Wake County Soil & Water Conservation District

The Midwest suffered the worst drought in years last summer, and Midwest soil has been suffering from a drought since early 2010. As a result, crops have wilted and farmers have fallen on hard times. Now, a University of Missouri researcher says that it may take at least two years for crops and soil to recover.

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A new grant program entitled “Going Local” has been launched for schools by NC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom.  One of the focus areas is school gardens.  Grants are available up to $500.

To find out more, please see the following link. or contact Michelle Reedy, Ag in the Classroom Director at the NC Farm Bureau at:

Volunteers needed for the upcoming 2013 Envirothon.  See this Flyer for more details.

We are happy to announce the top winners in the 2012 Conservation Poster Contest

Winning entries are here, here, here, and here.

Congratulations to all!

The 2013 Keeping the Farm Workshop will be held on 23 January, 2013

Our County and State leaders will be there to discuss the difficult issues our farm and forest landowners are having.  Joe Bryan, Chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners,  NC Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison, and Wake County Revenue/Tax staff have all agreed to speak about important issues that impact our farm and forest landowners in Wake County.

If you would like to attend the 2013 Keeping The Farm Workshop on January 23rd, 2013 (in the Commons building beginning at 8:30 a.m.) please call 919-250-1053 or email keepfarm2013@gmail.com to register.

Hello Big Sweep Volunteers across Wake County and Beyond!

THANK YOU

to all of you that volunteered to be a part of 2012 Fall Big Sweep!  You gave 25 local waterways a well deserved cleaning which also improves the Neuse River and Atlantic Ocean.  Thank you for giving of your time and energy so generously!  Here’s the fabulous Fall Big Sweep Results 2012 that YOU made possible!

Here’s this fall’s Most Unusual Litter.

Here’s the Fall Results History from the past 5 years, 2012-2008.

Again, many thanks for getting dirty for clean water!  May you all enjoy a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday!

With gratitude,

Do you know what today is?

It’s the…

40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act!

Listen to one of the Clean Water Act’s original authors and long time supporters, former Congressman Jim Oberstar, speak to the importance of clean water to our economy, our country and planet.

Great video explaining the history of this landmark legislation!

Raising a glass to clean, fresh water…

Cheers,

Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012  9:00 am – 12:00 noon  Lake Wheeler at Lake Wheeler Park

Come clean up the shoreline and park grounds of Lake Wheeler!  Check in at 9:00 am at the waterfront program center.  Gloves, trash bags and data cards will be provided.  Please wear appropriate clothing for cleanup (no open-toed shoes.)

Questions?  Please call the park office at 919-662-5704.

Directions:  From Beltline I-40/440, take Lake Wheeler Road exit and drive south for 5 miles.  Enter park on right-hand side at 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603.  Thank you for giving of your time to cleanup this popular capital city park and lake!

QUICK by tomorrow Oct. 10th!  Register for our next Fall Big Sweep cleanup in Cary!

Please bring a friend and help improve  Swift Creek, a major tributary to the Neuse River.  Contact Zone Captain Doug Lewis at the email below.

SAT. – OCT. 13, 2012, CARY – Swift Creek at Ritter Park ~~

VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!

Join the Cary Central Rotary Club in cleaning Swift Creek that runs through Cary’s Ritter Park from 8:45 am until 12:00 pm

Meet at 8:45 am at the Rotary Shelter to sign up and receive instructions and supplies.  Pre-registration is required by October 10th by contacting Zone Captain Doug Lewis at douglas.g.lewis@att.net

Thank you!

Sheila B. Jones

The Final Fall Schedule listing 25 sites can be found here.  See our Big Sweep Webpage for more background on the Big Sweep, and how you can get involved!