reaching out to historically underserved customers
DESCRIPTION
69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, ILTRANSCRIPT
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Bill Berry, NACD communications specialist Stevens Point, Wisconsin
[email protected] 341 9119
www.nacdnet.org
Connecting with Historically Underserved Customers
SWCS 2014Lombard, Illinois
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According to NRCS…
• The term "historically underserved" refers to groups that have not participated in or that in the past have received limited benefits from USDA programs. These are: – Beginning Farmers and Ranchers – Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher – Socially Disadvantaged Producers
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Conservation districts
• Have a broader base• Address local issues
– Array of settings• Urban, suburban, exurban, interfaces• Rural
– Agriculture– Forestry
– Driven by local resource needs
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NACD 2014 Report
• Captures work of districts across US
• Includes tips on how to engage
• Broadening partnerships• Underscores that we are a diverse nation
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Findings
–Know your customers’ needs–Be persistent–Collaborate–Conservation has a social services dimension
–Local work can create national change–Diversity is us
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RCD of San Diego CountyCommunity Garden
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San Diego RCD gardens
• District manages with county• 136 plots in Tijuana River Valley park• Latinos, Hmong & other Asians• Gardeners pay $100 per year (water and fence)• Gardeners provide in‐kind services translating quarterly newsletters
• District also clearing house for gardening info for K‐12 teachers
• District receives county funding for programs
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Kenton County CD, Kentucky‘A matter of Life and Death’
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Kenton County flooding
• Deadly flooding of Banklick Creek• District engaged since 1960s (dams)• Sought NRCS funding in 2009, didn’t receive• Sought FEMA funding in 2011, received in ’13• $2 million FEMA, $578,000 state• 41 properties sold to county• Conservation easement on land for floodplain
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Taos SWCD, New MexicoServing centuries‐old irrigation organizations
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Taos SWCD irrigation
• Communal systems called “acequias”• Pre‐date Declaration of Independence• Political subdivisions of state • Vital to low‐income subsistence farmers, ranchers in desert setting
• District staff assists with improvements to ditches, pipelines, diversion gates, dams
• District has local levy authority
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Cuyahoga SWCD, OhioLocal need changes national policy
Avon Standard, first to receive NRCS incentive payment
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Cuyahoga SWCD
• Saw needs of Cleveland residents in food deserts
• 3,000 vacant lots = urban agriculture• State Conservationist Terry Cosby reached out to US Rep. Marcia Fudge
• Sought EQIP funds for urban high tunnels• More than 50 high tunnels built• NRCS now funds nationally
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Charleston SWCD, SCProtecting resources, helping people
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Charleston SWCD
• Sewee to Santee Watershed failing septics• Impacted humans and shellfish beds (closed)• District used EPA 319 grant to repair or replace more than 20 septic systems
• Also BMPs for farms, pet waste, marine sanitary waste
• ‘Our Connected Coast’ outreach• State reopened shellfish beds in 2011
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“When you help those in need, you help the whole community and generations to come.”
Bill Berry, NACD communications specialist Stevens Point, Wisconsin
[email protected] 341 9119
www.nacdnet.org
QUESTIONS?