GREEN RIVER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Meeting Date: December 9, 2024

Start Time: 4:00 P.M.

End Time: 5:45 P.M.

Attendees:

Supervisors: Tyler Hunt, Chris Dunham, Lee Thayn, Tonya Bigelow, Coby Hunt

Associate Members: Olivia Dunham (Clerk), Karen Smith (Treasurer), Bruce Nelson, Christine Sheeter

Agency Personnel: Jessica Mortensen (UDAF Planner), Rowe Zwahlen (EC Agricultural Director), Lowell Gardner (NRCS – District Conservationist)

Guests:

Approval of Agenda – Coby made a motion to approve the agenda; Tonya seconded the motion. Motion was passed unanimously.

Approval of Minutes of Meeting – Coby made a motion to approve the minutes; Tonya seconded the motion. Motion was passed unanimously.

Public Comments/Concerns – None.

Request for Assistance – None.

Conservation Business:

FFA Farm/Soil Health Research Plot – Jessica had worked on getting grants but she found it intricate with lots of people involved and what she had found were not suitable to what the FFA needs. She also needs help to which Chris Sheeter volunteered. Chris inquired about the FFA pump and it is not hooked up yet while the pipes were already buried. They are still on research phase of the project.

Soil Health Workshop – More on working on the date to do it. Jan.16, Feb 19 and 27 dates are off as they are already dates for upcoming events. The suggested plan is an in-classroom workshop in spring and an outdoor workshop in the summer. Suggested speakers mentioned in previous meetings were Tony Richards, Terron Pickett and Phil Frank. Sometime in February is the suggested month though no date yet which will be discussed next meeting.

Part of the workshop tackled were discussed by Lowell as he and Terron have been talking with the FFA. He asked the following questions:

Should they plant single specie or different specie? – Lowell said what they did before was plant single specie first and whatever seeds were left, they combined them altogether and plant them as mixed seeds. Tyler suggested using seeds that are salt tolerant and clay penetrating plants.

Any specific place for planting? – Two or more places were suggested.

How much do we need or the size of the test plot?

Do we need to advertise? Yes.

Does the school have equipment? Yes and there are other equipment near that is available.

What is the typical crop rotation that is being done in the valley? As they are looking for species that will fit the crop rotation in the valley. These were mentioned: hay and corn, buck wheat, triticale, sorgum and heated silage.

What is they typical rotation as to the kind of tillage done? Depends on how one irrigates as with pivot or flood irrigation. There is deep ripping, disking, using the NTD.

What time of year is the tillage being done? March and April; October and November.

Do you repeat the process when going through the process of crop rotation?

Lowell wrote the supervisors answers to help him and Terron put together whatever they need to start.

Soil Health Need Survey – Jessica asked the supervisors all the questions in the survey while writing down the responses. She will present it to Julie to make the final report.

2025 Meeting Schedule – Still the same days, every second Monday of each month but the change of hours will be discussed during the next meeting if it needs to be changed to 5P.M. instead of 4P.M. October 13 is highlighted in yellow as it is Columbus Day so GRCD has an option of either moved the meeting to a later date or cancel the meeting for October next year.

Coby moved for the approval of the meeting schedule with amendment; Tonya seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

Pre-Work Group Discussion

Review 2025 funding request and actual funding received – Skipped.

Identify local resource concerns and locations – Lowell started the presentation by putting on the board the 2024 priority resource concerns which are as follows:

Soil Health

Salinity

Water Quality

Crop Disease

Predators

List top 5 priority resource concerns – The same as 2024 priority concerns.

Strategic Funding Proposal – Funding for drainage was asked to which the question was posted as well – what are you going to do once the water is captured? Conservation Reduction Act was mentioned and also fundings for pivots were discussed. There is no funding for pivots right now due to the lack of data for people setting the rates. To help with funding rates, NRCS needs copies of actual receipts being spent on pivots and also bids from multiple suppliers.

Finance – a. Financial Report - Olivia reported on the financial as follows:

b. Pay bills as brought before the board –

UACD 2025 Dues	$1,425.00

Castleland RC&D – 2025 Weed Calendar	600.00

Clerical Fee for 2nd Qtr. Of FY2425	750.00

Tonya moved for the approval of the financial report together with the payment of bills; Coby seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Meetings/Trainings/Upcoming Events

SRCD Agriculture Programs Fair – Jan. 16th, 2025 in Castle Dale – From 5-8P.M. @ Emery County Recreation Center. Vendors were invited and supper will be served.

NACD Convention – February, 2025 in Salt Lake City – Jessica doesn’t have information yet.

Castle Valley Crop School – Feb. 19th, 2025 in Price - @ 6P.M. @ USU Campus Alumni Room. Ag Tech and use fo drones will be discussed.

Grand Conservation District Soil Health Workshop – Feb. 27th, 2025 in Moab – From 10A.M. – 2P.M. @ the Senior Center. Lunch will be served. USU professors will be present and will talk about urban ag, wools and soil health topics too.

UDAF/UACD Zone 7 Business – None.

NRCS Business – They have taken the first round of applications and are processing them to make selections. The second sign up period cut off is March 7, 2025. There are different kinds of projects such as EQIP, CSP and agriculture management program. Lowell encouraged everyone to announce these programs so people can sign up.

FSA Business – None.

Extension Business – Rowe Zwahlen – Rowe mentioned about government money available with USDA which is for food businesses. Proposals can be submitted till Feb. 5, 2025. This is more for food related project such as refrigeration and food processing. He will send information about this. He also encouraged everyone to attend the crop school like the master gardener program in January, 2025 in Price.

Other Supervisor Business – None.

Complete SERA Forms – The SERA forms were signed by each supervisor who attended the meeting.

Tonya moved the meeting to be adjourned.

Next Meeting: January 12, 2025 @ Green River City Hall @ 4P.M.