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Minutes
Council members present: James Eriksen, President; Amy Sandeen, Prairie Loft; Dan Wagoner, Hall County Supervisor; Clarence Trumble, Hamilton County Commissioner; Dena Beck, REAP Specialist; Richard McBride, Kearney County Supervisor; Sharon Hueftle, SCEDD; Richard Young, City of Minden. Guest: Kevin Breece, NRCS; Lisa Berkeypile, NRCS; Bert Mues, USDA Rural Development. Staff: Randy Gunn, Coordinator; Shelly Schnakenberg, PSA.
Meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. by President Jim Eriksen.
Additions to Agenda – none.
Minutes of the March 18, 2010 meeting were reviewed. Motion by Trumble, second by Beck to approve minutes as mailed. Motion carried unanimously. Treasurer’s Report: Young reported balance of $6,408.81 in council account. Route 6 escrow account total is $488.78. Organic Transition Project escrow account is $500.00. Motion by McBride, second by Young to accept report. Motion carried unanimously.
New Project Proposals: No Till Field Day: The Farmers Cooperative Association requested planning and technical assistance to coordinate a field day near Kearney on August 17 or 18 to educate area farmers about no till. Motion by Wagoner, second by McBride to approve as a project. Motion carried unanimously. 2010 Grazing Conference: The Center for Grassland Studies requested assistance in actively promoting the 10th annual conference to be held on August 10-11 at the Holiday Inn in Kearney. Motion by Beck, second by Young to approve project. Motion carried unanimously. 2010 State Fair & HHD Display: Promote state wide RC&D’s with a display at both the State Fair (Aug 27 to Sept 6) and Husker Harvest Days (Sept 14-16). Help set up and take down display, as well as having volunteers to main the booth. Motion by McBride, second by Wagoner to approve as a project and provide volunteers. Motion carried unanimously. Project Updates: “Another Bright Idea” Take-it-Back Nebraska Program: WasteCap is in the process of identifying possible collection sites and consolidation sites. At present, approximately fifty sites have been proposed.
Operation Community Garden Project: The Edgerton Education Foundation, aka Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora is currently researching grant opportunities for outdoor playground equipment.
Watchable Wildlife Conference: Conference will be held on October 5-7 at the Kearney Holiday Inn Convention Center and will serve as an educational opportunity for those involved in conservation, agri/eco-tourism and wildlife management.
PK Professional Survey: Beck reported 30 to 40 surveys were sent out with 12 responses received. The next step will be planning and developing training sessions or workshops.
Buy Fresh/Buy Local –2010 Farmers Market Guide has gone to print, should be issued soon. Organic Transition – Planning in the works for possible field day/workshop/tour in mid-summer to late fall focusing on cover crops. Possible state wide organic conference in late 2010 or early 2011.
Prairie Loft Center – Sandeen reported that t-shirts with the new logo are now available for sale with the help of a grant from the Nebraska Corn Board. Upcoming events include the Plein Air Art Event (May 30); Pioneer Family Summer Fun (June 14-17); and the Flatwater Folk Festival (June 25 & 26) - this runs in conjunction with Hastings’ week-long “Summer in the City” event. Community Forestry Inventories – Council still waiting for data from completed inventories to be compiled and reapply for grant. We received word that NE Forest Service staff is still working on summaries. I&E Club (Phelps/Kearney County) – “Minding Your Business” is the theme for the upcoming series of meetings to be held in August, September and October. Locations for these meetings will alternate between Minden and Holdrege. Kearney County Historical Society Tour Map - The tourism marketing grant application was submitted, but was not accepted. Group currently working on GP coordinates and interactive web site map. Other Business/Activities: State RC&D Association Update: Eriksen gave a quick review of the state-wide meeting of coordinators, council members and program support assistants that was held on April 20. Nebraska was recognized by being first nationally to have three RC&D’s achieve the Enhanced Level of the Circle of Diamonds.
RC&D State meeting will be hosted by North Central in Valentine on October 4, 5 & 6. Financial assistance for council members interested in attending will be discussed at the next meeting. Dena Beck has been appointed the award committee representative for 2010. Nominations for awards are due August 10.
State RC&D Membership dues have increased from $300 to $500 for 2010. Motion by McBride, second by Young to pay dues. Motion carried unanimously.
Circle of Diamonds: Officer Liability insurance will be purchased from Beehive Insurance. Once insurance is in effect, the application for Enhanced Level will be submitted.
2010 Annual Meeting: The Edgerton Center in Aurora was a suggestion for the annual meeting location to be held in September. Trumble will gather information and it will be discussed at the next meeting. Coordinator’s Report: Randy will attend Marketing for Ag. Entrepreneurs training session June 24 & 25 and report at next meeting.
Bills for Payment: None.
Motion by Young to adjourn meeting at 12:05 p.m. Second by McBride. Motion carried unanimously.
Next meeting: July 15, 2010 - 10:00 a.m. @ the Doniphan RC&D office. Lunch provided by RC&D Staff. Please RSVP by July 12.
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