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

Mrs. McKinney went over the treasure’s report. Ms. McKinney presented the new 2019 SWCD Budget. Mr. Adams motion to approve the treasurer report and the 2019 SWCD budget.  Mrs. Minton seconded, motion passed.

Mrs. Abbey went over the USDA NRCS report with the board. She told the board that the Farm Bill has not been approved yet, we are still waiting to hear.   Mrs. Abbey updated the board on the current contracts.  There are currently 16 active EQIP contracts, the application deadline is November 2, 2018.  There are 9 active contracts for CSP. USDA NRCS is accepting CSP applications for FY2019.  Mrs. Abbey told the board that she is still assisting USDA Farm Service Agency with programs.

Mrs. Yates introduced the new Ag MIL technician Alyssa Leicht to the board.  Mrs. Yates reminded the board that her grant did not start July 1, 2018, like it was supposed to. The new MIL grant started the end of July 2018.   Mrs. Yates told the board everything is working out well.

Mrs. McKinney updated the board on the local Indian River Lagoon and State Envirothon.  She told the board that the local Indian River Lagoon Envirothon was held at Smith Ranch.  She informed them that St. Edwards from Indian River was the overall Winner of the Indian River Lagoon Envirothon.

Mrs. McKinney told the board that she and her daughter traveled to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where the State Envirothon was held, to volunteer for the State Envirothon.  She explained to the board that Jennifer Abbey, District Conservationist is the Vice President of the State Envirothon. She said the that the State Envirothon went great, and that all the students had a great time. She told the board that St. Andrews participated in the State Envirothon.

Mrs. McKinney told everyone that the upcoming Farm-City Ag Bar-B-Q is being held this year at the Havert Fenn Center on November 1, 2018,

There being no further business to bring before this board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:10pm.  The next regular board meeting will be held November 13, 2018 at 1:30pm at the St. Lucie County Agricultural Complex located at 8400 Picos Road, Ft. Pierce Fl.