Conservation Education

WV Grassland Evaluation Contest

On Friday, April 13, 2007 the Seventh Annual Grassland Evaluation Contest was held in Jackson’s Mill in conjunction with the Annual Beef Expo. This year’s contest had nine teams participating; Cabell Midland, Clay County, Ravenswood, Ripley FFA (had 2 teams), Tyler FFA (had 3 teams), and Lincoln County.

	The judging site was typical pasture used for livestock grazing. A scenario with the landowner’s goals for livestock and wildlife production was provided; along with the appropriate soil survey information, aerial photos, maps, scorecards and other relative information.
	The contestants determined the condition of the field and then made corrective decisions based on sound agricultural practices compatible with the landowner’s goals.
	The Grassland Evaluation Contest consisted of four sections: Grassland Condition, Soil Interpretation, Wildlife Habitat, and Plant Identification. Each of these factors was considered in evaluating the pasture to best utilize the resource and to help make useful management decisions.
	Each team was made up of 3 to 4 FFA or 4-H students who are currently enrolled in high school. Each member of the winning team receives a $500 scholarship.

This year’s winning team was from Cabell Midland High School and they will represent West Virginia in the Mid America contest in Springfield, Missouri this summer. Each member of the second winning team received a $250 scholarship. This year’s second place team was from Clay County. The third place team was from Ravenswood. The highest scoring individual receives a $500 scholarship and this year’s highest scoring individual was from Cabell Midland.

This year’s contest had many sponsors, including the WV Grassland Steering Committee, NRCS, WVCA, WVU Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Research Service, Farm Bureau, RC&D Councils, WV Conservation Districts, WV FFA, WV Association of Professional Soil Scientists, WV Chapter SWCS and many individuals who offered their time and/or money. On behalf of the contest committee, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of those who helped make this year’s contest a success. Without their hard work and commitment, this educational experience would not be possible.

NRCS employees participating were: Gary Redden, Rob Pate, Jamey Darlington, Jason Teets, Greg Stone, Debbie Dorsey, Jared Nestor, Andy Sentz, Barbara Greenleaf, Rebecca Flanagan, and Katy McBride.

For more information, contact Katy McBride at the Lewisburg Service Center.

WV SWCS Helped Start An Endowment Fund For the WVU Soil Judging Team!

Through the generosity of one Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) member the students of West Virginia University involved with the soil judging team will have an enriched program for years to come. Peg Reese, a life member of the International SWCS, is an alumni of WVU and a former member of the soil judging team. She talks about how influential the program was on her life and how important it is for students to travel and learn from experience. She has pledged $5,000 over the next 5 years to get the fund up and running. So far Ms. Reese has donated $3,000. The good news is everyone can contribute to this fund! You can make a check out to WV SWCS Soil Judging Team and mail to Katie Fitzsimmons, WV SWCS Treasurer, at 7007 Mountain Park Drive, White Hall, WV 26554. She can send you a receipt to keep for taxes.

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

Envirothon

The West Virginia Envirothon is a competition for students in grades 9 through 12 in which they face hands-on challenges testing their natural resource knowledge, skills and problem-solving abilities. The tests focused on five subject areas: forestry, soils, aquatics, wildlife, and a current environmental topic. The 2007 West Virginia Envirothon is at Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, WV.

NRCS retiree, Kelley Sponaugle, coached the Shady Spring High School Biology Club to another first place finish at the 11th West Virginia Envirothon on April 27, 2007.

Each team member won a $1,000 scholarship and will represent the Mountain State at the national event, the Canon Envirothon at Hobart & William Smith Colleges, New York.

	The weather was cold and foggy. This year an instructional day was added on Thursday. It gave the students an opportunity to interact and learn from the experts.
	Jared Beard and Greg Kist are at the soils station.
	Barbara McWhorter grading tests at the Forestry station.
	Jared Beard and Peg Reese time students in the soil pit.
	Jared Beard and Steven Baker monitor the soil pit. The pit was bailed out between groups because of the wet weather.
	Jason Teets takes his turn as the pit monitor.
	The top five teams were required to give an oral presentation that explored affordable and practical ways to use alternative and sustainable energy sources. Kevin Wickey served as an orals judge.

For more information go to http://www.wvca.us/news/news_story.cfm?id=835

More photos of the 2007 Envirothon may be seen at http://gallery.wvca.us/envirothon_2007.

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