904 368-0291 stillpe@aol.com

Bradford
Soil and Water Conservation District

About Bradford SWCD

Our Purpose

The mission of the Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District is to provide the administration of programs to conserve soil and improve water quality and quantity on private lands in Bradford County.

Staff

Registered Agent:

Paul Still

14167 SW 101st Ave

Starke, FL 32091

stillpe@aol.com

904 368-0291

Board Members

District 1: TBA

Tara Sheppard

Keystone Heights, FL

32666

tarasingletary.bswcd@gmail.com

 

District 2  / Vice Chair

Sherman Carnes

Starke, Fl 

32091

carnes.bswcd@proton.me

 

District 3 / Secretary

Ok Sun Burks

820 North Street

Starke, FL

32091

 o.burks.bswcd@gmail.com

 

 

District 4 / Chair

Amy Morie

24686 N Hwy 301

Lawtey, FL

32058

a.morie.bswcd@gmail.com

323.274.8858

District 5 / Treasurer

Paul Still

 14167 SW 101st Ave

Starke, FL  32091

stillpe@aol.com

904.368.0291

 

What We Do

Established by the Florida Legislature, the Bradford Soil & Water Conservation District, a governmental subdivision of the State of Florida, was established October 9, 1950 under Florida Statutes 582 by local residents for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the wise use, management and general conservation of the County’s soil, water and related natural resources. The District is committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Bradford County through conservation of its natural resources.

The Bradford Soil & Water Conservation District works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) creating ways to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and inform the public about conservation problems.

 

The Bradford SWCD operates under Florida Statutes 582 under the Florida Legislature.

Charter/Creation

View our charter here

Service Area

The Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District serves all of Bradford County in the area of the conservation and stewardship of our natural resources.

A map of Bradford County Florida

Services Provided

County Soil and Water Conservation in Bradford County

  •  Assist land owners in their efforts to secure financial assistance through Farm Bill Programs to implement conservation practices

  • Conservation education, programs and information

  • Assist growers with development of low volume irrigation systems

  • Develop and update irrigation water management plans

  • Soil surveys and historical maps

  • Local government advice and assistance

  • Youth education

  • Invasive plant control

 

BSWCD Meetings

  • Regular meetings: First Tuesday of the month at 4:30 PM ~ Supplemental meetings: Third Tuesday of the month at 4:30 PM
  • There will be no meeting July 4, 2023
  • Meetings are held at the Bradford Extension Office – 2266 N Temple Ave. Starke, FL  32091
  • All meetings are open to the public. Public participation is also available online via Zoom

Educational Programs

The Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors a number of programs that serve the Bradford County communities. Through community support and fundraising efforts, the district is working to build the number of services we are able to offer.

Opportunities are available for youth to participate with Bradford County Soil and Water Conservation District education programs such as annual Envirothon, Poster & Speech Contest and Land Judging. Presentations on topics such as Florida’s aquifer, basic soil principles, native/invasive plants and more are available for youth and adult groups.

If you are interested in sponsoring or volunteering for any of these programs, in having a district supervisor work with you on a project or in offering your support for our work, please contact: Paul Still 904 368-0291  email stillpe@aol.com

Envirothon

 

The Florida Regional Envirothon is a problem-solving, natural resource education program for high school students. It is a unique outdoor competition that requires teamwork and the application of knowledge in the five areas listed below:

  • Aquatics – water ecology, water chemistry, water quality, and aquatic life.
  • Current Environmental Issues – annually selected topics such as energy sources, ground water, Gulf of Mexico environmental concerns or other current issues.
  • Forestry – tree identification, tree ecology, insects, and timber.
  • Soils – classification, formation, soil properties, profiles, and site suitability.
  • Wildlife – habitat, identification, food, disease, and management.

Each team consists of five students. Schools can enter more than one team, but no more than six teams. The five-member teams are led by an advisor in studying prepared resource materials in the five areas including a selected current environmental issue.

Want to learn more? Contact Amy Morie at a.morie.bswcd.fl@gmail.com

You can also preview study guides for each topic in the Envirothon competition

 

Poster Contest

 The 2023 Poster Contest theme is “One Water” – resources will be posted in the fall

The annual National Conservation Poster Contest provides kindergarten through twelfth grade students an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries and agencies. The poster contest theme follows the annual Stewardship theme. The contest is co-sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts and the NACD Auxiliary.

Each year, the poster contest starts at the district level. Individuals and teachers with questions regarding district contests should contact their local district. To locate your local district search our state directory. District winners advance to the state level. For questions regarding state competitions, districts should contact their state association. Finally, state winners advance to the National Contest. National winners are recognized each year at the NACD Annual Meeting.

**PLEASE NOTE: Check your state poster contest sponsoring group to determine deadline and theme topic and correct poster size. Each state coordinates their own contest. Posters must follow your state’s guidelines to be eligible for the national contest.

Go here for more information: https://afcd.us/poster-contest/

Speech Contest

Bradford County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors an annual speech contest, which is designed to develop leadership and stimulate interest in conserving natural resources. The 2023 Poster Contest theme is “One Water” – check back soon for more resources! 

4-H and FFA Youth examine soil layers in a field
Land Judging

We’re looking for educators and volunteers interested in land judging! Contact Paul Still at stillpe@aol.com if you would like to learn more

Land Judging is an exciting 4-H and FFA contest in which Middle and High School students in observe and interpret the soil in order to make wise land use decisions.

The skills the teens use at the contest involve principles that can be valuable in career fields like environmental and agricultural management, natural resources conservation, home building, engineering, and construction. Students can compete at the local, state, and national levels.

 

The Bradford Soil & Water Conservation Districts host local middle and high school students in FFA and 4-H to test their knowledge by judging soils from four pits that are selected by a Soil Scientist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

In each class (Middle 4-H, High 4-H, Middle FFA, High FFA) the local county winner may compete at the state contest in that respective class.

Top placing teams in the state contest are eligible to compete at the National Land Judging Contest held at the end of April. 

Image: Florida 4-H and FFA students observe characteristics of soil profiles during the Florida 4-H/FFA Land Judging Contest.
Credit: L. Rex Ellis, UF/IFAS

Financials

Budget Information

 

The District’s fiscal year runs from October 1st through September 30th annually.

2022 – 2023 Budget coming soon!

2021-2022 Budget

Bradford County Commission Funding $5000

BSWCD Expenses:

Association of Florida Conservation Districts (AFCD) Dues                    $   100        

Annual AFDC Area 2 Meeting                                                                               $      50 

AFCD Annual Meeting                                                                                             $   100

 

Bradford County Fair Youth Support                                                               $1250               

          Swine                                       $   250

            Cattle                                      $  250

            Goats                                       $  250

            Small Animal                        $  250

            4H                                              $  250

 

Environmental Education Youth Programs                                                  $   300

 

Operating Expenses                                                                                               $ 3100

            Water Level & Quality Monitoring Program       $1800

            Invasive Plant Monitoring & Control Program  $  400

            Supplies, Services and Repairs                               $   600

            Travel                                                                                  $  300

                                                                                                       Total                       $5000

 

To view the District’s annual financial report visit the Department of Financial Services:

 

Get in Touch!

Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District
14167 SW 101st Ave
Starke, FL 32091
stillpe@aol.com
904 368-0291

Registered Agent: Paul Still

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