Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Carrington, ND

Permit No.2

All programs and services of the Foster County SCD and NRCS are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or handicap.

6720 Highway 200 Carrington, ND 58421

FOS TER COUNT Y SOIL

CONSERVATION DIS TRICT

Bank Forward Barlow Grain Bessette Motors C and J Oil Company Central City Lumber Central Steel Building & Construction Community Credit Union Crop Production Services Dakota Central Telecommunications Dakota Crop Services Erickson Implement Farm Credit Services of North Dakota

Hi-Way Drive In Kracht Implement Kensal Farmer’s Elevator—Kensal and

Bordulac locations NAPA Auto and Truck Parts Northern Plains Electric Cooperative Peavey of Carrington Pipestem Feeders Prairie Inn Restaurant RENK Seed, Kent Ableidinger, Dealer Rosenau Equipment State Farm Insurance Co.

We Appreciate the Support and Thank These Local Sponsors for our 2012 Issue Newsletters

Phone: 701-652-2551 ext. 102 Fax: 701-652-3667

E-mail: dionn.schaaf@nd.nacdnet.net

"Fostering" Our Natural Resources

For descriptions of trees and shrubs log on at: www.lincolnoakes.com or

www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook.htm

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

2012 Conservation Achievement Award

Till it to me Straight…. Foster County Soil Conservation District

Board meetings are tentatively scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on July 9, August 13, and September 10 (2nd Mondays). Please con-tact the district office at 652-2551 to con-firm dates and times.

USDA Service Center will be closed for Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4 and for Labor Day on Monday, September 3.

Anyone interested in applying for the North Dakota Forest Service Tree Con-servation Assistance Program has until October 22 to submit an application and planting plan.

Chairman Curtiss Klein 701-653-5708

Vice Chair Robert House 674-3606

Supervisor James Fandrich 652-3485

Supervisor Karl Hoppe 652-2951

Supervisor Mike Sabinash 435-2958

NRCS Acting District Conserva-tionist Penny Doty

652-2551 Ext 101

SCD Manager Dionn Schaaf Ext 102

Soil Con. Tech. Nichole Johnson Ext 112

Ed. Coordinator Jill Vigesaa 701-799-5488

Foster County Extension Agent Joel Lemer

652-2581

Foster County Soil Conservation District

2012 Supervisors, Advisors and Staff

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Issue No. 61

Summer 2012 Foster County Soil Conservation District has selected Mitch Lura as our 2012 winner of the Conser-vation Achievement Award. Mitch and Karla live in Birtsell Township about seven miles northwest of Carrington. The Luras have participated in the EQIP program to install many conservation practices to enhance their farming and ranching operation, and they have also used the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to plant new windbreaks. Some of the practices they have installed include watering facilities and fencing, and they use a prescribed grazing plan. Mitch reports that these practices have im-proved grazing and taken pressure off of some of their pastures. He also considers minimum tillage an important addition to the operation. All Conservation Achievement Award winners in North Dakota will be honored at a recognition banquet at the annual meeting of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts in Bis-marck in November. The Luras will also receive a 16x20 aerial photograph of their headquarters and two jackets embroidered with the SCD logo. Congratulations to the Luras on their successful use of conservation methods in managing their op-eration and their contribution to local conservation efforts.

ISSUE NO. 61 Page 2

Kelly Creek Watershed Project An assessment of water quality within the Kelly Creek watershed was conducted in 2007 by sampling at five sites along Kelly

Creek and its major tributaries. High fecal coliform bacteria counts and elevated levels of phosphorus were the main water quality concerns found during that assessment. Nitrogen levels in some parts of the watershed also exceeded state guidelines. These re-sults are likely due to local effects of animal waste runoff and in-stream activities of cattle, as well as cropland runoff and erosion. Foster County SCD has received notice that the Kelly Creek Watershed Project will receive Section 319 Water Quality funding through the North Dakota Department of Health’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program. This program manages federal funds for improving water quality within local watersheds. The program will help reduce non-point source (NPS) pollution within Kelly Creek by providing technical and financial assis-tance to producers and landowners within the watershed, particularly in applying Best Management Practices (BMPs) that protect and enhance riparian areas. Approximately 90% of the Kelly Creek watershed lies in Foster County, with 1% or less in Eddy County and the remainder in Wells County. The primary goal of the proposed project is to improve water quality in Kelly Creek and its major tributaries, including Scott’s Slough and Carrington Creek, through decreases in cropland nutrient and animal waste runoff. Efforts to accomplish this goal will involve application of BMPs on cropland and rangeland, improved handling of animal waste, and educational outreach. Wa-tershed Project funds will be used to provide 60% cost-share assistance for practices that will improve water quality within the watershed. Producers and landowners may use a combination of Section 319 and EQIP or other programs. The district has begun the process of hiring a coordinator for the watershed project, and hopes to have someone in place soon. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the district office at 652-2551 ext. 3.

First Graders Plant Trees for Arbor Day

The Soil Conservation District held its 8th annual First Grade Tree Planting on May 11 this year. This event is part of the City of Carrington’s official Arbor Day celebration. The tree planting was attended by Mayor Don Frye and city audi-tor Heather Carr. The students learned about planting trees and conservation from Gerri Makay of the ND Forest Service, SCD Supervi-sor Curt Klein, and SCD District Manager Dionn Schaaf. The Carrington Tree Board provided two trees for the Class of 2024 to plant. The students all pitched in to plant a bare root “Autumn Blaze” maple at the middle school grounds, and a potted “Spring Snow” crabapple tree at the city park. Four children got to take home the kid-sized shovels provided by the SCD and two chil-dren received conservation T-shirts.

Foster County SCD is offering a new service. For those who would like to cultivate between their trees rows, but do not have equip-ment small enough to do so, the district is now offering a cultivation service. The cost for cultivation will be $30 per 100 linear feet of tree row, with a $300 minimum charge.

New District Service

ISSUE NO. 61 Page 3

Midkota Team Wins 3rd in State Envirothon

Congratulations to the Midkota High School Envirothon team on taking third place at the 13th Annual North Dakota State Envirothon competition. The competition was held at Crystal Springs Camp on May 10 through May 12. The Midkota team was coached by Gilbert Black, assisted by Jeanne Frappier. The 2012 team members were Kallie Frappier, Jessie Hoyt, Sakara Topp, Trey Overby, and Klay Frappier.

According to the Coalition for Conservation and Environmental Education, which sponsors the event, the Envirothon is a problem-solving natural resource competition for high school students. Stu-dents receive real life, hands-on training in the areas of forestry, soil, water, and wildlife. Teams consist of five students and a coach who train for the event throughout the school year. Participants answer questions on natural resources and the environment as they follow trails to hands-on testing sites, then do a ten-minute oral presentation for a panel of three judges. The event is designed to improve knowl-edge of natural resources and environmental issues, communication skills, critical thinking, and teamwork.

The state Envirothon is also sponsored by the Sheyenne James RC& D Council. Foster County SCD sponsors the Midkota team’s entry in the event.

Project TREES at Carrington Grade School

The winning entries for Carrington in the 2012 Keep North Dakota Clean poster contest were: 2nd Grade – Dawsyn Anderson and Crystal Holter (not pictured), 4th Grade – Kiera Eli, 5th Grade – Kaylee Weninger, 6th grade – Halle Lipetzky. Halle placed 3rd in the state in the “Help Prevent Runoff Pollution” category. Each received a tree from the SCD as a prize. Posters by the local winners will be dis-played at the district booth during the Foster County Fair.

Keep North Dakota Clean Poster Contest Winners

Back row L-R: Jeanne Frappier, advisor, Kallie Frappier, Trey Overby, Klay Frappier, Gilbert Black, advisor. Front Row L-R: Sakara Topp, Jessi Hoyt.

Dawsyn Anderson Kiera Eli

Kaylee Weninger Halle Lipetzky

On May 7, Tom Gibson from The Regional Environmental Education Series (Project TREES) was in Carrington to give presentations at the grade school. Some students learned about the water cycle from rancher “Pete Bogg.” Others got to participate in a natural resources game show hosted by “Darin Ewe” where they could earn “conservation bucks” and “common cents,” and a few won gift certifi-cates for a tree from the conservation district. Project TREES is a statewide program that was developed by Foster County SCD and is managed through the district. Tom Gibson has been the presenter for the program for 22 years.