Office Hours and Contact Information: New Location-954 E Isabella Rd Midland, MI 48640.

Prepared By: Thurlow, Karen | – MCCD District Manager | FY15-16

Midland County Conservation District

ANNUAL REPORT

We recently moved back into the Midland USDA Service Center.

Hours: Monday & Friday 8:00am-1:00pm or By appointment.

Phone: 989-835-1921 ext.108Karen Cell: 989-430-7374Email:  midlandconservation@macd.org Web Page: http://www.midlandcd.org/ also on Facebook

History of the District The Midland Conservation District is one of 78 Conservation District in Michigan.  Michigan Conservation Districts are “unique” local units of State Government, established to carry out conservation programs. Conservation Districts utilize state, federal, and private sector resources to assist people with the wise use and protection of the natural resources on their lands.

Conservation Districts continually scan the needs of their local communities, work in partnership with others involved in conservation to set local priorities, and develop action plans to solve natural resource problems. The delivery of these efforts by Conservation Districts allows citizens to manage their private lands for a cleaner, healthier Michigan.

The Midland Conservation District is governed by a locally elected, five-member Board of Directors. The Directors make decisions regarding the District’s programs and activities, and hire qualified staff. The staff provide information, technical assistance, workshops, public education, and cost-share opportunities, as well as affordable trees/shrubs to enhance wildlife and reforestation.This district has been on shut down for approx. 3 years and currently working to get re-established in the community.

Current Board of Directors

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Board of Directors:

Karen Thurlow – Administrator/District Manager is a Business Manager, Farmer & Beekeeper. Co-Owner Seed 2 Table, an 11 acre farm featuring Naturally Grown Produce and Vern’s Bees Naturally Produced Honey. Karen is passionate about conservation practices of all types and youth education about farming and conservation.

Justin Pelton- Chairman - Farmer & Mechanical Designer, is a local farmer with his Father at their family farm in Mt. Haley township of Midland county, were they grow row crops; corn, soybeans & wheat.  Justin wants to advance conservation efforts in Midland County and promote agriculture.

Dennis Varner-Vice Chairman- Retired Farm Supply Consultant, Farm owner in Mt Haley Township, Once employed by the Midland Conservation district assisting NRCS in several programs. I have always enjoyed learning about conservation practices. I have valued my time serving on the new Board of Directors and hope to get the support of the landowners and conservation partners to return the District to be successful again.

Mary Johnson –Director holds a BA from the University of Michigan. She is a retired social worker and has been a Master Gardener Volunteer for Michigan State University since 1993. She and her husband own a small, 8 acre, property in Midland County where they grow flowers and vegetables. Gardening, preservation of farm life and the enjoyment of the outdoors are very important parts of her life. As a member of the Midland County Master Gardener Association, she is committed to encouraging good gardening practices and IPM.

Clint Bresbois- Director-Full time farmer in Mt. Haley Township. Farms with his father and raises Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Edible beans along with growing and selling hay for horse farms. Also serves on the board of Directors for the Michigan Farm Bureau. Very dedicated to the farming community and ready to help Midland CD get back on it’s feet.

Jake Terwillegar- Director-Comes from a big farming family in Ingersoll Township where he works several acres along with many family members. Wants to help return the District to a fully functioning organization helping with conservation concerns in Midland County.

We are working hand in hand with the

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NRCS Office.

Boyd Byelich has worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service for 24 years, in the states of Michigan, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. He has degrees in fisheries and wildlife management from Lake Superior State and grazing management from Montana State. Much of his work experience has been with livestock grazing management, wildlife habitat, forestry, and diversified agricultural enterprises. His family raises beef cattle near Harrisville, MI. Currently working as the conservationist in the Midland USDA/NRCS office.

Aisha Armstrong was born in Memphis, TN and grew up in the small town of Coldwater, MS. As a child was introduced to farming, crop growing and agriculture from her grandparents. Graduated Valedictorian from Coldwater High School in 2011, she received the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1890/Land Grant National Scholarship to attend a participating university. Has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture: Agronomy (Plant/Soil Science) from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) on May 9, 2015. She began working as a Soil Conservationist for the USDA/NRCS in September 2015 at the Midland Field Office.

Natural Resource Concerns

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We are currently working on different natural resource needs within the District and actively seeking input for solutions from our resource assessment.A Resource Survey is being conducted at this point.Please go to our web site and fill it out. Email it back to help us understand your conservation concerns.We want to be an example of conservation management by practicing applicable conservation methods and promoting the ethic of good resource stewardship among all residents.

People Assisted and Practices Established HAP ProgramJoan Timmer HAP Participant states “ HAP program serves to help pay my taxes and insurance on my farm. Further it serves to provide a resource so young people can learn to hunt in an area that is not overcrowded with other hunters. Good sportsmanship is expected in this environment.It provides a way to balance the population of turkeys, white tail deer and other game that can quickly become overcrowded for the food sources available.”

4th Grade Farm Tour

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September 2016 marks the 29th year of the 4th grade farm tour put on by the Laurenz Family Farm. In the past NRCS and MCCD has helped with this andThe Conservation District is looking forward in helping keep the tradition alive and well.Education of our young children is very important to us.

Other educational programs we are currently working on.Unlock the Secrets of the SoilsNative Trees and Flowers, Identify and know.Native BirdsNature ToursBack Yard Conservation. Natives not Invasives.

Contact us to see how these can be presented to your group or organization.

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Special Activities Carried Out by the District Water and Earth Tunnel Rental

For educational purposes we have an Earth Tunnel and a Water Tunnel that can be rented.Contact us for details.

Annual Tree and Native Plant Sales

Starting at the Annual meeting in January 2016 and running through April 15th 2016 We will be conducting our Annual Tree Sale and a Native Plant Sale. Look for forms and details on our website.

MCTV Program: Conservation Matters. With the help of Joan Timmers and the great volunteers at MCTV we have created a television show to discuss and educate the public of who we are and what we do.Look for it, “Conservation Matters” on the local MCTV Program Guide for Charter Communications and AT&T Uverse.

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Agency Cooperation and Partnerships Currently working on re-establishing a working relationship withUSDA (United States Department of Agriculture) NRCS( Natural Resources Conservation Service)DNR ( Department of Natural Resources)MARD- (Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development).MACD (Michigan Association of Conservation Districts)Charles J. Strostaker Foundation, Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, The Herbert H. Dow Foundation, Midland Area Community Foundation, The Dow chemical Foundation , Michigan F.F.A. Foundation, Saginaw Bay WIN, S.C. Johnson Company, Three Rivers Corporation and Midland County Commissioners who have supported us in the past. Also Little Forks Conservancy, Mid MI Wild Ones, Chippewa Nature Center, Michigan Farm Bureau. If your name is on this list we certainly appreciate your support!

Funding of District Programs Currently developing new funding sources.And accepting Donations

Annual Meeting and Election:

Please Join Us January 19, 2016

Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Larkin Township Hall

Presenters and Entertainment

Food: Catered By Annabell’s Own

Please RSVP us on your attendance.

E-mail midlandconservation@macd.org

or Call 989-835-1921 ext 108 and leave message.

We’d be happy to see you there!

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2016 Monthly Meeting Schedule

January 19, 2016 February 16. 2016March 15, 2016 April 19, 2016May 17, 2016 June 21, 2016July 19. 2016 August 16, 2016September 20, 2016 October 18, 2016November 15, 2016 December 20, 2016

The Meetings will be held under the provisions or the Open Meetings Act (Public act 267 of 1976) at the USDA-NRCS Service Center Office located at 954 E Isabella Rd. Midland, MI 48640 (989) 835-1921

*If there is a change in schedule, within 3 days of the meeting in which a change is made, the Midland Conservation district will post a notice stating the new dates, times and places of regular meetings.

*Special Meetings must be posted at least 18 hours in advance. The notice will include date, time and place of the meeting.

*The Open Meetings Act provides provisions for the public to address the District board during the meeting

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