The Union County Soil Conservation District is pleased to present its Annual Report of its 65th year. Organized in April 1953, the District began operations in December of 1953. The District possesses the technical expertise, information and delivery system for providing assistance to landowners with respect to the county’s soil and water quality, and to develop a safe and healthy environment in which to live and work. The Board of Supervisors operates the Union County Soil Conservation District. Three members are elected and two are appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee. The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, provides personnel, equipment and other resources to assist in carrying out the District Program. Mike Shoffner, NRCS District Conservationist, and Bobby Ellison, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician, work in both Claiborne and Union Counties. David Mullins, Union County contribution agreement employee, assists with layout/checkout of projects. Justin Howard, NRCS Soil Conservationist, served until September 18th and transferred to Bledsoe/Sequatchie Counties. The Union County Soil Conservation Office serves as a sub-office for the Farm Service Agency and Ag Credit clients, so business is conducted locally that saves clients travel time to Claiborne offices. The Tennessee Department of Ag, Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund cost/share program funds 18 applications, totaling $116,824.00. The Board and Staff wish to send a special “Thank You” to Sam Lemmons, Watershed Coordinator with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for assistance with this program. The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) had five contracts with a total spending of $129,680.24. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) had seven contracts with $34,266.00 obligated. Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical service on these programs. Total 2018 spending in these programs combined is $280,770.24. The Hinds Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative was on going in 2018 and is administered through Anderson County SCD. The total program funds spent for the year are estimated to turn over seven times in the local economy, providing an economic boost for Union County. The District applied for TDA equipment grant and was funded for a new Great Plains no-till drill for $21,850.00. An additional equipment shed was added for the new seed drill and was paid for from the equipment funds account. The Board of Supervisors extend sincere thanks to Union County government for providing the full time office administrator and operational funds. Tennessee Department of Ag funds our supervisors per diem and districts operational grants. The District offers equipment for rent including a Chandler five ton pull type lime spreader, New Idea manure spreader and an eight foot, Great Plains no-till drill, and the additional Great Plains no-till drill. For pricing and availability, call the District office at 865-992-8031. The outreach/educational programs for the Union County Soil Conservation District are dedicated to educating the public in the importance of conservation of our natural resources, and continued local, state and national memberships. Partial listing of 2018 outreach activities follows: Tree Give-Away Day ( 500 flowering dogwood seedlings), Affiliate membership drive has fourteen members, TACD Poster Contest sponsor at Paulette Elementary School, National Ag Day, ‘Thank you, Farmers’ breakfast at Union County Co-op in March, Union County Solid Waste Earth Day presentation goodie bag for 60 5th graders, Maynardville Elementary School Farm Day held in May with 398 students, Douglas Cherokee Head Start Parenting Fair outreach, Leadership Union County Class, Adult and Youth classes, Soil Stewardship Week activities 3rd and 4th grades Maynardville Elementary, UCHS Employment/Career Day, presentation on NRCS career requirements, Healthy Kids Day, with UT Extension, supplying materials for 350 attendees, TCDEA Fall Workshop in Dickson, TACD Area II Fall Meeting has nine attending from Union County SCD, Southeast Conservation District Employee Association Conference in Pigeon Forge, Narrow Ridge ‘Hogskin History Day’ sponsor ad, Tennessee Conservation District Employee Association Member, National Conservation District Employee Association Member, Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts Member, Tennessee 4-H Foundation supporter. Special ‘Thank You’ to partners assisting with the District programs in 2018 as follows, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Claiborne/Union Farm Service Agency, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, UT Extension, Union County Farm Bureau, Union County Court, Union County Farmers Cooperative. Thanks to Affiliate Members sponsors’ as listed: Loyston Road Quarry, FMT Farmers Mutual of Tennessee, Cooper Container Corporation Inc., Union County Farm Bureau, A & B Bookkeeping & Tax Service, Union Farmers’ Cooperative, Bi County Propane Gas Co Inc., Maynardville Utility District, CMH Manufacturing Inc., Union News Leader, Hickory Star Resort & Marina, Commercial Bank, Affordable Ace Hardware. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Office Staff includes Michael J. Shoffner, District Conservationist, Bobby Ellison, Soil Conservation Technician, Justin Howard, Soil Conservationist, David Mullins - Contribution Agreement employee, Office Administrator for Claiborne is Kim Lane and for Union is Sandra Greene. The Union County Soil Conservation District, Board of Supervisors are as follows, David Coppock, Chairman, Debbie Corum, Vice Chair, Nealie Grizzell, Secretary/Treasurer, Harold Brantley, Member and Stanley Allen Padgett, Member.
The Union County Soil Conservation District prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information or political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income derived from any public assistance program.