Table of Contents Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation Foundation Business meeting Minutes Foundation Treasurer s Report Nebraska Chapter Business Meeting Minutes Nebraska Chapter Treasurer s Reports (2017, 2018 Budget, 2018) Nebraska Chapter Annual State Meeting Summary THE NEBRASKA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING FOR JUNE 23, 2018 President Kris Reed called our meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. Attendance: Kris Reed, Robin Foulk, Ed Harms, Corey Brubaker, Darwin Hinrichs, Steve Nein, Doug Garrison and Anita Nein. OFFICERS REPORTS: President Kris welcomed everyone for being here and thanked those responsible for a very good meeting. Secretary Minutes from 2017 Meeting Copies were handed out for this meeting with discussion on it. A correction was noted that Steve Nein s name was not included in the list of attendees. A motion to include this correction and approval of the minutes was made by Doug and seconded by Anita. Motion passed. Treasurers Report Copies of the treasurer s report were handed out to everyone. By way of the cell phone, Craig Romary explained this report. During discussion we thanked Craig for getting it very organized into an easy report to read and understand. Darwin moved to accept the report with Ed seconded it. Motion passed. Following approval of the report there was a general discussion from members to find ways to use some of our Foundation money to promote our values of conservation and our natural resources. It was recommended to bring a list of possible projects to our next annual meeting that we might be able to help sponsor in the $100 to $200 range. NEW BUSINESS: Scholarships For 2018-2019 -Ed asked for a clarification on how we were able to give out more scholarships this past year. Craig, Corey and Robin explained how this came about with us receiving extra money from the Carlson family. A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Anita to give out one Foundation scholarship
and two others if additional money comes to us from the Carlson family as happened this past year. Motion passed. Slate of Board Officers -Ed s position is up for this coming year. He agreed to stay on the board. Kris agreed to stay on as president. Corey made the motion to keep the Officers the same for the coming year. Anita seconded the motion. Motion passed. SWCS Foundation Brochure A copy of the brochure was passed around with the upgraded additions. History Report We have several boxes of Nebraska SWCS historical items which came from Paul Smith and now located at Kris s house. Currently Robin, Craig, Doug and Kris have individual boxes to start to scan into a better record format. It was suggested to make a date to have some work done on these boxes. Kris suggested April 2019. All agreed to try for this time frame. Meeting adjourned at 9:15.
1
NEBRASKA CHAPTER OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY ANNUAL STATE MEETING ON JUNE 23, 2018 Robin thanked everyone for being present this morning for our chapter business meeting. ATTENDANCE: Robin Foulk, Kris Reed, Anita Nein, Doug Garrison, Steve Nein, Darwin Hinrichs, Corey Brubaker and Ed Harms. Minutes from 2017 State Meeting -Copies of the previous state meeting were handed out to everyone present to look over. The only correction was pointed out we need to add Steve Nein s name to the attendance list. Doug made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Corey seconded the motion. Motion passed. TREASURER S REPORT: Corey handed out copies of our account and did a very good job of explaining our questions during the discussion of the account. He also explained that he moved the account to the U.S. Federal Credit Union making it very close for him to do business with them. Doug moved to accept the treasurer s report. Ed seconded the motion. Motion passed. DIRECTOR REPORTS: Panhandle Ed said they considered two sites for this meeting location, Gering and Alliance. The Legacy on The Plains Museum was selected and they were great to work with for any questions that we had. We were pleased with the location and help we received from them. Ed commented they had three conference calls to set this meeting up. During this past year Ed gave a conservation presentation at a school career night. At Large Claudia has been very busy teaching classes at the NRCS Boot Camp. She also had a good crowd at the Colorado meeting which we helped sponsor. Central Darwin and his wife Marie volunteer at the Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon for crane projects involving school kids. These projects involve conservation activities on the Platte River and many activities on Sandhill Cranes. I also give tours in March for Crane viewing. Northeast Patrick Cowsert has no report. Southeast Wally Valasek has no report. Lincoln Cory indicated they had the Legislative Breakfast with the attendance being down slightly. This could have been since they were required to have it in a different location. AWARDS: Anita explained the scholarship committee had some awards to give out to several recipients who were unable to attend our state meeting for receiving them. She has found some volunteers to deliver these for her.
The Nebraska Chapter Awards: State Merit Award Heritage Seed Company/Emory Fox, Monument Valley Iris Society and Modern Arboriculture/ Tom Wiens. Commendation Award Shirley Ferguson and Michael Murphy. Honor Award- Jeremy Steger. National Awards: Outstanding Service Award Kris Reed. Merit Award Green Seed Company/Keith and Brian Berns. Harold and Kay Scholl National Excellence in Conservation Award Paul Jasa. Commendation Award Scott Bohaty. MEMBERSHIP: Claudia has been working with our Web Page and Facebook. NEWSLETTERS: Sarah produced two very good newsletters for us during the past year. NOMINATIONS/ELECTIONS: Paul Zillig and Wally Valasek worked on filling any upcoming openings. Doug moved to have a unanimous ballot since everyone is willing to keep their positions for another year. Ed seconded the motion. Motion passed. NEW BYLAWS: Our current bylaws require us to have two at large directors. The second director s position would become effective in 2019. During discussion on this item it was agreed to bring some possible names for this to our next state meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Tom Montford will be our Delegate at this year s National Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kris will be the alternate. Corey moved to accept this requirement for the National Meeting. Anita seconded the motion. Motion passed. SCHOLARSHIPS:
Corey moved to have the chapter give out three $1,000 scholarships for 2018-2019. Following discussion on this motion it was seconded by Doug. Motion passed. BUDGET: Corey presented a budget for us to look over and have discussion on it. Following discussion on the UNL Foundation and the Nebraska SWCS Foundation, Doug made a motion to accept the proposed budget with Ed seconded the motion. Motion passed. Corey suggested to have a better balance in the budget would be to have $3,584.82 split with 70% going to the golf and 30% to the chapter. Kris moved to accept this proposal and Doug seconded the motion. Motion passed. Corey indicated there is extra money in the golf fund (about $10,000). He would like to move $2,000 to the UNL Nebraska Foundation and $2,000 to the Nebraska SWCS Foundation while leaving the rest in the golf fund. Following discussion on it, Corey moved to accept this request with Doug seconded the motion. Motion passed. Corey moved to approve a bill from Craig Romary for his expenses. Doug seconded the motion. Motion passed. This year s silent auction raised $410, great job everyone including our guests who helped us out. This year s scholarship golf tournament will be held at Holmes Lake in Lincoln September 7. Robin asked for a motion to adjourn at 11:30 a.m. Anita so moved and Corey seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Nebraska Chapter SWCS Treasurer s Report December 31, 2017 1/1/2017 12/31/2017 Savings balance: $ 0.00 $ 6,882.58 Checking balance: $ 7,421.78 $ 639.23 Total $ 7,421.78 $ 7,521.81 Income (Chapter): 2/6/2017 Income from Legislative Breakfast 58.00 3/20/2017 Chapter Dues 700.80 3/31/2017 Interest 0.18 6/20/2017 Annual Meeting Registrations 478.00 6/23/2017 Annual Meeting Registrations 496.00 6/30/2017 Interest 0.90 9/30/2017 Interest 1.78 12/31/2017 Interest 2.14 Total Income: $ 1,737.80 Income (Silent Auction): 6/23/2017 Silent Auction 167.00 6/28/2017 Silent Auction 25.00 6/30/2017 Silent Auction 30.00 Total Income: $ 222.00 Income (Golf Tournament): 8/31/2017 Donation from Bank of Bridger (Leon Langemeier) 500.00 8/31/2017 Donation from Sandy Langemeier 100.00 9/1/2017 Donations from Gary Muckel & Norm Kempt 30.00 9/5/2017 Donation from Arrow Seed 50.00 9/5/2017 Donation from Lincoln USDA Federal Credit Union 25.00 9/6/2017 Donation from Ray Ward 100.00 7/11/2017 Donation from Beth O'Farrell - golf tournament 300.00 8/8/2017 Donation from Lower Platte South NRD - golf tournament 150.00 9/11/2017 Proceeds from Golf Tournament 2,202.20 Total Income: $ 3,457.20
Expenses (Chapter): 2/7/2017 UNL - SWRC 300.00 2/7/2017 Haxtun Conservation District - Farming Evolution 150.00 3/9/2017 Zimmer Insurance Group - Surety Bond 30.00 6/23/2017 Anita Nein awards 26.76 6/30/2017 Wally Valasek annual meeting expenses 49.65 6/30/2017 Holiday Inn Express meeting room & coffee 226.83 6/30/2017 Colleen s Catering meals for annual meeting 705.00 6/30/2017 NE Soil & Water Conservation Foundation NARD Ad 165.00 12/21/2017 NARD Ad in Conference Program 165.00 12/21/2017 Zimmer Insurance Group - Surety Bond 30.00 Total Expenses: $ 1,848.24 Expenses (Golf Tournament): 6/30/2017 NE Soil & Water Conservation Foundation scholarship 1,000.00 8/29/2017 Rich Torpin golf prizes 118.73 9/6/2017 Austad s gift card 100.00 9/7/2017 Cash for Golf Tournament 150.00 9/8/2017 Highlands Golf Course gift certificates 100.00 12/14/2017 Sydney Hancock scholarship 1,000.00 12/14/2017 Kolby Grint scholarship 1,000.00 Total Expenses: $ 3,468.73 Net Income/Expenses (Chapter): $ -110.44 Net Income/Expenses (Silent Auction): $ 222.00 Net Income/Expenses (Golf Tournament): $ -11.53 $ 100.03
Nebraska Chapter SWCS FY2018 Budget (January 1, 2018 December 31, 2018) Projected Income: Chapter Dues 750.00 Income from Legislative Breakfast 55.00 Annual Meeting Registrations 775.00 Total Income: $ 1,580.00 Expenses: Zimmer Insurance Group - Surety Bond 30.00 Legislative Breakfast Expenses 55.00 Annual Meeting Expenses 850.00 Haxtun Conservation District - Farming Evolution 150.00 NARD Ad in Conference Program 165.00 Total Expenses: $ 1,250.00
Nebraska Chapter SWCS Treasurer s Report June 20, 2018 1/1/2018 6/20/2018 Savings balance: $ 6,882.58 $ 7,719.16 Checking balance: $ 639.23 $ 901.23 Total $ 7,521.81 $ 8,620.39 Income (Chapter): 2/6/2018 Income from Legislative Breakfast 37.00 2/20/2018 Chapter Dues 797.79 3/31/2018 Interest 1.79 6/20/2018 Annual Meeting Registrations 512.00 Total Income: $ 1,348.78 Income (Silent Auction): Total Income: $ 0.00 Income (Golf Tournament): Total Income: $ 0.00
Expenses (Chapter): 2/6/2018 Haxtun Conservation District - Farming Evolution 150.00 3/23/2018 Legacy of the Plains Museum meeting deposit 100.00 Total Expenses: $ 250.00 Expenses (Golf Tournament): Total Expenses: $ 0.00 Net Income/Expenses (Chapter): $ 1,098.58 Net Income/Expenses (Silent Auction): $ 0.00 Net Income/Expenses (Golf Tournament): $ 0.00 $ 1,098.58
2018 SWCS ANNUAL STATE MEETING SUMMARY Provided by Darwin Hinrichs The 2018 meeting was held in Gering Nebraska at The Legacy of the Plains Museum. This was a great choice to hold our meeting. Kevin Hutsell, a state irrigation engineer for NRCS was our first speaker on the program. Kevin stated his main goal is to improve water use efficiency for his producers using training and demonstrations. He explained the meaning of a soils holding capacity, its wilting point and how the available water capacity of a soil is determined. This was then used with the term MAC (Management Allowable Capacity) which lets you determine when to start irrigating again. NRCS has cost share programs using EQIP and CStP. These programs require monitoring stations in your field, a recorder and an end of the season report from the producer. This report will require flow meter readings, rainfall records and your field notes throughout the growing season. The Mag meter is one that is recommended and uses government cost share funds. Gary Stone was our next program speaker who is a UNL Extension Educator at Scottsbluff. He gave us a history report on the North Platte River Basin starting from 1909. The first major project for the basin was the completion of Pathfinder Dam built using concrete blocks and a lot had labor. It was finished in1909. There were many projects completed in the North Platte River Basin over the next 35-40 years. Some of these were: Whalen Dam, Guernsey Dam, Seminoe Dam, Alcoa, Glendo, Kortes and Grayrocks Dam. In addition to dams there were also power plants installed and we had Lake McConaughy completed in 1935. The U.S. Supreme Court gave out the decree for water allocation in the basin giving Wyoming 25% and Nebraska 75%. Gary did a very good job explaining the early history of water allocations letting us know the good points and bad points of it. Beth Eckles from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources in Lincoln was next with her presentation on how to balance the use of surface and groundwater in Nebraska. There are several IMP plans to follow in managing our water. The Basin Wide Plan lets all users in on the planning and all NRD s in the basin area will work together on it. Additionally, for the surface water users they will need to use their water rights once in five years or risk losing their water right. This follows the water rights law called Prior Appropriation and used in Nebraska since 1895. Beth concluded her talk by stating IMP startups should involve many areas, people and groups and hold hearings in all areas for public comment and questions. We followed the speakers by having a time set up to tour this great museum. This gave us an hour and a half to see parts of the museum.
The last morning program was on the North Platte Greenhouse Project. This was presented by Barb Cross. This project uses the unique idea system of using geothermal ground temperature air to heat and cool this greenhouse. She had pictures for us to see when it was being constructed like the air tubes being placed at least four feet in the ground for a stable air supply. Produce coming from this greenhouse is given to veterans and low- income recipients. They have many volunteers who come out to help at the project. Besides vegetable crops they are also growing small dwarf fruit trees, fruiting shrubs and just now looking at growing the vanilla bean. This sounds like a great place to tour sometime. Friday afternoon we had a tour of the Gering/ Fort Laramie Irrigation District conducted by Rick Preston the District Manager. We got to see many of the canals, water inlets and outlets showing how water is moved for irrigation. It was amazing to see how water is moved by a tunnel dug mostly by hand from one side of the high cliffs to the other side of these high areas. It was like a mile long with diggers operating on both sides and meeting within a few inches of each other at the center. We stopped at Ricks office where he gave us many facts and figures on the management of water in this area. It was a very good tour with many stops.