Henry County Web - Conservation District & NRCS

2005 Conservationist

Congratulations
Reality Farms

Master Conservationist
2005 Award Winner!

2005 Master Conservationist Award presented to Reality Farms. Making the presentation at the annual cooperators dinner:

l to r: Allan Bryant, Chairman of the Henry County Conservation District to Matt, Judy and Roy Jackson of Reality Farms

The Henry County Conservation District is a state and county agency that works closely with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The district is education oriented, offering conservation materials to schools, churches, etc. The Conservation District also sponsors the Marshall Banta Education Grant each year in the amount of $1000 to help local schools implement a conservation curriculum.

Henry County Conservation District
Contact: Mikki Croxton

The Henry County Conservation District was formed April 29, 1947. The District is one of 3,000 conservation districts in the nation. It is made up of seven board members who are elected from the county. The District is a subdivision of the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources, responsible for developing soil and water conservation programs and promoting wise use of our natural resources in Henry County. The district meets monthly to develop programs and discuss activities and events that effect soil and water conservation. Financial assistance is provided by the Henry County Fiscal Court and the Kentucky Division of Conservation. It is a member of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts.

The Conservation District's primary funding project is the Dead Animal Removal Program. The Henry County Fiscal Court contributes to this program but the bulk of the cost is through the Districts funding.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is a Federal Agency to help farmers and landowners implement conservation practices on their land. The NRCS can help identify soil types found on your property which can help you determine the best choice of plants or crops for your soil zone. This can also help when considering building sites and construction.

Currently, watershed protection is a top concern and the NRCS can help with planning pond sites, water systems management, the new water plan book and resources to other departments of the USDA.

Natural Resources Conservation Service
Contact: Greta Steverson

Technical assistance is provided to the Henry County Conservation District through a Memorandum of Understanding with the USDA-NRCS. All programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, marital status or handicap.

USDA FORMS ONLINE
FSA, NRCS and RD forms

The Conservation District presents the Marshall Banta Conservation Education Grant annually to school personnel who are actively promoting conservation education efforts within their schools.

Marshall Banta Grant Awarded
The 2005 recipients are Lois Nash, New Castle Elementary and Jennifer Stephens, Eminence Elementary. Pictured with them are Allan Bryant and the Eminence Elementary Principal.

Henry County Farm Facts
(as of 1998)

1,108 Farms
155,947 Farm Acres
Average Size of Farms - 141 acres

173	1-9 Acres Farms
180	10 - 49 Acre Farms
470	50 -179 Acre Farms
224	180 - 499 Acres Farms
61	500 + Acre Farms

Livestock watering systems are one example of the many conservation practices available through the NRCS and conservation district offices.

District Board Member
SUPERVISORS

Allan Bryant, Chairman
Mark Roberts, Vice-Chairman
David Stahl, Secretary
Ronald Young, Treasurer
Guy Coombes, Member
Phillip Douglas, Member
Larry Jeffries, Member

Annual Dist. Art and Writing Contest

The district annually sponsors the Conservation Art and Writing Contests for students in grades 1-12. This contests focuses on themes dealing with natural resources such as soil, water, air, plants, trees and wildlife habitat. The 2005 County Art Winner was Shelby Rodgers, New Castle Elementary. The 2005 County Writing Winner was Chelsea Owen, Home Schooled.

The Conservation District partnered with the Fiscal Court and the Eagle RC&D Council to install dry hydrants throughout Henry County for county fire departments. These hydrants will provide additional fire protection in areas not closely located to city water or refilling stations.

Little Kentucky River Watershed
Conservancy District Board
(Overseers of Lake Jericho)

In the late 1950's, recurring flooding damaged thousands of acres of cropland in Henry and Trimble Counties. The town of Sulphur was underwater and many homes were lost. The Henry and Trimble County Conservation Districts worked with the Fiscal Courts in each county and the Soil Conservation Service to develop a project that would protect residents in this watershed from future damage. A board of directors was formed from landowners within the watershed to oversee the activities.

Little Kentucky River
Watershed Conservancy District Board of Directors
Chairman, John C. Foree Jr.
Vice-Chairman, John Ellegood
Secretary/Treasurer, Roger Taylor, Jr.
Members: Paul Baxter
Thomas Webb
Kenneth Taylor
Vivian Powell
Robert Draque
Lake Jericho Manager, Larry Ramsey

Under SCS's PL-566 program, five flood retarding structures were installed throughout the watershed for a cost of $1.7 million. One of those structures, Lake Jericho, was also designed as a recreation area. The largest of the five lakes, Lake Jericho covers 136 surface acres and is open year round for fishing, camping, picnicking, etc. Around 40,000 people visit Lake Jericho annually, which produces close to $100,000 revenue each year. The recreation area has a full-time manager who is supervised by the watershed board. In addition to the income from Lake Jericho receipts, the Conservancy District receives revenue from a mileage tax imposed on land within the watershed that helps operate and maintain all five structures.

The Little Kentucky River Watershed Conservancy District is comprised of 8 members, 5 from Henry County and 3 from Trimble County. The board is a sub-district of the local county conservation districts. The Little Kentucky River Watershed Board of Directors meets monthly to review activities occurring within the watershed. All meetings are open to the public.