Worried About the Environment? Conservation District Publishes Annual Report
Are you concerned about the environment? How about the impact of farming methods on the environment and the food that you feed your children? Do you worry about soil erosion or the effects of fertilizers in the soil and drinking water?
The following press release is from the The Washtenaw County Conservation District. The Washtenaw County Conservation District (CD) is a local agency of state government assisting landowners with the conservation and management of the natural resources of Washtenaw County.
Kathy Siler, the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau Communications Committee Chair describes the CD, “In a nutshell, the CD is concerned with protecting, conserving, and improving our soil and water. [For the farming community, this involves] using best practices with regard to livestock and manure management. The CD also champions protecting the environment with regards to chemical storage and use (which includes a farm safety plan that is filed with the fire department and available for first responders should an accident ever happen).”
Services of the CD are available to all residents of Washtenaw County. Mrs. Siler indicates that the Washtenaw County Conservation District is all about helping to protect the environment with their programs. This is not, however, limited to farms and wood lots and forestry, but the general public as well. The District has an extensive internet web site at: www.washtenawcd.org which includes information on a variety of conservation related topics (Conservation A to Z); information on conservation Products & Services, such as tree & native plant sales, rain barrels and composters, fish days, the Washtenaw County Soil Survey and Washtenaw County Plat Book; and more.
Washtenaw County Conservation District
7203 Jackson Rd Ann ArborMI48103-9506
Phone: (734) 761-6721 Fax: (734) 662-1686
Web Site: www.washtenawcd.org
News Release
Contact: Dennis W. Rice, Executive Director
CONSERVATION DISTRICT PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT
The soon to be released annual report for the Washtenaw County Conservation District highlights technical assistance provided in fiscal year 2013 (October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013) through District programs and services offered to Washtenaw County residents.
For fiscal year 2013, through the District partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 36 conservation plans were prepared covering 1,571 acres. In addition, $985,704 of USDA Farm Bill Conservation Program monies were utilized in Washtenaw County to address soil, water and other existing natural resource concerns for qualifying participants. These funds were distributed through federal conservation programs, including: Environmental Quality Incentives Program; and the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program. There were 27 new contracts approved on 1,089 acres.
Through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), technicians Chris Coulter and Amy Gilhouse assisted agricultural producers in completing 12 farmstead, 17 cropping, 8 livestock and 1 safe food assessments. As a result of these completed assessments there were 17 MAEAP verifications completed in the farmstead, cropping, livestock and safe food systems.
District conservation plant sales generated 449 orders for 38,446 trees, shrubs, native plants and related products. Also, 68 rain barrels and 13 tumbling composters were sold, and the District Fish Day event generated 32 orders for 1,539 fish fingerlings and 34.5 gallons of minnows for pond stocking. There also were 23,249 visits to the Conservation District web site (www.washtenawcd.org) which includes a wide variety of conservation-related information that can help Washtenaw County residents with their natural resource conservation and management concerns.
The District annual report also highlights conservation award recipients for 2013 which will receive their awards at the District’s 66th annual meeting to be held January 16, 2014. The 2013 Conservation Farmer of the Year Award will be presented to the Marion Family of Saline Township. The 2013 Tree Conservationist Award will be presented to Tom and Jenae Chulig of Bridgewater Township. Conservation work by both the Marion’s and Chulig’s will be highlighted during award presentations at the annual meeting.
An election of two District Directors will also be conducted at the Annual Meeting. There are two candidates seeking these positions, including Jeremy Hodges of Chelsea and Howard Sias of Lima Township. Hodges is production coordinator for the Eisenhower Center at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and manages a 63-acre vocational farm. Sias operates a cash crop and livestock farm and is a current Director.
All residents of Washtenaw County who are of legal age may vote in the election by one of two methods following completion of a Voter Registration form and demonstration of residency by one piece of identification. Voting methods are: (1.) Absentee ballot, which can be completed at the Conservation District office, 7203 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, by Wednesday, January 15, 2014. (2.) At the Annual Meeting on January 16th.
The public is welcome to attend the District annual meeting, Thursday, January 16, 2014, 6:30 p.m. at the Washtenaw County Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor. The meeting will include a buffet dinner, award presentations, door prize drawing, and a program on, “Michigan Raptors” presented by Joe Rogers of the Wildlife Recovery Association. Cost for the buffet dinner is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under. Reservations for the annual meeting can be made by calling the District office at: (734) 761-6721 ext. 5 by January 13, 2014.
Copies of the District annual report, which also includes order forms and information about the spring 2014 conservation plants and products sale can be obtained by contacting the District office, 7203 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Phone: (734) 761-6721 extension 5. Or visit the District web site at: www.washtenawcd.org and select “news & events” from the top menu bar, then “Conservation Update”.
The annual report will be under the “Issues” list and will be available in early January. The conservation plants and products information and order forms will be available from a link on the web site home page under “What’s New”.
For more information about the Washtenaw County Conservation District, its programs and services, contact the District office, 7203 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Phone: (734) 761-6721 extension 5. Or visit the District web site at: www.washtenawcd.org . The District is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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