CONSERVATION

NEWS NRCS~ Helping People, Help The Land.

Volume LIII Summer 2016

MRBI pads and

flowmeter installed on

Yancey Farms .

Outlet protection around

an overfall pipe in

Eudora.

EQIP drop inlet pipe

being installed on Abbay

Ag.

March storm damage

approved for EWP

assistance from

NRCS.

Newly constructed

seasonal high tunnel on

Leslie Riley’s farm.

Fish population check by

NRCS Area Biologist,

John DeFazio on Mr. Ken

Thompson’s property.

EQIP rock chute installed

on Mac and Serita

Johnson’s farm, in the

Love community.

EQIP grade stabilization

structure being installed

while farmer plants peas

in the same field.

DeSoto County SWCD Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet

The DeSoto County SWCD Annual Meeting was held on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016 at the Gale Center in

Hernando. Those attending enjoyed the music of Lucas Leigh as he served as our entertainment this year.

The DeSoto County Environmental Services Department was awarded the SWCD’s Special Appreciation

award for outstanding dedication & commitment to the Information & Education Programs. Deb Waz from the

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson, MS was awarded our Information & Education Award of

Excellence for her dedication and commitment to the information and education programs. John Defazio,

NRCS Area Biologist was awarded the 2015 Outstanding Conservationist of the Year Award for commitment

to managing the natural resources of Mississippi and providing assistance to landowners in DeSoto County.

Lake Cormorant resident, Daniel Klein was awarded the 2015 Young Conservationist Farmer of the Year

Award for commitment to managing natural resources by applying conservation practices through the EQIP

program. Glenn & Kirby Floyd were awarded the 2015 Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist of the Year

Award for commitment to managing wildlife habitat on their farm near Eudora. Rob & Will Abbay with Abbay

Ag Services were presented the 2015 Cropland Conservationist of the Year Award for commitment to man-

aging the natural resources on their row crop farm near Walls, Ms. The City of Hernando received the 2015

Desoto County Soil & Water Conservation District President’s Award for their commitment and dedication to

the DeSoto County Soil & Water Conservation District. We also wanted to send a special thank you to our

sponsors: Cedar Hill Farm, Clifton Farms, Cooke Insurance, DeSoto County Farm Bureau, E-Plex EBOX,

Glen Meadow Ranch, Hunter Taylor with Mississippi Land Bank, Mathew W. Lipscomb III, Northcentral EPA

Complex, Professional Engineer, John S Wilson, LLC, T.E. Swindoll & Company, and The City of Hernando.

We couldn’t have held such a wonderful event without your help! Thank you to everyone who came out. We

had a wonderful Annual Banquet and look forward to next years event!

Pictured above L to R: Mayor Chip Johnson, Rob Abbay, John Defazio, Deb Waz, David Wright, Danny Klein, Kirby & Glenn Floyd

Annual Public Tree Giveaway

On Thursday, February 11, the District hosted its Annual Public Tree Giveaway at

Snowden Grove Park, where we gave away 17,000 seedlings by 10:30a.m.. We had

13 different species for citizens to choose from including, bald cypress, black walnut,

eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, green ash, loblolly pine, pecan, red maple, river

birch, cherry bark oak, sawtooth oak, shumard oak, and tulip poplar. We also provided

1000 pawpaw seedlings the following week due to their late arrival. We couldn’t have

had such a successful event without the help of the volunteers. Volunteers came from

all over the county and they included, NRCS, Southaven VIP’s, DeSoto County Green-

ways, DeSoto County EMS, DeSoto County Environmental Services DeSoto County

Road Department, City of Hernando, City of Olive Branch, Hernando Civic Garden

Club, DeSoto County Master Gardeners, and the Community Foundation. We look for-

ward to next year’s event, which will be held during the month of February. Please

watch our Facebook page for posts regarding next years event.

Kim Kretz with daughter Grace picking up

trees for their Southaven residence.

Commissioners David Sullivan and Bowdre Emerson stopped by to

help give some trees away.

The District is pleased to announce that we received over

1000 essays and over 20 posters for the “We All Need

Trees” essay and poster contest for DeSoto County stu-

dents. We appreciate the enthusiasm and support we re-

ceived from the students, parents, teachers, and especially

the Board of Education. We also sincerely appreciate Susie

Burns, Deputy Commissioner with the District. For close

to 40 years she has read and judged the essays. Thank you

Susie, we couldn’t do it without you!! Pictured below are

the 2016 Awards Winners.

MACD North Area Summer Meeting

Congratulations!!

These winners won in the

North Area and advanced to

the state competition!!

Pictured on left: Faye Burrell, North Area MACD VP,

Adam Eben, DeSoto Central High School

Pictured on right: Faye Burrell, North Area MACD VP,

Andrew McKenzie, Lewisburg Middle School

EARTH DAY We want to thank the students from Hernando High School along with Mrs. Kristina Acker-

man for volunteering with us during this awesome family friendly event. There was approxi-

mately 4000 in attendance to this annual event. We enjoy being part of this event each year!

Pictured above L to R: Kevin Kennedy, NRCS Area

Conservationist with Scott Griffith

Mint Chip Ice Cream Pie

INGREDIENTS 8 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate, melted 4 cups crisped rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies) 2 pints mint chocolate-chip ice cream, slightly sof-tened

DIRECTIONS 1. n a large bowl, combine the chocolate and cere-al until the cereal is completely coated. Transfer to a 9-inch spring form pan. Press the mixture into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the pan. Freeze just until firm, 5 to 10 minutes. 2. Spread the ice cream in the prepared crust and freeze, covered, until firm, for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Serves 8

So God Made A Farmer

And on the 8th day God looked down on his planned paradise and said,

“I need a caretaker!” So, God made a farmer!

God said I need somebody to get up before dawn and milk cows and

work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper and then go to

town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board. So, God

made a farmer!

I need somebody with strong arms. Strong enough to rustle a calf, yet

gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to call hogs,

tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry and have to wait for

lunch until his wife is done feeding and visiting with the ladies and telling

them to be sure to come back real soon…and mean it. So, God made a

farmer!

God said “I need somebody that can shape an ax handle, shoe a horse

with a hunk of car tire make a harness out of hay wire, feed sacks and

shoe scraps. And…who, at planting time and harvest season, will finish

his forty hour week by Tuesday noon. Then, pain’n from “tractor back”,

put in another seventy two hours. So, God made a farmer!

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get

the hay in ahead of the rain clouds and yet stop on mid-field and race to

help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor’s place. So, God

made a farmer!

God said, “I need somebody strong enough to clear trees, heave bails

and yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink

combed pullets…and who will stop his mower for an hour to mend the

broken leg of a meadow lark. So, God made a farmer!

It had to be somebody who’d plow deep and straight…and not cut cor-

ners. Somebody to seed and weed, feed and breed…and rake and disc

and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk. Somebody to

replenish the self-feeder and then finish a hard day’s work with a five mile

drive to church. Somebody who’d bale a family together with the soft

strong bonds of sharing, who’d laugh and then sigh…and then respond

with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life “doing

what dad does”. So, God made a farmer!

-The author is unknown, but USA Today reports that this Paul Harvey monologue was

originally given to the Future Farmers of America (now FFA) convention in 1978.

Every opportunity you get please, thank a farmer!!

Conservation Kids Camp For three years now the District has partnered with

DeSoto County Greenways to co-host the week long,

Conservation Kids Camp. This year Environmental

STEM lessons were introduced into the camp schedule.

Using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering &

Math), at camp provided an opportunity for a more

hands on type of learning that challenged the kids to

really think, problem solve and experiment by using

natural surroundings. This type of learning allows them

to become interested in these fields at an early age.

STEM topics varied from weather, wildlife, water, soil,

and even learned about agriculture in DeSoto County.

The response using this type of activities was very well

received from the kids and the session leaders.

Speaking of session leaders, we had an outstanding number of talented volunteers assist with this year’s camp. Because of

their dedication, enthusiasm and time, CAMP WAS A HIT! We would like to also thank our corporate sponsor, Northcentral

EPA and Volunteer Northwest for securing lunches to feed the camp volunteers during the week.

BUY RAFFLE TICKETS TODAY

for a chance to win a $200 BASS PRO GIFT CARD

$1 per ticket

Stop by our office to purchase your tickets by January 19, 2016

Winners will be selected at the MACD Annual Meeting and you don’t have to present to win.

2016 DeSoto Co. SWCD Summer Workshop

This year DeSoto Central High School had the pleasure of working with a

new teacher sponsor, Mrs. Tania Studer. Mrs. Studer previously worked the

Envirothon program when she and her family lived in Florida. We were excit-

ed to have her lead, train, and mentor the two teams from DCHS. She along

with other subject expert trainers

helped the teams prepare for the

North Area Competition. In

March both teams competed

at the North Area competition

and did a phenomenal job.

DCHS Team A won Third

Place and advanced to the

State Competition. The State Competition was held in Raymond, Mississippi

in May where they won 4th Place in the state! Congratulations to both teams

on a job well done!

Envirothon DeSoto Central High School

Team A

DeSoto Central High School

Team B

When: Thursday, August 4, 2016

Where: Gale Center, Hernando, MS

Time: 6pm-8:15pm

More details to follow!

SAVE THE DATE

During the week of February 1-5, volunteers joined the District to educate over 2400 third grade students from the 13 elementary schools and also the 2 private schools in the county. Time spent at each school was to teach the students about the importance of trees to our community and everyday lives. Students also learned about the state tree and the history of the magnolia becoming our state tree. This year we made a slight change to the program. In years past, each third grader re-ceived a tree; however, after poll-ing the schools we learned that giving each student a product made from trees would be more sufficient. We also planted Southern Magnolias at most of the schools in honor of this year’s third grade class and we placed dedication plaques with each tree.

Third Grade Tree Program

Judy BeardCindy Gaines662-429-5288

324 West CommerceHernando, MS 38632

LADIES READY TO WEAR

Compliments of

Velvet CreamMon - Sat:9:30 am-9:00 pm • Sun:10:00 am-9:00 pm

2290 Highway 51 South, Hernando, MS 38632

662-429-6540

John S. (Steve) WilsonLicensed Professional EngineerMississippi and Tennessee

895 Swinnea Lake DriveSouthaven, MS 38672

Civil Engineer

(662) 449-1827Cell (662) 404-2583jswilson9@comcast.net

D E S O T O C O U N T Y S O I L A N D W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N D I S T R I C T

Jimmy J. Hill

3451 Goodman Rd. #101

Southaven, MS 38672

Phone: 662-874-5010

Fax: 662-874-5014

AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED FRANCHISE

www.lennys.com

P.O. Box 323 Peyton Road Coldwater, MS 38618

JERRY SLOCUMnmsgrain@bellsouth.net

Phone: 662-662-7266 Fax: 662-662-0218

NORTH MISSISSIPPI GRAIN CO., INC.

Lauderdale Insurance Agcy IncSam Lauderdale, Agent

11 W Commerce StreetHernando, MS 38632-2213Bus 662 429 5213 Fax 662 429 5299sam.lauderdal.b2r2@statefarm.com

For Emergency Road Service, call 877-627-5757.

2451 E. Parkway, Suite B • Hernando, MS 38632Office: 662-449-3530 • Fax: 662-449-3531

Toll Free: 1-888-432-1104

Bowdre Emerson, Realtor Associate

D E S O T O C O U N T Y S O I L A N D W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N D I S T R I C T

Norman Brown III

10636 Shelton RoadCollierville, TN, 38017

Office: 901.850.9996Fax: 901.850.7877Cell: 901.581.5977

Norman Brown III

RECYCLING AND LANDFILL SERVICE

Compliments of

PLEASANT HILL FARMS

2451 E. Parkway, Suite B • Hernando, MS 38632Office: 662-449-3530 • Fax: 662-449-3531

Toll Free: 1-888-432-1104

Bowdre Emerson, Realtor Associate

D E S O T O C O U N T Y S O I L A N D W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N D I S T R I C T

Norman Brown III

10636 Shelton RoadCollierville, TN, 38017

Office: 901.850.9996Fax: 901.850.7877Cell: 901.581.5977

Norman Brown III

RECYCLING AND LANDFILL SERVICE

Compliments of

PLEASANT HILL FARMS

2451 E. Parkway, Suite B • Hernando, MS 38632Office: 662-449-3530 • Fax: 662-449-3531

Toll Free: 1-888-432-1104

Bowdre Emerson, Realtor Associate

D E S O T O C O U N T Y S O I L A N D W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N D I S T R I C T

Norman Brown III

10636 Shelton RoadCollierville, TN, 38017

Office: 901.850.9996Fax: 901.850.7877Cell: 901.581.5977

Norman Brown III

RECYCLING AND LANDFILL SERVICE

Compliments of

PLEASANT HILL FARMS

2451 E. Parkway, Suite B • Hernando, MS 38632Office: 662-449-3530 • Fax: 662-449-3531

Toll Free: 1-888-432-1104

Bowdre Emerson, Realtor Associate

D E S O T O C O U N T Y S O I L A N D W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N D I S T R I C T

Norman Brown III

10636 Shelton RoadCollierville, TN, 38017

Office: 901.850.9996Fax: 901.850.7877Cell: 901.581.5977

Norman Brown III

RECYCLING AND LANDFILL SERVICE

Compliments of

PLEASANT HILL FARMSSPONSORSHIPAVAILABLE

for your business card only

ONLY$35

Visit us on the web at www.desotoswcd.com

DeSoto County Soil and Water Conservation District

3260 Hwy 51 S. Hernando, MS 38632 662-429-8687 ext. 3

BULK RATE

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMINT NO. 9

HERNANDO, MS

NON-PROFIT ORG

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial status. (not all prohibited bases apply

to all program) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at 207-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250, or 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or 202-720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

COMMISSIONERS

W.E. (Roe) Ross, Chairman

David Sullivan, Sec. /Treas.

Bowdre Emerson

Todd Williams

Duane Steadham

DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS

Susie Burns

Carolyn Neergaard

Matthew Wallis

SWCD STAFF

Information & Education Specialist

Meleiah Tyus

District Clerk

Jenn Wilson

ASSISTING THE DISTRICT

Supervisory Soil Conservationist, NRCS

Scott Griffith

Conservation Technician, NRCS

Seth Steadham

2016

Upcoming Events

MCDEA Summer Meeting Hosted by

DeSoto Co. SWCD

Backyard Conservation Workshop

Conservation Field Day