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Henricopolis Happenings
A publication of the Henricopolis Soil & Water Conservation District
February 2015
Henricopolis Celebrates a Successful 2014
On January 6, the District held its Annual Assemblage to recognize its conservation program
awardees and to thank the many people who help the District meet its goals and achieve its mission.
Directors and staff also take this opportunity to highlight accomplishments for the year and to
introduce plans and initiatives for the upcoming year. The Henricopolis Directors and Staff were
joined by state legislators, the Henrico Board of Supervisors, Henrico School Board representatives,
conservation partners, conservation program participants and many other supporters in the
conservation community. Pictured above is Supervisor David Kaechele, Poster Contest Winners
Nikhita Saravanan and Rithanya Saravanan, and their mother Saravanan Rajamanickam.
In addition to the Poster Contest winners, the District’s community honorees included David Hula
(Henrico Clean Water Farm Award), Judy Fitzpatrick and Dawn Sherwood (Henrico Environmental
Teachers of the Year) and the 2014 Envirothon Team.
See more photos from the Henricopolis Assemblage on our Facebook page!
Farm
Service
Agency
Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Non-Insured
Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) has
received many positive updates through the
implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill. NAP
now offers greater coverage for crops that
traditionally have been ineligible for federal crop
insurance and provides greater coverage for
losses when natural disasters affect specialty
crops such as vegetables, fruits, mushrooms,
floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture,
turf grass, ginseng, honey, syrup, and energy
crops. NAP also offers free Basic Coverage
Plans and Premium Discounts Available for
New, Traditionally Underserved, and Limited
Income Farmers.
The changes to FSA’s NAP Program are
Especially Helpful to Beginning,
Traditionally Underserved, and Limited
Income Farmers because of Fee Waivers
and Premium Reductions.
For more information, please contact the Farm
Service Agency at (804) 932-4376
Virginia’s
Native
Trees
This Virginia Department of Forestry
publication describes native tree species found
in Virginia's forests. The 100 page book
includes non-technical descriptions, with
images of leaves, twigs, flowers and fruit.
Purchase your copy for only $3 in the
Henricopolis SWCD office or visit:
www.dof.virginia.gov
Virginia’s
Native
Shrubs
This new publication from the Virginia
Department of Forestry publication is designed
to help in the quick and correct identification of
the most common native shrubs and woody
vines growing in Virginia.
Purchase your copy for only $3 in the
Henricopolis SWCD office or visit:
www.dof.virginia.gov
Get coupons for free soil tests!
Visit the Henricopolis SWCD office or e-mail requests to [email protected]
Please include your name and physical address in your message.
* This offer is valid until program funding expires and is subject to change at any time.
2015 Scholarship Opportunities
COLONIAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Each year, the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District endows three $1000 scholarships through the
Colonial Agricultural Education Foundation. Two high school seniors and one student already in college will be
selected. Additional scholarships will be awarded to current college students if a sufficient number of qualified
applications are not received from high schools.
The qualifications for the scholarships awarded are:
● Be a Henrico County resident.
● Attend a Henrico County secondary school or a Virginia state-supported college or university.
● Major or intend to major in a conservation-related field such as environmental science, forestry,
meteorology or agriculture.
● Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA if a high school student. Have a minimum 2.5 GPA in major field
if student if a college student.
● Submit at least one strong character reference from school currently attending or last attended.
To apply online , visit the Colonial Farm Credit website: www.colonialfarmcredit.com and click on Scholarships. The
deadline to apply is March 1, 2015.
VA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL AND WATER DISTRICTS
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Each year , the VASWCD offers scholarships statewide to students majoring in or showing a strong desire to major
in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservations and/or environmental studies.
● Applicants must be full-time students enrolled on or who have applied to a college freshman level
curriculum.
● Applicants shall document a class ranking in the top 20% of his or her graduating class or a 3.0 or greater
● Grade Point Average or appropriate equivalent of individual scholastic achievement.
● Applicants shall demonstrate active interest in conservation.
To download guidelines and applications, visit www.henrico.us/swcd and click on Education Programs. Applications
must be returned to Henricopolis SWCD, P.O. Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23272 by March 10, 2015.
2015 Youth Conservation Camp
July 12-18, 2015
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
For 39 years, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts has sponsored a week long summer conservation camp for Virginia high school students on the
campus of Virginia Tech. The program brings together about 70 interested students for
a week of learning about Virginia’s natural resources from conservation professionals
and faculty from Virginia Tech. Most of the instruction is hands-on and outdoors.
Youth Conservation Camp is open to all Virginia students enrolled in high school for the
current year. Scholarship funding to cover the registration fee is available for two
students from Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District. Visit our website
www.henrico.us/swcd and click on “Education Programs” for an
application. Applications are due to Henricopolis by April 27.
What Kind of Tree Do I Want?
As you plan to get your free tree seedlings from
our giveaway in April, you need to decide what
kind of trees you want. Here are some tips to
help you make a good choice.
One of the first steps is to decide what you want
the tree to do for you. Do you want to attract
wildlife? Are you concerned about shade or a
windbreak for your home? Do you want to enjoy
tree-ripened fruit? Are you willing to clean up
after the fallen fruit or do you prefer a less messy
tree?
Consider how the tree fit into your overall
landscape. Then, look closely at the area where
you will put the tree. Do you have room for a
tree, that grows to 100 feet tall? Plant only
low-growing trees under power lines to prevent
future hazards and bad pruning jobs. If the site is
near a street or sidewalk where salt is put in the
winter to melt ice and snow, plant a tree that can
tolerate salt.
Look at the soil conditions. If you have a wet
area, trees that do not mind getting their roots
wet, such as willows, are a good choice.
Look at the trees in your neighborhood, too.
Planting too many of the same tree species may
lead to trouble. Diversity in a community will
promote good tree health and be more visually
pleasing.
Consider planting tree species that are native to
your area. They generally will live longer and
require less care than introduced tree species.
Find out if there are tree ordinances in your
community. Some tree species are considered
nuisances. Some may require a permit prior to
planting. And, there may be regulations regarding
the species of trees that can be planted in
community areas such as parking lots.
The most important thing is--do your part to help
planet Earth in your corner of the world. Plant a
tree in your backyard!
Henricopolis Soil and Water
Conservation District
is located in the
Henrico County Human Services Building
8600 Dixon Powers Drive
Henrico, VA 23228
Henricopolis SWCD: (804) 501-5175
www.co.henrico.va.us/swcd
Vision
Clean Waters, Productive Soils
Mission
To educate and guide Henrico citizens in the
sustainable use of our natural resources
Board of Directors
Herbert L. Dunford, Jr. (Chair)
Nicole Anderson Ellis (Vice-Chair)
Robert A. Brewster, II
Lynn P. Wilson
Lisa Sanderson
Associate Directors
Leon H. App
James Beckley
Donald O. Campen, Jr.
Kenneth Carter
Charles K. Curry
Terri Higgins
Director Emeritus
Gatewood H. Stoneman
Staff
Charlie Lively (District Manager)
Lindy Durham (Education Coordinator)