Out of the long list of nature’s gifts to man, none is perhaps so … · 2018-02-27 · Out of...

Out of the long list of nature’s gifts to man, none is perhaps so essential to human life as soil. - Hugh Hammond Bennett

South Carolina Conservation PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE

77th Annual

February 27 & 28, 2018

SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTSDEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

,

2 2018 PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE

E.C. MCARTHUR

First President National Association of Soil and Conservation Districts

E. C. McArthur was born in Gaffney, SC in 1882. He became a leading farmer and one of the pioneers who promoted the formation of soil conservation districts. He was elected to assemble a committee to establish a national association of conservation district supervisors and upon formation was elected it’s first president.

32018 PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE

As president of the SCACD, I would like to welcome all of you to our 2018 Partnership Conference.

We have been working very hard to make this event an interesting and educational experience for everyone. The main theme of our meeting is focused on promoting our SC grown products and our producers.

In the light of some very controversial issues concerning our agricultural industry here in SC, we have lined up some knowledgeable speakers that can provide us with accurate information to better prepare us to intelligently discuss these topics with the public.

Kenny MullisSCACD President

WELCOME TO OUR PARTNERS

S

OUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

SCACDKenneth Mullis, PresidentJefferson H. Wilson, Vice PresidentDiane Edwins, SecretaryDwight Davis, Immediate Past PresidentWilliam G. “Greg” Henderson, NACD RepresentativeRoddey Gettys, West Piedmont DirectorJohney L. Haralson, Edisto Savannah Valley DirectorDavid B. Owens, Pee Dee DirectorPhil Cleveland, East Piedmont DirectorJoy Sullivan, Conservation Agreement CoordinatorTina Blum, Executive Director

Kenny MullisJeff WilsonGreg HendersonTIna BlumMarc CribbChris WorkmanLauren BurroughsConference Program Designed by Lynn Pilewski, Greenville SWCD

SCACD Board

Partnership Conference Planning Committee


TUESD

AY, FEBRUARY 27

Conference Agenda

SCCDEA Silent Auction & ExhibitsCapitol Room

RegistrationLexington Ballroom Foyer

General Session ILexington BallroomConservation History Hugh Hammond Bennett video USDA New Mission Area Update• Boone Peeler, State Executive Director, USDA-FSA• Ann English, State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS• Matthew Wilkin, Deputy Director, USDA-Risk Management

AgencySustainable Agricultural Practices Jeremy Walther, Walther Farms SC Farm Bureau Update Harry Ott, President

General Session IILexington Ballroom• Solar Farming - Opportunities and Challenges

Landrum Weathers, Circle W Farms• Government Relations

Gary Spires, Farm Bureau• Farming in the Future

Dr. Nathan Smith, Clemson Extension Economist• SC Forage and Grazing Lands Coalition

Kenny Mullis, SC Forage & Grazing Lands Coalition President

Conference LuncheonCongaree ASoil and Water Conservation Society Dale Threatt-Taylor, SE Regional Director SWCS

8:30 - 5:30

8:00 - 9:30

9:30 - 10:00

10:00 - 12:00

1:15 - 3:00

12:15

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Opening Session Kenny Mullis, SCACD President, PresidingLexington Ballroom• Invocation - Reverend Mabry, State Chaplain, SCACD• Presentation of Colors - Brookland-Cayce High Color Guard• Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem • Welcome and Overview


Conference Agenda

SCCDEA Silent Auction & ExhibitsCapitol Room

RegistrationLexington Ballroom Foyer

Tuesday, February 27 Continued

Conservation Districts Foundation MeetingBoardroom

Partnership Reception Congaree A

Partnership Dinner & Live EntertainmentCongaree A

SCCDEA Silent Auction ClosesCapitol Room

NRCS Staff MeetingTuscany

Breakout Sessions1. Locally Grown

Ben Boyles, Clemson Extension Richland

2. Meat and Poultry Inspection Overview Terry L. Dempsey, Senior Investigator, Clemson University Calhoun

3. Pollinators Beezie Fleming, Berkeley SWCD Tami Enright, The Bee Cause Project Fairfield

4. State Water Plan Update and Groundwater Assessment Joe Gellici, Chief Hydrologist, SC DNR Rob Devlin, Director, Water Monitoring, Protection and Assessment, SC DHEC Saluda

BreakLexington Ballroom Foyer

Spouse/Guest Tour Mann-Simons House/MuseumDepart from hotel lobby (see page 10 for details)

4:30 - 5:30

6:00

6:30

5:30

3:30 - 4:30

3:00

2:00

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Partnership Dinner

Presentation of Awards

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Welcoming Remarks Kenny Mullis, SCACD President

Invocation Reverend Mabry, SCACD Chaplain

Buffet Dinner

Commissioner Length of Service Marc Cribb, SCDNR

District Employee Longevity Awards Lauren Burroughs, SCCDEA President

Conservation Awards Kenny Mullis and Jeff Wilson

20 Years of ServiceJimmy D. Poston, FlorenceLouise Hughes, OrangeburgJimmy Smith, UnionClarence Senn, York

25 Years of ServiceJames E. Fender, DorchesterLonnie C. Gillespie, GreenwoodBenjamin Hardee, HorryJayne D. Carsten, Williamsburg

10 Years of ServiceKelley Hyler, EdgefieldAmanda Roberts, Lancaster

30 Years of ServiceClaude McLeod, Jr., BeaufortRobert A. Boyce, Lee

35 Years of Service Charles H. Coleman, FairfieldDon D. Grant, LeeLarry E. Nates, Lexington

40 Years of ServiceWilliam S. Simpson, III Charleston

45 Years of ServiceAllen L. Beer, Chester

“I consider the soil conservation districts movement one of the most important developments inthe whole history of agriculture.

- Hugh Hammond Bennett


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2017 Outstanding Conservation District Berkeley County SWCD

The Berkeley County Soil and Water Conservation District leads a continuing education program for local educators called “Environmental History of Berkeley County: Preserving our Past, Present and Future,” empowering teachers to share the importance of conservation and preservation in their classrooms. The district also participates in “What’s Under My Feet?” Backyard Naturescape events, educating students on the properties of various soils; through this program, BCSWCD reaches about 3,500 youth participants a year. The district also provides two $1,000 scholarships to university students pursuing studies in conservation, natural resources, forestry or agriculture. Additionally, ten scholarships are offered to 4th and 5th grade classrooms to attend conservation-themed class at a local park. The district participates in local Earth Day events, career days at local middle schools, and is a sponsor of a local high school’s bass club. Through the district’s encouragement of environmental stewardship, the club has adopted several islands in the lake for litter clean-up.

The district acts as a hub connecting the community with various services provided by NRCS, Clemson Extension, Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust, US Forest Service and many others by hosting public outreach seminars as well as Local Workgroup meetings with land owners and farmers to discuss current needs, challenges and outcomes of prior issues. BCSWCD has partnered with APHIS Wildlife Services (USDA) and the local Farm Bureau on a pilot project to reduce the feral hog problem that is detrimental to local agricultural producers. Through the project, APHIS is researching disease and potential biological controls; eight landowners have already benefited from these services.

BCSWCD stepped up to defend the county’s declining honeybee population by serving as a local hub for beekeeping education. Staff and Associate Commissioner attend classes in beekeeping and host monthly meetings for beekeepers of all ages and experience level, as well as provide community talks on the subject for various groups upon request.

The district is also spearheading the movement for Berkeley County to become a Firewise Community by developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This program will allow for strengthened partnerships between regional and state government, will create opportunities for grants and other funding, and will work to protect forested areas, wildlife and public safety.


Partnership Dinner

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2017 Outstanding Conservation District CommissionerJoe H. Ghent, Jr., Lancaster SWCD

Mr. Ghent has served on the Lancaster District Board for 16 years and he served on the Cane Creek Watershed Board for 24 years. He served as Chairman of the Watershed through most of those 24 years. He has served on District Operations Committee, Conservation Education Committee, Natural Resources Committee and the Local Work Group for years. He encourages the citizens in Lancaster County to be good stewards of the land and he is now sharing that with his grandkids. He has 38 years of dedication to our partnership. Joe has always had a love for nature and this beautiful place that God has given us. Even in his ‘earlier’ years as a Boy Scout he learned to love the outdoors and how we should work to protect our natural resources. Joe is certain his love of the outdoors was from cherished times working with his grandparents and parents. His willingness to serve and educate the public about the natural resources is an excellent example of his dedication.

2017 Outstanding Conservation District EmployeeLynn Pilewski, Greenville SWCD

Lynn has successfully raised awareness of her District and the SCACD in regional and national venues in the last few years while creating and implementing extraordinary programs at home. She has helped plan four state, regional and national conferences which took place in Greenville and has presented at nine state, regional or national conferences, including the 2016 and 2018 NACD and the 2017 SENACD conferences. She has generated nationally recognized campaigns, including the Clean Water Starts With Me campaign and a set of custom stormwater pollution arcade games. These are engaging ways to help the public understand their role in stormwater pollution. She has become a local celebrity bringing the District’s environmental message through radio, TV, personal blogs and booths. As a professional photographer, graphic designer and web designer, she has helped the SCACD by constructing a much-needed website and implementing online payments for the first time. She also generously created the programs for the SENACD conference as well as the program for this Partnership conference. Lynn puts her heart into her work, and it shows.


2017 Conservation Teacher of the Year - Primary Level (K--6)David Kenga, St. John Neumann Catholic School, Columbia SC

David Kenga was nominated by Richland SWCD. In the three years since he joined St. John Neumann Catholic School, David has transformed the school’s science lab, expanded and strengthened SJN’s environmental programs, and garnered thousands of dollars in grant funding to support student-focused conservation projects.

He has a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology from Winthrop University and is committed to environmental education. David is a member of EEASC (Environmental Education Association of SC) and serves as his school’s SC Green Steps Schools Leader. In this role, he provides opportunities for other teachers to learn about conservation by hosting training events such as the EEASC Upcycled Gardening Projects, EEASC Saltwater Living at St. John Neumann, and the National Children and Youth Gardening Symposium’s School Garden Tour.

2017 Conservation Teacher of the Year - Secondary Level (7-12)Lee Petitgout, Nation Ford High School, Ft Mill SC

Lee was nominated by York SWCD. Lee’s education in conservation started in high school when she was a youth commissioner on the Chester Soil & Water Conservation Commission and was named South Carolina Youth Conservationist of the Year in 1985. Lee leads a very active FFA chapter at her school that was named one of the top three chapters among the 7000 chapters in the nation and she was selected to be a presenter at the National Association of Agricultural Educators Region Conference in Tupelo. Her work impacted students and teachers all over South Carolina when she wrote a curriculum supplement with lab activities to introduce cover crops into the Environmental Natural Resources curriculum for the whole state of South Carolina, got it approved by the South Carolina Department of Education and then spent her summer training all the other agriculture teachers in its use. Lee’s approach to conservation education is one of hands-on learning and leading student involvement in the community.

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Closing Remarks Kenny Mullis, SCACD President

Live Music & Dancing The Sherri Cafaro and Friends Band


Located within the heart of downtown, this property was home, work place, spiritual center and a source of pride for members of the same African American family from 1843 through 1970. Formerly enslaved Charlestonians, Celia Mann, a midwife, and Ben Delane, a boatman, became the first generation of family members to live on the property and laid a social and material foundation that allowed successive generations to pursue a variety of businesses and social undertakings.

Although only one house stands today, the Mann-Simons Site was a collection of commercial and domestic spaces owned and operated by the same African-American family from at least 1843 until 1970. The property and its multiple buildings changed considerably over time to better accommodate the needs, tastes, and aspirations of this remarkable family. In 1970, through eminent domain, the Columbia Housing Authority acquired the site, leading to a grassroots preservation movement that saved the main house, which opened as a museum in 1978.

Wear walking shoes, sun/rain gear

MANN-SIMONS HOUSE/MUSEUM TOUR SPOUSE/GUEST PROGRAM 2PM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27



Conference Agenda

Conference Breakfast Buffet Lexington Ballroom

General Session III Kenny Mullis, President SCACD, Presiding Lexington Ballroom• SC Dept. of Agriculture Hugh Weathers, Commissioner• Forestry Commission Update

Scott Phillips, State Forester• SC Wildlife Magazine

Joey Frazier/Cindy Thompson• SC Adopt a A Stream

Karin Skipper, DHEC

SCACD Business Session Kenny Mullis, Presiding Lexington Ballroom• New Business• SC Conservation Districts Foundation Report• Partnership Reports

• NRCS• DNR• District Employees Association• NACD

• Area Caucus Reports• Adoption of 2018 Policy Positions• Nominating Committee Report• Election of Officers• Adjourn

7:30 - 8:00

8:00 - 9:15

10:30 - 11:00

9:15 - 10:30

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DNR Land, Water and Conservation Division Advisory MeetingTuscany

12:00

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Area Caucuses• Edisto-Savannah Valley Calhoun • Pee Dee Richland• East Piedmont Fairfield• West Piedmont Saluda


Harry L. Ott, Jr., a row crop farmer from Calhoun County, was elected the sixth President of the SC Farm Bureau Federation in 2015. He and his brother Mark produce cotton, corn, and peanuts on a family farm near St. Matthews. A 1974 graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Ott also served in the SC House of Representatives from 1998 to 2013.

Harry L. Ott, Jr.SC Farm Bureau

Landrum Weathers is a farmer and lifelong resident of the small town of Bowman which is located in Orangeburg County. After being in the dairy business for over 80 years, he and his family decided to cease its dairy operation in late 2008 and switch their efforts to a row-crop operation focusing mainly in corn, peanuts, soybeans and cotton.

Landrum WeathersCircle W Farms

Dale Threatt-TaylorSoil and Water Conservation Society

SESSION PRESENTERS

Dale is the Director of the Wake SWCD and Wake County’s Soil and Water Conservation Department. Her daily goal is to make sure that Soil and Water Conservation is the most effective department in Wake County Government, helping both land and landowner. Dale is SE Regional Director for the Soil and Water Conservation Society

Boone Peeler, of Gaffney, is the vice president of Harvey Peeler’s Farm, Inc., his family’s cattle business. He has served as a member of the Gaffney City Council since 2006. Peeler comes to FSA from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. He is a graduate of Clemson University.

Boone PeelerFSA

Ann EnglishNRCS

Matthew WilkinRMA

Ann English is the NRCS State Conservationist in South Carolina and has served in this role since April 26, 2010. She is a 30-year employee of the agency, and held many previous positions including District Conservationist, Soil Conservationist, Soil Conservation Technician, and Agronomist.

Matthew Wilkin is the deputy director of the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency Valdosta Regional Office, serving the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Matthew has held the positions of Risk Management Specialist as well as Senior Risk Management Specialist in his ten years with the agency.


Walther Farms grows potatoes on the rolling fields of his family’s 5,200-acres just outside of Aiken. Walther’s grandfather started with an 80-acre farm in Michigan. Walther’s father and his three brothers took over the farm. Today, Walther and his three brothers and five cousins are doing the same.“You’ve got to love it,” Walther said about farming. “We do.”

Jeremy WaltherWalther Farms

Dr. Nathan SmithClemson Extension Economist

Dr. Smith’s major responsibilities include production economics and risk management education for row crops. He also has expertise in commodity marketing and farm bill education, conducting program with county Extension agents and growers, both locally and nationally. During the last three farm bills, Dr. Smith was an integral part of the Extension Ag Economics Farm Bill Education program.

WELCOME NEW SWCD COMMISSIONERS

Linda Lee AikenJoshua Weaver AndersonWilliam Hanvey CharlestonJustin Woodard ClarendonMendel Smith DillonDiane Estridge LancasterBeverly O’Neal MarlboroDonald Quick MarlboroJohn Newman Sumter

The first office for the National Association of Conservation Districts was located on Church Street in downtown Spartanburg, memorialized by this historical marker.


FIRST CONSERVATION PLAN IN THE NATION

The Farm Plan of Mrs. Ploma Adams, Seneca, SC, entered into as a cooperator’s agreement with the Upper Savannah District on February 4, 1938, was the first such district plan in the nation.


THANK YOU

CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS

A special thank

you to the following

organizations for

their support of the

2018 Partnership

Conference.

S

OUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

SCACD

There is no culture without agriculture.

- Rudy Mancke

Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.

- Stewart Udall

Mark Your Calendar!

2018 Palmetto

Sportsmen’s Classic

March 23-25, 2018

2018 SC Envirothon

Friday, April 20, 2018

Clemson REC at Sandhill

Stewardship Week

April 29—May 6, 2018

Southeast Regional NACD

Williamsburg, VA

August 2—8, 2018

NACD Annual Meeting

February 2 –6, 2019

San Antonio, TX

Out of the long list of nature’s gifts to man, none is perhaps so … · 2018-02-27 · Out of...

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Transcript of Out of the long list of nature’s gifts to man, none is perhaps so … · 2018-02-27 · Out of...