Board of Directors:David Pigue- Chairman
Fred Gates- Secretary/Treasurer Clay Smith- Member Kory Randleman- Member Kellie Harvill - Member |
District Employees:Tanginna Atwood - District Secretary
Will Young - Irrigation Specialist |
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 9:00 a.m.
Meetings are open to the public and are held at the district office.
Our office is located at:
206 North Rockingchair Road, Room A
Paragould, AR 72450
Our Mission
Our mission is to work with producers and landowners in Greene County to identify resource concerns and conserve natural resources through partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. We strive to help producers use soil and water resources responsibly throughout the county.
Who We Are
The Greene County Conservation District is managed by a board of directors to help producers in the county with conservation. The board members must be landowners in the county. Three of the directors are elected by a public vote, and two are appointed by the Arkansas Natural Resources Division. The GCCD currently employs a county secretary, an Irrigation Specialist, and a Conservation Technical Assistant to perform the conservation activities in conjunction with Greene County NRCS staff.
Our History
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Conservation districts were established in the United States due to the tragic events of the Dust Bowl. Conservation districts were implemented to help producers with practices that would primarily minimize soil erosion, as well as conserve water resources. Having districts at the local level is important to get input from producers in each area, since there is so much variation in our country. |
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Locally Led Conservation
One very unique aspect of the relationship between the Greene County Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the locally led conservation effort. The conservation district, through convening a local workgroup of federal, state, county, and local government representatives is an integral part of determining where federal conservation dollars are spent in the county. Through the assistance in developing priorities, ranking criteria and eligible conservation practices the local work group has a major influence on NRCS conservation programs. The general public, through their contact with members of this local work group can have their concerns heard through this process. If you have any questions about the locally led process or would like to learn more please contact us at 870-573-3237.
Conservation District Activities in Arkansas
319 Non Point Source (NPS) Grants: Since 1990, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) has been the lead agency for the Arkansas Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Program. ANRC has oversight over the NPS Grant Program, and funds various 319 projects related to nonpoint source pollution management. Additional information can be found at www.arkansaswater.org
AACD Essay Scholarship Contest: Districts provide the student with the winning essay a cash award, after they complete one college semester in conservation related field of study at an accredited college in Arkansas. In addition, the winning essay of the AACD Essay Scholarship Contest is entered into the NE Area AACD Scholarship Contest, which provides a $500.00 cash award. Other districts provide similar opportunities for students in their local school district.
Beaver Eradication Program: The "Beaver Eradication Program" created under Act 630 of 1993 and coordinated by the Department of Finance and Administration and county governments is now the "Conservation District Beaver Control Program" administered by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission through Arkansas’ conservation districts. Additional information at http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/conservation%20division/beaver_control_program.html or contact your local conservation district.
Canon Envirothon: The Canon Envirothon was established as a competitive, multi-disciplinary, problem-solving, natural resource event for high school students to challenge their environmental knowledge. The Envirothon program encourages students to pursue environmental knowledge actively. Thousands of high school students have met the challenge about the natural world and their environment. They are wiser and more concerned about their environment because of their education and competition. To learn more about the Canon Envirothon, please explore the information and resources available on their website at http://www.envirothon.org/.
Conservation District Director Training: Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Title II: Rules Governing Conservation Districts, Section 210.8 and 211.16 require that all conservation district directors complete the Commission’s approved training course. http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/
Conservation Poster Contest: Teachers with the Best of Show winners in each grade category receive a $25.00 cash award. In addition, each student that enters a poster receives a ribbon.
Floodplain Management: To view the official Code, follow the links on the State of Arkansas Website: www.arkansas.gov Chapter 268. Flood Loss Prevention. Sections 14-268-101. Legislative determination. http://www.floodplain.ar.gov/Legislation.html. Certain Districts have Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM’s) on site to assist the public.
Nut Sales: Fundraisers for conservation districts are available at some participating districts during season.
Nutrient Management Program: The Nutrient Management Program oversees a licensing and certification program for consultants, compliance activities and education and training programs necessary to implement the law. District personnel are available to write nutrient management plans.
Partnerships: Some Conservation Districts partner with other local county agencies to sponsor awards for good stewards of the land; conduct conservation education workshops; District Director Dinners to provide opportunities for local, county and state official’s to hear updates on conservation district activities in their districts.
Rental Equipment: Districts have available for rent to the public; No-till drill, pasture sprayers and renovators, aerators, Bermuda planters, litter spreader, feed bunks, spring and freeze proof watering tanks, electric fencing kit. Districts also sell Topo Maps, Plat Books, flagging stakes and tape.
Soil and Water Stewardship Materials: Materials are purchased annually for outreach programs and Earth Day Celebration. In 1955, the National Association of Conservation Districts began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. Stewardship Week is officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. It is one of the world's largest conservation-related observances.
State Poultry Registration: Conservation District’s provides district personnel to assist with the mandatory Annual State Poultry Registration. Poultry Producers can register at their local USDA Field Service Center Office anytime between January 1 and March 31 of each year.
Tax Incentives: The purpose of this program is to encourage water users to invest in (1) the construction of impoundments to use available surface water, thereby reducing their dependence on ground water; (2) the conversion from ground water use to surface water use; and (3) land leveling to reduce agricultural irrigation water use. Tax credits may pass through partnerships, corporations, etc.
An application must be approved by your county conservation district, then submitted to the Commission and approved before a taxpayer may begin construction of a project and claim credits. All projects must be maintained for a minimum of 10 years following issuance of the Certificate of Completion, or benefits will be subject to recapture. An application fee of three percent of the total approved tax credit must be paid, and there is a minimum fee of $100 and a maximum fee of $1,500. Additional information at http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/conservation%20division/tax_incentives.html
Technical Service Provider Program (TSP): Conservation Districts provide district personnel to assist the District Conservationist w/USDA, NRCS Programs. www.nrcs.usda.gov Technical Service Providers
**Note**
Not all districts offer these activities.
AACD Essay Scholarship Contest: Districts provide the student with the winning essay a cash award, after they complete one college semester in conservation related field of study at an accredited college in Arkansas. In addition, the winning essay of the AACD Essay Scholarship Contest is entered into the NE Area AACD Scholarship Contest, which provides a $500.00 cash award. Other districts provide similar opportunities for students in their local school district.
Beaver Eradication Program: The "Beaver Eradication Program" created under Act 630 of 1993 and coordinated by the Department of Finance and Administration and county governments is now the "Conservation District Beaver Control Program" administered by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission through Arkansas’ conservation districts. Additional information at http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/conservation%20division/beaver_control_program.html or contact your local conservation district.
Canon Envirothon: The Canon Envirothon was established as a competitive, multi-disciplinary, problem-solving, natural resource event for high school students to challenge their environmental knowledge. The Envirothon program encourages students to pursue environmental knowledge actively. Thousands of high school students have met the challenge about the natural world and their environment. They are wiser and more concerned about their environment because of their education and competition. To learn more about the Canon Envirothon, please explore the information and resources available on their website at http://www.envirothon.org/.
Conservation District Director Training: Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Title II: Rules Governing Conservation Districts, Section 210.8 and 211.16 require that all conservation district directors complete the Commission’s approved training course. http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/
Conservation Poster Contest: Teachers with the Best of Show winners in each grade category receive a $25.00 cash award. In addition, each student that enters a poster receives a ribbon.
Floodplain Management: To view the official Code, follow the links on the State of Arkansas Website: www.arkansas.gov Chapter 268. Flood Loss Prevention. Sections 14-268-101. Legislative determination. http://www.floodplain.ar.gov/Legislation.html. Certain Districts have Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM’s) on site to assist the public.
Nut Sales: Fundraisers for conservation districts are available at some participating districts during season.
Nutrient Management Program: The Nutrient Management Program oversees a licensing and certification program for consultants, compliance activities and education and training programs necessary to implement the law. District personnel are available to write nutrient management plans.
Partnerships: Some Conservation Districts partner with other local county agencies to sponsor awards for good stewards of the land; conduct conservation education workshops; District Director Dinners to provide opportunities for local, county and state official’s to hear updates on conservation district activities in their districts.
Rental Equipment: Districts have available for rent to the public; No-till drill, pasture sprayers and renovators, aerators, Bermuda planters, litter spreader, feed bunks, spring and freeze proof watering tanks, electric fencing kit. Districts also sell Topo Maps, Plat Books, flagging stakes and tape.
Soil and Water Stewardship Materials: Materials are purchased annually for outreach programs and Earth Day Celebration. In 1955, the National Association of Conservation Districts began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. Stewardship Week is officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. It is one of the world's largest conservation-related observances.
State Poultry Registration: Conservation District’s provides district personnel to assist with the mandatory Annual State Poultry Registration. Poultry Producers can register at their local USDA Field Service Center Office anytime between January 1 and March 31 of each year.
Tax Incentives: The purpose of this program is to encourage water users to invest in (1) the construction of impoundments to use available surface water, thereby reducing their dependence on ground water; (2) the conversion from ground water use to surface water use; and (3) land leveling to reduce agricultural irrigation water use. Tax credits may pass through partnerships, corporations, etc.
An application must be approved by your county conservation district, then submitted to the Commission and approved before a taxpayer may begin construction of a project and claim credits. All projects must be maintained for a minimum of 10 years following issuance of the Certificate of Completion, or benefits will be subject to recapture. An application fee of three percent of the total approved tax credit must be paid, and there is a minimum fee of $100 and a maximum fee of $1,500. Additional information at http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/conservation%20division/tax_incentives.html
Technical Service Provider Program (TSP): Conservation Districts provide district personnel to assist the District Conservationist w/USDA, NRCS Programs. www.nrcs.usda.gov Technical Service Providers
**Note**
Not all districts offer these activities.
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