2017 Scholarship applications available

The Walker County Soil & Water Conservation District is now accepting applications for a $500.00 scholarship sponsored by the Alabama Conservation District Employees Association. Applicant must be a U. S. citizen, high school senior, and living in the State of Alabama. Applications may be picked up at the District office located in the Carl Elliott Walker County Board of Education Building at 1710 Alabama Avenue, Suite 207, Jasper, AL 35501. Deadline to receive completed applications in the District office is March 3, 2017. For more information, please contact Katherine Patton at (205) 384-0606 ext. 3204 or at kpattonwalkersoil@gmail.com.

2016 Land Judging Contest

The 2016 Land Judging Contest was held on November 4, 2016 at the C.T. Guthrie Farm leased by Mr. & Mrs. Matt Hudson. There were six schools from Walker County in this year’s contest. Congratulations to Curry High School on their victory in this year’s contest and to Carbon Hill High School for placing 2nd. We would like to thank Mr. Guthrie for the use of his farm as well as the Walker County Board of Education for digging the judging pits.

Please see the flyer below for additional information on the upcoming Improving Your Property's Natural Resources workshop that will be held in Jasper, AL on Sept. 14, 2016. Topics to be covered are deer management, wild hog control, quail habitat, stream and wetland banking mitigation, shortleaf pine and forest herbicides. For additional information call Katherine at (205) 384-0606 ext. 101.

2016 Forestry and Wildlife School for Landowners

Information on the upcoming Forestry and Wildlife School for Landowners that will be held at the Joe Wheeler State Lodge on June 16, 2016 and at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge on June 17, 2016. Topics to include:Crop Mgmt. for Waterfowl, Wildlife Mgmt. Concepts and Terms, Bottomland Timber Mgmt., Planting Trees & Creating Wildlife Openings, Moist Soil Mgmt., Aquatic Herbicides, Waterfowl ID, Beaver Control/Mgmt., Water Control Structures for Landowners and Ducks Unlimited Chapter Update. For additional information please call Katherine at (205) 384-0606 ext. 101.

2016 ACDEA Area III Scholarship Winner

Congratulations to Logan Aaron, senior at Curry High School for winning the 2016 ACDEA Area III $500.00 scholarship.

2015 Walker County Land Judging Contest

October 22, 2015, Walker County hosted their county land judging competition. The schools entered in the competition were: Curry, Dora, Parrish, Oakman, Cordova, and Walker County Center of Technology. Curry High School’s Hunter Wilson was the high individual scorer. Curry High School won 1st place and Cordova won 2nd place. The competition gives students a chance to compete at the county level in efforts to show methods of conservation and adequate land use capabilities for a specific tract of land. Students participating in the event and instructors did a great job preparing for this event. The event took place at Dorman Grace’s farm, where his son, Cade, is growing cotton. This is the first cotton crop to be grown in Walker County in more than 40 years. NRCS Walker County field office and Area Soil Scientist (Milton Tuck), Walker County Soil & Water Conservation District, Walker County Board of Education, Alabama Forestry Commission and WCSWCD Reclamation played a role in making the contest a success.

Stewardship Managment Workshop

This workshop will be held in Jasper, AL on September 16, 2015. Landowners and timber professionals will enjoy topics such as pond management, wildlife management and prescribed burning. For additional information see agenda below or call Katherine at (205) 384-0606 ext. 101.

2015 Area III ACDEA Scholarship winner

Congratulations to Staci Alexander, senior at Oakman High School for winning the 2015 Area III ACDEA $500.00 scholarship.

Soil Health Workshop

Please see flyer below for information on our upcoming Soil Health Workshop that will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015. For additional information call Katherine at (205) 384-0606 ext. 1.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Resources and Opportunities Workshop

The above workshop will be held in Jasper, AL on April 9, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. Employees with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, Walker County Soil and Water Conservation District, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Forestry Commission will be at the workshop to provide information on the technical assistance that is available from each agency as well as cost share opportunities. For additional information or to register for the workshop call Katherine at (205)384-0606 ext. 1.

2014 Walker County Land Judging Contest

The Walker County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resource Conservation Service hosted the annual land judging contest for high school students on October 15, 2014 at Mathis Creek Farm in Argo. Score cards are completed on four different land uses; pastureland, farmland, cropland, and home sites. This event is designed to help students learn more about land, soil types and capabilities, methods of soil conservation, treatments to obtain higher crop production and selection of suitable home sites. We would like to thank Jeff Barton for the use of his farm as well as the Walker County Board of Education & Darrell Wade for digging the judging pits for the competition. Congratulations to Curry High School for winning the contest and to the Walker County Center of Technology for placing second. Adam York was the high individual scorer. Shown below is Curry High School and Adam York.

2014 Area III ACDEA scholaship winner

Congratulations to Frankie Payne, Senior at Curry High School for winning the $500.00 2014 Area III ACDEA scholarship.

Fruit tree grafting workshop

There will be a fruit tree grafting workshop on February 20, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Walker County Extension office. There will be a $10.00 registration fee which will include instruction, supplies and refreshments. For additional information call 205-221-3392. You can also click on the flyer for additional information.

2014 scholarship applications

The Walker County Soil & Water Conservation District is now accepting applications for a $500.00 scholarship sponsored by the Alabama Conservation District Employees Association. Applicant must be a U. S. citizen, high school senior, and living in the State of Alabama. Applications may be picked up at the District office located in the Carl Elliott Walker County Board of Education Building, Suite 207, in Jasper. Deadline to receive completed applications in the District office is March 7, 2014. For more information, please contact Katherine Patton at (205) 384-0606 ext 1.

2013 Land Judging Contest

Congratulations to Curry High School for winning the 2013 Walker County Land Judging Contest.  Parrish High School placed 2nd and Colter Julian of Parrish High School was the high individual scorer.  Thanks to Mr. James Key for hosting the land judging contest at his farm, Walker County Board of Education for digging the holes to be judged and the Walker County Forestry Planning Committee for providing lunch.  There were 6 schools from Walker County that participated in this year's contest.

Where The Wood Meets The Road Workshop

Where The Wood Meets The Road – Regulations and Guidelines from BMP’s to DOT workshop will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013 in Jasper, AL.  The workshop will cover forestry BMP’S during the morning session and will cover Federal DOT regulations and County Road ordinances after lunch.  There will be 4.5 CFE units available for Registered Foresters and 6.0 PLM hours for Professional Logging Managers for attending the workshop.  Also anyone interested in learning about the latest Federal DOT regulations is invited to attend.  There is no charge to attend, however, reservations are requested by contacting Katherine with the Walker County Soil and Water Conservation District at (205) 387-1879 ext. 1.  You can also click on the agenda for additional information.

2013 Clear Water Alabama Seminars and Field Day

The above workshop will be held in Birmingham, AL on October 8, 2013 through October 10, 2013.  This seminar is offered

to assist planners, designers, contractors, inspectors and others to learn more about erosion and sediment control practices and products.  For more information click on the brochure or call Earl Norton at 334-728-4107.

Geology, Soils & Erosion and Sediment Control workshop

The above workshop will be held at the Alabama Power Conference Center in Clanton, AL on August 20, 2013.  Agenda and registration details are available at: www.alchapterswcs.aces.edu.  You can also click on the brochure for additional details.

Conservation Pledge

In honor of those that have given so much for this great Country let us also remember the important role that our natural resources play in our lives.

2010 Walker County Agriculture, Forestry and Related Industries Stats

Thanks to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Agribusiness Council for providing these stats.  Click on each page for easier viewing.