Arkansas Conservation News -- Spring 2008

Residents of Grubbs, Ark., have seen their share of flooding. Located in northeast Arkansas, less than a mile from the Cache River, Grubbs used to flood every year.

But, thanks to a levy built by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1995, the town of 428 people has remained dry during this year’s historical flooding the state is experiencing.

"It still floods around here but not inside the levy," said Jimmy London, who lives on the edge of town closest to the river. "Before the levy, I got up to 8 inches of water in my yard every year."

"The levy has been a lifesaver to us," said London, who retired from NRCS in 1994 as a field office technician in Jackson County. "We used to make the news every year because of flooding."

Jack Ivy, Grubbs’ street superintendent, has dealt with flooding most of his lifetime living around the town. Ivy maintains the levy and pumps rainwater from inside the levy into the Cache River.

"We have a series of ditches throughout town that carry rainwater to ponds. When the river isn’t flooded, gates and pipes allow the water to drain under the levy into the river. When the river is flooded, I pump water from one of the ponds to the river."

Ivy says it’s hard to put an amount on how much money the levy has saved the town. "Some years, 15 to 20 homes, the school and businesses would flood. That hasn’t happened since the levy," he said.

"FEMA called a few weeks ago to see why we hadn’t called them yet to report flood damage," Ivy said. "I said, we haven’t had to call you since 1995."

The levy, about 1 ½ miles long around three sides of the town, was designed by NRCS. It was paid for by grants from the federal government and the Arkansas Soil and Water Commission.
 

Brittany Singleton and Ken Crader, soil scientists; and Doug McClellan, White County district conservationist, presented a soil education class to 125 eighth grade students at ALHF Jr. High School in Searcy March 20.

McClellan showed students how to use the soil survey book and gave each student a copy.

Singleton, the main instructor for the day, taught the importance of soil and how soils are mapped with quad maps and GPS technology. Students added water to a hand full of soil to determine the texture. By using a flow chart students learned the process of touch and ribboning soil.

She also discussed how soils differ in pH and how soil scientist use chemicals and charts to determine pH.

Crader took a core sample of soil with the soil probe mounted to an NRCS truck and showed the students the soil profile. He discussed the variations of soil profiles from the flood plain to the foothills.

Brittany Singleton and Leslie Glover II, from the Pine Bluff MLRA Soil Survey Project Office, presented an "S. K. Worm" demonstration at the 2008 Lawn and Garden Show at the Pine Bluff Convention Center Feb. 16.

They showed children and adults the importance of earthworms and how earthworms improve the physical and chemical properties of soil.

As part of the S.K. Worm display they demonstrated how increased organic matter from earthworm activity improves soil pH for greater nutrient uptake by plants.They also discussed how increased organic matter can improve soil stability and water holding capacity to decreases the chance of erosion.

The demonstration was awarded the Most Educational and Most Informative display as part of the Master Gardeners "Kid’s Corner."
 

Keith Coffey leaves a positive impact on people and places around him.

This past fall, Keith volunteered his time and resources to showcase NRCS programs during a Cross County Cutting Edge Conservation project tour on his farm.

NRCS displayed his converted rice farm and the many conservation practices he implemented through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Reserve Program

Keith recruited six volunteers to prepare for the public tour. They prepared sites, set up tents, and provided transportation and seating for 200 people. He participated in the tour by answering questions about his experiences in implementing NRCS conservation programs.

"Keith’s volunteer efforts were imperative to the success of the project tour," said Joseph Mulling, soil conservation technician at Wynne. "As a result, other producers in our area have gained valuable knowledge of conservation practice purposes and their benefits. Keith works hard to conserve the natural resources around him for future generations and demonstrates good stewardship."

"Keith is a shining example of someone who gives back more than they are given," Mulling said.
 

Paul Grose volunteered last summer as a conservation aide at the Morrilton Field Service Center.

Paul lives in Greers Ferry and is the son of Charles Grose, soil conservation technician at Morrilton. Paul worked for two weeks doing conservation related work alongside his father.

Paul provided administrative and technical assistance for the service center. He assembled 26 Environmental Quality Incentive Program contract folders and printed conservation plan maps, soils maps, topography maps and non-technical soil descriptions for the folders. Paul generated maps for 75 contracts in tool kit and E-mailed them to the cultural resource specialist for review. He mailed EQIP contract plan folders to 26 participants and also generated labels for over 250 EQIP and CRP contract file folders.

Paul provided surveying assistance in the field. He assisted with staking a farm pond and check out of three waste storage structures. He also helped measure 3,500 feet of fence using a hand held GPS unit.

Paul attained significant on-the-job experience that will be of value to him throughout his future. He expressed appreciation to NRCS for providing him an opportunity to volunteer and gain valuable experience.