October 6-8, 2015

The Country Inn & Suites,

Goodlettsville, TN

TCDEA

2015

TCDEA Fall Workshop

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6TH

Middle Tennessee gave us all a warm welcome to start the workshop off.

Gary Moore , The Land Trust for Tennessee spoke to us briefly on

their program and then introduced us to Senator, Joe Haynes who

recently placed his farm in a Land Trust.

Senator Haynes has a working cattle farm and has restored many of the

original buildings still on the farm. The Land Trust for Tennessee will be

hosting a Celebration on Senator Haynes farm October 25th all are

invited. Contact Gary Moore for more information

GMoore@landtrusttn.org

Kevin Brown, State Conservationist –NRCS spoke next giving

us updates and information. He encouraged us to go to the

TNACD.org and read testimonies under the Soil Health tab: Soil Health

Heroes. He reminded us that 1% organic matter can store up to 200,000

gallons per acre of water.

If any districts are interested in purchasing another piece of equipment

Kevin suggested talking to our boards about a Roller/Crimper Machine.

Most of our Districts have tree give-aways. Kevin wanted to point out that

Short leaf pines are the true native pine tree for Tennessee. These pines

can take a burn and are designed with a crook at the base of the seedling

that if the branch burns off another sprout will grow from that crook.

They also grow better in a droughty site than a Loblolly.

Kevin reminded us that it is time for the Local Working Group Meetings

in our districts and we should have received emails already on this and

that the Districts are the head of the LWG.

And in closing Kevin informed us that the new Program Support

Specialist that NRCS opened up have been reopened. The PSS is a full-

time position and administrative in nature. There are 8 positions to fill.

Filling out the application correctly will have a higher chance in getting in.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Land Trust for TN..............1

Kevin Brown, NRCS .................1

John McClurkan, TDA ..............2

TACD Report & Convention .....2

History of TCDEA .....................2

TACD Awards ...........................2

John McFadden, 50K Tree ......2

Cumberland River Projects ......3

Cowboy Dan, Outdoor Class….3

Website Information ……………3

TCDEA Auction …………………..3

Civil Rights ...............................4

TCDEA Business Session…… ....4

KEEP IN MIND….

Haynes Farm Celebration

with The Land Trust for TN is

October 25th

A Short Leaf Pine is the true

native pine tree for Tennessee

KEEP IN MIND….

Title VI Summary Reports &

Annual Reports every year!

Take Photos! Take Photos! Take

Photos! Before, During, After and

Yearly! Make “WOW” photos!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH

John McClurkan, TDA went over the new TN brand and how to work inside the

new website some. The new name is Land and Water Stewardship. To get to forms

we need, you can go under the Farm tab, select Land and Water Stewardship and

navigate to the ARCF page or under License & Permit tab and select the Land and

Water Stewardship Forms.

They are making plans for a second round of amendments in FY 16. Get your

request ready and send in anytime.

Title VI summary reports are to be done yearly. They will be sending guidance out

on this soon.

Annual Reports should be sent in 90 days after whatever period you choose. Each

District can set their on period: calendar year, fiscal year etc…...Just send in an

annual report!

Operation Grants Reports are due by July 31st of each year.

Photographs are very important not only before and after but returning yearly for

photos to show the long lasting benefits & quality of a practice put in. Always try to

take pictures from the same angle and try to make the best “WOW” photos you can.

Some districts have to fight for their positions to remain open pictures to show the

importance of your work is very beneficial.

We ended the evening with a Chick-fil-A catered meal sponsored by Gary Moore

and then free time to visit parks, malls, other attractions in the area or to just rest.

Wednesday morning we were welcomed by John Coombs, Mayor of Goodlettsville

who gave us some brief history also.

We paused for a moment of silence to remember Belinda Jones Family. The unex-

pected passing of this dear friend was shocking to us all.

John Leeman, TACD Vice Chairman and Davidson County SCD board mem-

ber gave a brief overview of the TACD Convention that will be held in Chattanooga

this coming February and encouraged us to plan on attending.

History of TCDEA how & why: Vina Winstead and Janice Gilispie gave us

some detailed insight on the history of TCDEA. Vina & Rona Needham were two of

the original coordinators present at this workshop and still going strong!

TACD Awards: Janice Weiss gave us some detailed instructions we are to use

when choosing Conservation Farmer of the Year and Conservation Promotion

Award and encouraged each district to give these awards. The winners receive

$250.00.

50K Tree in TN: John McFadden with TN Environmental Council joined

us. He has been with this council 45 years . Their Vision is A Tennessee that em-

braces natural resources as the backbone of our communities, economy and quality

of life for all present and future generations. He explained how the 50K Tree in TN

got started and how it works. The next one will be February 27 and he would like

to see the SCD’s be the county distribution points for the counties. Be thinking on

this and look for more info on it.

2

Remember Belinda Jones’ Family

Plan on going to TACD

Convention, February 2016 in

Chattanooga.

50K Tree in TN, February 27,

2016.

Cumberland River Projects: Late morning we all loaded up on a bus and

headed to downtown Nashville to spend a little time, have a group picture made and

then meet for lunch. At lunch we heard from speakers from the Cumberland River

Compact and the 319 Grant Presentation.

Upon returning we were entertain by “Cowboy Dan”, Dan Herron with

UT Extension Outdoor Classroom Education. He shared with us many great

ideas on outdoor projects with schools that he had experienced. One main point he

made was you’ve got to have a great connection with the principle. He also stressed

that Farm Bureau is also looking for ways to give money towards projects like this.

They have an Garden Grant for schools that can be found on their website under

education. Lowe’s also works really great with helping school projects. He ended

his session by singing a few songs to us that he wrote for children’s videos: Digging

in the Dirt and a new song on Earthworms.

Carter Harris, NRCS shared with us the new website layout that a lot of

districts are going to and that he will be glad to help us set up. These websites

resemble the TACD website as well.

For supper we had BBQ pork & chicken catered by Buck’s BBQ.

Following supper we had the TCDEA Auction by the famous Sonny

Jewel, Auctioneer. Auction items brought in $479.00 and Donations were

$110.00 for a total of $589.00 that will be set aside to help with the reception at the

TACD Convention. Thanks for all who donated and participated!

TOUR OF DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE AND THE

JOHN SEIGENTHALER PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE KEEP IN MIND…...

Need help with Outdoor

Classroom ideas….contact Cowboy

Dan!

Farm Bureau has Garden Grants

for Schools to use!

Contact Carter Harris with

Website help.

TCDEA Auction Items $479.00

Donations $110.00

Total Auction: $589.00

TCDEA Fall Workshop 2015

3

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge : A way of bringing people together!

TCDEA

“Don’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover.

Not All Disabilities Are Visible.”

To count workshop points for

TCDEA Certificates you must plan

to be at the TCDEA Business Ses-

sion.

TCDEA

Excellence and professionalism are strived for,

lines of communication between district

employees, district supervisors and other

conservationists have been opened. With a

wealth of talent and knowledge, one of

Tennessee's most valuable resources is

Conservation District Employees. District

employees continue to reach out, promoting

conservation throughout the state to not only

landowners, but also to land

users. District employees assist in the

implementation of district programs, establish

and maintain a high standard of quality, and

carry on an education and improvement

program while displaying pride and

dedication in work and to those who

are served.

YOUR LOGO HERE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH

Thursday morning began with Trevor Hunt, NRCS Civil Rights

Committee Member. He shared with us several Civil Rights issues and

why some things are done a certain way. One way the committee was

taught to see the importance of the heights of some items was to spend the

day in a wheelchair. While in the wheelchair, they had to try to read

posters and notices at different ranges. He also encouraged us to put

ourselves in the other persons position….would we struggle with that,

would we be hurt or offended by that. And to remember “Don’t judge a

book by it’s cover. Not all disabilities are visible.”

We wrapped up 2015 Fall Workshop with the TCDEA Business

Session. Susan Bates, TCDEA President stressed that to count TCDEA

Certificate points for attending workshops that you really are supposed to

be attending the business session. If there are any district employee

changes in your office please let Myra Lilly know.

If you sign up to serve on a committee make sure you are able to fulfill your

duties of that committee. If you can’t, please find out the process to have

someone fill that position.

Susan passed out a Plan of Work for TCDEA. The POW list the different

activities that go on throughout the year and who is responsible for

attending or doing. If you need a copy contact your area coordinator.

Susan also mentioned that they are looking for Convention workshop

ideas.

All were dismissed and wished safe travels on the way home. 2016 Spring

Workshop will be held in East Tennessee.

East Tennessee

Middle Tennessee

West

Tennessee