St. Clair County Conservation District hosts Legislators

St. Clair County Conservation District Supervisors hosted State Senators Phil Williams (R-Gadsden) and Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) for a tour of farms in the county to highlight conservation practices that help farmers increase production and protect water and air quality.

They gathered on Dec. 2, at the County Commission Courthouse to first get a look at the Ag in Action Trailer, a mobile agriculture educational unit that travels to schools in a seven county area.

Perry Poe, Chairman of the St. Clair County Conservation District welcomed the group and then they traveled to three farms: Bert Bright’s Farm in Ashville where the landowner raises cattle and constructed a 30×72 hoop house to create a prolonged growing season; Wesley Patterson’s 3Cs Farm to see forestry conservation practices including fire breaks and preparation for burning and tree planting; and the final stop was at Garry and Denise Staples’ White Acres Farm where they raise cattle and chickens. Garry Staples, also a Conservation District Supervisor, explained how energy conservation measures has allowed him to maintain optimal conditions for chickens to grow and increase production. He also showed the Senators fencing and a watering system for cattle he was able to install with the help of a grant he received working through the Conservation District.

The tour concluded with lunch and a brief presentation by St. Clair County Conservation District Administrative Coordinator Charity Mitcham.

St. Clair County Conservation District is among 67 districts in the State that work with farmers and landowners to implement conservation practices on their land for the benefit of all Alabama citizens. 93 percent of land in Alabama is privately-owned. Learn more at alconservationdistricts.gov.

-Submitted by the St. Clair County Conservation District