St Lucie Soil and Water Conservation District

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
Mike Adams – Vice Chair
Linda Minton – Supervisor
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
Alyssa Leicht – Ag MIL Technician, Treasure Coast RC&D

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

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

Mrs. McKinney went over the treasurer and budget reports. Mrs. Minton motion to approve the treasurer and budget reports.  Mr. Johnson seconded, motion passed.

Mr. Gates discussed the government shutdown with Mrs. Abbey.  Mrs. Abbey told the board that USDA NRCS is not furloughed during the shutdown so far. We are open for business.

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 7 active contracts for CSP.  Mrs. Abbey told the board that she continues to visit with new EOIP applicants.  She is beginning conservation plans for high ranked applications.

Mrs. Yates told the board that she and Alyssa Ag MIL technician have made up the 8 evaluations from the last quarter and have completed all evaluations for this quarter. The Ag MIL report is completed for the second quarter and sent to FDACS for payment.

Mrs. Yates and Mrs. McKinney discussed the Citrus Show with the board. Mrs. McKinney told the board, that we are sharing the booth with USDA NRCS and FSA (FSA will not attend, they are on furlough due to the government shutdown).  Mrs. McKinney explained to the board, that we are splitting the booth price $650.00 again this year with USDA NRCS.

Mrs. McKinney and Mrs. Yates discussed, the St. Lucie County Science Fair awards with the board. Mrs. McKinney explained that we have given 2 $50.00 awards in the past to the Science Fair. After discussing Mrs. Minton motioned to continue to fund the
2 $50.00 awards for the St. Lucie County Science Fair. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion passed.

Mrs. McKinney and Mrs. Yates updated the board on the Indian River Lagoon Envirothon scheduled for March 1, 2019 in Indian River County.

There being no further business to bring before this board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:50pm.  The next regular board meeting will be held February 12, 2019 at 1:30pm at the St. Lucie County Agricultural Complex located at 8400 Picos Road, Ft. Pierce Fl.