Soil and Water Conservation
Welcome to Soil and Water Conservation's Home Page
The Davidson County Soil Conservation District was established in 1946 as a subdivision of the state government. The mission of the Davidson County Soil Conservation District is to provide conservation planning, education, information and technical assistance to landowners, groups and units of government so they can enhance and benefit from the proper management of our natural resources.
Davidson County Soil Conservation District
Field Day at Hermitage
September 30, 2008
(Flyer/Agenda)
The Soil Conservation District is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors.
Left to Right: Jerry Graves and Will Lewis SCD members; Carol Edwards, SCD Technician; Carolyn Dillard, District Conservationist, NRCS; John Leeman, SCD Chairman; Karen Danielson and Nelson Gardner, SCD members.
DAVIDSON COUNTY LANDOWNER MAKES STRIDES FOR CONSERVATION
Alan Williams has made strides for conservation on his family farm in the Whites Creek Community. The 144 acre farm includes 74 acres of woodland, and 70 acres of pastureland. Alan’s goals for the farm include: timber production, wildlife habitat improvement for the turkey, deer and quail, and adequate grazing for the cattle and horses on the farm. Over time, the streambanks of Tranthom Branch, a tributary to Whites Creek, had been eroded by the cattle and horses having open access to the creek.
For assistance in reaching his goals, Alan turned to the Natural Resources conservation service and the Davidson County Soil Conservation District. Together, a plan was developed that would achieve his goals and improve the soil and water quality on his farm. Several Best Management Practices were required to meet these goals.
First of all, a heavy use area was installed as a feeding pad to reduce mud problems. Stream crossings were established to provide stabile areas for equipment and livestock to cross the stream allowing access to other paddocks. An eroding streambank was treated to reduce sedimentation in the creek. View press release.
Before and After
After these projects were completed, fencing was installed on this farm serving two purposes. The first was to exclude livestock from forest land, creeks and sensitive areas. Secondly, the fencing divides the fields for a rotational grazing system.
Cost share assistance for these projects was provided by the TN Dept. of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Future plans include a warm season grass planting, perennial food plot, and timber harvest.
Vision
The challenges of the future can seem great. Did you know that in the next 40 years, the number of people in our country is expected to double?
- We'll need more food.
- We'll need more clean water.
- We will need more wood from our forests.
- We'll need to build housing for many millions more people.
- All those people will want land for outdoor recreation.
- We'll need transporation for all those people.
The challenges of the future can seem overwhelming, until you consider the successes of this century. Since 1900, the number of people in our country has almost ripled, and yet...
- On the average, people are living longer with better health.
- Our air and water are cleaner.
- Even though about the same amount of land is used for farming, world food production has increased four-fold.
Our present success is largely due to our system of conservation districts. These local, self-governing groups have helped people learn to conserve natural resources. Conservation districts have helped meet the challenges of the past, and they will help us make a brighter future.
Conservation districts depend on local members from all walks of life. People study natural resources and make decisions about their use in their own community.
You can help make a better tomorrow!
Contact your conservation district today!
1417 Murfreesboro Pike
PO Box 196300
Nashville, TN 37219-6300
Phone: 615/880-2030
Fax: 615/880-2032