Coordinator’s Report

May 8, 2006

Project Activity

Rural Economic Vitality: 

• Final report on its way from Pete Bsumek’s JMU class on how to get locally-produced foods into JMU cafeterias for class project

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

·        Numerous calls/organizing appointments for “Leadership Dialogues” with cities/counties in our service region to take place May 10, June 14 and June 29.  Teleconference April 6, May 5

·        Participated in panel discussion April 3 hosted by Frederick County on Conservation Easements and local Purchase of Development Rights programs

Water Quality/Quantity:

• Toured around with/made arrangements for Larry Elworth, Center for Ag Partnerships, and Connie Musgrove, U of MD, to meet with people to discuss potential projects funded by Chesapeake Bay Funders group to improve water quality, April 11 and 12

Nutrient Management:

• Made presentation on Waste Solutions Forum for Dairy Day in McGaheysville April 5

Education and Information:

• Successful Advanced No-Till and Intensive Cover Crop Management Day held featuring Steve Groff and Ron Morse, March 16.
• Consulted with Jim Nichols and Chad Freckman regarding biodiesel workshop for Fleet Managers the Council is proposing for June 30.  Made arrangements, drafted invite letter

Grants/Funding

• AWARDED NFWF targeted watershed grant (submitted by VA Tech with RC&D as a subcontractor); $157,000 for Council employee for three years marketing organic resources
• Provided Agua Fund with interim report for board meeting by April 28th

NRCS Activities

• Teleconference with RC&D Coordinators on April 26
• Still working on State NRCS webpage for RC&D program in VA
• Mid-year reviews for Lorraine/Kathy and associated paperwork

Other

• Two “Success Stories” submitted from our Council to the National Association of RC&D Councils for national meeting in Savannah were accepted for presentation.
• Area Plan interviews (Rhonda Henderson, Bill Strider, Greg Spitler) and writing (ongoing)
• Met with Joan to draft key elements of Area Plan April 7
• VARCDC: Public Relations (PR) committee teleconference April 10
• VARCDC: Completed PR report for spring meeting
• SE Assoc.: Revised application packet for Agua Fund nomination
• Met with Shenandoah RC&D 2007 Annual Meeting Committee via teleconference to begin planning for Shenandoah hosting the state meeting in 2007, April 4
• Attended W.K. Kellogg Foundation Networking Conference in Asheville, NC, April 24-27
• VARCDC: Working on display for State Association display for Savannah
• Reasonable Solutions passed by Executive Committee
• VARCDC Eastern Shore spring meeting May 4-6