on their farmland have until Friday, November 17, 2017 to submit their application for financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“We accept applications for this program on a continuous basis, however only the applications received by November 17th will be considered for funding this fiscal year,” said NRCS Acting Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, Kelly German. “EQIP places a priority on water
quality, water conservation, and promotes soil health practices by offering financial and technical assistance to address these resource concerns on eligible agricultural land.”

EQIP is an incentives-based program that provides technical and financial assistance for conservation systems such as animal waste management facilities, irrigation system efficiency improvements, fencing, and water supply development for improved grazing management, riparian
protection, and wildlife habitat enhancement.


Applications can be taken at all Tennessee NRCS county offices and USDA Service Centers. To locate an office near you, please click on this link: USDA Service Center. Applications MUST be received in your local Service Center by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2017

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NRCS continually strives to put conservation planning at the forefront of its programs and initiatives. Conservation plans provide landowners with a comprehensive inventory and assessment of their resources and an appropriate start to improving the quality of soil, water, air, plants, and
wildlife on their land.

Conservation planning services can also be obtained through a Technical Service Provider (TSP) who will develop a Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) to identify conservation practices needed to address a specific natural resource need. Typically, these plans are specific to certain kinds of
land use, such as transitioning to organic operations, grazing land, or forest land. CAPs can also address a specific resource need, such as a plan for management of nutrients. Although not required, producers who first develop a CAP for their land use, may use this information in
applying for future implementation contracts.


To find out more about EQIP, fill out the eligibility forms, or obtain an application, visit the
Tennessee NRCS website.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
NEWS RELEASE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
675 U.S. Courthouse
801 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37205
Contact: Katherine K. Burse, 615-277-2533
Web: http://www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov

Timely Tips July 2017

Timely Tips, July 2017

Mike Hubbs, Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts (TACD) Soil Health Specialist

Edited by Pat Turman and Greg Brann, NRCS

Infiltration is the process of water entering the soil. Infiltration rate is a measure of how fast water enters the soil. Water entering too slowly may lead to ponding on level fields or to erosion from surface runoff on sloping fields. Reducing erosion and runoff also reduce surface runoff of fertilizers and chemicals such as herbicides. Fertilizers and herbicides are agronomic inputs to assist farmers in producing productive and profitable yields. The objective of applying nutrients and herbicides and other chemicals are to benefit the plant. If the inputs runoff, it is a loss to the farmer and the environment.

Plants need water and sunshine to produce crop yield. Infiltration is dependent on soil type, soil organic matter and aggregate stability or soil structure. As farmers utilize conservation practices that increase soil organic matter, soil health indicators such as soil structure, aggregate stability, and infiltration will also improve.

Rainfall simulators have become quite common in Tennessee. NRCS uses them to demonstrate how cover crops, no-till, and good grazing practices improve infiltration and reduces erosion. Below is an example of rainfall simulator at Milan No-till Experiment Station on Soil Health Plots.

Timely TipsJuly2017

 The five trays used were from five treatments left to right, no-till only, NT wheat only, NT cereal rye and crimson clover, NT five-way mix consisting of cereal rye, wheat, crimson clover, daikon radish, and purple top turnip, and NT cereal rye and vetch. Rainfall simulations were run multiple times totaling 3" of water. All trays had good soil structure due to long-term no-till. As you can see by the back jugs showing infiltration, the 5-way mix infiltrated the best.

In another demonstration, the picture below shows minimum tillage (it is still tillage),

no-till, over grazed pasture, conventional tillage tobacco with an excellent cover crop, and good grazing. Note that the good cover crop and the good grazed grass infiltrated and had little runoff compared to other treatments which had high runoff and poor infiltration.

Timely TipsJuly2017 2

 So, all that is demonstration. Let’s put this to the test to real field conditions and real rainfall. Matt Griggs who is featured as the Number 3 in the Profiles of Soil Health Heroes on tnacd.org and also Matt Griggs update Profiles of Heroes. Matt recently sent me pictures in a rainstorm at his farm, true dedication

Cover crops add more carbon and increases soil biology that increases better aggregates which results in much greater soil structure, pore space, thus better infiltration rates. Pictures below show long-term no-till with standing water, four years plus of cover crops and no-till with great infiltration, and the bottom picture show where the two plots come together. A picture is worth a thousand words. Cover crops with no disturbances from tillage improve soil function, such as here, infiltration.

Timely TipsJuly2017 3                                                      Timely TipsJuly2017 4

                          20 year No-till                                                                          2nd year with No-till with high biomass cover crop

 

Timely TipsJuly2017 5

                                                                         No-till alone on the left and No-till with cover on the right

Soil health is improved by not disturbing the soil, keeping a root growing, keeping the soil covered, and diversity. The demonstrations and real farm application show continuous no-till with cover crops improve the soil’s ability to infiltrate water. Better water infiltration means better efficiency of water use and more stable yields.

Contact your local NRCS office for more information on improving soil health.

NRCS is an equal employment equal opportunity provider

 

 

Tennessee Earth Team LInk

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