2008 Committee Reports and Action Items are now available. Contact NCASWCD.

Investigating and recommending needed research in the field of soil and water conservation.

The responsibilities of the Research & Technology Committee are to:

• Encourage and assist in implementing the expansion of conservation research programs and funding to promote new technology in the field of soil and water conservation

• Conduct needed programs that will encourage the use of new conservation technology or that demonstrate the need for increased research

• Hold meetings before and during the annual meeting of the Association

2008 Committee Members

• Bill Yarborough, (Haywood), Chair

• Jimmy Gore (Columbus), Vice-Chair

• Janie Woodle (Alleghany), Recorder

Resource Contacts

• Sandra Weitzel     Division of Soil and Water Conservation

• Tommy Cutts         USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service

• Lane Price             USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service

• Edward Davis        N.C. District Employees' Association

Action Items   

1.      The Research and Technology Committee will take the following actions regarding educational opportunities 

a.            The committee will help the Association develop a partnership on-going training program to address employee training needs.  The primary intent of this program will be to build the technical knowledge base among conservation employees.  The soil and water conservation districts will not be able to implement technology if our employees do not know how to use the technology.  Technical training is also necessary to get and retain ‘job approval authority’ 

b.            The committee will continue to explore the possibility of sponsoring educational opportunities in the greater community this year. 2008 

2.            The committee chairman with other help will write letters for the Association President, with his permission, to the United States Senators and Congressmen of North Carolina to appropriate budgetary support for the following. 

a.      Support an increase of funding for technical assistance monies for NRCS in their role of assistance to soil and water conservation districts.  The letter should point out how the technical assistance funds help SWCDs and local landowners, municipalities, and overall environmental quality. 

b.      Support on-going research at the USDA-ARS Coastal Plains Soil, Water & Plant Research Center, Florence, SC. 2008 

3.            The Research & Technology Committee will continue to develop a list of the priority research needs related to soil and water conservation and related research concerns

 This list will be presented, through the Association President, to the Dean of CALS at NC State University, N.C. A&T State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service for consideration when developing their respective research agendas.  

This list will be compiled and presented by the June following the approval of this document by the Association.  2008

Policies & Positions    * Priority items are noted in the text of this section, under “Policies & Positions.”

 1.                  The Association encourages and should seek new funding to enable the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, and USDA - Agricultural Research Service to continue and expand research and technology transfer in soil and water conservation.  Research and technology shall: 

a.      Evaluate nutrient and soil amendment value and potential toxicity of waste materials; match application with soil characteristics and crop needs; monitor and predict the movement of contaminating chemicals toward surface and ground waters; develop methods such as Geographic Information Systems to aid in prioritizing areas suitable for land application of animal municipal and industrial wastes.  

b.      Develop models and procedures (commonly known as Precision Farming) to assess nutrient and pest management, particularly of nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticides during crop growth; establish methods to better manage application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, organic sources, animal waste and herbicides; establish methods to select environmentally safe herbicides to use in each crop/soil system; develop methods such as Geographic Information Systems to assess nutrient herbicide impacts on surface and ground waters; and develop procedures to determine the economic viability of alternative production practices. 

c.      Continue development and evaluation of effective, economical and environmentally safe crop and pasture management systems including the use of lagoons, crop residues, animal manures, processed by-products, municipal and industrial residuals, Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Crop Management and/or Integrated Resource Management; evaluate the use of biotechnology to control disease, insects and weeds and reduce environmental impacts.  

(Priority # 1)

d.      Continue development and evaluation of best management practices for agricultural and silviculture water management systems including irrigation and drainage systems, to meet plant needs, minimize runoff and leaching of farm chemicals, conserve water and energy, preserve natural and wildlife habitats, and protect surface and ground water quality, to include abandoned well head identification; and address the economic feasibility of these best management practices. 

e.      Evaluate aquacultural production systems based on production efficiency, profitability, water and energy conservation, impacts on natural habitats and potential for contamination of surface and ground water. 

f.        Evaluate aquatic weed management techniques based on effectiveness, impacts on natural habitats and potential for contamination of surface and ground water; and develop new application technology, biological control, and non-chemical procedures that reduce dependence on herbicides for aquatic weed management. 

g.      Evaluate techniques for wellhead protection and proper management of surrounding land to eliminate ground water contamination and assure safe drinking water. 

(Priority # 2)

h.      Evaluate soils based land use planning and evaluation techniques, including Geographic Information System, remote sensing, and photo interpretation to develop total watershed management strategies, including critical area delineation, based on effectiveness in protecting surface water supplies. 

i.         Evaluate and demonstrate alternative techniques for on-site wastewater treatment, land application systems and other procedures that use soil as a receiving medium.

j.         Determine the impacts of agricultural and silvicultural practices on wetland ecology and hydrologic values and water quality functions and evaluate the economic impact of current and proposed wetland protection regulations on agricultural and forestry production. 

k.       Evaluate soils with respect to the leaching potential of chemicals; and methods of handling pesticides on farm to minimize environmental impacts of accidental spills. 

l.         Encourage and evaluate solid waste management techniques that recycle nutrients (compost) or detoxified materials (renovated petroleum contaminated soils) to productive soil-plant systems; and determine the economic benefits of these techniques.

m.    Review the extent to which existing tax laws are contributing to the conversion of farmland to other uses. 

n.      Promote research on restoration of native soils and community types through the application of restoration ecology. 2003  

2.                  The Association strongly urges that methodology be developed that will quickly and accurately identify water quality problems, determine the cause and establish the source or sources of the problems. 2003 

3.        The Association strongly urges scientists and practicing professionals to increase sustainable agriculture and long term conservation tillage (no-till) research and technology transfer in the various regions of North Carolina. 2003