Regional Conservationist NRCS Vermont Tour

June 8, 2011, Chittenden, Addison and Rutland Counties

 

Time
Location
Project Goals & Highlights

7:45 am

Arrive at VT NRCS State Office

Employee meeting and presentations

Steve Gourley, State Soil Scientist

Jim Wood, State Resource Conservationist

Rob Allen, State Engineer

Katura Wright, Assistant State Conservationist  for Programs

9:00

Depart VT NRCS State Office

 

9:30

Arrive at Shelburne Farms

Meet with Vermont Grass Farmers Association

Grassland Bird Management and Agriculture: VT NRCS Innovative Management with University of Vermont

10:15

Depart Shelburne Farms

 

11:00

Arrive at NRCS Middlebury Field Office

 

11:30

Arrive at Sessions WRP Site

Blue Ledge Farm is a small family goat dairy and cheese making operation that milks 75 goats 10 months of the year.

They enrolled 57 acres of floodplain wetland in WRP in 2009.  This is one of 5 WRP projects along the confluence of the Leicester River and Otter Creek

Restoration planned for 2011

Partners invited include US Fish & Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation

12:00 Noon

Depart Sessions WRP Site

 

In Transit (Drive By)

Route 73 WRP Cluster (Lunch on the road)

17 parcels enrolled in WRP easements, equaling approximately 775 acres

Land borders over 3.5 miles of the Otter Creek

12:40

Stop in Brandon for Restroom Break

 

1:00

Arrive at Pomainville’s WRP

356 Acre Wildlife Management Area owned by Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Prior to VFWD ownership the parcel was enrolled in WRP with a permanent easement

Habitat improvements involved Riparian Buffer Planting and Water Control Structures

Partners invited include US Fish & Wildlife Service, VT Fish & Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, Audubon and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation

1:30

Depart Pomainville

 

1:45

Arrive at Jon Satz Property

Past EQIP, WHIP and AMA contracts for Cover Crop, Mulching, Soil Health Assessment, Pest Management, Timber Stand Improvement, Forest Trails and Landings and Irrigation (micro)

Recipient of VT Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)

Owner is on the Board of Directors of the VT Vegetable & Berry Growers Association

2:15

Depart Jon Satz Property

 

4:00

Arrive at Burlington International Airport