Embrace the Challenge

74th Annual MeetingJan. 7-9, 2018Durham, NC

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Hello to all! Welcome to the 74th Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and to the Sheraton Imperial Hotel of Durham North Carolina. The preparation for this meet-ing has required a great team effort between the Association, the Division and the staff of the Sheraton Imperial. We hope you find it an enjoyable meeting. If you need anything regarding your stay, let the hotel staff know and they will help you.

My theme for my Presidency was “Embrace the Challenge”. In the fall of 2016 we were facing tremendous change - a new Executive Director, a legislated mandate to develop and implement a supervisor training program, and destructive storms to mention a few. These changes were the root of my decision to formulate my theme. Yet even I was surprised when at our Spring Area meetings my opening statement announced that “Eastern North Carolina is under water and Western North Carolina is in a drought and on fire”. Change is inevitable, but during this year it has been huge. It was clear that we could either become overwhelmed and resist it, or pull together, face and embrace it. Embracing such widespread change took commitment across the entire Association with all our partners. It will also require improving communication and collaboration with County Commissioners and Legislators on State and National levels to be effective and successful. I am extremely grateful to everyone for pursuing the aforementioned challenges and for assisting in their successful implementation and many more which you will learn about in this meeting. We now have a tremendous new Executive Director, Bryan Evans and we are working most effectively together within the Association and across the State to embrace the challenges which you will hear about in every session.

This meeting is for you! I encourage you to attend all aspects of this meeting to hear the excellent speakers which will inform, motivate, and continue to prepare us to embrace the challenges set before us - now and in the future. We must continue our commitment to “Embrace the Challenge” and to strengthen our Districts to be the best we can be. I encourage you to participate in all aspects of the annual meeting; the open and break out sessions, committee and business meetings, luncheons, and banquets. We planned this meeting so that as we interact with one another, everyone will have something to take back to their Districts to assist them to “embrace the challenge”.

Its been an honor and a privilege to serve as your President. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to serve.

W. Chris Hogan, PresidentNC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

A Message From the President

Area 5 and 6 Coastal Envirothon

Area II ASWCD

Area VI ASWCD

Beaufort SWCD

Caldwell SWCD

Carteret SWCD

Caswell SWCD

Chatham SWCD

Columbus SWCD

Cumberland Farm Bureau

Cumberland SWCD

Davidson SWCD

Davie SWCD

Durham SWCD

Forsyth SWCD

Franklin SWCD

Guilford SWCD

Harnett SWCD

Haywood SWCD

Henderson SWCD

Hyde SWCD

James Booth

Johnston SWCD

Lee SWCD

Lewis Brandon III

Mecklenburg SWCD

Thank You to Contributors/Pledgers for the 2019 NA Envirothon

Michelle Lovejoy

Millie and Rudy Langley(In Memory of Kenneth Langley)

Mitchell SWCD

Nancy Carter

Nash SWCD

NCASWCD

NCASWCD Auxiliary

Ned Hudson

Orange SWCD (In Memory of Mr & Mrs Quentin Patterson)

Pender SWCD (In Memory of Mr. Marvin Robinson andMr. James Eakins)

Person SWCD

Polk SWCD

Randolph SWCD

Rich Hayes

Richmond SWCD

Rowan SWCD

Southeast ASWCD (Auxiliary) by Vickie Heath

Swain SWCD

Wake SWCD

WNC Landscaping (Charles Boyd)

SUNDAY 1/7/189:30 AM Empire ABNC SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATIONCOMMISSION WORK SESSION1 STC approved - SIGN INJohn Langdon, Chairperson, Presiding

NOON Bull DurhamDEA EXECUTIVE BOARD Jenny Parks, DEA President, Presiding

2:00-6:00 PM Empire Foyer ABREGISTRATION OPEN 2:00-6:00 PM Imperial 123EXHIBITER REGISTRATION & MOVE IN

12:30-2:30 PM Empire ABNCASWCD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING 1 STC approved - SIGN INChris Hogan, NCASWCD President, Presiding

1:00-3:00 PM CrownFIRST TIMERS AND NEW SUPERVISOR ORIENTATION 2 STCs approved - SIGN INFranklin Williams, Past President, Facilitator

2:00-3:00 PM Capital CityAUXILIARY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Betty Mathews, President, Presiding

3:00-5:00 PM Imperial 4567NC SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING 1 STC approved - SIGN INJohn Langdon, Chairperson, Presiding

5:00-6:00 PM Empire BallroomPRESIDENT’S WELCOME RECEPTION A complimentary reception will be served; rotating event.

SUNDAY7:30 PM Imperial 4567MEMORIAL SERVICE Marvin Cavanaugh, Chaplain Presiding Inspirational Message: Marvin CavanaughSpecial Music: Conservation Pickers

9:00 PM Capital CityNOMINATING COMMITTEE MEETING Ben Knox, Immediate Past President, Presiding

9:00 PM CrownINFORMAL MUSIC JAM

MONDAY 1/8/186:30 AM – 2:00 PM Empire Foyer ABREGISTRATION OPEN 6:45 AM Empire CDE SUPERVISORS’ BREAKFAST* Doors Open 6:30 AMDietrich Kilpatrick, First Vice-President, Presiding

Invocation: Marvin Cavanaugh, Chaplain Oaths of Office New Area ChairsNACD Report and Update Franklin Williams, NC NACD Board MemberSpeaker : Tim Palmer, National Association of Conservation Districts President

*The initials SB are on your nametag if you purchased this meal in advance. 0.5 STCs approved for those that pre-registered.

7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Imperial 123EXHIBIT HALL OPEN 7:45 to 9:00 AM Parlor 916AUXILIARY HOSPITALITY Food and Coffee Provided

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Empire FoyerBANQUET SEATING RESERVATIONS (Bring name tag to make seating selection.)

9:30 AM – NOON AuditoriumAUXILIARY INFORMATIONAL SESSION & BUSINESS MEETING See Separate Agenda for Auxiliary Activities

MONDAY8:30 AM Imperial 4567 GENERAL SESSION

Welcome: Chris Hogan, President, Presiding

Invocation: Marvin Cavanaugh, Chaplain

Presentation of Colors: NC Forest Service

National Anthem: David Williams

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by President

Welcome from the Sheraton: Mike Martino, Sheraton Imperial General Manager

Opening Session: Allen Nicholas, NC US Forest Supervisor, US Forest Service Comments from the Top Commissioner Troxler, NCDA&CS

1 Hour of STC approved

10:00AMBREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL

10:30 AMBREAKOUT SESSIONS 1.5 Hours of STC approved

SESSION #1 – Conservation Easements CrownThis session will focus on lessons learned from easement monitoring and preparing Districts for a conservation ease-ment monitoring contract with the Division. Learn the Di-vision’s expectations for long-term monitoring and some common monitoring problems. This will be followed with a discussion on the pay structure. Districts attending this session may be qualified for a monitoring contract with the Division.

MONDAY SESSION # 2 – 2018 Executive Committee Orientation Royal ADietrich Kilpatrick, Association 1st Vice President, FacilitatorAre you an incoming 2018 Area Chair or a member of the 2017 Executive Committee who will continue serving in 2018? If so, this session is specifically designed with you in mind. You will leave the session better informed about specific duties and responsibilities for the upcoming year. There will be plenty of time for dialogue with incoming president, Dietrich Kilpatrick, regarding goals and expecta-tions for 2018. Whether you’re a first time member of the Executive Committee or a veteran, this session is a must for getting you prepared for your role.

SESSION #3 – Effective Districts Imperial IVAccording to Merriam-Webster, “effective” has several definitions – two include “producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect”, or “ready for service or action”.

Effective districts, have effective supervisors, who lead effective staff, and conduct effective meetings… 

What does this mean and why is it all related? 

What can you do as a supervisor to make it a reality in your district?

Join us to participate in the discussion and hear from local districts with some of the most “effective” programs in the state.

SESSION #4 – Pasture Management Empire ABThe Division of Soil and Water Conservation has released the new North Carolina Nutrient Management Planning Soft-ware. This software was developed to provide planners a tool for animal waste management. Michael Shepherd with the Division will demonstrate highlights of the new software works. Johnny Rogers with the NCSU Amazing Grazing Program, Bryan Blinson with NC Cattlemen’s Association, Chester Lowder and Michelle Lovejoy will lead a program on proper pasture management with considerations for pesti-cide, fertilizer (organic, commercial), multi-species forage. (CEUs for WUP, Certified Operator-Animal Waste Applica-tion and Pesticide pending)

MONDAYSESSION #5 – Urban Agriculture, CommunitySupported Imperial V Agriculture and Community Gardens: the Organization, Marketing, and Planning Strategies for Small to Large Scale Operations.

This session will explore the increasing community farming agriculture sector with a presentation and discussion with three different operations.  Rebekah Beck with Raleigh City Farms (RCF), Elizabeth Zander representing Good Hope Farm (GHF), and Fred Miller with Hilltop Farm (HF) will each present their operations, how they got started in the busi-ness, their individual marketing strategies, and their plans for the future.   These speakers will share their experiences with the attendees with a question/answer session to follow.

SESSION #6 – Catch the Excitement! Outreach & Education Opportunities Bull Durham Catch the excitement from the Pitt Soil and Water Conservation District staff as they share the new ground water model from the Coastal Mobile Soils Classroom resource cache. Then explore the upcoming roles districts can play at the July 2019 North American Envirothon Com-petition at NC State University. See how your district can get involved!

SESSION #7 – Working with Non-Traditional Partners Imperial VI,VIIHear from and about some of our non-traditional partner opportunities. Representatives will discuss opportunities for collaboration with Districts. SESSION #8 – Getting Resources to Meet Royal B Your District’s PrioritiesPresenters will provide imformation about potential sources for District resources. As priorities change, resource needs change. This session will provide key thinking processes and avenues for securing needed resources.

MONDAY NOON Empire DE LEGISLATIVE LUNCH** Manly West, Legislative Committee Chair, Presiding

Speaker(s):

Laura Kilian - Legislative Affairs Program Coordinator

Representative Jimmy Dixon, Duplin/Wayne County (Invited)

**The initials LL are on your nametag if you purchased this meal in advance. 0.5 STCs pending for those that pre-registered

1:30 PM Bull DurhamCOMMITTEE CHAIRS’ AND RECORDERS’ MEETING

2:00-5:00 PMRESOURCE COMMITTEE MEETINGSSign in for STCs

Community Conservation Committee CrownDistrict Operations Committee Imperial IV

Education Committee Auditorium

Finance Committee Royal A

Legislative Committee Royal B

Natural Environment Committee Imperial VI

Research and Technology Committee Imperial V

Water Resources Committee Imperial VII

MONDAY 6:30 PM Empire BallroomCONSERVATION EDUCATION DINNER* Samuel Greene, Education Committee Chair, Presiding

Education Awards:

Envirothon Hall of Fame

Food, Land, and People Awards

Teachers of the Year Other Envirothon Awards

* The initials ED are on your nametag if you purchased this meal in advance.

AUXILIARY AUCTION FOLLOWS EDUCATION DINNER Empire Ballroom

9:00 PM CrownINFORMAL MUSIC JAM

TUESDAY 1/9/18 7:00 to 8:00 AM Capital City Past NCASWCD Presidents’ Breakfast 7:00 to 8:00 AM Parlor 916AUXILIARY HOSPITALITY 7:30 to 5:00 PM Empire FoyerREGISTRATION OPEN 7:00 to 2:00 PM Imperial 123EXHIBIT HALL OPEN

8:30 AM Imperial 4567GENERAL SESSION Chris Hogan, President, Presiding

Invocation: Marvin Cavanaugh, ChaplainMilton Heath Lecture Dr. Steven Shafer, Soil Health Institute 1 STC approved

NC Forever – Mitch Peele, NC Farm BureauComments from candidates for all positionsELECTION – Coastal Plain Commission Seat

10:00 – 10:30 AMBREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL

10:30AM Imperial 4567GENERAL SESSION Resumes Chris Hogan, President, Presiding

MOUs and District Relationships (David Williams, Tim Beard, Vernon Cox and Richard Whisnant)

1 STC Approved

TUESDAYAWARD PRESENTATIONSLength of ServiceNCASWCD Outstanding Employees of the Yearand District Awards Earth Team Awards

9:30 – Noon AuditoriumAUXILIARY INFORMATION SESSION, BUSINESS MEETING and TOUR (Tour location)

NOON Empire CDEDEA LUNCHEON **Jenny Parks, DEA President, Presiding

** The initials DL are on your nametag if you purchased this meal in advance.

1:30 PM AuditoriumNRCS STAFF MEETING

1:30 PM Imperial 567NCASWCD BUSINESS MEETING Dietrich Kilpatrick, 1st Vice President, Presiding;Brian Harwell, Parliamentarian

0.75 STCs approved

REPORTS NRCS Comments Tim Beard, State ConservationistDEA Report Jenny Parks, President Auxiliary Report Betty Mathews, PresidentDivision Comments Vernon Cox, DirectorFoundation Report Jimmy Gentry, President Michelle Lovejoy, Exec. Dir.

ACTION ITEMSNominating Committee Report Ben Knox, Committee ChairOther Actions Items

Committee Reports Committee Chairs

TUESDAY6:30 PM Imperial BallroomBANQUET Chris Hogan, President, Presiding

Invocation: Marvin Cavanaugh, Chaplain

OUTSTANDING N.C. CONSERVATION FARM FAMILY AWARDS

PIEDMONT REGIONWindy Hill Farms – Michael Moss Randolph County

MOUNTAIN REGION AND STATE FARM FAMILYHunsucker Farms – Dan Hunsucker Catawba County

President’s Award, Chris Hogan

Quilt Raffle Drawing Betty Mathews, Auxiliary President

Gun Raffle Drawing Jenny Parks DEA President

NC Foundation Presentation Jimmy Gentry

Outgoing President’s Remarks Chris Hogan, 2017 PresidentInstallation of 2018 NCASWCD President Justice Sam J. Ervin, IV, N.C. Supreme Court Handing Over the Gavel Chris Hogan, 2017 President

Incoming President’s Remarks Dietrich Kilpatrick, 2018 President

9:00 – 11:00 PM CrownINFORMAL MUSIC JAM

WEDNESDAY 1/10/188:00 AM Crystal Coast BallroomEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BREAKFAST MEETING Dietrich Kilpatrick, President, Presiding

0.5 STCs pending - SIGN IN

Past NCASWCD Presidents1944 O.J. Holler - Rutherford Co.1945 Dane S. Rhine – Gaston Co.1946 A. C. Edwards – Greene Co.1947 W. Herbert White – Rockingham Co.1948 Wade E. Eller – Ashe Co.1949 J. Hawley Poole – Moore Co.1950 W. W. Eagles – Edgecombe Co.1951 H. S. Hogan – Orange Co.1952 W. J. Fonville – Alamance Co.1953 J. T. Graham – Rowan Co.1954 S. Vernon Stevens – Lee Co.1955 Allen Swindell – Beaufort Co.1956 Charles Ladd – Durham Co.1957 B. L. Angell – Davie Co.1958 Neal M. Craig – Mecklenburg Co.1959 Charles L. Davis – Jones Co.1960 A. W. Nesbitt – Buncombe Co.1961 A.J. Flanagan – Pitt Co.1962 Leon Ballance – Hyde Co.1963 J.B. Slack – Randolph Co.1964 James Bellamy, Jr. – Brunswick Co.1965 Thomas H. Bonham – Buncombe Co.1966 James T. Moss, Sr. – Franklin Co.1967 Lloyd C. Bunch – Chowan Co.1968 George B. Collins – Wilkes Co.1969 George Winchester – Wake Co.1970 William G. Sullivan – Duplin Co.1971 Blair Goodson – Lincoln Co.1972 A. W. Bunch – Scotland Co.1973 M. E. Knight – Gates Co.1974 G. C. Palmer – Haywood Co.1975 C. Roy Nifong, Jr. – Forsyth Co. 1976 Joseph L. Williams – Duplin Co. 1977 John B. Harris – Burke Co. 1978 Stewart Adcock – Wake Co. 1979 Ralph Tucker – Pitt Co. 1980 Wade Carrigan – Iredell Co.1981 D. R. Huff, Jr. – Moore Co.

1982 F.C. Laughinghouse – Beaufort Co.1983 Charles Patton – Buncombe Co.1984 Garland Strickland – Nash Co.1985 David Holland, Jr. – Onslow Co.1986 H. Gray Ashburn, Jr. – Wilkes Co.1987 John Y. Phelps, Jr. – Wake Co.1988 William V. Griffin – Craven Co.1989 Rebecca H. Rhyne – Gaston Co.1990 William Butler – Bladen Co. 1991 Tom Burns – Pasquotank Co.1992 James Ferguson – Haywood Co.1993 Charles Snipes – Orange Co.1994 Samuel D. Davis – Jones Co.1995 Don Abernethy – Burke Co. 1996 John W. Finch – Nash Co. 1997 David M. O’Neal – Hyde Co.1998 Eddie Stroup – Mecklenburg Co.1999 Jeff Turlington – Harnett Co.2000 Franklin Williams – Duplin Co.2001 Jim Hollifield – Rutherford Co.2002 Albert Troutman – Moore Co.2003 James Mason – Hertford Co.2004 Grover McPherson – Forsyth Co.2005 Tom Davidson – Durham Co.2006 Don Rawls – Pender Co. 2007 Ned Hudson – Cabarrus Co.2008 Bobby Stanley – Columbus Co.2009 William Pickett – Duplin Co.2010 James Ferguson – Haywood Co.2011 Craig Frazier – Randolph Co.2012 Donald Heath – Craven Co.2013 Tommy Houser – Lincoln Co.2014 John Langdon – Johnston Co.2015 Manly West – Currituck Co. 2016 Ben Knox – Rowan Co.2017 Chris Hogan - Orange Co.

Sheraton ImperialDurham, NC

Mark your calendar now for the 75th Annual Meeting

Jan. 6-8, 2019

Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention CenterResearch Triangle Park, NC

4700 Emperor BlvdI-40 at Exit 282 (Page Road Exit)

Durham, NC 27703919-941-5050

sheratonrtp.com