Dugdemona River Photo Contest

Dugdemona River Photo Contest

 

Sponsored by Trailblazer Rural Development Institute,

Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District,

and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

 

Starting June 22^nd – July 15^th

 

The Dugdemona River holds much recreational and sentimental value for the people of North Louisiana. The purpose of the contest is to raise awareness for the water quality in the river.

According to the 2008 Louisiana Water Quality Integrated Report, the Dugdemona River, from Big Creek to Little River, was listed as impaired for Primary Contact Recreation (swimming), due to high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria. The suspected causes of this contamination are livestock and sewage discharges from nonexistent or broken septic systems. Fortunately, the 2010 Water Quality Report states that the river is no longer impaired.

A plan to preserve and protect this portion of the river is being written in order to keep this valuable resource from becoming polluted again. It is important that everyone within the Dugdemona River Watershed, takes action to ensure that the river remains clean and suitable for wildlife and human use.

Furthermore, the river is not just in potential danger from fecal contamination, but also contamination from litter, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, sediment (from erosion), and toxic household or industrial chemicals. What we do on land can be washed into waterways and pollute water. Again, it is critical that we are mindful of our activities and how they could potentially effect nearby water sources, including ground water.

The contest will start
June 22^nd and end on July 15^th. Photos submitted for this competition must feature the Dugdemona River. The 1^st place winner will receive an award of $75, 2^nd place will receive $50, and 3^rd place will receive $25. Winning pictures will be displayed in the paper, Pea Patch, and the Winn Parish Library and Courthouse.

The contest is open to anyone who can take a picture. Best photo wins; could be a picture of a polluted area of the river, include wildlife or people on the river, or be a snapshot of a perfectly scenic area - each photo will have its own story. The key is to be creative and make sure the river is in the picture. Also, the photo may not be digitally altered or be an old picture (has to be taken during the designated time of the contest). 8 X 10 entries should be framed or placed on matt board so they can be easily displayed. In addition, a copy of the submitted photo should be emailed to olivia@trailblazer.org or dugdswcd@bellsouth.net
if possible. Lastly, your name, phone number, address, and location where the picture was taken will need to be typed and included with your entry on a separate piece of paper.

Entries may be submitted to Vikkie Lafollette at the Dugdemona SWCD office located at 301 West Main Street, Suite 210 in Winnfield, La (room 210 above the Winn Parish Health Unit). Office hours are Monday-Wednesday from 9:00am – 5:00pm. They may also be mailed to Olivia Ward at 302 Reynolds Drive, Ruston, La 71270.

For more information about water quality and what you can do to help or to schedule a water quality presentation for your group or class, contact Olivia Ward at 318-255-3554 or olivia@trailblazer.org.

Pasture Walk Scheduled for June 23rd

Pasture Walk at Peterson Farms

The Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Louisiana Master Farmers Program and Peterson Farms will host a pasture walk at Mr. Josh Peterson's farm in Jonesboro, LA on Thursday, June 23, 2011. Registration will be from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm with the pasture walk beginning at 5:30pm.

Pasture walks are one of the very best ways for experienced or beginning farmers and agricultural service providers to learn from one another.  Each host farmer has tricks and tips for managing their own systems to its best advantage.  Often service providers, such as USDA-NRCS field agents or grazing specialist can add new information, review grazing or animal health concepts, share ideas gathered from outside sources, and learn along with everyone else.

Peterson Farms is located at 1426 Walker Road, Jonesboro, LA  71251.
The evening will conclude with a hamburger supper. The pasture walk is free and helps to connect all ages, interests and experience levels to one another.  For additional information please contact the USDA Ruston Field Office at (318) 255-3136 ext 3 or the Dugdemona SWCD at (318) 628-4438.

CEASE AND DESIST ON OUTDOOR BURNING

Due to the extremely dry conditions throughout the state, the State Fire Marshal H. Butch Browning and Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain have issued a cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1563. Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government.

This order is effective as of 0900 Hours, June 1, 2011, and shall remain in effect until rescinded.

This ban shall not apply to prescribed burns by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or by those who conduct prescribed burning as a "generally accepted agriculture practice" as defined by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law (R.S. 3:3601 et seq.).

Violation of this order could result in civil penalties.

For more information CONTACT: MARSHAL BUTCH BROWNING 225-925-4911, 1-800-256-5452 or 225-806-0803 (cell)

 

 

Program Assistant Position Available in Columbia, Louisiana

The Dugdemona SWCD is currently seeking someone to fill the Program Assistant Position in The USDA NRCS Columbia Field Office.

 

The position is a permanent part-time position and will pay approximately $8.50 per hour. The Dugdemona SWCD will hire a Program Assistant for the Columbia Field Office. The rate of pay is set at $8.00 per hour for the period of ninety days. At the end of the ninety day probationary period the district employee will be evaluated. If a favorable elevation is received the probationary period will be terminated and the rate of pay will be increased to $8.50 per hour.

 

The district employee will work a thirty hour work week on a flex schedule. The employee will work eight hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and will have the option to work one of the following:

1. Six hours Monday,
   
2. Six Hours on Friday
   
3. 3 Hours on Monday and 3 Hours on Friday
   

   
    

The employee will have the option of joining the Louisiana Deferred Compensation program. After being employed for one year the district will match up to 3% their salary. This amount will increase as time and funding becomes available up to the 5% maximum.

 

Interviews will be conducted June 22- July 1, 2011. The candidate selected through the interview process will begin work on Monday, July 11, 2011. All applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Office 2007 and have basic office, computer and interpersonal skills. Please fax resumes to 318-628-1802 or email resumes to dugdswcd@bellsouth.net .