Minutes from 4-09-2008
Southwest Project Grass Executive Committee Meeting Somerset 10:00 am
In attendance:
Carl Rohr, Richard
Stahl, James Kenney, Susan Moon, JB Harrold, John Hewitt
John Hewitt brought
the meeting to order at 10:07 am.
New Growing Greener
Grant
J.B. and Carl explained
the new Project Grass Growing Greener grant. We had requested $204,250.00 in
the application. We have been awarded $150,000.00. The committee was asked to
decide how to allocate this lesser amount.
Carl stated that
we have also been asked by ARS if we could use the pasture system worksheet on these projects.
It was decided that we would choose three of the projects to do this on. This
will include soil testing on these farms.
After discussion
the following motion was made by Jim Kenney and seconded by Richard Stahl:
Setup funding
at $19,200.00 contractual, $2,200.00 equipment, $128,100.00 construction ($9,150.00.00/county)
and $500.00 for soil tests. Change the cost share rate of the grant projects
from 75% grant/25% farmer to 70% grant/30% farmer.
Allow one year contracts to be written on the projects with a reevaluation of the project at the end of the year.
Motion approved.
Blair County Extension Request
John presented a
request from Blair County
for an extension until May30, 2008 for the existing SWPG Growing Greener Project on the John C. Black farm.
After discussion
the following motion was made by Jim Kenney and seconded by Sue Moon:
Moved to grant
the extension until May 30, 2008 for the SWPG Growing Greener project on the John C. Black farm with the stipulation that
the project will be completed with all bills submitted to the Somerset Conservation District before the May 30, 2008 deadline
and with the understanding that no further extensions will be granted for this project.
Motion approved.
Funding Request
from Fayette County
John presented a
request submitted by Chris Rerko (Fayette County)
for funding in the amount of $100.00 to help with costs for a pasture walk being held in Fayeete County on April 19th.
Moved by Sue Moon
seconded by John Hewitt to donate $100.00 from the Field Days/Education budget section to help with costs for an April 19th
pasture walk in Fayette County.
Motion approved.
May 21st
Field Day
Discussion was held
on the upcoming Mat 21st Field Day and the need for a porta-john at the farm site.
Motion made by Sue
Moon and seconded by Jim Kenney to pay for a porta-john for the May 21st Field Day out of the Miscellaneous section
of the budget.
Motion approved.
Web Site
John submitted a
bill for $116.99 for reimbursement to Washington County Conservation District for the initial cost of the web site for SWPG. The web Site is being worked on at this time.
PA State Conference
Profits
John submitted a
request to Penn’s Corner RC&D requesting that the SWPG share of the profits from the 2007 PA State Conference in
the amount of $110.21 be sent to the Somerset Conservation District who is acting as our fiscal agent.
Sticks & Books
J.B. suggested holding
over the money budgeted for the sticks for this year until next year. This is
due to the fact that there is not enough money available at this time to get a decent quantity discount. By carrying the funds over until next year we can order more sticks and get a better price.
Beef books will
be ordered within a couple of weeks. We have an over abundance of Dairy books
at this time.
Cost-share BMP’s
Carl reminded the
group that we will not be able to cost-share interior fence if it is not permanent or pasture and hayland planting under the
new Growing Greener contract.
Sue: Growing Greener
training update
Sue update the group
on the Growing Greener training she attended as our representative. Something
to keep in mind: If the total project cost is $25,000.00 or more and you receive one dollar of state grant money you must pay prevailing wage. If the farmer
does the work himself this is not applicable.
Additional items
of interest
A W-9 form needs
to be filled out by each County Conservation District and submitted at the May 21st meeting. Sue needs these for audit purposes due to the Growing Greener Projects.
For the New Grant:
Any County that has to have a new project due to the loss of the older one will need to provide a landowner commitment letter
and an overview of the new project (like the one submitted for the grant application).
Jim Moved to adjourn
seconded by Sue: Motion Approved
Meeting Adjourned
11:35 am
