TAHLEQUAH —
Administrators and members of the Cherokee County Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service met on Thursday to discuss a cost-share program to identify areas of improving water quality and the reduction of soil erosion.
Conservation districts statewide have been gathering feedback from local growers and livestock producers over the past two years on how to use state-appropriated funds on a local level, said Cherokee County Conservation District Chairman Garland Phillips.
“We have collected, throughout the state, the idea that we want to have local-led conservation; meaning that when we get any money, we let you help to decide what we spend it on,” said Phillips. “The legislation gives us a little bit of money from the state, and so this year we get $10,000. So what we do is we meet and ask you what would you like to see done on a cost-share program. Now the governor contacted us about a month ago, and said ‘I’m going to let you have this money two months early, and the reason is we’re in the midst of a drought.’”
Those in attendance at the meeting received a survey from the CCCD and the NRSC to select the most important conservation practices needed most in Cherokee County. Four areas of soil and water conservation practices were to be selected and then ranked one through four, with one being the most important.
“[Governor Fallin] wanted us to particularly look at items that had to do with the drought,” said Phillips. “Well, you can’t dig a pond right now because the ground’s too dry. There’s not a lot you can do. So, we are going to have in the program some means of helping you with a well or a pump. And, of course, each year we have some amount for programs for ponds. We’ll sit down and figure out how much we want to allocate for each problem area, and then once we’ve done that, we’ll figure out – depending upon what it is – how much money we can afford to give to each person [in the program]. That’s what we’ll do with the $10,000 once we get the input from you.”
Farm Service Agency Executive Director Gary Rogers said those waiting to hear the Farm Bill has passed will need to be patient.
“I wish I could sit here tonight and tell you that Congress has passed the Farm Bill, but I can’t. I’m sorry. We’re still waiting,” he said. “What we’re telling everybody is call us once a month until we hear. I think we’ll get it, but I can’t promise it until we get it. In our three county areas – Cherokee, Adair and Sequoyah counties – we put out almost $2.5 million last year on that program. I don’t know what form we’ll get this time or how they’ll do it. I will tell you what I know, but it may not be that way in the end. The Senate has approved their version of the farm bill. The House hasn’t approved their version of the Farm Bill, yet.”
Other programs presented in the meeting included Rural Development, the 319 project, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and the Streambank Stabilization Project.
Features
Related Photos
-
Matt Ward, program liaison for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, spoke to members of the Cherokee County Conservation District. Rob Anderson
Discussion
Conservation, water quality, soil erosion focus of district meeting
- Features
-
-
Area residents salute moms
Mothers give life, help their children discover joys in life, and offer life lessons.
-
Bright casuals in vogue for summer
Summer might seem like it will never come, but those 80-degree days will soon be in the weather forecast.
-
Art: For Cotton, anything else feels wrong
Art has a different meaning to each person, based on perception and experience, and whether the person is an artist or admirer.
-
Roots and Shoots lets kids help others
The sound of harp music floated along the stairs, greeting visitors who traveled to the second floor of the Northeastern State University library en route to a children’s art show Tuesday evening.
-
Rape victim’s story shows how VAWA can help
Victims of rape often experience a sense of shame, but when that feeling is compounded by first responders, the damage can be irreversible.
-
Theater evolving into music venue
The Dream Theater has long been an iconic segment of Tahlequah’s North Muskogee corridor, but what was once a popular silver-screen venue has lain mostly fallow in recent years.
-
Local memories are music to Garrett’s ears
A dream of better opportunities through education brings thousands of students to Tahlequah to attend Northeastern State University every year.
-
Men don heels as show of support
Men from all walks of life stepped out of their comfort zones Saturday, donning high heels to “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.”
-
Johnson aims for positive learning lessons
Teachers are often inspired to choose their profession because of their own early experiences as students in the classroom. Later, they want to encourage other students and pass on the positive learning lessons.
-
Volunteer enjoys helping young people, families
After retiring, some people find a hobby, others get a second career, and there are those who want to give back to their communities.
- More Features Headlines
-
Area residents salute moms
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
