S t an l y So i l & Wate r Con s er v a t ion D i s t r i c t

Agri-Civic Center

26032-C Newt Road

Albemarle, NC 28001

704-986-3059

Conservation

Information

District Board Members Terry Blalock Chairman

Curtis Furr Vice-Chairman

Jody Smith Treasurer

Aaron Burleson Supervisor

Chester Lowder Supervisor

District Board Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. All meetings

are open to the public.

District and NRCS Staff

Amanda Kirby

District Conservation Tech.

Rita Little

Admin/Education Coordinator

Charles Dunevant

Soil Conservationist

Lin Taylor

Civil Engineer Technician

S PRING EDITION

APRIL 2019

Stanly SWCD wants to

remind you that each of us

has a connection to natu-

ral resources. Each spring,

The National Association

of Conservation Districts

(NACD) and thousands of

dedicated conservationists

organize a multitude of

outreach events and educa-

tional learning experiences

for students and adults in

order to increase aware-

ness about the importance of natural resource conservation. During Stewardship

Week, local conservation districts and their state associations educate the public on

the importance of soil health, water quality, pollinator habitat and other conserva-

tion topics. Different classroom activities, field visits and community events are

hosted to honor and recognize efforts in conservation at the local level.

NACD Stewardship Week is one of the largest national programs to promote natu-

ral resource conservation. Celebrated annually since 1955 between the last Sunday

in April and the first Sunday in May, NACD Stewardship Week reminds us of our

individual responsibilities to care for natural resources.

This year marks the 64th year to celebrate NACD Stewardship Week and honors

the theme “Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper.” Soil is a dirty topic, but everyone needs

to learn more about it! Soil is the foundation for many of the items we use in our

daily life, such as food, clothing, clean water, homes and more. Healthy soil equals

healthy food, which equals a healthy you. Don’t treat your soil like dirt! Contact

Stanly SWCD to find out more about how you can care for your soil.

Stanly SWCD is a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts

(NACD), which oversees the Stewardship Week program. NACD represents the

nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, which were established to encourage resource

conservation across the country.

Additional information is available on the NACD website at https://www.nacdnet.org/

general-resources/stewardship-and-education-materials/2019-life-in-the-soil-dig-deeper/ .

Annual Awards Banquet Held February 25th

Spring Edition

Page 2 April 2019

Stanly SWCD held an annual awards banquet on Monday, February 25, at the Stanly

County Agri-Civic Center.

"The Living Soil" was the theme of this year’s student contests. Following dinner,

Stanly SWCD Education Coordinator, Rita Little, recognized the winners and awarded

prizes.

The Yellow Populars high school team earned 1st place

in the state 2018 Envirothon competition held at Cedar

Rock Park in Burlington. Teams members were Mad-

die Davis, Amber Stiller, Erik Conrad, and Lexie

Burns.

The team then went on to compete in the National Con-

servation Foundation Envirothon. The competition was

held at the Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho

on July 22-28. The week-long competition included

hands-on and written tests and oral presentations on the

students’ knowledge of aquatic ecology, forestry, wild-

life and soil/land use. Each team receives extensive on-

site training to help familiarize themselves with the hos

region.

The competition culminated with an announcement of

the winning teams and %54,000 in cash awards to be used

as scholarships. The Yellow Populars team was awarded

$3000 for 7th place.

Slide show winner: Jagger Dry,

WSMS. He shared his slide show

entitled: "The Living Soil”.

5th Grade Poster contest winners: L-R, Third place, Millie Sosa;

Second place, Lexie Brown; First place, Camden Brown

Yellow Populars HS team - Maddy Davis,

Malory Rogers, Amber Stiller, Erik Conrad and

Lexie Burns.

Spring Edition

Page 3

April 2019

SWCD 2016 Awards Banquet (cont.)

2018 Outstanding Conservation Farm Family

Vice-Chairman Curtis Furr presented Terry

Blalock with a plaque for being selected the

Conservation Farm Family of the Year. The fam-

ily operation, located in the Cottonville commu-

nity, is owned and operated by Terry and his

wife Becky and his son, Eric Blalock.

Amanda Kirby, SWCD District Conservation Tech-

nician, gave an Ag Cost Share update. Cost Share is

offered to land owners in the county with conserva-

tion operations such as dry stacks, litter sheds,

composters, litter spreaders, incinerators, and ag

water supply ponds.

Kirby also discussed AgWRAP, an agricultural wa-

ter resources assistance program. Its purposes are to

identify opportunities to increase water use efficien-

cy, ability, and storage, and implement best man-

agement practices.

Another program offered is CCAP, Community

Conservation Assistance Program, available to

landowners that submit applications. If eligible, a

conservation plan is prepared for the applicant to

install best management practices. The landowner

may be reimbursed up to 75 percent of the average

cost of the BMP.

6th Grade Poster contest winners: L-R, Sec-

ond place, Amari Baldwin; First place, Lindy

Barrett

3rd Grade Poster winners: L-R, Third place,

Lorelei King; First place, Matthew Chaney;

Second place, Kevin Chepe Lopez

Now available... Erosion Control Materials For more information contact Amanda Kirby

704-986-3059

akirby@stanlycountync.gov

Phone: 704-986-3059 Fax: 704-982-1835

E-mail: akirby@stanlycountync.gov

26032-C Newt Road Albemarle, NC 28001

STANLY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION D ISTRICT

Straw Double Net

8 ft. x 112.5 ft. $28.00 each

Excelsior Single Net

4 ft. x 180 ft. $38.00 each

Straw Wattle

12 in. x 10 ft. $25.00 each

Wood Stake

1.5 in. x 24 in. .75 each

Bundle of 25 $16.00 bundle

Sod Staples

6” 1000/box $30.00 box

STANLY

N.C. Forest Service urges residents to think safety

in spring wildfire season

RALEIGH - The N.C. Forest Service is urging North Carolina residents to think safety and

exercise extra caution when burning materials during the spring fire season. The spring fire season typ-

ically runs from March through May, and is historically the time when wildfires are most likely to oc-

cur.

“The leading cause of wildfires is careless debris burning. Protect our natural resources by acting safe-

ly,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Don't burn on dry, windy days; maintain a careful

watch over your debris fire; and make sure it is fully extinguished."

Troxler also warned against using drones over wildfires, an emerging concern across the country. In

2018, there were 26 drone incursions into air space over wildfires across the nation.

When unauthorized aircraft, such as drones, fly into the same airspace as helicopters and airplanes

even at low altitudes, the air operations must be stopped due to safety concerns. This means no water

drops to slow the spread of a fire and no eyes in the sky to help direct firefighters on the ground, Trox-

ler said.

The N.C. Forest Service encourages anyone considering debris burning to contact his or her local

county forest ranger. The forest ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help

maximize safety to people, property and the forest. For people who choose to burn debris, the N.C.

Forest Service urges them to adhere to the following tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

Make sure you have an approved burning permit, which can be obtained at any N.C. Forest Service

office, a county-approved burning permit agent, or online at http://ncforestservice.gov.

Check with your county fire marshal’s office for local laws on burning debris. Some communities al-

low burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.

Check the weather. Don’t burn if conditions are dry or windy.

Consider alternatives to burning. Some yard debris such as leaves and grass may be more valuable if

composted.

Only burn natural vegetation from your property. Burning household trash or any other man-made ma-

terials is illegal. Trash should be hauled away to a convenience center.

Plan burning for the late afternoon when conditions are typically less windy and more humid.

If you must burn, be prepared. Use a shovel or hoe to clear a perimeter down to mineral soil of at least

10-feet, preferably more, around the area around where you plan to burn.

Keep fire tools ready. To control the fire, you will need a water hose, bucket, a steel rake and a shovel

for tossing dirt on the fire.

Never use flammable liquids such as kerosene, gasoline or diesel fuel to speed debris burning.

Stay with your fire until it is completely out. Remember, debris burning is the No. 1 cause of wildfires

in the state.

Spring Edition

Page 5

April 2019

NCDA&CS agronomist offers home garden tips

RALEIGH -- As the weather warms up, garden enthusiasts, community gardeners and

landscapers gear up for the spring and summer growing seasons. Whether it’s a home

vegetable garden or establishing plants that will turn into breathtaking beds of flowers

and ornamentals, many North Carolinians love to garden.

“Now is the best time to submit soil samples as the peak season for the soil lab has

passed,” said Jagathi Kamalakanthan, an agronomist with the Agronomic Services

Division. “Soil samples are analyzed free of cost and the turnaround time to get re-

sults during spring and fall is usually just a little over a week.” Information on sub-

mitting soil samples for home gardens is available at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pdffiles/HomeApr2014.pdf.

Lime: If your garden or lawn has not been limed in the past two to three years, it may need it, Kamalakanthan said.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Services Division suggests you

test your soil to optimize lime or fertilization needs.

Lime takes several months to react and there is no real substitute for time. Some people, in a rush to get

plants established, end up buying soil from big-box stores or from lawn and garden suppliers instead of im-

proving the fertility of the existing soil.

Topsoil: Kamalakanthan cautions that it is always buyer beware when purchasing topsoil, because the sale of topsoil

is not regulated in North Carolina. “Many times these soils have high soil pH and high nutrient levels,” she

said.

It is a popular misconception that more nutrients are better when it comes to soil fertility. Some nutrients

such as zinc and copper are beneficial to plants in very small amounts, while those same nutrients in excess

can be toxic to plants, Kamalakanthan said. Additionally, excessive phosphorus which can be harmful to the

environment is sometimes found in purchased topsoil. Before buying topsoil, it is best to soil test so you are

aware of its quality, especially if buying large quantities. More information on topsoil can be found

at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pdffiles/sfn14.pdf.

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Stanly SWCD prohibits dis-

crimination against its customers, employees and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, dis-

ability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status,

sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic

information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. Persons with disabilities who

require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the

USDA Office of Communication at (202) 720-2791. To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington,

D.C. 20250 or call 1-800-245-6340 (Voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).

Spring Edition Page 6

April 2019

FSA Crop Year 2019 Acreage Reporting Dates

In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit

the Stanly County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable dead-

line.

September 30 - Value-loss and controlled environment crops except nursery

November 15 - Apiculture, Clary Sage

January 15 - Apples, Barley, Blueberries, Canola, Grapes, Oats, Peaches, Rapeseed, Wheat, all fall

seeded small grains May 15 - Beans (Planted 3/25 - 5/8), Cabbage (Planted 2/2 - 4/20), Potatoes

July 15 - Beans (Planted 06/26 - 7/10), Corn, Cotton, CRP, Soybeans, all other crops

September 15 - Beans (Planted 7/15 - 9/5), Cabbage (Planted 7/15 - 9/5)

Spring Edition Page 7

April 2019

Soil Health Workshop 2018

Buz Kloot and Carl Coleman were guest speakers at this year’s Soil Health

Workshop. They discussed the importance of various conservation methods

commonly used in agriculture to improve soil health and productivity.

Nathan Lowder gave a presentation using a rainfall simulator. The simula-

tor is a tool used to demonstrate runoff, infiltration and soil loss due to

erosion.

"Water stored in soil is money in the bank. The

number one pollutant in NC is sediment. Less

erosion means more vegetation.” Nathan Lowder

26032-C Newt Road

Agri-Civic Center

Albemarle, NC 28001

704-986-3059

www.stanlycountync.

gov/soil-and-water

STANLY

Your Community Bank

Stanly County Farm Bureau 704-982-0113

Mauney Feed Mill, Inc.

40255 US Hwy. 52 North Kelly Vick New London, NC 28127 704-463-1331

B.B. Oil, Inc.

Diesel - Home Heating Oil - Kerosene

Home A/C, Furnace & Heat Pump Service

Tires - Batteries - Auto Accessories

Auto/Motorcycle Inspections

128 Hwy 49 N Hydraulic Hoses

PO Box 185 Propane Tank Filling

Richfield, NC 28137 704--463-7543

Newport Landowner Services Inc. Complete Reforestation Management

Site Preparation * Tree Planting * Herbicide Applica-tion

Agricultural Services * Land and Estate Manage-

ment Dale Newport

Mobile (704) 985-5437 44558 N.C. Hwy 8 Home (704) 463-1226

H.W. CULP LUMBER COMPANY

P.O. Box 235 New London, NC 28127 Phone: 704-463-7311

Purchasers of Standing Timber

Office: 704-982-8496 Fax: 704-982-8500 32467 Millingport Rd Albemarle, NC 28001

20560 N.C. 73 HWY, Albemarle, NC 28001

(704) 982-2226 or 2228

Steve Edwards, Manager

To put your ad here…

rlittle@stanlycountync.gov

To put your ad here…

rlittle@stanlycountync.gov

Mission Statement

The mission of Stanly Soil and Water Conservation District is to provide education, information and technical assistance to

citizens of Stanly County for the conservation of our soil and water resources.