From the Field

Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Area

Show me the money
Mountain RC&D and WV NRCS earned over $9,000 the first quarter of this year working on the Elk River Mitigation project. The money was earned by doing what we do best--writing conservation plans that will help protect water quality in the Elk River Watershed. By the end of this fiscal year, these earning are expected to quadruple which will help ease this year’s annual budget deficit.

Mountain RC&D, working with the Paint Creek Watershed and a local consulting firm, are developing a Stream Restoration Plan that will positively impact over 8000 feet of impaired Paint Creek. Natural stream restoration projects are planned from the community of Mahan north to Standard (were the Lower Paint Creek Watershed office) is located.

Mountain RC&D, partnering with Little Kanawha RC&D, Dell Corporation and Gift In Kind International were able to improve a hand-full of communities by acquiring 80 top of the line Dell printers for use by community non-profits. Non-profit organizations such as libraries, fire departments, title 1 schools, and other community service groups were eligibility.

For more information contact Mike Gasper at the Mountain RC&D Office.

Mount Clare Service Center

Watersheds 4-H Conservation Topic

In December, Harrison County 4-H Leaders Association approached the Mount Clare Field Office about giving a presentation on watersheds. They had decided to choose, “Watersheds: What are they and why should we care?” as their annual conservation topic. LaRae Baker, Soil Conservationist, set up a PowerPoint presentation on the basics of watersheds, information about the West Fork River watershed, and how organizations like 4-H clubs can help protect and conserve our watersheds. She also handed out activities such as word searches, crossword puzzles and “how to make your own hydrologic cycle”. The “Why should we care?” question was answered by teaching the leaders that everyone lives in a watershed and everyone lives downstream of someone else. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation was given to the 4-H extension agent for use at local meetings. LaRae also offered to give the presentation to individual clubs. She will be with the Shinnston Lighthouse Club sharing information about watersheds on January 22, 2007. It is bring a friend night so there may be up to 15 4-H’ers plus many others in attendance. The 4-H Leaders Association learned there were so many important things about watersheds that they have decided to make this a two year topic.

For more information, contact LaRae Baker at the Mount Clare Service Center.

Farm Bill Program Outreach

Jeff Griffith did a Farm Bill Programs presentation at a Producer Group meeting held at the Harrison County 4-H Center. Approximately 20 producers were in attendance at the meeting.

For more information, contact Jeff Griffith at the Mount Clare Service Center.

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