Current Projects
Hill County Water Quality Project
Last fall, winter peas were planted, on 25 acres on the Rodney Schronk Farm north of Hillsboro, as part of a water quality demonstration project. The project was designed to monitor the amount of Nitrogen added to soil by the legume. Soil tests were taken prior to planting the peas in the fall and would have been taken prior to planting the spring crop.
Computers and Supplies Donated to Area Schools
With the assistance of Natural Resources Conservation Service and Gifts in Kind Bluebonnet RC&D was able to procure and donate over 30 surplus USDA computers to local schools. We were also able to donate supplies through the Gifts in kind Retail Donation Program. The schools included: Boles-Home ISD
in Hunt County, the Weatherford Christian School in Parker County, The Academy,
and Cleburne Community Christian School
in Johnson County.
Community Improvement Grant Program
This year Bluebonnet RC&D implemented the “Community Improvement Grant
Program.” The grants served as seed money for completion of community
projects in our area. Projects ranged from Youth Summer Fire Academy to
beautification and repair of homes that become temporary shelters for at risk
families. The projects the “Community Improvement Grant Program” made
possible are shown below:
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| Summer Fire Academy held by the North Tarrant County Fire Dept. for children between the ages of 5-12. | The City of Hubbard was able to add paint the Community pool, paint lane stripes, and add Floating lane markers. | The City of Dawson added benches for walkers within the park, to rest on, along the walking path. | ||
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| The City of Blooming Grove was able to replace goals and backboards at the community basketball courts. | The Heritage Garden of Hunt County was able to improve on the garden which is educational, beautiful and environmental. | The City of Richland was able to replace worn, unreadable street signs with new reflective, signs and9-1-1 addresses. | ||
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| The Tilling Tigers in Hunt Co .were able to complete a landscape mosaic, with perennial plants, representing the shape of the sun. | The Grant allowed landscaping to be done all around the new Tawakoni library. | New Start in Life was able to provide a food bank with clothing and other essentials for families in transition or at risk | ||
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| The Environmental Co-op was able to provide cardboard recycling to Kaufman. | The Dallas County Youth Village was able to install a greenhouse with misting beds. The Dallas Co. Master Gardeners will use the facility to train juvenile offenders in landscaping and plant propagation. |
Landowner Workshops held in Dallas and Johnson Counties
Over 78 landowners attended a small landowner workshop held at Samuell Farm in Mesquite on April 29, 2006. Some of the topics covered included: Tax evaluation, pond management, forage production, habitat restoration, management of invasive species, and plant, soil and water relationships. The event was sponsored by Bluebonnet RC&D, Dalworth SWCD, Dallas Central Appraisal District, Dallas County Farm Bureau, NRCS, North Texas Master Naturalist, Samuell Farm, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Cooperative Extension, and Texas Forest Service.
The Johnson County Small Acreage and Landowner Workshop was held at the Cleburne Civic Center in Cleburne on August 19, 2006. Some of the topics discussed included: Tax evaluation, septic systems and permits, Wildlife habitation/exemption, Conservation planning, Tree Planting and fertility and managing ponds. The event was sponsored by Bluebonnet RC&D, Johnson County Central Appraisal District, Johnson County Public Works, Texas Parks and Wildlife, NRCS, Texas Forest Service and the Texas Cooperative Extension.
The United State Department of agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice or TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity provider and employer.
