ANNUAL REPORT
JULY 1, 2012 – JUNE 30, 2013
Mission Statement
To manage and protect our water and land resources for the health, safety, and
economic benefit of future generations while meeting the needs of today and the
future. The Sharp County Conservation District was organized to serve Sharp County
by recognizing the needs and objectives of landowners and assisting them to meet
those objectives. The District provides assistance in this process by coordinating the
services of various state and federal agencies. The District provides assistance for
implementing programs for the conservation of soil, water and other natural resources
within the county.
The Sharp County Conservation District in partnership with Natural Resources Conservation
Services administers programs to landowners who wish to implement conservation practices on
their acreage. These programs provide cost share to the landowner to defray the cost of these
improvements. Once approved for an NRCS program, the landowner builds cross fence, fire
lanes, pasture improvement, or livestock tanks, depending on what he or she has signed up to do.
They bring in receipts when the practice is complete and our technicians check to see that it
meets specs and the landowner receives a percentage of the cost. This brings money into the
county from federal level, plus the landowners investment purchasing supplies for the
improvements and they may hire area contractors to provide the labor which generates revenue
for Sharp County.
For fiscal year 2013 :
*Provided education programs to over 300 children
*Hosted a grazing workshop & a native grass for wildlife workshop
*Electric Fence workshop & demonstration farm
*Provide technical training in soils, surveying, and forestry for area FFA students.
*Poultry Meeting for energy audits and upgrades available to growers
*Grazing Meeting gave instructions in fertilize recommendations, native grasses for pastures
and for wildlife, 319(h) project, and electric fence.
*Sharp County received $1,066,152 for NRCS programs in 2013
The Quorum Court provided the SCCD with $6000 in funding in 2013.
*For every dollar the county provided to the Conservation District in
2013, Sharp County received approximately $177.69 in return.
How We Help Sharp County Landowners Help the Land
The Sharp County Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
provide technical assistance to landowners and administer conservation programs that provide
financial assistance for implementing conservation practices. But you may not know another
benefit to the county that comes from this conservation activities generate. Over 1 million dollars
was secured during the last fiscal year from having NRCS and the conservation district office in Ash
Flat.
Economists say that funds coming into a local economy multiply several times before leaving the
community. The federal cost share dollars for conservation practices require landowners to provide
part of the cost of applying the practices. For example: if a program receives $100,000 of federal cost
share dollars in Sharp County, this means landowners have spent $30-$40,000 to implement the
conservation practices. This money goes to contractors and businesses that sell seed, fertilize,
gasoline, diesel, gravel, equipment, fence posts, barbed wire, tanks, pipe, etc. This also includes
dozer operators for building ponds, backhoe operators for installing tanks, dump truck operators
for heavy use areas. All this money goes back into the economy of Sharp County along with
improvements to the farm.
The following funding was received in Sharp County for FY2013:
 Environmental Quality Incentive Program(EQIP)- $700,732 the most Sharp County
has ever received.
 Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program(WHIP) - $343,293 for wildlife habitat on 2944
acres
 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) – received a total of $22,127 for the next 5
years to continue current conservation practices and add 1 new practice each year.
 Strawberry River Improvement 319(h)Project – 113 conservation plans for farms and
a total cost share of $150,000 for 3 years 2011-2014.
*First a landowner must bring a deed to Farm Service Agency to sign up their farm and be
issued a farm number.
*Once landowner has signed up, there is a ranking period to see who will receive funding.
If the landowner is funded, a contract will be signed and then can implement the planned
conservation practices.
*After all work is completed; the landowner brings receipts showing expenses incurred to
finish the practice.
*When receipts have been turned in, payment will be made within 2 weeks for
approximately 40-50% (depending on the program) of the expenses the landowner has
incurred.
*Work must be completed, and inspected to meet specifications before payments are made
to landowner.
The Sharp County Conservation District is a partner with the Natural Resources
Conservation District to assist landowners with conservation practices that improve their
farms and streams throughout the county.
The District offers technical assistance in staking ponds, completing Nutrient Management
Plans, grass seed and fertilize guidance, grazing management practices, and alternative
watering sources for livestock. These practices contribute to healthy soils for growing hay
crops and offer better nutrition for livestock. Also to encourage clean water by offering
alternative watering sources and brush control to encourage healthy grasses to thrive.
Our mission is to prevent the land from being so overworked that the top soil erodes and
blows away as it did during the dustbowl. Within a two week period 130+ landowners came
to request funds and seek advice to re-establish their pastures. Nearly three million dollars
was requested during this time.
The summer and fall of 2012 was devastating to farmers. Between armyworms, drought
and hay prices, farmers the District Conservationist had seen came to request assistance.
NRCS and SCCD offers technical assistance and farm visits to help farmers with their
concerns and problems. The SCCD office provides landowners equipment for rent at a
minimum to install these practices so that the landowners are not out money for expensive
equipment they use one time a year.
Sharp County Conservation District partners with the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, Farm Service Agency, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Arkansas
Association of Conservation Districts, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas
Forestry Commission, and University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. All of
these agencies have the best interest of Sharp County at heart. Whether it is reestablishing pastures, improving wildlife habitat, or healthy forests.
The Sharp County Conservation District is here to seek the best for landowners.
SHARP COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board of Directors (L to R)
Chris Himschoot, Charles Kunkel, Bob Murphy, Brian Neal, Jim Baxter
Board Meetings first Thursday of Month at 8:30 a.m. in the Ash Flat office
*Dates and times are subject to change according to staff/directors schedules.
Office Personnel
Rebecca Long,
Stephanie Daniel,
Tim Ferguson,
Frankie Dickerson,
Cody Stroud,
J.C. Qualls,
Kerrie Brightwell,
NRCS District Conservationist;
NRCS Soil Conservationist
NRCS Technician
Water Quality Technician
CTA Technician
Equipment Manager
District Secretary
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Website: sharpcocd.com
Water Quality Technician (WQT):
WQT produced and implemented 15 Nutrient Waste Management Plans this year with follow-ups as
needed. WQT takes soil samples from landowner’s property and the results are used to recommend
changes in applying litter or other fertilize. These plans keep farmers within regulations of the Arkansas
Department of Environmental Quality and give producers guidance on placing the correct amount of
nutrients on their land. With 54 registered poultry farms in addition to the cattle farmers needing nutrient
guidance, the WQT’s work is vital to Sharp County. WQT also assists the NRCS District Conservationist
in updating and writing conservation plans as needed, assists with all educational field days, meetings and
helps the general public during office hours. WQT also measures fences, helps lay out ponds, assists
NRCS with technical work.
WQT / District Technician Frankie Dickerson
uses a GPS to measure a fire break
WQT keeps Nutrient Management Plans current for our 54 poultry growers in the county to be in
compliance with the State, and NMP’s are also required by financial institutions when refinancing
or selling a poultry farm.
SCCD Equipment Available to Landowners
The Sharp County Conservation District provides a variety of equipment for rental to area
landowners. This service allows landowners who have contracts to complete practices required to
fulfill EQIP, WHIP or CSP obligations without the expense of purchasing the equipment. The following
equipment was provided to landowners:
1) Two 210 gallon sprayers (wand and/or boom)
2) Three Haybuster No-Till Drills (legume and seed box)
3) Electric Fencing kits
4) Payout Spinner “Spinning Jenny” for high tensile wire
5) Bermuda Sprigger (4 row)
6) Bermuda Digger
7) Speidel Weed Wipers for 4 wheeler or tractor
8) Drip Torch – aid in prescribed burning
9) 10 Ft. Roller
10)Weed Wiper Sprigger
Weed Wiper
10 ft. Roller
Sprigger
J. C. Qualls, Equipment Manager
All the above is available for rent so landowners do not have to purchase
expensive equipment to make improvements on their farms
Strawberry River Improvement 319(h) Project
On July 1, 2011 the Sharp County Conservation District with funding from
Arkansas Natural Resources Commission began the Strawberry River Improvement Project. The project will
continue for 3 years. This 319(H) project provides a way for landowners in the Strawberry River Watershed to
complete conservation practices that improve the water quality of the Strawberry River Watershed. This project
brought in $75,000 to landowners in the Strawberry River watershed for improvements spent on their property
and we received an additional $75,000 in the 2nd year of the project.
This project alone has generated a total of $375,000 being spent in Sharp County for land improvements and
conservation. $150,000 provided from the 319 project and $225,000 that landowners spent on their own in
order to receive cost share. Our clients in the watershed voluntarily implement practices, invest their time,
money and resources in order to receive cost share. This program will conclude on Jun 30, 2014.
Cost share for cross fencing, livestock tanks, & ponds etc. through the 319(h) project
NRCS Soil Conservation Planner, Sid Lowrance instructs students in soils/land judging
NRCS Technicians Tim Ferguson & Greg Howard instruct in Surveying
Members of the Arkansas Forestry Commission instructing in forestry
50 Students from Batesville, Cave City, Highland, Hillcrest, Salem, and Viola with advisors from
each school in addition to Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sharp County Conservation
Service, and Forestry volunteers gathered for training. Students received training in
soils, forestry & surveying.
Each year the Sharp County Conservation District receives a portion of Arkansas Game and Fish Fine
Funds. This money is made available to area schools on a first come first serve basis, for field trips to the
Nature Center. This year the Evening Shade Elementary, Cave City 5th Grade, and Cherokee
Elementary 4th Grade went to the Forest L Woods Nature Center in Jonesboro. This year
approximately 300 students and teachers enjoyed the Nature Center experience.
AG ENERGY POULTRY MEETING
HOSTED BY SHARP AND INDEPENDENCE COUNTY
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
Sharp and Independence County Conservation Districts held a joint Ag Energy Poulty
Meeting on April 10, 2013. Growers were introduces to Ag Energy plans through EQIP and
Entergy Representative spoke on incentive to replace poultry house lighting.
Randolph County Extension Agent Mike Andrews, speaks on fertilize options & soil sampling
Sharp County Conservation District
Water Quality Tech, Frankie Dickerson
319 Project and Nutrient Management Plans
Tanner Johnston, Independence County
District Conservationist
Electric Fence Demonstration
Clayton Brosig of Brosig Seed Co. speaks to producers about planting native grasses: Old World Bluestem
As well as other varieties, how to plan, plant, and what to expect.
SCCD held a Grazing Meeting that drew 75 in attendance from
5 surrounding counties. Subject matter was timely, dealing with re-establishing pastures after
drought conditions.
Annual Tree, Shrub and Pine Seedling sale by the Conservation District,
to encourage wildlife and for beautification. Plants arrive in early March
Heavy duty float valve for livestock tanks
October – November: Annual Nut Sale, orders arrive in time for Holiday Baking
The following items are sold on a daily basis through the Conservation District:
Filter Fabric
Plat Books
Wall Maps
Topo Maps
We would like to express our
Thanks to the
Sharp County Quorum Court
For your support in the past.
***************************
And we look forward
to Working with you in the
future.
Sharp County Conservation District
Improving Sharp County Lands
One Practice at a Time