Coordinator’s Report

January 9, 2006

Project Activity

Rural Economic Vitality: 

• Met with Pete Bsumek, JMU professor, Nov. 29, about his students doing a local food assessment project to look towards local Farm to Cafeteria programs

Open Space, Forestry, and Farmland Preservation and Community Development: 

• Held organizational meeting Nov. 16 with Environmental Finance Center,  Evergreen Capital Advisors and local elected representatives, as well as administrators, to get advice on local financing for natural resource projects in the Shenandoah Valley region in Shenandoah County

• Had follow-up teleconference with above meeting organizers Nov. 28, to discuss next steps for funding charettes/workshops

• Set up committee teleconference Dec. 30 to discuss technical assistance proposal later withdrawn

Water Quality/Quantity:

• Attended  “Fish Kill” organizational meeting called by Pure Water Forum Dec. 12 in preparation for trip to Richmond

Nutrient Management:

• Follow up Waste Solutions Forum meeting on cooperative ventures Nov. 29.

• Teleconference with Nutrient Management Committee to discuss further funding for Dr. Agblevor’s pyrolysis project Dec. 28

Education and Information:

• Met with Brian Jones, Eric Bendfeldt, Chris Lawrence, Joan Comanor, Mike Phillips re: Groff Field Day Nov. 18

• Roller/Crimper teleconference Dec. 15 with NRCS, SWCD staff

• Attended Innovative Nutrient Solutions Expo and State Dairy Conservation Field Day Planning meeting at Harrisonburg Extension Office, Dec. 19

• Set up committee teleconference Dec. 30 to discuss two biodiesel workshop proposals

Grants/Funding

• Phone call with Cecily Kihn re: Chesapeake Funders Network Dec. 7

• Have been approved to submit full proposal to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Waste Solutions Forum group proposal); worked and will work more extensively on RC&D subcontracting portion of grant; due Jan. 27; announcement in April

• Submitted Virginia Environmental Endowment grant due Dec. 1

• Attended Ways and Means Committee meeting Dec. 12 for Pure Water Forum

• Lorraine attended NFWF meeting in Charlottesville Dec. 13

• Waste Solutions Forum NFWF grant committee teleconference Jan. 4, 2006

NRCS Activities

• Completed mandatory NRCS Ethics training on-line Nov. 22

• Teleconference with coordinators re: letter to Bruce Knight on performance measures, Dec. 9

• Civil Rights and JED training Dec. 14

Other

• Met with Lord Fairfax SWCD to discuss Area Plan Nov. 17, 2005

• Teleconference with Chesapeake Bay Funders group and Larry Elworth on better delivery of ag services, Nov. 30

• Met with Shenandoah Valley SWCD to discuss Area Plan Dec. 1, 2005

• Met with Headwaters SWCD to discuss Area Plan Dec. 20, 2005

• Met with Joan to prepare agenda and associated materials for Council meeting Dec. 9

• VARCDC am putting together annual report for Leadership Forum