Please email anneavery@mgwnet.com with the number of people attending.
Date in October TBD
226 Last Raid Lane, Swoope
We are now meeting at the beautiful, black barn above our large pond. The barn belongs to our neighbors, Bob Powell and Joe Orlick, and they have very graciously allowed us to use it for this gathering. When you come up Last Raid Lane, don't turn left at the pond to reach our house; keep going on Last Raid Lane around the pond and take the next left to the barn. Park behind the barn and walk to the front where there will be chairs, food, and friends.
10:00 a.m. Social with light refreshments available
10:30 a.m. Soil/Water Conservation Project Fieldtrip
Presenters: Rachel Winter, Project overview
Jacob Gilley: Farmland Trust; Bobbie Whitescarver, Riparian Buffer
Hosted by: Anne Avery & Margaret Henderson
Dear Ladies,
It is with unabashed delight that I invite you to enjoy a field day at my farm and home in Swoope on March 17th (rain date March 24th) to hear about, and see, a soil and water conservation project as it develops. For those who want a close look, this will involve some farm walking, so please dress for prevailing conditions.
Approval was obtained for the Healthy Streams Farm Stewardship cost-share Project through the Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District in early April 2019, and work was slated to begin that year. Many unexpected events happened since that date. The work is now scheduled to begin mid- February. If all goes as planned, by mid-March, the bones of the project should be visible.
The map calls for a well and pump plant structure; 825 feet of new fencing; 2100 feet of underground pipeline, and accompanying hydrants, to provide water for the cattle. The existing stock pond will be fenced off to prevent cattle drinking (and wallowing). The finishing touch of 1,225 trees, to form a Riparian Buffer over 4+ acres, will be planted in the fall. The Buffer will include 75 Red Osier Dogwood, 25 flowering Dogwood, 50 Redbud, and a selection of native hardwood trees especially chosen for this site.
The project involves the alliance of several conservation groups and corporate donors who provide funds to accomplish the goal of ensuring that clean water flows from farm ponds and pastures into our waterways and, eventually, the Chesapeake Bay. The farm owner gives up several acres of land, must follow certain guidelines and may share the cost for making the farm environmentally sustainable under a 15-year contract.
Representatives from the following groups will be on hand to give a short presentation and explanation of how it all fits together:
- Rachel Winter: Workplace Coordinator, Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District
- Jacob Gilly: American Farmland Trust
- Patti Nylander: Senior Mountain Valley Area Forester - planting plan
- Jenny McGarvey: Alliance for the Bay - maintenance of sapling trees for the first two years (invited)
- Jake Wilson, general contractor and on-site manager
- Bobby Whitescarver: The Riparian Buffer concept
Guests are welcome. Light refreshments will be available, including “Cupcakes by Noah.” Margaret Henderson will be the co-hostess. Please click on the button below to respond and let us know if you will bring a guest.
Fondly,
Anne Avery
