Mountain Valleys
Resource Conservation and Development Council
Completed Projects
McDowell Soil Survey User Workshop - On July 1, 1997, approximately 21 Realtors from McDowell County attended a workshop titled “How to Use the McDowell County Soil Survey .” The workshop was sponsored by the Mountain Valleys RC&D Council and was held at the McDowell Technical Community College in Marion. The contents of the course, the instructor, and the sponsor of the workshop had to be approved by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission so the Realtors attending could receive credit for taking the course. Realtors attending received four Continuing Education Credits (CEU).
This workshop gave participants an introduction and overview of the new McDowell County Soil Survey report. Workshop participants learned how to use this new book. For Realtors, this information can be used as a tool to better serve the real estate client. Continuing education credits from the McDowell County Schools were also available for any teachers attending the workshop. Staff from the County Manager’s office and the Soil & Water Conservation District office also attended. Evaluations of the course were all very favorable. We have received several requests for future workshops.
Assist with Grand Opening of Broad River Park - The grand opening for the Broad River Greenway Park in Boiling Springs, Cleveland County, was held on Saturday, August 16, 1997. Some of the facilities in this new park include pedestrian trails, a covered picnic shelter, a fishing pier, a canoe access area, bicycle trails and racks for bicycles, paved parking lot, several picnic tables, trash cans, and signage. Grants received for the project are: Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Adopt-A-Trail, Cleveland County Community Foundation, Lowe’s Foundation, and other grants, as well as public and private donations. The Greenway Committee is busy planning the next phase of the Greenway Development.
Steps for Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department -
Mike Haire, on behalf of Mountain Valleys RC&D, presents a check to Buck Meliski, Chief of the Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department. The $1,900 check was used to build the new wooden steps, seen in the photo, for the Volunteer Fire Department. Photo: From left: Barbara Meliski, Buck Meliski, and Mike Haire, Council Chairman. |
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Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project - SAIP - This project is being managed by Mountain Partners in Agriculture. It will focus on organic transitions involving Henderson, Buncombe and Madison counties in Western North Carolina. Both apple and tobacco farmers in these areas are looking for economically viable alternatives and organic tobacco and vegetable production may provide part of the solution. The project will transition six area farmers from conventional to more sustainable practices. Earlier successes have been achieved with 18 area farmers who are in transition. Their farms are now serving as informal demonstration sites for others and have recently attracted the attention of area state legislators and researchers from the local Cooperative Extension Research and Experiment Centers. Support from EPA will enable expansion and continuation of the program. A four-fold pamphlet entitled “Sustainable Mountain Farming Program” was published in 2003. For information about activities associated with this project go to: http://www.asapconnections.org/transition.htm.
Polk Agricultural Economic Development Advisory Committee - Iinitiation a Polk Agricultural Economic Development Advisory Committee. Agriculture is declining in Polk County and politically agriculture is not seen as important. The group has completed an inventory of agricultural services in the county.
