St Lucie Soil and Water Conservation District

February 11, 2020

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.- Chair, St. Lucie SWCD
Mike Adams – Vice Chair, St. Lucie SWCD
Linda Minton- Supervisor, St. Lucie SWCD
Jennifer Abbey – District Conservationist, USDA NRCS
Bess McKinney – District Administrator, St. Lucie SWCD
Leona Yates – Ag MIL Team Leader, Treasure Coast RC&D
Tony Coleman – Ag MIL Technician, Treasure Coast RC&D

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

Mrs. Minton motioned to approve the January 14, 2020 minutes. Mr. Adams seconded; motion passed.

Mrs. McKinney went over the treasurer and budget report with the board. Mrs. Minton 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 15 active EQIP contracts. There are 6 active CSP contracts. Mrs. Abbey told the board that they have announce March 6, 2020 as the sign-up deadline for EQIP and Wetland Reserve Easements.
Mrs. Abbey informed the board that she will be in Gainesville for training for the program that will help with ranking and conservation planning the last week of the month.

Mrs. Abbey Informed the board that Mr. John Spades, USDA NRCS Soil Technician is retiring at the end of this month after 14 years with USDA NRCS.

Mrs. Yates updated the board on the Ag MIL. She introduced Mr. Tony Coleman to the board as the new Ag MIL technician. She told the board that he had work with a Nursery for 8 years and is learning this job fast. She told them that he should be able to take over the Ag MIL soon. She told the board that they completed all the evaluations for the 2nd quarter and that the quarterly report had been submitted and approved for payment. Mrs. Yates told the board that FDACS will be making a site visit with the Ag MIL next month. She also reminded them that she and Mr. Coleman will be traveling to the ICC meeting this month on Februar19, 2020.

Mrs. McKinney updated the board on 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. She reminded them that they will be spending some funds on items needed to run the Soil Station and the snacks.

Mrs. McKinney discussed the two upcoming AFCD meetings with the board. The AFCD Area 4 meeting scheduled for April 23, 2020 at JB Ranch in Collier County, and the AFCD Annual meeting scheduled for September 9 through 11, 2020 in Fort Walton Beach Florida. She told the board she would keep them updated and send any additional information on these meetings to them.

There being no further business to bring before this board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:00pm. The next regular board meeting will be held March 10, 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