Coordinator’s Report

November 13, 2006

Project Activity

Rural Economic Vitality:

·        Worked with committee to review Organic Dairy Transition proposal to bring before Council

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

·        Teleconference with Gary Boring, NRH RC&D; David Richert, RC&D forester; and Boyd Ritchie, retired USFS/VADOF consultant, to discuss Firewise project Sept. 13, 2006

·        Numerous follow-up phone calls with David Richert to discuss Firewise project issues; landowner agreements sent to Joan for signature

·        9/28/06 meeting with Valley Conservation Council re: Financing Local Land Protection Charette on Nov. 16; teleconference on 10/13/06 and 11/3/06 plus numerous follow-up phone calls to discuss upcoming Charette

Water Quality/Quantity:

• Attended Pure Water Forum 10^th anniversary celebration at JMU on 10/13/06

Nutrient Management:

·        WSF grants subcommittee teleconference Sept. 20, 2006; Communications subcommittee 9/22/06 and 9/29/06

·        Workplan meeting for Cattle Exclusion Project 9/21/06; follow-up on workplan 10/3/06

·        Interviews for WSF Intern 9/27/06 and 9/28/06; a WSF intern hired and started on 10/11/06 (Jennifer Howard, JMU, education student)

·        WSF Organic Resources Cooperative meeting in Charlottesville 10/2/06 and 11/2/06 to plan Symposium in Rockingham County on Feb. 22, 2007

·        Interviews for Market Maker position 10/16/06; teleconference with committee 10/20/06; reference checks; Becky Barlow began 11/8/06 as Market Maker; Jim Nichols/BB/KH 11/9

·        Co-coordinated tours/steering committee meeting/dinner for WSF and CBF network 10/17/06

·        10/25/06 Nutrient Management teleconference to discuss grant proposals before the Council

Education and Information:

• Worked with committee to review proposal on Farming Fridays

Community Development:

• Passed along project idea for consideration re: Preparing for Avian Flu

Grants/Funding

• Co-hosted the Chesapeake Bay Funders’ Network tour to the Valley, Oct. 17 and 18^th, highlighting the work of the Waste Solutions Forum
• Chesapeake Bay Funders Network verbal agreement to fund Shenandoah RC&D cattle exclusion project for $250,000
• Agua Fund grant report and new funding request completed
• NFWF project managers’ monthly teleconferences 9/20/06; 10/20/06
• Met Keith Campbell who owns the Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment Oct. 20

NRCS Activities

• State NRCS webpage for RC&D program in VA debuted mid-October
• ABC data entry 10/23-10/27; Completed POINTS database entries
• Completed required computer security training and ethics modules
• Lorraine annual evaluation completed
• Coordinator evaluation with NRCS 9/21/06 in Charlottesville; follow-up 10/30/06
• 10/27/06 RC&D Coordinators’ teleconference
• VARCDC fall meeting in Charlottesville 11/8/06

Other

• Met with Faith Souder, Augusta County payroll agent, 10/4/06
• Presented on WSF at Phosphorus Feeding Day in Dayton 10/12/06
• Presented RC&D Summary at Headwaters SWCD Annual Banquet 10/24/06
• Personnel Policy Manual drafted for Council review