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 Chairman

Linda Minton – Supervisor

Jennifer Abbey – District Conservationist, USDA NRCS

Bess McKinney – District Administrator; St. Lucie SWCD

Mr. Gates called the meeting to order at 1:32p.m. Mrs. Minton motioned to approve the June minutes. Mr. Adams seconded, motion passed. Mrs. McKinney went over the treasurer and budget report with the board. Mr. Adams motioned to approve the treasurer and budget report. Mrs. Minton seconded, motion passed.

Mrs. Abbey went over the USDA NRCS report with the board. She told the board there are currently 17 active EQIP contracts with 9 new obligations. There are 8 active contracts for CSP, 2 new obligations. Mrs. Abbey told the board that NRCS is currently accepting applications for ACEP-WRE.

Mrs. Abbey went over the Disaster Assistance Meeting that was held by USDA NRCS, USDA FSA, USDA RD, and USDA RMA at the USDA ARS building last month. The meeting was to explain the different disaster programs offered by each agency to the public. Mrs. Abbey went over different programs that were presented at the meeting.

Mrs. McKinney explained to the board that the St. Lucie SWCD would no longer be handling the St. Lucie Ag MIL contract, the Treasure Coast RC&D would now be handling the Ag MIL contract. Mrs. Yates would still be working out of the USDA NRCS office.

Mr. Gates discussed the Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) with Mrs. Abbey.

After discussing, Mrs. Abbey said she would send Mr. Gates a form letter with information on the EWP.

Mrs. Minton updated other board members on the Annual AFCD meeting held in Ocala

Florida in July. She told the board that AFCD has a contract with FDACS, which pays for office space and 2 employees. They have also been able to secure funding from USDA NRCS

Mrs. McKinney discussed the award we give the St. Lucie County Science Fair every year. After discussing, Mrs. Minton motioned to continuing with the $100 awards donation to the science fair.

Mrs. McKinney discussed the 2018 Annual Citrus Show held in St. Lucie County at the Havert Fenn Center on January 24-25 2018 with the board. She told them we would share a booth again with USDA NRCS, which would cost $325.00 each, for a total of $650.00. After discussing, Mr. Adams motioned share the booth space with USDA NRCS at $325.00 each. Mrs. Minton seconded, motion passed.

There being no further business to bring before this board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:05pm. The next regular board meeting will be held December 12, 2017 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