Mills County Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Report for 2003

The District is self-governed and has the authority to enter into working agreements with government agencies and private concerns to carry out its purposes.  The District has a working agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, to provide technical assistance to the District.  This assistance includes furnishing technically trained personnel in the planning, application, and maintenance of conservation programs.

This annual report is intended to report on conservation activities of the District within the past year, to encourage continued and wider use of proven soil and water conservation methods, and to acquaint new landowners with activities of the District and services available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The District Board of Directors is made up of 5 elected landowners from Mills County. The District meets in regular session at 9:30 a. m. the third Thursday of every month.  The meetings are held at the Natural Resources Conservation Service Office located at 1118 4^th Street in Goldthwaite.

The Mills County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors is pleased to report the following accomplishments for the fiscal year 2003:

·         Individual /groups assisted 163

·         Conservation Systems Planned: 47 on 14,938 acres

·         Conservation Systems Applied:

Youth Activities

 Winners of the poster contest were:  

Goldthwaite Elementary

·         first place: Shelby Head

·         second place: Philip Cook

·         third place: Allison Knight  

Goldthwaite Middle School

·         first place: Whitney Wilson

·         second place: Arthur Castorena

·         third place: Tyler Gonzales 

Star

·         first place:  Alejandra Martinez

·         second  place: Paulo Garcia

·         third place: Sofia Martinez 

These individuals received ribbons from the district.

2003 Essay Contest winner

  Fiona Maldonado of Star  School won the Essay contest and received a plaque as Mills County winner. Entries selected from this group of winners were submitted to the regional competition.  All students participating in both contests received a ribbon.

Annual 6^th grade Field Day

The annual 6^th grade field day was held October 14.  Sixty-seven students attended the event this year which consisted of 12 different booths where students learned about conservation and agriculture related topics including working/herding dogs, electrical safety, hunting safety, native grasses, wildlife management, soil and water conservation, engineering, tractor safety, cattle, sheep, and archery.  The sixth graders were also treated to a hamburger lunch which included entertainment.  Twenty-two volunteers helped to make this event possible.

The District also provided students in Mills County with copies of the Conservation Roundup, a semi-annual newsletter for young people to read about agriculture and conservation in Texas.

Soil Stewardship

Another activity that the District was proud to continue this year was the annual Ministers tour, held each May in order to promote Soil Stewardship and wise use of our natural resources.  This year the district led a tour of the Brooks' ranch to view exotic animals, wildlife habitat enhancement and good conservation practices.  The tour ended with a tour of the "Old Faiman Place" and a lunch prepared and served by members of the Ebony Community group.  The district presented plaques to Chester and Rocky Berry  of Goldthwaite as the Mills County Resident Conservation Rancher of the Year and Keith Brooks of Iraan, Texas as the Mills County Absentee Conservation Rancher of the Year.  Awards were presented to Earth Team Volunteers for service to the District throughout the year.

Region IV Conservation Awards

Mr. Oren Soules, Mills County Conservation District Resident Conservation Rancher of the Year was selected as winner of this award for region 5 of the State of Texas.  

District Directors

On October third W. J. Hopper was appointed to a 4 year term after running unopposed for re-election. October 20-22, three of our directors attended the 63rd annual state meeting of soil and water  conservation  district directors held this year in El Paso.  Our directors have been active this year keeping up with farm bill legislation and writing letters to legislators concerning conservation issues.  All of these activities are on a volunteer basis.

Flood Prevention Maintenance

Mills County Commissioners Court and the Mills County Soil and Water Conservation District co-sponsor the 16 flood prevention structures in Mills County.  Maintenance of the Dams, spillways, and fences are ongoing operations.  The county provides funding for this and the directors perform the maintenance.  This year brush control work was carried out on five of the flood control sites.

Conservation Support Services

The District participates in a seed sales program and seed can be ordered through the district for range, pasture and wildlife plantings.

The district purchased a sprayer and tank combination unit with a gasoline powered motor and a roller pump housed within a steel frame.  This unit is designed to slip into a pickup bed or can be used on a tractor with a 3 point hookup.  This unit can be used to spray weeds and brush or to have on hand to spray water at prescribed burns.  The tank holds 150 gallons of water or spray mix.  This unit is available for rental from the district for $40.00 per day or $20.00 per half day.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts are one of the few legal subdivisions that do not have power of taxation.  The District must have financing to carry out its responsibilities.  This encourages the elected directors to seek financing from donations by individuals, groups, organizations, business establishments, and county and agricultural agencies.  The District also receives some income from our seed sales program and sprayer rental.

The financial statement for the district is as follows:

Balance – 9/1/02-  $33,027.37

Actual income - $18,080.79

Actual expenses - $20,877.18

Balance – 8/31/03 $30,230.98

Programs of the Mills County SWCD will be conducted in compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions as contained in titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Titles IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture.  All programs are in compliance with the Food and Security Act of 1985.