HANOVER CAROLINE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTfiles.ctctcdn.com/fe3b6644201/fdfde6c8-3610-4b22-bd64... · 2015. 12. 22. · Hanover-Caroline Soil & Water Conservation District

VOLUME 38 EDITION 2 2015-2016 NEWSLETTER

HANOVER-CAROLINE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

At its Conservation Awards Banquet in November, the District recognized three recipients for

their outstanding conservation practices.

Located in the lovely Mattaponi Watershed of

Caroline County, Virginia, is the successful 1800-

acre family farming operation of Stuart and Kathy Lane. Although crops

include corn and beans in rotation with various small grains, this farm is

far from a typical Eastern Virginia grain operation.

The focus of their operation is on the ability to successfully plant multi-

species cover crop (MSCC) mixes. Stuart is a firm believer in crop di-

versity to improve soil biology. He is also an advocate of the never till –

never fallow system. He focuses on improving the soil with a high

diversity multi-species mix that includes such varieties as rape, daikon radishes, lespedeza,

rye, and various legume species.

While Stuart manages the operation in the field, his computer-savvy wife Kathy manages a

complex myriad of spreadsheets and paperwork. She has been working on a cost-benefit analy-

sis to capture all of the cover crop inputs such as seed, fuel, equipment and labor while juxta-

posing them against the not-so-tangible benefits of improving crop yield, reducing fertilizer

inputs, and managing water more wisely.

The Lanes are firm believers in soil health. Stuart became a certified nutrient management

planner many years ago and has planned every acre that he farms.

They are strong supporters of both State and Federal Ag Cost-share programs. Stuart considers

such programs to be the “spark” for trying something new. They have actively participated in

the SWCD/NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant initiative.

Outside of farming, the Lanes manage approximately 500 acres of timber. They have worked

closely with the VA Department of Forestry to develop Forest Management Plans including

about 15 that were written by Stuart himself. Marginal lands and buffer areas are planted into

wildlife mixes of cover crops, chicory, and turnips, providing habitat and essential transition

zones for quail, turkey, deer and other game species.

The Lanes are leading the way in innovative farming techniques in Virginia. They take pride

in their farming operation, ensuring that they improve the land for human and biological com-

munities (critters in the soil) alike.

The Collins family has a long history of caring for

natural resources on their Caroline County farm.

Hickory Grove Farm, this 18th century family operation, has been

managed for the past 30 years by Richard (Ricky) Collins, III and his

parents Richard Collins, Jr. and wife Mary. Owning a certified tree

farm with 570 acres of woodland, the Collins family gives great

consideration to both the commercial forestry activities on the farm

and to wildlife habitat improvement.

A majority of the farm has been reforested since 2007 with approxi-

mately 200 acres planted to Loblolly Pine and over 300 acres planted

to a mix of Sawtooth Oaks, Chinese Chestnut, and Persimmon. Work-

ing in coordination with the National Turkey Federation’s Operation

Oak and the VA Department of Forestry, the Collinses strive to main-

tain a balance between their economic and recreation/wildlife goals.

One objective in maintaining a multi-use stand is never planting 100% pine. The Collinses

plant a diverse mix of tree species that are heavy producers of mast (acorns, seeds, nuts and

fruits). They also leave buffer areas or vegetated transitions zones to provide optimal habitat

for not only ground birds but also deer. Logging decks and roads have all been replanted to

multi-species cover crops mixes including clover, small grains and brassicas. There are also a

number of field borders that have been converted to flowering food plots for the family’s

honeybee hives.

When harvesting timber, the Collins leave some sections of seed trees for wildlife. Spray re-

leases are often conducted by hand to leave as much natural diversity or regeneration as possi-

ble. According to Ricky, “even the tulip poplars can be foraged by the honey bees.” Invasive

species such as ailanthus are managed by targeted methods. Streamside Management Zones

(SMZ) are always left in place to protect water quality during harvests.

The Collins family has demonstrated superior stewardship in management of their forest

lands.

The Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School

at Bowling Green is housed in the

former Caroline High School building.

Environmental science teacher Lauren Thompson Casey

applied for a grant in spring of 2014 to install a turf con-

version to native plant practice in the front of the school.

Herbaceous perennials including rudbeckia, coneflower,

blanketflower and coreopsis flank the front walkway,

with American beautyberry, inkberry and yaupon holly

as foundation plantings.

In addition, a second urban grant has been awarded to

the school for a rainwater harvesting system. Two 250-

gallon poly tanks will be installed on the front of the building to provide water for the plant-

ings.

With these two grants the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School is demonstrating how to estab-

lish environmentally friendly, sustainable gardens.

C.J. Isbell, owner-operator of Keenbell Farm in western Hanover County, received the 2015

Carl Luebben Soil Health and Water Quality Award at the Farm to Table Conference held

December 4-5 at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave. Congratulations, C.J.!

Caroline Billingsley, a third grader at South Anna Elementary

School, has won first place for her entry in the 2015 NACD/

VASWCD Poster Contest. She is the daughter of James and

Hillary Billingsley.

Caroline submitted her poster locally through the Hanover-

Caroline Soil and Water Conservation District. This year the

theme was “Local Heroes --Your Hardworking Pollinators”.

Caroline’s first place award is the statewide top honor in her

category of grades 2-3. Her poster will be entered into the

national competition held by the National Association of

Conservation Districts (NACD).

The conservation poster contest is co-sponsored annually by

the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Dis-

tricts (VASWCD) and the NACD.

McGann “Mac” Saphir, stepped down in December from the

Hanover-Caroline SWCD Board of Directors after serving the

District for 20 years.

A retired Caroline County Extension agent, he worked for

Cooperative Extension for 28 years in Florida and in Virginia.

Additionally, he served as Soil and Water representative since

1991 with the Rappahannock River Basin Commission.

“I dedicated my entire career to the preservation of water

resources,” Saphir reflected. This year he was honored with a 20-year service pin from the

Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Thank you, Mac!

A Virginia Forage and Grasslands Council Field Day is slated for

April 14, 2016 on Swallow Hill Farm in the Woodford area of

Caroline County. Details soon!

Virginia Association for Biological Farming

17th annual conference, January 29-30, Skelton 4-H Center, Smith Mt. Lake. Register at vabf.org

College scholarships for high school seniors: Two oppor tunities available

from the Hanover-Caroline SWCD and the Virginia Association of SWCDs, re-

spectively. Application deadline is March 4, 2016 for both scholarships.

Youth Conservation Camp: Students in grades 9-12 are eligible for the camp

held July 10-16, 2016 at Virginia Tech. Application deadline is April 8, 2016.

For applications and information on both of these opportunities, contact Pattie

Bland, (804) 537-5225, x115, or [email protected].

Hanover-Caroline Soil & Water Conservation District 13224 Hanover Courthouse Road, Suite 201 P.O. Box 446 Hanover, VA 23069-0446 (804) 537-5225 ext. 102

DIRECTORS

Joseph Stepp, Chair - Caroline

Donald L. Wells, Vice-Chair - Hanover

Cindy Smith, Secretary - Caroline

Bruce Cauthorn, Treasurer - Hanover

Laura Maxey-Nay - ANR Extension Agent, Hanover

McGann Saphir - Caroline

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

Park Dodd - Caroline

Casey Engel - Caroline

Timothy Etheredge - Hanover

Leigh Pemberton - Hanover

Rita Schalk - Hanover

Jim Schroering - Hanover

STAFF

Sharon Conner, District Manager/Conservation Specialist

Jim Tate, Conservation Specialist

Marian Moody, Conservation Specialist

Pattie Bland, Urban Conservationist

Ann Edmonds, Administrative Professional

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

Brian Wooden, District Conservationist

VA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Mike Broaddus, ANR Extension Agent, Caroline

Laura Maxey-Nay, ANR Extension Agent, Hanover