MINUTES

The Shenandoah RC&D Council

USDA Conference Room - Harrisonburg

July 10, 2006

10:00 a.m.

The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Joan Comanor.  A quorum was declared with 10 voting members in attendance. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the May 8, 2006 meeting and the financial report were approved unanimously.  A motion was made by Linda Campbell and seconded by Carl Luebben.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Roy Stephenson, RC&D Secretary/Treasurer, read the treasurer’s report

The following reflects activity in the Shenandoah RC&D checking accounts:

Operating/Administrative Account:  On March 31, 2006 the balance was $11,751.71.

The following checks/deposits cleared:

                Eastern Shore                       Registration                          $240.00

                Southeastern RC&D           Raffle Tickets                      $40.00 (reimbursed by deposit 3/06)

Lorraine Cormier                 Office Supplies                     $8.99

                USPS                                      Postage                                  $63.00

                Stonewall Jackson               Deposit                                  $1,975.00

                Roy Stephenson                  Reimbursement                   $51.87

                USPS                                      Postage                                  $39.00

Deposit                                  Dues from VCC                   $300.00

Deposit                                  Dues from Pure H20           $100.00

Deposit                                  Agua Fund                            $2,500.00

Not cleared:

NARC&DC                           Registration                          $840.00

                Eastern Shore RC&D          Registration                          $50.00

There was a balance of $11,343.85 as of May 31, 2006.

Projects Account:  On March 31, 2006 the balance was $38,646.48.

The following checks/deposits cleared:

                Volunteer Farm                   Grant Match - Field Manager           $4,000.00

                Chris Lawrence                    Food - Groff Field Day                       $237.81

                Eric Bendfeldt                      Food – Groff Field Day                      $85.05

                Quicks Bus Co.                    Bus rental – Groff Field Day             $700.00

                Village Inn                            Room for S. Groff – Groff Field       $26.75

                VCE-Aug. Co.                      Shen. Valley Sust. Crop Systems      $2,500.00

                Steve Groff                           Mileage – Groff Field Day                 $58.08

                Ron Morse                            Copies – Groff Field Day                   $54.84

Deposit                                  Agua Fund                                            $25,000.00

Not cleared:

                Virginia Tech                        Field Crop Summer Intern                 $4,100.00

There was a balance of $34,491.64 as of May 31, 2006.

The following checks were written in June and will show on the statements next time.

Operating/Administrative Account:

                Joan Comanor                     NARC&DC                                           $75.50

                Jim Lawrence                       Travel/VARC&DC/NARC&DC       $1,258.70

                Lorraine Cormier Supplies – Extension Cords                               $3.15

The balance in the operating account as of June 28, 2006 was $10,006.50

Projects Account:

                Shen. Co. Econ. Dev.          Shen. Co. Ag Task Force                    $1,391.00

                Augusta Co. Fair                  Roller/Crimper                                     $125.00

                Jim Lawrence                       PDR                                                        $73.76

                Heavenly Ham                    Biodiesel Workshop                            $440.37

                Daily Grind                           Biodiesel Workshop                            $72.00

The balance in the projects account as of June 28, 2006 was $32,389.51.

The following checks were written in July and will show on the statements next time.

Projects Account:

                Kathy Holm                         Biodiesel – Food/Hotel                       $205.42

The balance in the projects account as of July 3, 2006 was $32,184.09.

The statements for both accounts for the months of April and May reconciled with the checkbook.  Copies of the reconciliation statements are being distributed.

Project Budget Updates:

The Biodiesel for Fleets project expenses were over budget by $217.79.  The money was paid from the Biodiesel On-Farm project, leaving a balance of $282.21 in this project.

Roy Stephenson made a motion to accept as read; seconded by Jim Nichols, and unanimously approved.

GUEST PRESENTATION

Green Infrastructure:  John Eckman and Jim Lawrence shared PowerPoint presentations with Council.  John explained that Green Infrastructure is our Nation's natural life support system - an interconnected network of protected land and water that supports native species, maintains natural ecological processes, sustains air and water resources and contributes to the health and quality of life for America's communities and people.  He stated that this is an umbrella for planning conservation.  Following natural corridors like rivers would be the natural course.  There are needs assessments underway in the state of Virginia.  There may be a potential to link the George Washington National Forest and the National Forest on Massanutten.  He sent around handouts.

Jim Lawrence presented Green Infrastructure Initiatives in Winchester and Frederick County.  He showed the relationship between Green Infrastructure and the projects in the Winchester area.  He highlighted the Green Circle Project.  There are many partners funding this project.  Innovative practices have been put in place, including natural processes that slow down the storm water before it gets to the wetland area.  There is also a trail.  There are 25 acres of preserved wetlands and one mile of trail (hard surface).  The Red Bud Run Greenway Project thoroughly highlighted the concepts of green infrastructure.  BMPs have been put in place by private landowners.  There is an active trout stream within this land.  CREP has been implemented also.  Native Brook Trout have been introduced to the stream at the headwaters.  The Red Bud Run Greenway would run from the mouth of the Opequon and connecting to the Green Circle.  There has been regional cooperation on withdrawing water from the streams because of a vested interest in what is going on in the streams.  This can be used as a model to show local governments how green infrastructure can work for them.  The group worked with the developer to get the property permanently protected.  www.greeninfrastructure.net

COUNCIL OPERATIONS

Annual Plan:  The committees met and reviewed the area plan and correlated the projects with the goals and objectives of the annual plan.  The projects that will be undertaken by the Shenandoah RC&D are listed on the chart in the annual plan.  Decisions will be made during the year on how to proceed with the annual plan.  A motion was made by Carl Luebben to accept the annual plan; seconded by Jim Lawrence and unanimously approved

NRCS/MOU:  This is to be reviewed annually by Council and the terms of the MOU were reviewed at this meeting.  NRCS make available staff, provides office space, equipment and supplies, monitors and evaluates the progress in achieving program purposes at the State and National level as related to the RC&D program.  Council maintains non-profit status and provides opportunities for the public to participate in developing an area plan and achieving its goals and objectives, and setting annual priorities with an annual plan.  It was stressed that the Shenandoah RC&D Council must ensure that civil rights and non-discrimination guidelines are followed.  It is filed in director’s notebook under tab 6.

2006-07 Budget:  Council reviewed the 2005-06 expenses.  The proposed 2006-07 budget was presented to Council.  A motion to accept the budget as presented was made by Roy Stephenson; seconded by Jim Lawrence and unanimously approved. 

Counsel Leadership and Participation:  Joan Comanor reported on this.  She asked that those serving as Committee chairs remain the same as well as Council officers.  If anyone wishes to step down as chair or wishes to be assigned to another committee, they should let Joan know within the next few weeks. There will be a change in Council leadership next year.  No one at the meeting stepped down from their position as chair.  In accordance with our new Area Plan, a Community Development Committee needs to be established in the next year. 

Agua Funds Review:  Agua Fund notified us informally that they will provide us with a new grant this fall.  There is approximately $15,000 left in the Agua Fund 05-06 project budget.  Council needs to generate additional project proposals for these funds and also for the next $50,000.  Proposals have been averaging $5,000 per project.

New Projects

2006 Farm Succession Management Planning Workshops:  Jim Lawrence reported on this project. 

This project was very successful in 2005.  The Education and Information Committee recommended approval of this project.  They are requesting $4,850.  There is a $6,600 match from Extension.  A motion was made by Jim Lawrence; seconded by Jim Nichols and unanimously approved.  Bill Whittle was asked to contact Heather Richards about the speaker (Jesse Richardson) slated for tax issues and conservation easements.

Farming 101:  Jim Lawrence reported on this project.  This project was very successful in 2005.  Approximately 35 people participated last year.  An evaluation was done at the end of the workshop.  This year, it will be located in Winchester.  They are requesting $400.  There is a $600 match from Farm Credit.  The Council encouraged Bobby Clark and VCE to consider offering this class further south in the RC&D region. The Education and Information Committee recommended approval of this project.  A motion was made by Jim Lawrence; seconded by Linda Campbell and unanimously approved.

Crop Tree Release with Shitake Mushrooms as a Management Opportunity for Forest Landowners:  John Eckman reported on this project.  The Open Space Committee felt that this was a good idea; however they have reservations about this project.  This focuses on production.  There are marketing issues—is there a demand for shitake mushrooms?  It does involve a large amount of work. Heather Richards stated that maybe it would keep a small wood lot working.  Joe Lehnen said that it would be ideal for a small wood lot (5-10 acres).  It was recommended that the Open Space/Forestry Committee contact Matt Yancey about providing a more detailed plan to the Council for marketing the mushrooms.  This will be reconsidered at the next Council meeting.

Rolling and Crimping as a Low Input Tool for Managing Cover Crops in the Shenandoah Valley:  Carl Luebben reported on this project.  This is an ongoing project that the Nutrient Management Committee would like to expand; this project represents a research component.  Shenandoah RC&D will provide $4,407.71 with a match of $4,250.00 from VCE. A motion was made by Carl Luebben; seconded by Jim Nichols and unanimously approved.  The roller/crimper will be shown at Augusta Co. and Rockingham Co. Fairs.  There will also be a Dairy Field Day in New Hope.  It will be used on farms in Augusta Co. and in the Lord Fairfax area also.

Crossing Creeks:  Carl Luebben and John Eckman reported on this project.  It is a residential living facility with a focus on people with mental disabilities.  The Nutrient Management and the Open Space Committees considered this project.  Council is not sure whether it fits with Agua Fund.  Joan pointed out that social service is a vision of Agua Fund and stated that this proposal may serve a two-fold purpose, social service and community development by marketing products in the future.  Council suggested that Agua Fund be contacted for guidance.  Crossing Creeks is requesting $2,150.  John Eckman made a motion that we accept this proposal with a conditional approval; seconded by Jim Nichols and unanimously approved.  The conditions are that Agua Fund be contacted to assure the project is consistent with their grant purposes and Crossing Creeks will be asked to do some public outreach work, like a demo day, to showcase its sustainable agriculture farming projects.  Heather Richards suggested that Crossing Creeks talk to Volunteer Farm in the future.  This will not be part of the conditional approval.  A report will be given at the next Council meeting.

Waste Solutions Forum Intern 2006-07:  Carl Luebben reported on this project.  A grant was submitted to the Keith Campbell Foundation and they granted Council $12,500 for an intern to help with the administrative and promotional work with the Waste Solutions Forum.  Carl Luebben made a motion to accept this as a project; Linda Campbell seconded, and it was unanimously approved.

Project updates/status changes

Completed: Biodiesel for Municipal and County Fleets Workshop:  Jim Nichols reported on this project.  All fleet managers including school districts were invited to this workshop held on June 30, 2006.  Approximately 70 people attended the workshop and it was a success.  An evaluation will be sent out and if there is interest, there will be follow-up workshop on ethanol.  Jim Nichols made a motion and declared this project complete; seconded by Linda Campbell and it was unanimously approved.

COUNCIL INFORMATION

2006 National Association of RC&D Councils Annual Meeting:  This was held in Savannah, GA.  Jim Lawrence, Joan Comanor, and Kathy Holm attended.  Shenandoah RC&D was selected to share two presentations; both were very well attended. Joan reported that there were excellent speakers and excellent food.  Jim reported that it was like an expanded Leadership Forum.  He enjoyed it very much.  He reported that the “Grant Station” training was good.  He was very interested in the Rapid Watershed Assessment.  The bulk of the training was success stories from RC&Ds.  He thought that people in this area would be interested in the “Master Naturalist” program, based on “Master Gardener” program, an extension program.  Kathy noted that our best attended success story was the “Pyrolysis” project; she ran out of handouts.  Shenandoah RC&Ds PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the NARC&DC website.  RC&D Budget:  Congress has rejected cutting the program by 50%.  NARC&DC has developed proposed program changes for the 2007 Farm Bill, including mandatory funding for designated areas.

VARC&DC Planning Committee:  Jim Nichols will report on this at the September meeting.  There will be two more committee meetings before that.  There will be one after the Council meeting today and at 9:00 a.m. on September 11.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Coordinator’s Report was distributed.

Announcements

VARC&DC Land Protection Ad-Hoc Committee:  Jim Lawrence reported on this.  There was a lot of talk about RC&Ds working together state-wide.  A Chesapeake Bay goal of the Governor is to protect 400,000 acres by 2010.  They are looking into PDRs around the state.  They also talked about green infrastructure.  They are planning a workshop for all RC&Ds in the state in Charlottesville in the fall.  This will be about how easements and PDRs work, and a green infrastructure workshop.  They are talking to DOF for funding for the project.  This may be a pilot project for green infrastructure throughout the state.

Page County A Water Resources Primer:  Chris Anderson reported that 5000 of these booklets have been printed and are being distributed to residents in welcome packets, real estate packets, and through fairs and festivals.  She made a few available to Council today.

JMU Local Foods Project:  Kathy Holm reported on this.  She passed a notebook around put together by the class.  Exploring options for getting more local produce into local institutions is an ongoing project which also involves Eric Bendfeldt and the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction.

The next Shenandoah RC&D Council meeting will be on September 11, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Shenandoah County Government Center in Woodstock, Virginia Cooperative Extension Conference Room.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorraine M. Cormier, Administrative Assistant

Shenandoah RC&D

Approved:  Chair                                                                                                                 Date