Civil Rights Committee Participates in Three Area Field Days

Updated 11/2/2007

Area One

NRCS participated in the 2007 UK All Commodity Field Day held July 26 at the Princeton Agriculture Experiment Station. Reports from the field day estimated that over 2000 people from throughout Kentucky and surrounding states attended the event. Tours, demonstrations, exhibits, and workshops highlighted the program. The Area 1 Civil Rights Committee members along with several NRCS field office staff provided a presentation on Soil Quality and Non Traditional Farming. The power point demonstration and display focused on the efforts of a Garrard County farmer, Terri Shell Brown and her alternative farming practice of no till tobacco. John Graham, Soil Quality Coordinator, worked extensively with Mrs. Brown utilizing her acreage of no till tobacco as research for soil quality issues such as, structure, infiltration, permeability, water holding capacity, pore space and the carbon, nitrogen and water cycles of the soil. Mrs. Brown’s major objective for experimenting with no till tobacco was based on economics and efficiency; however, she is very concerned with the conservation of her natural resources. Several NRCS employees were on hand to answer questions and provide information on other topics such as, cost share programs, ponds, wildlife habitat and employment. At the end of the day the NRCS coordinator Diana Angle deemed the event a success.

For more information, contact Diana Angle, FY 2008 Chairperson, Civil Rights Committee.

Area Two

The Area 2 Civil Rights Committee joined up with Kentucky State University and held a field day at the KSU Research Farm in Frankfort, KY on July 19, 2007. This event was held during KSU’s monthly Third Thursday outing. KSU targets limited resource farmers and minority farmers for its Third Thursday.

All members of the Area 2 CRC participated in the work that it took to make the field day a great success. Those members are Jorge Camacho (Hispanic SEPM), John Graham (Safety Office), Pat Green (American Indian SEPM), Lela Ison (Veteran’s SEPM), Jason Hughes (Area 2 NRCS Representative), and Gale Hundley (Area 2 District Representative).

Other NRCS employees worked to help make the field day go smoothly. Working with the NRCS Program Booth were Peggy Jackson (DC), Mary Ann Sharp (DC), and Kate Collins (RC). Photography was done by T.K. Jones (RC). Tim Hafner (ASTC-O) started off NRCS’s part of the field day with a welcome and comments on behalf of Mike Hubbs (STC). Earth Team Volunteer Terri Shell Brown (Garrard County Farmer) made a presentation on no-till tobacco and greenhouse production. John Graham (SC), Charlie Farmer (DC), and Steve Jacobs (RSS) presented a PowerPoint on soil quality. Glen Abney (RC), Suzanne Harris (DC), and T.K. Jones (RC) worked together on a presentation about NRCS Cost Share Programs. Lunch was provided by KSU. Assisting with the No-Till Tobacco Transplanter demonstration were Randal Rock (DC), Bob Ricks (SCT), John Byrd (DC) and David Stipes (ASTC/FO). The transplanter was provided by UK College of Agriculture. To end the day, David Stipes (ASTC/FO) wrapped up and answered questions.

Area 2 CRC members were instrumental in making this event possible. Lela Ison coordinated the event, prepared the final agenda, worked on the NRCS Programs PowerPoint, coordinated getting the NRCS CR display, and made arrangements with KSU for the field day. Pat Green moderated the presentations by introducing the topics and speakers and keeping everyone within their time allotted. John Graham also worked with Terri Shell Brown to create the presentation on no-till tobacco and greenhouse flower production. John assisted Terri with the presentation by operating the power point. Jason Hughes went to all the presentations and helped landowners with questions and comments. Jorge Camacho and Gale Hundley were busy at the CR display answering questions and talking to landowners.

For more information, contact Jason R. Hughes, Area 2 Representative, Civil Rights Committee.

Area Three

A couple of months ago I met with the RC&D coordinators in Area 3. We discussed outreach and decided the best approach was to participate with the Pendleton County Conservation District. The district had already started making plans to have a field day on the different USDA conservation programs.

On July 28, 2007 a field day was held on the grain farm belonging to Randy and Lisa Godman. The farm is located in Pendleton County. The Godmans have installed conservation practices under CRP, WHIP and WRP programs. This event was a combination of a walking and wagon tour. It gave producers a chance to see conservation on the ground and the opportunity to ask questions from the different agencies.

NRCS soils staff of Steve Jacobs and John Graham provided a presentation on Soil Quality. A brochure on the benefits of conservation tillage was given to the public.

This field day happened on a Saturday in order to reach those individuals that normally work during the week. The turnout was great (app. 80-100) in spite of the weather.

For more information, contact Curtis M. Rosser, Black Emphasis Program Manager, Civil Rights Committee.

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