St Lucie Soil and Water Conservation District

ST. LUCIE SOIL AND WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
DECEMBER 10, 2019

The St. Lucie Soil and Water Conservation District regular board meeting was called to
order at 1:30p.m., at the St. Lucie County Agricultural Complex. Those in attendance were:

Philip C. “Flip” Gates Jr.
Mike Adams – Vice Chair
Robbie Johnson – Supervisor
Jennifer Abbey – District Conservationist, USDA NRCS
Bess McKinney – District Administrator, St. Lucie SWCD
Leona Yates – Ag MIL Team Leader, Treasure Coast RC&D
Katie Pritchett – Soil Conservationist, USDA NRCS

Mr. Gates called the meeting to order at 1:30p.m.

Mr. Johnson motioned to approve the November minutes. Mr. Adams seconded, motion passed.

Mrs. McKinney went over the treasurer and budget report with the board. Mr. Johnson motion to approve the budget and treasurer report. Mr. Adams seconded, motion passed.

Mrs. Abbey went over the USDA NRCS report with the board. Mrs. Abbey updated the board on the current contracts. There are currently 16 active EQIP contracts. There are 6 active CSP contracts. Mrs. Abbey told the board that they are still accepting applications on ACEP and WRE.

Mrs. Abbey told the board that she is still learning the new program Conservation Desktop. She told the board that the Conservation desktop program is a new software program that will help to manage conservation planning. The program will also help with the ranking.

Mrs. Yates updated the board on the Ag MIL. She told the board that she had hired a new Ag MIL technician, Tony Colman, he worked for Kraft Nursery for 8 years until they closed. Mrs. Yates told the board she is looking to retire by the end of June 2020. She told the board that she hopes to have Mr. Colman trained to take over her position by then. Mrs. Yates told the board that she is up to date on the evaluations.

Mrs. McKinney and Mrs. Yates reminded the board about the upcoming Indian River Lagoon Envirothon. Mrs. McKinney told the board that it will be held at the Environmental Learning Center in Indian River County on February 28, 2020.

Mrs. McKinney and Mrs. Abbey discussed the Citrus Show with the board, scheduled for January 22, through January 23, 2020 with the board. They told the board we will be sharing 2 booths with other USDA agencies at the cost of $325.00 for each agency. After discussing, Mr. Johnson motioned to approve the $325.00 for the Booth space. Mr. Adams seconded, motion passed.

There being no further business to bring before this board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:15pm. The next regular board meeting will be held January 14, 2020 at 1:30pm at the St. Lucie County Agricultural Complex located at 8400 Picos Road, Ft. Pierce Fl.

Philip C. “Flip” Gates Jr.
Chairman, St. Lucie SWCD