Mountain Valleys
Resource Conservation and Development Council
Information/Education
2003 Annual Report
In FY 2003, the Mountain Valleys RC&D Council adopted 17 new RC&D projects; completed five projects; received $237,563.70 in direct dollars to the Council; received $17,579.00 in non-direct dollars; wrote five grants for various RC&D projects. During the year, the Mountain Valleys RC&D Council worked on 35 active RC&D projects in its eight-county area. Following is a brief overview a few of these projects.
The Upper Broad River Watershed Protection (UBRWP) Program based in Lake Lure and covering the three counties of Rutherford , Henderson and Buncombe continued into its fourth year of existence this year. Operating under current grants from Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 319 (h) Non Point Source Grant the UBRWP Program obtained another EPA 319 grant in the amount of $150,000 and another CWMTF for $300,000grant to match these funds. To date the programs Erosion Control Specialist has worked with over 50 property owners in implementing conservation plans totaling $94,378.00 in cost share funding. During this year the UBRWP program has also had its first three participants in voluntary Riparian Conservation Easements protecting 63.33 acres of stream bank property.
The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) was chosen as one of ten initiatives to be part of a national Buy Local Food Initiative. This will enable the ASAP program to further develop its Buy Local campaign currently funded through grants from the Golden LEAF Foundation, NC Rural Center and EPA. During the year the program has successfully published two Local Food Guides containing listings of family farms, growers, tailgate markets, grocers, CSA’s, organic growers, restaurants, caterers & bakers, B&B’s and organizations who sell locally or support local farms. A new program was launched at the beginning of the school year called “Growing Minds” funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of Western NC . This educational program for students K-5 and their teachers linking the garden and agriculture to the NC curriculum was quite a success with many students taking their knowledge home to begin their own family gardens.
The Mountain Valleys RC&D Council was also the host for the 2003 NC RC&D Annual State Meeting. It was held May 18-20 at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Great Smokies Resort in Asheville , NC . Sessions detailing current Mountain Valleys projects, updates from NC Wildlife Resources Commission, RC&D business sessions and well as tours of the NC Arboretum, other local projects in Madison County and a few social gatherings were great experiences for all who attended.
