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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
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USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Clinton Library Copies - FY95 1st Quarter
Progress Reports to CNS [Corporation for National Service] (2) [1]
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3
AMERICORPS/USDA
NATIONAL * AMERICORPS A
First Quarter Report
(September 12, 1994 - November 31, 1994)
Acting Secretary of Agriculture Richard Rominger meets with USDA AmeriCorps Members in California.
"All of you have taken government and made it your own. You've turned
a concept into some solid, practical action
It's people pulling together
to solve community problems. This is what government should be
about."
:
- Acting Secretary of Agriculture Richard Rominger, January 28, 1995
1
Executive Summary
The United States Department of Agriculture is sponsoring approximately 1,200
AmeriCorps Members serving in 38 states in urban and rural projects fighting hunger,
protecting the environment, and re-building rural America. During only their first two and
a half months of service from September 12 - November 31, 1994 --- the Members
provided over 360,000 hours of service to their communities.
Members of the Anti-Hunger, Nutrition, and Empowerment Team cooked and prepared
meals at soup kitchens, conducted nutrition and food safety workshops for the elderly,
sorted goods at food banks, developed nutrition education programs for schools, provided
outreach for the Women's, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program, worked to
increase the number of children receiving immunizations, began efforts to improve
participation in the summer feeding program, located sites for revitalizing community
gardens in low-income neighborhoods, assisted earthquake victims with emergency food
information, and informed pantries about how their clients who are working but are still
poor can boost their incomes by utilizing the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Members of the Public Lands and Environment Team working on Forest Service lands
performed rehabilitation and watershed protection work, constructed stream structures
for fish habitat, reforested fire-damaged lands, constructed and maintained trails for
hiking and horseback riding, planted cuttings for riparian and wildlife restorations,
maintained and rehabilitated campgrounds and made campgrounds accessible for the
disabled, completed timber stand improvements, restored historic sites, conducted
threatened and endangered species habitat surveys, removed and installed fences,
improved wildlife habitats, and hung erosion control netting on roads.
Members of the Public Lands and Environment Team working on private and local
municipal lands repaired and restored flood-damaged areas, re-created fish habitats,
conducted water quality monitoring, built community greenhouses, constructed urban,
suburban, and rural nature trails, built playgrounds, restored windbreaks originally created
by the Civilian Conservation Corps, revegetated coastal marshes, restored collections at
the National Arboretum, created a safe-haven lot at a public housing development,
landscaped at a public high school, cleaned up an urban wetland, revitalized historical
sites, improved camping sites, protected stream banks, created community gardens, and
cleaned out a public fountain.
Members of the Rural Development Team provided service on a wide range of projects
related to running water and indoor plumbing, sustainable agriculture, emergency
response and prevention, fisheries restoration, alternative uses of natural resources,
environmental education facilities, community improvement and personal responsibility
development, tourism to boost local economies, water quality protection, recycling
promotion, American Indian tribal empowerment, water quality protection, rural housing
improvement, and cultural resource preservation.
2
AmeriCorps/USDA is "Getting Things Done" on Forest Service Lands
The following is a brief summary of first quarter accomplishments in the nine Public
Lands and Environment Team projects managed by the USDA Forest Service in seven
states. These accomplishments include activities from six of the eight camps operating
on National Forest Land through the USDA direct grant and one camp operating through
the Northwest Service Academy, which receives significant technical support from the
Forest Service. Most of the camps through the USDA direct grant weren't fully
operational until early October 1994 and the report covers only until November 30, 1994.
The White Mountain and the Green Mountain National Forest camps started operations in
January 1995. USDA AmeriCorps Members:
Performed rehabilitation/watershed protection work on 12,000 acres of fire-
damaged land.
Constructed 25 stream structures for anadromous fisheries on .75 miles of
stream and completed 10 acres of reforestation.
Maintained 61.3 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails and constructed 6
miles of new hiking trails, of which 1.2 miles were designed for the physically
challenged.
Gathered and planted 45,000 willow and cottonwood cuttings for riparian and
wildlife restorations.
Maintained eight campgrounds, rehabilitated 10 campground sites, and provided
handicapped access on six sites.
Completed 197 acres of timber stand improvement.
Restored two historic sites.
Completed threatened and endangered species habitat surveys on 900 acres,
completed 355 acres of wildlife habitat improvement, installed two range waterlots,
removed three miles of fence, and constructed 1.25 miles of new fence.
Protected 82 acres of huckleberry fields sacred to the Warm Springs Takima
Tribal Nations by burning 12 acres of fields and by hand grinding and pruning
conifer trees on another 70 acres.
Hung erosion control netting on 300 feet of steep Forest Service road cutbacks
and helped clear 15 miles of road that provide critical access to water monitoring
sites after an early winter snowstorm.
3
AmeriCorps/USDA is "Getting Things Done" Fighting Against Hunger
The following is a summary of the first quarter accomplishments of the five USDA Anti-
Hunger, Nutrition, and Empowerment Team projects managed by the USDA Food and
Consumer Service through local partnerships with anti-hunger groups and youth service
corps. Most of the projects started service in October 1994. This report does not
include accomplishments from Vermont, since that project did not fully start until January
of 1995. USDA/AmeriCorps Members:
Cooked and prepared meals for over 6,000 people at local soup kitchens.
Conducted a nutrition and food safety workshop for the elderly attended by 39
senior citizens.
Conducted nutrition outreach to senior citizens and aided 200 senior citizens in
filling out food stamp applications.
Surveyed 60 low-income households about hunger insecurity and 29 of those
homes have been referred to receive food assistance.
Sorted over 93,000 pounds of food at local food banks.
Developed educational skits teaching how "Healthy eating is fun" for ten
elementary schools.
Four days a week, reached an average of 200 people with educational efforts
regarding public services such as WIC.
Produced and distributed 20 informational posters, distributed 300 informational
flyers, and made 150 reminder phone calls to relevant families to increase the
number of children receiving immunizations.
Contacted 250 schools in five cities about the participating in the summer
feeding program; distributed 500 flyers in targeted areas about the School
Breakfast Program.
Located three sites for revitalizing community gardens in low-income
neighborhoods.
Assisted 200 earthquake victims with emergency food information through an
informational referral service.
Informed 130 local pantries about how their clients who are working but are still
poor can obtain help through the Earned Income Tax Credit Program.
4
AmeriCorps/USDA is "Getting Things Done" Helping the Environment
The following are highlights from the first quarter accomplishments of the 14
Environmental Team projects sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service on private lands in urban and rural areas and the one project sponsored by the
USDA Agricultural Research Service at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.
Many projects did not start until October of 1994. USDA AmeriCorps Members:
Repaired and restored five reservoir flood-damaged recreation areas in Kansas by
fixing 22 miles of fence, cleaning five miles of shoreline, removing 160 damaged
trees, clearing three miles of trails, replanting 40 trees, re-creating fish habitats,
repairing 50 picnic tables, restoring five restrooms, repairing one bridge, trimming 3
miles of trees on dikes, cleaning out one outdoor learning classroom, debris from 2
miles of roads, and posting signs on 19 miles of roads.
In and around Atlanta, Georgia, conducted water quality monitoring at thirty
locations throughout the Big Creek Watershed. In one urban neighborhood,
Members benefitted 400 residents by cleaning eight acres, mulching 1,000 feet of
walking trails, placing three waterbars into trails, seeded a half acre, and carried
away six dump trucks of trash. Built a greenhouse and began constructing a nature
trail at the North Metro Technical Institute in Acworth.
Completed stream walks on four streams in New Jersey to categorize potential
non-point pollution in the South Branch Raritan River Watershed. Desnagged and
re-established reflectors in two streams to improve fish habitat and removed debris
and reseeded 375 feet of streambank to improve water quality. Designed and
flagged 500 feet of trail and built a playground set at Lake Hopatcong State Park.
In Western Oklahoma, restored 15 windbreaks originally created by the Civilian
Conservation Corps on 7.5 miles of land in five counties.
In and around Baytown, Texas, cleaned and mowed five 10-meter by 75-meter
ponds, vegetated two acres of marsh demonstration projects, harvested and
threshed by hand 4 acres of smooth cordgrass seed, harvested by hand and then
planted 800 mangrove seeds, harvested, threshed, and planted 3,000 Scirpus
seeds. Members also assisted the Red Cross in flood relief efforts in the Houston
area by loading and unloading trucks and delivering supplies to local flood victims.
At the National Arboretum, in Washington, D.C, Members completed the first two
stages of restoring the Azalea Overlook, cut and removed sections of the Boxwood
collection, and cleared weeds and vines to restore 150 yards of Juniper hedge.
In South Dakota, Members demonstrated to cattlemen the benefits of managing
vegetation areas along waterways, including during periods of flooding.
5
In Chicago, Members maintained and beautified streambanks and created a safe-
haven lot at Lathrop Homes, cleaned up a lagoon in Washington Park, landscaped a
public high school, remodeled and prepared a play lot at Kennicott Park, helped
organize a "Neighbors Against Gang Violence - Day of Dead Memorial," remodeled
the Donelly Youth Center, and planted bulbs at the Fellowship Youth Center.
In Nebraska, Members designed three recreation trails, cleaned up an urban
wetland "Heron Haven" owned by the local Audubon Club, revitalized the Lincoln
Normal historical project, improved 20 miles of recreation trails, assisted in flood
debris removal from 14 sites at the National Arbor Day Foundation headquarters,
helped prepare an inspection and maintenance report of flood control facilities,
maintained and improved historical sites, and performed recreation and conservation
maintenance in Lower Elkhorn River area and Norfolk public parks.
In areas damaged by the floods of 1993 in Central Illinois, Members developed
1.3 miles of hiking trails, improved five acres of camp sites, and pruned 5 acres of
evergreen trees at a Pittsfield City park. Members also removed about 15 tons of
debris (tires, appliances, automobiles, etc.) from half of mile of a stream that
outlets into a city owned recreation lake for the City of Rushville. In Kampsville,
Members replaced 75 feet of sidewalks damaged during the flood. Members in
Quincy also renovated a brick road in an historic alley.
In Portland, Oregon, Members at the Whitaker Pond Restoration improved 150
feet of pond bank by removing pest species including blackberries, night shade, and
everlasting pea then revegetating the area. Members also revegetated three acres
on the northern portion of Fairview Creek. The Members worked-side-by-side with
80 different community volunteers who served 450 volunteer hours.
In East. St Louis, Illinois, Members established nurseries at East. St. Louis Senior
High School, Lovejoy High School, and Jones Park, removed debris and broken
materials from the high school greenhouse, cleaned out a fountain in Jones Park,
and assisted Operation NewSpirit in planting bulbs throughout the city. The Forest
service also provided technical assistance to this project.
Members in Goldendale, Washington, rebuilt a half-mile stretch of fence that
protects a key riparian area along the Little Klickitat River. Members also protected
water quality on one mile of stream by treating 300 acres with log check dams
across steep slopes and installed eight sediment retention dams. They also
protected Pine Creek by installing eight log check dams, built a new playground at a
Head Start Center on the Yakima Indian Reservation, removed dozens of pick-up
dead wood on public lands and provided them as firewood for low-income families.
Members worked with the Izaac Walton League in Charles County, Maryland to
complete four erosion control structures on a site that will be open to the public.
6
AmeriCorps/USDA is "Getting Things Done" Rebuilding Rural America
USDA has fully embraced the vision held by both the President and the Corporation for
National and Community Service --- that AmeriCorps be community-based, community-
designed, and community-run. The USDA Rural Development Team has different
community service objectives for each and every individual site, based on the needs of
each local community. Consequently, the Rural Development Team Members are
providing such a wide variety of services that they are nearly impossible to aggregate.
The best illustration of how the Rural Development Team is "getting things done," is a
list of success stories in each of the following areas: running water and indoor plumbing,
sustainable agriculture, emergency response and prevention, fisheries restoration,
alternative uses of natural resources, environmental education facilities, community
improvement and personal responsibility development, tourism to boost local economies,
water quality protection, recycling promotion, American Indian tribal empowerment, rural
housing improvement, and cultural resource preservation.
Running Water and Indoor Plumbing
Member in Marion, Arkansas helped provide a rural water line that furnished
seven households -- with 22 residents -- with running water for the first time.
Members in Louisiana and Mississippi assisted individuals in joining and
developing rural water associations.
In Texas, Member in Brownsville helped 25 families without bathroom and
kitchen plumbing obtain sanitary and safe plumbing facilities. Members in Hidalgo
County have been responsible for the construction of nine bathrooms at homes
previously without indoor plumbing; by the end of the quarter, three more
installations were finalized but not yet built. Member in San Benito started work to
provide indoor plumbing to 153 families without such plumbing. Member in
Raymondville started work to provide indoor plumbing to 30 families without such
plumbing.
Rural Economic Development
Member in Holmes County, Mississippi devised a plan to reduce employee
turnover at the Durant Electric Corporation, the largest employer in the county ---
with 600 employees and a payroll of $8 million. The plan not only convinced the
company to reverse its plans to move to Mexico, but allowed the company to plan
to hire 400 new employees. Thus, the one USDA AmeriCorps Member directly
saved or created 1,100 jobs.
7
In Boone, North Carolina, Member is working with the local Enterprise Community
(EC) applicant to implement their strategic plan for economic development.
Working in cooperation with the Boone Housing Authority, the Member is
organizing and making functional a Community Development Corporation (CDC) to
assist the low-income residents of Boone. To date, over $1.8 million has been
awarded for water and sewer infrastructure and housing assistance as a result of
her help.
Members in West Virginia assisted with implementation of a business retention
and expansion program including the production and distribution of a monthly
newsletter that is intended to improve dialogue, link communities together, and
provide funding opportunities; they also developed a computer program for the
West Virginia Division of Forestry that allows small business owners to calculate
costs of producing various materials for long term investment strategies.
In Bell County, Tennessee, Member helped the local Industrial Foundation obtain a
$201,000 grant.
In Cleveland, Mississippi, Member recruited new and emerging leaders in Bolivar
County for a community and economic development leadership seminar and
conducted a survey of an 18 county area as an integral part of the regional
strategic plan. In another county of Mississippi, a Member produced a
comprehensive report of available buildings, the labor supply, financial options, cost
of utilities, etc. in an 18-county region in order to expand existing local businesses
or attract new businesses.
In Pittsfield, Illinois, Members completed a Small Businesses Research and
Revitalization Project and are helping update the town's overall economic
development plan. Their efforts have been praised by the Mayor.
In Texas, one Member has begun grant applications to start a revolving loan fund
to provide seed money to create new small businesses locally.
In Allendale/Blackville, South Carolina, Member established a downtown
redevelopment effort concentrating on an historical abandoned hotel. In Penn
Center, South Carolina, Member is completing a survey of community land
ownership to stabilize development and establish a plan for a cooperative effort for
agriculture processing and development.
Sustainable Agriculture
In Machias, Maine, Member received funding from the Maine Wild Blueberry
Commission to set-up a state-wide series of best management practices for
Blueberry Growers and began implementation of workshops.
8
Another Member in Maine assisted in the establishment of a pilot Integrated Pest
Management Program for cranberry growers to help the growers economically
reduce the amount of pesticides that end up in the groundwater, assisted with the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's upland cranberry bed demonstration
project, and has visited lands of thirteen cranberry growers to provide personal
assistance.
In California, Member in Petaluma has begun water quality sampling on three
adjacent dairies and has completed one conservation plan. In Santa Rosa, Member
has trained one dairy operator to use a water quality test kit,is developing plans to
provide such assistance to members of four different local organizations, and has
completed inventory work for a watershed group.
In Minnesota, Members based in Hiawatha began work to improve
forage/grassland conditions to the good or excellent category on 5,000 acres,
affecting 50 farmers in 11 counties. Members based in Thief River Falls began work
to improve water quality and reduce producer fertilizer input costs by developing
and implementing animal waste nutrient utilization and management plans on 120
livestock operations.
In South Carolina, Members conducted waste water sampling of waste
management facilities (lagoons) and prepared detailed summary reports for 16
individual farm systems; this testing procedure was the first in South Carolina and
will serve as a model for other conservation activities. They also tested 600
different soil samples to determine croplands with high levels of phosphorus and
acidity and prepared a report on their findings to local farmers. Members expanded
inventory on data on farm grasslands to reflect 40,000 acres in order to reduce
erosion and improve water quality of nearby streams and lakes.
In Redlands, California, Members have surveyed three dairies totaling 130 acres,
eventually leading to recycling or eliminating 6,867 tons of waste once practices
have been implemented. Each farmer saved an average of about $9,000 by having
the service performed by AmeriCorps members instead of private contractors. The
Members also completed as survey of a five-acre ranch which will eventually lead
to the recycling of 26.5 tons of waste a year.
Member in Pine Bluff, Arkansas developed farm and home plans for small and
disadvantaged farmers to help them obtain loans to stay on their land.
In Western New York, Members have helped digitalize soil surveys and make that
information accessible and practical to surrounding communities, including the
Seneca Nation of Indians.
9
Emergency Response and Prevention
Members on the Vermont Fire Protection project contacted 48 Fire Departments
in Vermont, installed one dry fire hydrant, performed 30 dry fire hydrant site
surveys, and initiated and participated in meetings with Vermont Emergency
Management, the Vermont Fire Safety Association, Vermont Fire Chiefs
Association, and Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
In Missouri, one Member began preparing guide sheets and a handbook to aid
reclamation of two smaller tributaries of the Missouri River, another Member
obtained existing floodplain management data to begin developing a Decision
Support System computer model for floodplain management, another Member
produced an informational fact sheet on flood recovery that was distributed by the
Extension and also began collecting hydrologic and agronomic data in order to
propose land-use alternatives for the area, another Member provided emergency
program assistance to 32 landusers, another Member investigated local floodwater
retarding dams to determine workload, another Member worked to assist sponsors
to complete five dam safety reports and perform maintenance on 15 floodwater
retarding dams, another Member completed maps of five farms of the sands
deposits created by the floods of 1993, and another Member assisted five sponsors
and 15 landowners to provide flood protection recovery through the Emergency
Watershed Program.
In Middlebourne, West Virginia, Member organized a dry fire hydrant in the area
by working with fire departments and local communities to get access to water for
rural fire protection.
In South Carolina, Members helped local officials improve emergency response
procedures by conducting a county road survey to inventory and update names
and locations, as the first base procedure to reduce delays in 911 emergency
responses. Over 600 miles of roads were recorded on base maps and entered into
local computer software in order to maintain accurate files. The entire effort saved
the county approximately $20,000, and each AmeriCorps Member was presented a
certificate of achievement from County Officials.
Members in Monticello, Mississippi also sponsored a regional meeting, attended
by 11 of the 13 counties in the area, to improve rural fire protection services.
Members in Tupelo and Grenada have generated maps and use them in meetings
with local fire coordinators to plan dry fire hydrants that will increase local fire
protection. Members in Holy Grove, Mississippi began work to help community
residents move out of a flood zone.
Members in Louisiana made significant progress towards installing 35 dry fire
hydrants per parish in order to aid rural fire protection.
10
In Auburn, California, Members have made significant progress creating and
implementing fuel reduction plans to reduce forest and other fires in the area. In
Lancaster and Somis, California, Members have focused on areas previously
impacted by fires and by flooding and have completed a mitigation plan for the
Kinneola area and have completed field work for the Laguna mitigation plan.
Fisheries Restoration
In Maine, Member sorted 78 samples of ichthoplankton, identifying eggs and
larvae in the samples, in order to aid in the restoration of striped bass through
locating and protecting spawning areas in the Kennebec and Eastern Rivers.
Transferred 20,000 individual shads from grow-out ponds into a re-stocking truck.
Another Member in Maine located and identified streams suitable for streamside
installation of boxes for salmanoid spawning, rearing, and staging,
In Middlebourne, West Virginia the Member worked to develop a pond system for
the production of striped bass on a commercial basis. He also began forming an
organization of warm water fish producers in the area.
Alternative Uses of Natural Resources
In Minnesota, Members developed a public access TV show that explains a
project being conducted by the RC&Ds to promote the development of a bio-fuels
program in cooperation with the US Dept. of Energy.
In Louisiana, a Member worked on a bridge information summary for Mississippi
Delta counties to prepare a bridge infrastructure report for possible timber bridge
construction projects, and a Member in Mississippi completed one timber bridge
application.
Members in Batesville, Arkansas made significant progress towards helping
create a local woodland owners association.
Another Member in North Little Rock has identified 10 sites for Pellet Stove
Demonstration Projects to stimulate demand for a new product that will boost
industry in the region.
Members in Utah have begun a service conducting a comprehensive analysis of
the potential for local resource-based, value-added industries in the region and
assisting limited resource farmers in developing small-scale agriculture enterprises.
11
Environmental Education Facilities
In South Carolina, Members built a new front entrance gate and nature trails at
the Adair Outdoor Learning Center, which is visited by 3,000 students each year.
Based in Waverly, Tennessee, Members have significantly improved and
expanded the Humphreys County Spoil Conservation District environmental center,
also known as the Blue Creek Nature Center. Members developed one new trail,
improved existing trails, and conducted six nature tours involving 199 students and
63 adults.
Member in Pearl, Mississippi nearly completed two outdoor classrooms and a
nature trail at Madison Elementary School.
Community Improvement and Personal responsibility Development
In West Virginia, Member served on the organization and implementation
committee for Tug River Health Clinic and sent surveys to all employers, child care
providers, and parents to collect data to apply for a grant to establish a clinic.
Another Member in West Virginia organized a Community Service Day for the all
Northern West Virginia AmeriCorps Members in which they worked at the Union
Mission of Fairmont to help decorate for the youth holiday party, tape plastic to
windows in the homeless shelter, and prepare information packets for a fundraising
event. In Wilcoe, West Virginia, another Member sent surveys to prominent
businesses in McDowell County that employ 25 people or more, in-home day care
providers, private day care owners, and parents of Head Start children to collect
data to include in grant applications to obtain funding for local day care programs.
Member in Natchez, Mississippi is working to reduce teenage pregnancy; she
spoke personally about her efforts with Senate Majority Whip Trent Lott who
"promised to support (her) efforts in Natchez and declared he would be in Natchez
in any events that take place if his schedule permits." The Member has also
formed a task force to work on reestablishing a YMCA center in Natchez.
Another Member in Natchez helped two different families obtain funds to repair
their home. In her "free time" this member is volunteering for the Illiteracy Program
at a local United Methodist Church. Another Member in Mississippi held two town
meetings, attended by 80 local senior citizens, to inform them of common
consumer fraud scams targeted at the elderly.
12
Member in Arkansas helped improve the quality of standard living for 950 low
income families by the end of this quarter in obtaining Home Energy Assistance
(HEAP) and to provide assistance through the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP).
Members in Holly Grove, Mississippi have also worked on helping start a "Dads
Program," to focus attention on young boys without fathers in the home.
In Santee-Lynches, South Carolina, Member has been working to statistically
document and then reduce the number of teenage pregnancies.
Tourism Development to Boost Local Economies
In Virginia, Member developed a video program showing natural resources on the
National Forest, State and private lands to promote recreation resources, and
tourism in the region. Other Members in Virginia prepared a plan for a local
greenway trail.
Members based in Twin Valley worked on the Agassie Recreational Trail Project
and designed a tourism brochure along with a logo created through a local contest,
worked with the Ada City Council to integrate the trail project with community
development, completed a grant proposal for the Heritage & Information Center,
and judged at the Norman County East Science Fair for students.
In Tennessee, Members who are working on the Clinch-Powell Specialty
Recreation and Tourism Initiative interviewed 43 federal, state, and local tourism
professionals, six independent consultants, and 64 local citizens to initially assess
project feasibility, community attitudes, tourism development processes, and
sources of funding or technical assistance. These Members the first-ever tourism
advisor board in the region. They also began a community-based initiative in
Hancock and Grainger Counties to provide technical assistance and "hands-on"
service in the establishment and renovation of county museums.
In Kentucky, Member produced brochure to help increase tourism to the nearby
Kentucky Craft Village. Member is also planning instruction workshops for 15 local
craft producers.
Members in Hattiesburg, Mississippi began an inventory of tourism resources in
an 18 county area of Southeast Mississippi.
Members in Iowa conducted outreach to increase the number of farmers in the
Emergency Wetlands Reserve Program. Members in Iowa have prepared maps
and written materials to assist County Conservation Boards in Fremont Mills,
Pottawattamie, Harrison, Monona, and Woodbury counties in locating areas for
potential in recreation, tourism, economic development, and wildlife areas. They
13
also revised a brochure for Western Iowa and worked to develop bicycle loops for
area cycling clubs. Additionally, Members updated tourism guides, wrote scripts
for tours, restored a farmer's market, and took an inventory of resources in the
African-American community to create an agricultural heritage area in Northeast
lowa.
Recycling Promotion
In Tennessee, a Member developed a marketing program for recyclable materials;
a program called "Garbage Busters" was developed for second graders. Members
wrote grants for various proposals and one was approved for a "Learn and Service
America" program that focuses on recycling management for elementary students
in a five-county area; prepared articles for local newspapers entitled "Trashy Talk";
and completed a presentation for a public education program on oil recycling in
Tennessee.
In another part of Tennessee, Members have created a database to track the
status of solid waste/recycling progress in each of 14 counties. Members also
began a 14 county poster contest in local schools with the theme "Reduce, Reuse,
and Recycle." Members successfully convinced 16 schools to start on-site
recycling programs. Members have also presented eight environmental education
programs to 400 students.
In Texas, a Member has made significant progress towards creating a 5,000 acre
Regional Environmental Enterprise Zone to build and implement a comprehensive
facility to meet the solid waste needs of the region for the next 75 to 100 years.
American Indian Tribal Empowerment
In North Carolina, a Member developed a Parks and Recreation Department
proposal for the Cherokee Indian Reservation in NC.
In Waynesville, North Carolina, a Member is working towards establishing a good,
trusting relationship with the Cherokee Indian reservation and to make the residents
aware of various USDA home ownership and repair programs.
Members in Holbrook, Arizona began an assessment of small-scale agriculture
needs on the Hopi and Navajo Reservations.
In San Juan, New Mexico, Members have begun to inventory private woodlands
and started to conduct a resource and rangeland inventory on the Southern Ute
Indian Reservation.
14
In Ukiah, California, a Member has formed client partnerships to aid two severely
eroded streams, has helped the Round Valley Tribal Community treat two miles of
stream, and signed up four local growers for a cost share program to convert to the
water-saving drip irrigation program.
Water Quality Protection
In Houlton, Maine, a Member completed a sanitary survey on Shin Pound to help
community residents make future decisions about how to best protect the health of
their lake.
Members on the Winooski River Project in Vermont conducted a 21 mile
reconnaissance survey from Jonesville to Essex Junction, Vermont to evaluate the
state of erosion control and bioengineering measures installed in the late 1930's in
order to improve current conservation measures.
In Kingwood, West Virginia, a Member performed soil nutrient content analysis
and animal manure nutrient analysis in order to improve local water quality. In
Morefield, West Virginia, the Member performed nutrient and pesticide management
activities to improve the local water quality. The two members have provided
assistance on a combined total of 1,000 acres.
Members based in the Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D Council in Tennessee have
dewatered 2.5 million gallons of waste from the storage facilities of five local
landowners, and collected soil samples at those sites to ensure safe discharge.
In Louisiana, Members performed over 100 pre-assessment surveys that
benefited over 100 rural families by identifying threats water quality on their home
and farmsteads. They made presentations on the water quality program to 240 high
school students.
In Ohio, Members completed a filed map of Pickaway County to help protect the
Darby Creek watershed, completed survey and design work to implement Best
Management Practices in rural areas, identified local landowners who want trees to
be planted on riparian areas, and began identifying places on the Big and Little
Darby Creeks were point and non-point pollution enters the stream system.
In Michigan, Members conducted quality assessments and provided water quality
protect plans to 29 farm families.
Members based in Cloquet, Minnesota developed a public participation plan for
the Nemadji River Basin Project and completed a watershed roadside erosion
inventory.
15
Rural Housing Improvement
In Williamson, West Virginia, a Member assisted in helping 30 families apply for
rental housing assistance.
In Hendersonville, North Carolina, Member is helping finance home improvements
for very low income families in Ashe County. To do so, he established relationships
with the Housing Assistance Corporation and the Isothermal Planning and
Development Commission so that they will now package applications for FmHA
housing loans. He also met with several individuals to educate them about the
USDA programs, and processed two loans to make repairs to low income
individuals.
In Mississippi, a Member helped five families with poor credit histories turn their
credit around so they could obtain housing loans.
In Webb, Mississippi, a Member helped six low-income citizens obtain single self-
help housing units. Member has also provided counseling to the families that have
homes under construction to acquaint them with the responsibilities that go along
with home ownership. In Indianola, Mississippi, a Member began providing a "Home
Buyer's Education Program" for 932 individuals.
In Texas, a Member in Brownsville helped 16 families remodel their homes to
remove health hazards such as broken windows, old roofs, insulation, etc and
helped two families obtain new homes that are now under construction. A Member
in Laredo made significant progress towards rehabilitating 42 housing units. A
Member in El Paso helped two elderly women obtain funds to repair their homes,
and for a third women ineligible for government loans, recruited a volunteer plumber
to repair her bathroom and volunteers through the Salvation army to winterize her
home.
Members in El Centro, California have been conducting outreach to expand
usage of the 504 program to prove grants and loans for low income families to
repair their homes; by the end of the first quarter, two applications for repairs had
been approved and the work was completed, two more had just been approved,
and four more were in the process of being approved.
A Member in Gallup, New Mexico conducted on training on loan packaging for
19 community residents including representatives from local non-profit groups,
church leaders, and Native American Community leaders.
16
In Pendleton, Oregon, a Member helped two low-income individuals receive a loan
and one individual to receive a grant to repair their homes. In Elgin, Oregon,
Member assisted HELP, inc. in Housing Preservation Grant that allowed 11 low
income and very low income families to repair and rehabilitate their homes. The
Member verified eligibility, determined preservation needs, identified environmental
effects, and warded bids to housing contractors.
Cultural and Historic Resource Preservation
In Kentucky, Members developed an infrastructure database; served as project
manager for the historic Stearns building renovation project and administered the
Folk Life Study on historical buildings, people, and local folklore in KY.
Based in Morgantown, West Virginia, a Member performed an archaeologist
inventory on five major sites in economically depressed sites around the state in
order to provide cultural resource protection through inventory, investigation, and
documentation of sites. At one site, he discovered three historic and one pre-
historic sites that he will be documenting. He also worked with another
AmeriCorps member to develop Fort Randolph -- a Civil War fort in Point Pleasant --
for public use.
In Baker City, New Mexico, a Member has recruited three property owners who
have agreed to use their properties as pilot locations for historic renovations.
17
AmeriCorps/USDA is "Getting Things Done" Educating Americans
Many USDA AmeriCorps environmental and rural development projects have
educational components. Educational achievements related to hunger are detailed in the
hunger section above. In the first quarter, USDA AmeriCorps Members:
In Redlands, California, a Member helped coordinate and teach an Nature
Discovery Program that benefited 690 local elementary students.
In Maine, Members worked with 12 teachers to begin implemnting an "Adopt-a-
Stream curriculum in their classrooms. Members in another part of the state
collected, revised, adapted, copied, and distributed a 20 page packet of educational
materials including lesson plans on water quality, the water cycle, water
conservation, and preventing surface and groundwater pollution to 16 Soil and
Water Conservation District. In still another part of Maine, a Member facilitated
three cooperative agreements between University of Maine at Machias, University
of Maine Orono Cooperative Extension, and Maine Department of Environmental
Resources in order to integrate hands-on water quality testing and shoreline
sampling experience into the Environmental Chemistry and Special Topics in
Environmental Sciences courses.
Member in Yazoo City, Mississippi, coordinated a program in which the
Mississippi State Health Educator talked to 900 high school students about teenage
pregnancy and abstinence.
Member in Louisiana assisted with the development of a tutoring program for
individuals to obtain their GED and improve ACT test scores and an education
program for adults
In South Carolina, Members conducted a "Junior Palmetto Leadership Training
Course" for 30 high school students; another Member established an after-school
tutorial project.
Members provided environmental education to 600 students visiting Forest
Service lands.
In South Dakota, Members helped conduct 10 sessions in elementary classrooms
on American Indian Heritage Month.
In Arkansas, Members motivated volunteers to assist with the "Educate the
Children Project" which distributes educational material to school districts and some
non-profit organizations.
18
Member in Madison County, Mississippi recruited 46 local high school students
and two teachers to participate in a series of money management workshops.
Another Member in Madison and Jefferson Counties, Mississippi conducted
financial management classes in six senior high school classes reaching 135
students.
AmeriCorps/USDA is "Getting Things Done" Fighting Crime
Some USDA AmeriCorps also have public safety components. In the first quarter,
USDA AmeriCorps Members:
In Logan County, West Virginia, Member assisted the organization of nine local
rural communities so they can bring resources together to effectively reduce certain
criminal activities.
Member is working in Jackson, Mississippi to create a "peer Helpers' group to
reduce crimes committed by teenagers.
On the Texas/Mexico border, one Member is helping create a community crime
watch program.
In Greater Orangeburg, South Carolina, Member is seeking to reduce the number
of vacant buildings used for illegal activities by helping identify those premises and
working with the city to demolish or improve those buildings.
19
What Citizens Are Saying About AmeriCorps/ USDA
(Unique Successes and Great Stories)
Getting Things Done
....
"Its going to be a wonderful boon to us in the area of the environment, especially keeping
Lake Champlain the gem that it is."
- Senator James Jeffords (R-VT), October 17, 1994
Describing USDA AmeriCorps Rural Development Project on the Winooski River
"Rural Development is really a national concern we have - environmental concerns are
extraordinary and one of the priorities of AmeriCorps really is environmental development
- the natural environment, the neighborhood environment. We learn these lessons so we
can do what is most important about national service --- which is getting things done."
Eli J, Segal, CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service
-
October 17, 1994, also commenting on USDA AmeriCorps Rural Development
Project on the Winooski River
"The AmeriCorps program has been essential in our area. Through the use of our effluent
discharge program, landowners have been able to reduce the impact on non-point source
pollution problems. They have also become more aware of their responsibilities for water
quality through our educational efforts."
Chris Hays, Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D Council
Jackson, Tennessee
"As a result of his diligent efforts... we have decided to remain in full operation in Durant,
Mississippi (and) we are presently hiring and training additional employees."
Mark Lauritzen, President, Durant Electric Corporation
Explaining how a USDA AmeriCorps Rural Development Team Member
helped prevent his company with 600 employees and a $8 million payroll
from relocating to Mexico
20
"It's hard to know whether (critics of AmeriCorps) are opposed to national service
programs in general, or because AmeriCorps is one of the few unambiguous successes
President Clinton can point to in his first two years There are 38 young men and
women at a work camp in the Applegate Ranger District this winter, working in the
woods as well as renovating structures in Butte Falls and Prospect. So far, AmeriCorps
is a success in America's forests and urban areas."
- Editorial, Medford, Oregon Mail-Tribune
October 18, 1995
"I never thought that being an AmeriCorps Member would have such an impact on
someone's else's life, meaning that knowing that I had the power to help an elderly lady
receive a grant to repair her home. One of the County Supervisors and I went to inspect the
house and the lady was in a bad situation. When everything was processed and she was
qualified, I felt as if I had helped someone to a brighter future. By being in this position, I
was able to help someone, and that is what it is all about."
- AmeriCorps member Wydette Williams
Lake Providence, LA
"The first two weeks of the projects were the roughest. There was a surplus of remaining
plants from a previous project. It was hot and muddy. Many of the Members had never
worked that hard in their lives but, they all stayed with it and transplanted the plants that
would not have survived much longer in their six-inch pots."
- Geoff Sanders, Natural Resources and Conservation Service
Texas Shoreline Protection Project Manger
While Building Community
"In addition to completing worthwhile projects, (Northwest Service) Academy participants
will learn civic responsibility while serving their communities."
- Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR)
June 23, 1994
"The communities that we have visited have invited us to come back and get more involved
with their community. AmeriCorps was the glue the brought the agencies and the
communities to start communicating and working together."
- AmeriCorps Member Anabelle Alvarez
El Centro, California
21
"I have had the opportunity to meet many different people since I started working with
AmeriCorps. I must admit that I have changed my attitude a great deal on how to look at
things. I say that because I have worked with many people who have a substandard living
standard. They pay their bills and have no money left to enjoy It is comforting to know
that I have had an opportunity to help these individuals to secure grants to get the help they
needed."
-AmeriCorps Member Lee Woodridge
Working in Winnsoboro, LA on rural housing outreach
"I've found that just being in the community and talking to people about the project has
made a difference. The public wants to be involved in what happens to their economy and
their environment, as my position will affect both these factors, I've found people willing to
talk, listen, and argue with me about the fishway project and my role in it The
professionals school teachers, archive directors, librarians, town mangers, etc. seemed
especially appreciative of what I'm trying to do, and have extended offers to help and
provide information. I also foresee myself being able to help the towns accomplish goals
which have fallen by the wayside; for instance, many of the towns have tried to get funding
for public access sites a number of times in the past few years, but have never been
successful. They believe I can help them realize this goal, and I plan to live up to their
expectations."
- AmeriCorps Member Pierson Smith-Hatch
Presque Isle, Maine
"One of the great stories about AmeriCorps people is that when we have our cluster
meetings, there has been the bond of a close-knit family."
- AmeriCorps Member Henry Rosenthal
Alexandra, LA
"The five (AmeriCorps members) we have been communicating directly on a nearly daily
basis with the full support of the agency and have gotten together not only professionally
but also socially on a frequent basis. You see among them a real pride and excitement about
what they are doing. It is an excitement and pride that is unique to the program."
- Patrick Bowen, Natural Resources and Conservation Service
AmeriCorps Project Director for West Virginia
"We would not have as credible a monitoring program without the assistance of the Clean
Water Program and AmeriCorps Members who provide training, organizational, and technical
assistance to our community."
- Bill Mook, Chairman
Darmariscotta River Tidewater Watch, Maine
22
Boosting Opportunity
....
"The impact of AmeriCorps is far greater than work being accomplished or public service in
the communities. AmeriCorps is about growing up and becoming a productive citizen in our
community. One of our Members, a 20 year old male, is supporting a wife and four children.
He has been on the welfare program for 10 years and saw AmeriCorps as an opportunity to
get out of the welfare vicious circle. He does not want his family to experience the same
hardships he has had to experience. He has now completed his GED Another Member,
a Native American female, is being portrayed as a role model in her tribe. Her native tribe
fully supports the AmeriCorps program, and wants her to return to her tribal community after
the completion of the program to teach the importance of education."
- Mindy Martin
Rogue River National Forest
"Members of the Port Townsend Community have opened their homes to Members who
were staying at the Fort Warden Camp over the Thanksgiving Holiday. All Members were
invited to have dinner and spend the day with local families."
- David Johnson, Forest Service Project Manager
Olympic National Forest
"Not only has AmeriCoprs opened the doors of higher education to Sonoma County
residents, it has given new life to meaningful new programs in our communities that have
been negleected too long."
- Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
September 27, 1994
And Promoting Personal Responsibility
"The further the Members have to hike to get to their work site, the worse the weather, and
the more difficult the type of service, the more the Members enjoy the service and the harder
they work."
- Crew Leader
Rougue River National Forest AmeriCorps Site
23
"I hope you feel good about being pioneers ... you should."
- Congressman Doug Bereuter (R-NE)
Speaking to AmeriCorps Members in Nebraska
"Mr. Lott (Republican Senator and Majority Whip) called me personally and promised to
support my efforts (to combat teen pregnancy) in Natchez and declared he would be in
Natchez in any events that take place if his schedule permits."
- AmeriCorps Rural Development Team Member Susan Foutz-Lowe
"I believe I speak for the Hormon Lake Ranger District and the Cocino National Forest in
extending to you our thanks for the many projects the AmeriCorps crews were able to
accomplish. Each week I witnessed a closer and more cohesive group. They listened well,
worked hard, and received the benefit of knowing they did needed work to a high quality
standards."
- David E, Michael, Work Supervisor
Cocino National Forest
"I personally want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and deep appreciation
for the work your crew accomplished at the Palatki Cliff-dwelling complex in Sedona. The
crew that worked at Palatki not only repaired the existing trails, they upgraded them in bad
areas and in sensitive areas as well as obliterating old trails and disguising them in a
sensitive and effective manner. They job they did looks terrific and I am very impressed by
their work ethic and the professionalism and commitment they showed on this project."
- Mareitta Davenport, Zone Archaeologist
USDA Forest Service
"Members are making personal accomplishments as well.. For many, this is the first time
they have opened their own checking accounts. They have learned how to get along with
a wide variety of people and work cooperatively."
- Geoff Sander, Natural Resources and Conservation Service
Texas Shoreline Protection Project Manager
24
AmeriCorps/USDA is Reinventing Government
The USDA/AmeriCorps program is helping USDA reinvent government by delivering USDA
services in ways that work better but cost less. The program based on eight principles
highlighted by Vice-President Gore and the National performance Review, and outlined by
author David Osborne in his book Reinventing Government:
1) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating a Catalytic Government by Steering Rather
Than Rowing.
Instead of managing programs from Washington, USDA has successfully created unique
public/private partnerships at the local level to design and run the programs. For instance,
to create anti-hunger projects, USDA brought together existing anti-hunger groups and
existing youth service corps, provided them with the national vision of USDA and
AmeriCorps, and then gave them great freedom to design and implement projects that best
meet the unique needs of their local areas.
USDA provides seed money -- sometimes the bulk of the funds in this first year of
AmeriCorps operation -- but also, as rightfully mandated by the National and Community
Service Act of 1993, requires matching money from all sub-grantees.
In effect, the USDA is acting as a venture capitalist by funding the best local proposals and
providing a general structural framework and philosophical guidelines which local groups can
follow while meeting their own local needs.
2) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating a Community-Owned Government by
Empowering Rather Than Serving.
All proposals for service at local USDA AmeriCorps sites around the country were created
at the local level, not by Washington-based bureaucrats. All programs are conceptualized,
designed, implemented, and monitored at the local level but are provided additional funds
and technical assistance by USDA. The USDA program is partnered with a wide variety of
non-Federal institutions; community colleges, Soil Conservation Districts, non-profit
organizations, youth corps, school districts, etc.
Rather than trying to directly provide service ourselves out of Washington, USDA has
empowered local communities by providing them with the resources to solve their own
problems. While this creates many logistical difficulties for USDA --- such as the challenge
that the program design for each of our projects is entirely different at each of our hundreds
of sites spread throughout in 38 states -- the benefits have far outweighed the difficulties.
25
3) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating a Competitive Government by Injecting
Competition Into Service Delivery.
The USDA AmeriCorps program has cultivated free and open competition at every step of
the way.
First, each USDA agency involved in the program held tough internal competitions to select
the best proposals to determine which USDA sites would be funded. For every USDA site
funded, at least two others were rejected.
Then, USDA participated in a highly unusual process in which Federal agencies had to
actually submit a detailed and comprehensive application to the Corporation for National and
Community Service in order to be considered for a grant. In other words, USDA and other
Cabinet agencies were required to go through a process similar to those we require of others.
(In fact, our application to the Corporation for National and Community Service required a
strategic plan similar to the types of strategic plans that USDA and HUD required in
Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community applications).
Unlike the way government usually operates, no one agency was guaranteed funding by a
set formula. As a consequence of this open competition, Federal agencies ---- including
USDA were forced to work harder and more creatively to develop quality programs in their
applications.
Lastly, USDA AmeriCorps Members were selected through a tough, nationwide, competition.
Given that approximately four people applied for every open slot, USDA was able to select
incredibly qualified Members from a wide variety of educational, racial, economic, and gender
backgrounds.
4) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating a Mission-Driven Government by Transforming
Rules-Driven Organizations.
USDA has erased the artificial boundaries between itself and other Federal Departments
working in similar areas by partnering on AmeriCorps projects at the local level with
Department of Interior in California, the Environmental Protection Agency in Maine, the
Department of Education in Oregon, and the Department of Energy in Minnesota.
Focusing on many of the Department Of Agriculture's multiple missions, the
USDA/AmeriCorps program fulfills the goals of key initiatives pushed by the Clinton
Administration such, as:
Integrating nutrition education information into the delivery of aid through U SDA
feeding programs;
26
Bridging the false choice between environmental protection and economic growth
by promoting ecosystem management and multiple uses on National Forest lands;
Providing long-term strategic planning assistance to rural communities;
Promoting sustainable agriculture that protects water and soil quality while allowing
farm families to make good incomes;
and, Implementing Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community designations in
rural areas to bring together a wide variety of government services to work in tandem
to promote community development.
5) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating a Results-Oriented Government by Funding
Outcomes, Not Inputs.
The USDA/AmeriCorps program is requiring specific performance measures for each and
every site that are agreed upon before the project starts and are measured and evaluated at
quarterly intervals throughout the year. While it is sometimes difficult and painful to
measure concrete and specific accomplishments every few months, such measurements are
a cornerstone of the Department's program.
In cases where sites have accomplished far more than one fourth of their yearly community
service objectives in the first quarter, we know those projects are highly successful. For
instance, in West Virginia, a project sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources and
Conservation Service, the Members completed most of their community service objectives
for the year in just the first month and a half of the program and then began completing
more ambitious projects. In some cases, where less progress was made towards the
objectives in the first quarter, we can immediately asses the project to see how changes and
improvements can be made before it is too late.
6) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating a Customer-Drive Government by Meeting the
Needs of the Customer, Not The Bureaucracy.
All our programs are focused on results for the community, even if this means changing the
culture of the USDA bureaucracy. One USDA project managers reported that Federal
employees in his agency are still adjusting to reality that AmeriCorps Members "are working
in different areas that we do not normally address which are more appropriate to a national
service program." However, he reported that, "With time the rank and file employees will
be more comfortable with the AmeriCorps project and the Members and that their challenge
and charge is different."
27
Other cultural changes in the Federal culture are occurring as well. In Utah, two of our
sometimes competing agencies formed a close partnership to jointly administer all aspects
of the project. The Department has created a new way to transfer funds, a new way to
payroll AmeriCorps Members, a new operations handbook, new ways of calculating budgets
on spreadsheets-- all with the aim of reducing bureaucracy to best support the AmeriCorps
Members and "get things done in communities." Some specific examples of administrative
changes enacted for the USDA AmeriCorps program:
Worked with the USDA National Finance Center to devise a unique payroll system
for AmeriCorps Members that has served as a model for the Federal government.
Created and implemented unique new systems to transfer funds from the
Corporation for National and Community Service to USDA and from USDA to non-
profit groups. The Executive Director of the Milwaukee Community Service Corps --
who sits on the Board of his state commission on national and community service --
reports that USDA transferred money to his organization more quickly than did his own
state government.
Created different, complex, and constantly changing budgets for all our AmeriCorps
projects. Created unique Lotus spreadsheets to manipulate budgets.
Chaired a task force of agency personnel that created and implemented all personnel,
financial, budgetary, and administrative procedures used by USDA AmeriCorps
projects.
Scrapped existing personnel regulations in favor of new ones we are creating for
AmeriCorps participants.
6) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating an Enterprising Government by Earning Rather
Than Spending.
Many USDA projects are, in effect, performing fee for service by obtaining funding from
sponsors for whom they are performing work.
7) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating a Anticipatory Government by Focusing on
Prevention Rather Than Cures.
By focusing on nutrition programs that keep senior citizens healthy, promoting WIC programs
which prevent diseases for young children and for mothers, fire protection programs for rural
areas, and sustainable agriculture projects that protect water quality, the USDA AmeriCorps
program is stopping problems before they occur and thus saving taxpayer dollars.
28
8) The USDA/AmeriCorps Program is Creating a Decentralized Government by Moving From
Hierarchy to Participation and Teamwork.
The USDA AmeriCorps program has empowered front line workers by allowing career civil
servants in Washington to play key leadership roles in implementing this program.
The project mangers at the state and local level have been given a great deal of flexibility in
project planning and implementation, with the Washington office providing mostly "steering"
to ensure that projects meet the requirements of both the law and the AmeriCorps vision.
In response to input from local mangers, USDA and the Corporation for National Service have
changed many requirements in only the first few months of operations, such as rules for
recruitment and rules for replacing Members who leave the program.
The USDA program has seriously reviewed all the challenges described by local managers
in the first quarter reports, and has taken extensive steps to meet those challenges.
Breaking down the many levels of bureaucracy that stand between Washington and the field,
the USDA Director of National Service communicates frequently and directly with project
managers at the local level through site visits, telephone calls, and conference calls.
DEC-16-1994 14:56 FROM USDA/SOIL (217)398-5310
TO
82026900639 P.01
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
1902 Fox Drive
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Fax No.: 217-398-5310
Telefax
Date:
Attn: Paula C. JoNes
NBCS, NHQ Room 5238-5
Location: Washington, D.C.
Fax No.: 202-690-0639
From: James B. Johnson
Ph. No.: 217-398-5293
Cover +
Page(s)
Message:
Attached is the First Quarter Report For
the East St. Louis Americorps Project
Cc:
Parker, ASTC
Please Respond:
URGENT
ASAP
FYI
By:
No Response
X
Per Your
Time:
AM/PM
Necessary
Request
DEC-16-1994 14:56 FROM USDA/SOIL (217)398-5310
TO
82026900639 P.02
First Quarter AmeriCorps Report
East St. Louis Environmental and Flood Restoration Project
1. Number of members enrolled at the time of launch. 30
2. Number of members enrolled at the end of first quarter. 30
3. Total number hours of direct service performed. 400 x 30 = 12,000
4. Total number of hours in training. 240 X 30 = 7,200
5. Progress towards meeting community service objectives (please
refer to attachment.).
6. Primary accomplishments (please refer to attachment).
7. Project Outcomes for Next Quarter
During the second quarter, we will: (1) complete the selection of
all lot and garden sites; (2) complete the renovation of both
greenhouses; (3) complete action plans for the 20 lot renovation
sites; (4) complete garden plans for the 15 community gardens;
(5) complete the planting of the trees purchased by the Nation
Tree Trust; (6) complete the landscape plan for state community
college; (7) complete work on East O'Fallon Drive: (8) complete
work on Mt. Pleasant Drive in Belleville; (9) and complete flood
survey work for the city of Belleville.
8. Primary Challenges
The local project office has expressed concerns about the
following items: (1) assembling heavy equipment (tractors, back
hoes, dump trucks, etc.); (2) Lack of uniforms; (3) managing a
multi-task project while providing support and training to
persons who are not entirely comfortable with self-directed
multi-task type activities; (4) training the members, especially
gaining commercial driver licenses and heavy equipment skills
without offending unions (5) not enough involvement of NRCS
persons with local community groups; and (6) developing a better
communication network between the local project site and the area
and state offices. We will begin to work more closely with the
local project office in solving the above items during the second
quarter.
DEC-16-1994 14:57 FROM USDA/SOIL (217)398-5310
TO
82026900639 P.03
First Quarter AmeriCorps Report
Progress and Accomplishments
East St. Louis Environmental Project
Progress Toward Meeting Community Service Objectives:
The East St. Louis Environmental Project of AmeriCorps has made
the following progress during the First Quarter, September 12 -
November 30, 1994:
officially began the project on time on October 3, 1994
AmeriCorps members developed site analysis form for lot
renovation
100% of members trained in how to conduct site analysis
100% of members trained in how to draw scale landscape plan
100% of members trained in how to make presentation to public
AmeriCorps members solicited lots from citizens, churches,
and community groups through a mass mailing, word of mouth,
article in local paper, and TV presentation
received over 30 applications for lot. renovation
AmeriCorps member teams conducted an on-site analysis of 100%
of the lot
AmeriCorps member teams reviewed and selected lots for
consideration
AmeriCorps members prepared detailed pencil drawing of 100%
of lots selected for consideration
AmeriCorps members took information from pencil drawings and
put into CAD drawing for presentation to Ecosystems Council
for final selection (90% complete)
AmeriCorps member team put together packet on each lot for
presentation to Ecosystems Council for selection (90%
complete)
AmeriCorps member has verified 80% of owners of lots
AmeriCorps teams have established three nurseries (East St.
Louis Senior High School, Lovejoy High School, and Jones
Park)
AmeriCorps team has completed an evaluation of the renovation
needs of Greenhouse al East SL. Louis Senior High School,
removed 90% of debris and broken materials from the
greenhouse, completed a CAD drawing to scale, and completed
two possible layout plans.
AmeriCorps team has completed an evaluation of the renovation
needs of greenhouse at Jones Park, removed 100% of debris
and broken materials, completed an inventory of supplies,
prepared a needs assessment and list of needed materials and
supplies, and inspected the heating system.
AmeriCorps team has cleaned out fountain in Jones Park.
AmeriCorps team has begun solicitation of community gardens
(50% of garden sites have been identified and 15% have been
assigned to a member to begin developing detailed scale
drawing.
AmeriCorps team has begun Landscape plans for State
Community College.
DEC-16-1994 14:57 FROM USDA/SOIL (217)398-5310
TO
82026900639 P.04
First Quarter AmeriCorps Report
Progress and Accomplishments
East St. Louis Flood Restoration Project
Progress Toward Meeting Community Service Objectives:
The East St. Louis Flood Restoration Project of AmeriCorps has made
the following progress during the First Quarter, September 12 -
November 30, 1994:
officially began the project on time on October 3, 1994
AmeriCorps members gained skills in design survey
100% of members trained in how to conduct site analysis
100% of members trained in how to draw scale landscape plan
100% of members trained in how to make presentation to public
completed construction layout on channel work on Mt. Pleasant
Drive
100% of members skilled at breakdown of field notes
100% of members trained on placing survey data on profile
paper
AmeriCorps member team developed cut and fills techniques
AmeriCorps member team prepared detailed list of materials
and equipment to complete work on Mt. Pleasant Drive
AmeriCorps members took information from pencil drawings and
put into CAD drawing
AmeriCorps member team developed alternative methods using
labor intensive options versus mechanical assisted options.
AmeriCorps member has verified 80% of owners of lots
AmeriCorps member team met with Belleville City Engineer and
determined goals for Mt. Pleasant Drive project
Primary Accomplishments
The project has made giant strides in the areas of community
service, community development, and member growth. Aside from the
basic training necessary to complete the projects, members have been
provided training in computer aided design or CAD, personal
development, and leadership development. Members have
enthusiastically embraced the concept of service and eagerly taken on
tasks that directly help the community. They have taken three days to
assist Operations NewSpirit in planting bulbs throughout the East St.
Louis community, visited greenhouses on their own, banded together to
get CAD drawing done for each lot under consideration for renovation,
taken the initiative to explain AmeriCorps and how they might be
eligible to have a lot renovated or a community garden planted; and
requested more direct responsibility for the community activities.
Members have met with all the local mayors, several local ministers,
the chamber of commerce, and the ecosystems council. They have
conducted all the site evaluations and will be conducting the site
selection meeting with the Ecosystems Council.
Items left over from the First quarter that will be finished during
the second quarter are the completion of the Landscape plans for State
Community College, greenhouse renovations at Jones Park and East St.
Louis Senior High School, and solicitation and selection for the
community garden sites. In addition, we will finish the training
necessary to grow and plant flowers and vegetables, prepare lot
renovation plans for each of the lots selected for renovation, prepare
garden plans for each community garden, conduct community group
meetings for those selected to have either gardens or lots, do the
prepatory work for the lagoon work in Jones Park, and complete the
DEC-16-1994 14:58 FROM USDA/SOIL (217)398-5310
TO
82026900639 P.05
training necessary to operate and maintain all the power equipment we
will be using in the spring months. Completion of the Mt. Pleasant
Drive Project, the East O'Fallon Drive Project, and completion of the
training necessary to operate and maintain all power equipment they
will be using in the spring months.
lqtrameri. dex
I have received many good reports from program partners
about the AmeriCorps members and their ability to get things
done.
7. Project Outcomes for Next Ouarter
We hope to develop more hiking trails, rehab more public
buildings, make more progress toward updating the Overall
Economic Development Plan for the area, begin compiling the
results of the Conservation Reserve Program contract holders
and complete more of the Small Business Research and
Revitilization Projects.
8. Primary Challenges
In the beginning the challenge was getting enough
transportation to get the AmeriCorps team members to the job
site. This has been worked out through the Natural
Resources Conservation Service in Illinois. They pulled 5
vehicles from the "to sell list" for us to use for one year.
We still have not received sweatshirts for our team members
which were promised back in September. I feel that there
wasn't enough money available in the budgets to cover things
like the transportation, mileage, and training. This should
have been finalized before we started hiring team members.
This is taking more of my time then originally anticipated.
I'm spending 40% of my time on AmeriCorp which leaves 60% to
spread over 8 RC&D projects that I have in my Plan of Work.
9. Primary Training and Technical Assistance Needs
Rod Atterberry, AmeriCorps Regional Facilitator, has been
providing leadership on obtaining training for the
AmeriCorps members. We have utililized the Western Illinois
University, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and
the Cooperative Extension Service.
10. Media Coverage
We have had a lot of newspaper, TV and radio coverage both
before and during the program.
11. Other Creative Documentation
Attached are before, during and after photographs of some of
the work that has been carried out in the Two Rivers area.
Pittsfield
IL
** TOTAL PAGE.002
Participant: Loyda I. Stith
First Quarter Americorp Report
Batesville, AR.
1. Number of members enrolled at this time of launch
2. Number of members enrolled at the end of the quarter
3. Total of numbers of hours of direct service performed
385
4. Total number of hours in training - 40.5
5 & 6. Progress towards meeting community service
objectives:
During the first quarter of this project I was able to
accomplish the following objectives as planned.
A: Make a Budget for the project.
B: Develop a mailing list of woodland owners down
to 20 acres within the area.
C: Develop a logo for the association.
D: Develop a letter/questionnaire for mailing to
woodland owners.
E: Prepare an information article on the local
newspaper.
F: Begin development of the first newsletter.
G: Initiate planning for a workshop to be held in
march.
Since I started working with the project, we have been
very busy. I have attended 4 different meetings concerning
the project. I have met with the Independence County
Conservation District Board, Arkansas Forestry Commission,
Ext. Service, The National Landowners Association and
various landowners.
7. Project outcome for the next quarter:
For the next quarter, I plan to finalize and mail the
newsletter, finalize the agenda for the workshop, tour the
site of the workshop with the speakers, develop signs, seek
sponsors for a meal and door prizes, Prepare the site for
the workshop, prepare a certificate for the participants
wishing to become associates members. Start to develop a
fact sheet, we are going to report the progress of the
association. I plan to continue writing the newsletter and
plan a field day where the members of the association can
share their success stories and bring their concerns to the
association leaders.
DEC 13 '94 15:14 FROM USDA BATESVILLE, AR.
PAGE. 001
OPTIONAL FORM 99 (7-90)
FAX TRANSMITTAL
# of pages 2
To
From
Bruce Leggitt
Loyda Stith
Dect./Agency
Phone #
Fax ,
Fax #
758-7052
793-7829
NSN 7540-01-217-7388
5099-101
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
8. Primary challenges:
At this moment, I haven't had any troubles or
disappointments. Everything is working like it should.
About the challenges, it is a positive challenge working
here. I learn something different every day which helps me
to be more organized with the things that I do.
9. Primary Training and Technical Assistance Need:
In my opinion, we can use all the help we can get from
the USDA and the NRCS, because they have the experience and
the skills to solve different problems that we confront.
Also NRCS can provide the basics of forestry management.
helping me to acquaint myself with the terminology that's
used in this industry.
10. Media Coverage:
I have had 2 different articles published, one in the
local Batesville newspaper and the other one in the
Independence County Conservation District Newsletter. One
radio interview was conducted on association development.
FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
AUDRIA COLEMAN, AMERICORP MEMBER, HOLLY GROVE
RENEE SPURLOCK, AMERICORP MEMBER, HOLLY GROVE
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE PERFORMED
Audria Coleman- 128 hours (Start date: 11/7/91)
Renee Spurlock- 426 hours (Start date:
9/12/94)
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING
Audria Coleman- 16 hours
Renee Spurlock- 60 hours
PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
We have gone out into the community and surveyed homes
which are in the 100 year flood zone. We have discussed
with these people the possibility of FEMA and the City of
Holly Grove coming in and buying their homes and in turn
building housing or complexes for them on much higher land.
Renee Spurlock has surveyed all committee members to
find out if they are still on the committees that were
formed two years ago. Also, she has discussed the
accomplishments of each committees planned actions.
There has also been a non-profit organization formed
through the Holly Grove churches. This organization is in
the process of helping the community and committees obtain
their goal.
We are also working in conjunction with the Holls Grave
Homecoming Club to organize a program fully funded by the
Bellogg Foundation. This program. called The Dads Program,
is set up to identify young boys in the community from ages
1-16 with or without fathers in the home. After identifying
these young boys the program will focus on meeting the needs
of the boys and to help them become role models where
needed.
Plans are also underway in forming a 4-H Club for the
children of Holly Grove. There can be 3 different clubs set
up: The Cloverbuds, ages 5-8, The Jr. 4-H, ages 9-14, and
The Sr. 4-H, ages 14-19. The goal of this club is to build
Purple Martin Bird Houses to alleviate some of the mosquito
problem in the City of Holly Grove.
PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
After completing the surveys, We have compiled a
spreadsheet that includes the number of the house according
the NRCS office, the person's name and
type of housing they would prefer, and the ground elevation
of the house to determine how high the house would have to
be moved to stay in the flood zone. Also from the surveys,
we have made a list of the people that would like to serve
on a committee to improve the City of Holly Grove.
Last month, the citizens of Holly Grove were very
excited to see the AmeriCorps members working diligently to
clean up the mall in the center of the city and also
decorate the city for the Christmas holidays.
PROJECTED OUTCOMES FOR NEXT QUARTER
We will continue to work on the FEMA buyout and the new
housing for the citizens. Hopefully after the first of the
year the money will be available for us to begin. Many of
the citizens who are in great need of new housing are very
excited about the work we have done and will continue to do
until the people are in houses out of the 100 year flood
zone.
We also plan to work at least twice a month cleaning up
the mall to make the town look alot nicer for the people of
Holly Grove. The committees will also start meeting at the
first of the year to find out all the different needs of the
city and we will work with them to meet the needs and
accomplish the goals previously set by the committees.
PRIMARY CHALLENGES
The primary challenge we have had is getting the
funding necessary to go ahead with the buyout and buy the
land to build the new housing. FEMA has agreed to the
buyout but only on a 50/50 agreement, which means the City
of Holly Grove would have to come up with the second 50%.
The city does not have that kind of money so another letter
has been sent to FEMA to ask them to change the percentages
to 75-25.
Another challenge we have faced is that the committees
that were formed two years ago have dissolved and we have
had to go back in and reform the committees piece by piece.
PRIMARY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS
Grant Writing course, Computer Workshops, and any type
of training to help us get the community involved and keep
them involved.
assistance from:
2 Social Security
2 ADC
$ 247 /mo 247 /mo
204
2 Medicaid
42
$1138/mo
Social Security Disability
202
x 12
32
Veterans Administration
Other
32
$13,654 yr.
(Please specify)
Now that we have exchanged information, are there any concems you have that we need to go over together?
Write in the actual remarks below.
When it rains he has to open up doors and lot
the water run through the house. yearly I tome is financed
with FHA and is in constant contact with Judy.
Has a 1/2 acre and wants a 1/2 acre. Bartlett Moving in Marnell
says it can't be mored and water damage is all through out
house.
Now that we have exchanged information, are there any concems you have that we need to go over together?
Write in the actual remarks below.
Just wants a new place to live, She
needs 3 hedrooms. 054 If she does move in
new herising complex she will need transportation
to town, Her daughter is sick she stays with her.
The house is falling in. you can see outside
through the cracks in the house. She cannot find
another place to live right now.
Thefollowing are comments
$ 81.00
Social Security Disability
Medicaid
that were made by the
Veterans Administration $ 90
Other SSI
citizens of No my
(Please specify)
$ 160 Food Stam
grove that Live in
the 100yr flood zox.
Now that we have exchanged information, are there any concems you have that we need to go over together?
Write in the actual remarks below.
Takes every penny to pay bills. Walks to Holly
Grove and back. Mobil Home is in bankruptey.
When it rains her yard is covered with water.
would like to move mobil home to higher
ground. Has not been able to pay rent on
land.
"Do you think that
fear concem confusion
I am in desparate need of a decent place to stay fear concern confusion
Where cherackhead living is old - there's faulty wiring dark alleys
jjust filt Lundlord doesn't repair- fear concern confusion
anything
" fear concern confusion
. fear concern confusion
I'm afaid about the drug problem in the area that ll
12/15/94 11:25
USDA SCS LR
002
AMERICORPS PROGRAM REPORT
First Quarter - 1994-1995
Marion, AR. Cedeic Brown
1. One (1)
2. One (1)
3. 432 hours of direct service
4. Forty four (44) hours provided by the LMDDC and fifty six
(56) hours from cluster meetings and conferences.
5. Employee has initiated collection of data targeted by the
Lower Mississippi Delta Development Center. He has developed and
mailed a total of 104 letters to Chambers of Commerce in the
seven state region requesting various data concerning the Delta.
As responses have come in, he has placed the information on a
data base on the office computer.
Employee has seperated by county and cataloged educational
information received at the Center from the State of Tennessee.
He has researched the archives of the Lower Mississippi Delta
Development Commission that are on file at the University of
Memphis library and developed a list of what this data is and
where it was obtained. This information will be used to contact
various sources to obtain updated data needed by the LMDD Center.
Employee has assembled tourism information into booklet form for
one of the Delta states (Arkansas) as a beginning information
gathering for the LMDD Center's Tourism Program. Much of the
information used in this project came from the earlier requests
sent out by the AmeriCorps employee.
All of these accomplishments are building toward the overall goal
of developing and updating data that the LMDD Center will use to
assist various interests in the region as they work to improve
the overall economic conditions of the Delta.
6. In addition to the work outlined above, the AmeriCorps
employee has assisted the public by receiving and responding to
phone calls to the LMDD Center office. Feedback concerning the
presence of someone being at the office more hours has been
positive and several have commented about the pleasant manner
that their calls were taken and responded to by the employee.
All of the work accomplished in item 5 above will lead to the
LMDD Center being able to respond more completely when asked for
information about the 219 county/parish region.
7. It is expected that sources will be contracted to provide
up-to-date information and data to the Center over the next
DEC 15 '94 11:19
PAGE. 002
12/15/94 11:26
USDA SCS LR
003
AmeriCorps First Qtr. Report
Page 2
quarter and that the Americorp employee will catalog this
information and file it for future use. He is expected to
continue developing tourism information for the other six states
as the Tourism Coordinator works toward completion of the LMDD
Center's overall tourism program.
8. One of the biggest problems that has been encountered is
the lack of response to the LMDDC's requests for information.
This presents a major problem because of the size of the area and
the numbers of organizations that must involved. The Center
staff, including the AmeriCorps employee, will follow-up with
calls, other letters and personal contacts to assure improved
responses.
9. No NRCS, USDA of CNCS training, other than the kinds that
have been conducted to date, can assist with this project being
more successful. Any data and up-to-date information received
and cataloged will be of benefit to the Center and to the
Region's users, so it will be hard for the project not to show
success. It can be more more fully successful as participation
increases.
10. No specific newspaper or magazine clippings or coverage
has been sought or obtained for this project to date. The Center
does plan to begin a newsletter soon and will publicize this work
in this medium. It is expected that some news sources will pick
this up and develop publicity for the work being done.
11. No particular items are available at this time to
support this item.
PAGE. 003
DEC 15 '94 11:20
First Quarter Americorps Report
Jody Pagan - North Little Rock, AR.
Time Period: September 12 - December 30, 1994
Date: December 8, 1994
1. -
2. -
3. 464 hours
4. 80 hours
5. Reports involving species of federal concern for
seventeen (17) counties have been completed and mailed to
the respective counties. This represents 22 percent of the
goal. Reports have also been provided to Biologist at
Natural Resource Conservtion Service, Arkansas Natural
Heritage Commission, and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
The member has conducted one presentation concerning data
collected during the first quarter. This information was
presented to representatives of city and county governments,
Conservation District officials, members of other
governmental agencies, leaders of local financial
institutions, and local landowners.
6. Communities may now use these reports (endangered and
threatened species information) in preparing assessments to
meet permit requirements for needed community improvements
involving construction. Also, utilization of data collected
should increase due to the awareness of the project.
7. Eighteen (18) additional reports have been prepared but
have not been quality control (QC) checked. These reports
will be QC'd and mailed to the respective counties within
the next month. Additional counties are being mapped and
reports prepared. At least two meetings will be scheduled
throuh local RC&D Councils for presentation of data during
the next quarter.
11. Letter from Natural Heritage Commission.
THE
COMMISSION A
ARKANSAS NATURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION
1500 TOWER BUILDING
SEAL GREAT OF STATE ARKANSAS OF
323 CENTER STREET
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201
Harold K. Grimmett
Jim Guy Tucker
Director
Governor
Date: December 8, 1994
Subject: AmeriCorps Program
Mr. Bob Price
Natural Resources Conservation Service
5404 West Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Dear Bob,
Since September of this year the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission has participated
with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in a project utilizing a member of
the AmeriCorps program. This letter is written to express our satisfaction with this project
and the work of the AmeriCorps member, Jody Pagan.
The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission is a state agency charged with identifying and
protecting elements of the state's natural diversity. Towards this end the agency
maintains a database of information on locations of rare species. One way we seek to
accomplish our mission is by making this data available for use in land management
planning. However, staff and resource constraints limit our ability to make this information
widely accessible. Through the work of the AmeriCorps member we are making available
information on rare species to all the counties in the Arkansas Delta. This is especially
significant because of the dramatic landscape changes which have occurred in the Delta.
Through District Conservationists data on Federal Concern species will be available to
assist with farm and rural development projects. The availability of such information will
protect the resource, allow for appropriate development and avoid expensive conflicts.
The economic well-being of this region is tied to the conservation and careful management
of its diminishing natural resources.
Jody Pagan is the AmeriCorps member chosen for this project. His progress so far has
been outstanding. His enthusiasm is contagious. He is a hard worker and his education
makes him very well suited to the task. He is gaining computer, research, oral and written
communication skills, as well as knowledge of rare species biology. Mutual benefits will
be realized by all participants in this project. The AmeriCorps program has provided a
unique opportunity to serve the people of Arkansas.
Sincerely,
lindy Osborne
Cindy Osborne
Data Manager
An Agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Phone (501) 324-9150 / Fax (501)324-9618
DEC 12 '94 14:57
PAGE. 002
FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
FOR WILLIE CHAPPLE- MARION, AR.
TIME PERIOD: SEPTEMBER 12 - DECEMBER 30, 1994
DUE DATE:
DECEMBER 13, 1994
1, NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE TIME OF THE LAUNCH
2. NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE END OF THE QUARTER
(DEC.30)
3. TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE PERFORMED. 640
hours worked through 12/30/94.
4. TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING. 72 hours in training.
5. PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Rural water !ine have been provided to 7 households that
will assist 22 people with rural water for the first
time.
There have been 35 applications submitted to FmHA for
processing. Data is still being collected on 13 of the
35 appilcations and 3 have been rejected.
East Central Arkansas Economic Development Corporation at
Forrest City, Arkansas has been contacted to seek
financial assistance to residents to have their homes
repaired. At the time of the contact there was no one on
starf in Crittenden County. The Forrest City office said
contact them again in about a week.
After it phone call to Barbara Hickingbothan of Green
Thumb, = letter was written to her by Mozeil Williams
requesting help in the area of construction. She said
she thought one worker could be placed to assist with the
Crittended County project.
Two other possible sources of funding are currently being
looked into. (Forest Service and EPA).
6. PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. with the installation of the
water lines, it is expected that new homes will be
constructed, quality of like will be improved, homes
will be improved and that will reduce the amount of
utility costs and add value to homes repaired.
7. PROJECTED OUTCOMES FOR NEXT QUARTER, Another water
system is expected to be installed at Bulk Lake
which is as extension of the Crawfordsvilie water system
that will connect 10 - 13 homes and businesses. It is
3150 possible that the city of Gilmore could begin
PAGE. 003
DEC 12 '94 14:58
construction on their system during the next quarter.
Home improvement repair could begin next quarter.
S. PRIMARY CHALLENGES. The challenges has been working with
other agencies and companies that do not have the same
priorities as members of Americores. It takes time to
work through the system.
7. PRIMARY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS.
Computer training and media relations training is needed.
10. MEDIA COVERAGE. Television and newsmedia coverage when
the project began. Three television station and a local
newspaper. Coverage was local, state wide and the
surrounding states.
11. OTHER CREATIVE DOCUMENTATION. We have pictures and
slides before the project started.
** TOTAL PAGE. . 003 **
PARTICIPANT NAME: Marvin Johnson
AMERICORPS SITE: University of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff
FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
1. NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE TIME OF THE LAUNCH.
2. NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE END OF THE QUARTER(Nov 30).
3. TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE PERFORMED.
404
4. TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING.
60 Hours including two day seminar conference In Little Rock.
5. PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES.
My objective is to enhance the standard of living of limited resource farmers in
particular and the overall well-being of rural communities in Arkansas and the lower
Mississippi Delta Region. This region comprises: Arkansas, Louislana, Mississippi and
Tennessee. Information is being gathered to Identify the farmers, processors, and co-
ops and find out the high valued products In the states of Arkansas, Louisiana,
Mississippi and Tennessee. Some of the data have been collected and sample surveys
will be given to determine the Identification of the high valued products grown In the
four states.
6. PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Cataloging Information on the computer and learning a lot about agriculture and rural
development from attending meetings In Fargo AR with the rest of the Americorps
Participants. Attended a two-day seminar In Little Rock AR entitled "Valuing
Differences in the Work Placa: Building Quality Teams" and "Strategies for Resource
Development". One Interview has been conducted with a county extension agent, but
others should follow in the next quarter. Data collection has been the major part of
the project along with making phone calls and setting up interviews. One Interview
has been postponed to a later date with a statistics surveyor In Little Rock.
7. PROJECTED OUTCOME FOR NEXT QUARTER
Expected outcomes: WIII have intervied at least 80 farmers in the four states, etc.
WIII have gathered or collected more secondary data for the project. WIII have entered
more data and Information on the computer. WIII have learned more about the
Mississippi Delta Region.
Participant Name: Marvin Johnson
Site: University of Arkansas, Pine
Bluff, AR
8. PRIMARY CHALLENGES
The primary challenge is to keep this program going 30 that others will have the
opportunity to work as I have and to help them gain experience that will help them
later In life. The problem I have and hopefully can be corrected is that the report
format Is coming out too late and is putting more pressure on me to provide the
Information promptly. The report format should be given to us early so that we may
complete the report In a timely manner.
9. PRIMARY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS
More training and assistance should be given in learning how to write proposals for
grants and loans. Also, training should be given $0 that all the new members would
be able to understand how the program works(l.e., Americorps Program).
10. MEDIA COVERAGE
There was no media coverage on my project. My project Is not the type that
attracts media attention.
FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
North Little Rock, ARKANSAS
1.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE TIME OF THE LAUNCH
(1)
2.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE END OF THE QUARTER
(1)
3.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE PERFORMED
(404)
4.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING (60)
5.
PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES:
a. The objective of the Pellet Stove Demonstration Project is
to increase the public awareness of pellet fuel technology
and to increase the demand for wood pellet fuel to
stimulate a new industry in the region that makes use of
locally produced sawdust. Progress is being made towards
these objectives. By the end of the 1st quarter, 10 sites
had been identified in the Central Arkansas RC&D Council
area. The sites were visited, reports written and then
submitted to the state coordinator for the project. We
are presently awaiting bids to provide and install the
stoves at the identified demonstration sites.
b. The objective of the Workplace Skills Enhancement Program
is to identify skill needs of employees and provide
training that would allow them to perform their jobs more
effectively. Progress is being made towards meeting this
objective. Employees at the Boys, Girls and Adults
Community Development Center in Marvell have been
interviewed and observed in their daily work environments
to determine skill needs. The first of four training
workshops has been designed and prepared.
6. PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
In addition to the above mentioned work, I assisted in
collecting demographic data for the project in Holly
Grove, Arkansas to relocate residents from the Dials Creek
floodplain to higher elevations.
7.
PROJECTED OUTCOMES FOR NEXT QUARTER
a. It is anticipated that the pellet stoves will be installed
at the identified demonstration sites during the next
quarter. Display boards demonstrating the technology of
pellet fuel will be prepared and placed at each site.
Preparation will begin for the public demonstrations to be
conducted at each site.
b. The first training workshop will be conducted at the
community center early in the next quarter. Work will
then begin on preparation for the next workshop to be
conducted to enhance the skills of the employees.
8.
PRIMARY CHALLENGES:
As an AmeriCorps worker, I have not encountered any
challenges, problems, or disappointments that were not
resolved.
PARTICIPANT NAME: Harrison Locke
AMERICORPS SITE:
Arkansas Land and Farm
Development Corporation
(ALFDC)
Rt. 2 Box 291
Brinkley, AR 72021
THE FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
by: Mr. Harrison Locke
1. The number of members enrolled in the Integrated Furming System at ALFDC is
2. The number at the end of the quarter is
Total number of hours of direct service performed is 312 hours.
4. The total number of hours in training is 80
5. We at ALFDC are in the process of stressing the importance of alternative crops to
limited resource farmers. The number it increasing because the information about
production and markets are available in the communities.
6. During the Annual Conference, a tour on ALFDC demonstration farm was conducted.
We took advantage of the farmers and the USDA officials attending the conference to show
the Shiitake mushrooms. We also scheduled the pea harvesting muchine demonstration.
We had planted some of our Fall and Winter crops such as cabbage, collards, mustard,
turnip greens, kale, broccoli and cover crops.
Professors from UAPB and ASU assisted in explaining the uses of chicken litter,
rice hulls and gin trash, and trap crops to help control insects. The need for irrigation was
also discussed. A compost demonstration will be provided at ALFDC demonstration farm
7.
A number of IFS farmers will start for the spring operation during the winter
months. There will be more young farmers participating next year than this year.
8.
The challenges or problems faced earlier was getting financed. ALFDC and Delta
CDC is financing small loans for beginning alternative farmers.
9. Various workshops and meetings will be conducted at ALFDC during the winter months
for those interested in the program.
10. Newspapers. magazines, radio, and newsletters along with videotapes and cassettes
are available to show at meetings
11. Field trips and visits lu Agri. Universities will play an important roll in motivating
Limited Resource Farmers.
PARTICIPANT NAME: Pertina White
AMERICORPS STIE: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, (UAPB)
FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
TIME PERIOD: September 12- November 30, 1994
DUE DATE:
December 15, 1994 (SMALL FARMER PROJECT)
1.
2.
3.
1156
4.
8
5.
The following progress toward meeting the objective is listed
below:
I have met with approximately 15 of the 20 farmers,
developed information on alternative crops, attended four
meetings after working hours of the Southeast-Arkansas
Vegetable growers Cooperative, made several farm visits to
meet farmers, examine crops, and take soil sampler, and I
have worked on computer in developing farm plans.
6.
Primary Accomplishment:
The following progress has helped the project meet its
objectives:
Developed information fact sheet on greens, and southern peas
production that was given to co-op members. Developed a
economic fact on greens and southern peas. Developed farm and
home plans (part of FmHA Application) for farmers. Developed
a yearly cash flow analysis for a proposed packing shed for
the vegetable co-op. Took soil samples on fields where
vegetables are planned to be grown. Examine the conditions of
several farmers vegetables on rountine farm visits. These
activities will help meet the objectives of helping farmers
increase their income by improving their management and adding
alternative crops to their operator.
7. For the second quarter I will be helping farmers put together
more production plans and loan applications. Several loan
applications will be completed and submitted to FmHA. Many of
these loans will be youth loans. I will be gathering materials
for the workshops and make overhead slides that will be
presented.
8. The two most disappointments that come to mind is the fact that
we are not given ample time to work on these reports we are
required to do. The plan of work and our first quarter report
are two reports that I feel we should have had at least a month
to prepare for. I personally feel that my reports are not as
good as they could be had I known I had to do these ahead of
time. I realize this is a new program and everyone is doing
PARTICIPANT NAME: Pertina White
AMERICCRPS STIE: UAPB, (Small Famer Project)
the best they can. I just hope the next reports will be done in
a timely manner.
9. My goal is to learn how to put farm plans into the computer
without having any problems. In order, for me to do this I
will need to receive training from ther personnel with FmHA.
This agency will be able to help me more with training because
this is something they do almost everyday.
Participant Name: Pertina White
Americorps Site: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
1200 North University Drive
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
TIME PERIOD: September 12 - November 30, 1994
DUE DATE:
December 15, 1994
(EXTENSION 5 PROGRAM)
1.
2.
3.
72
4.
8
5. The recruitment of Jefferson County Elementary Schools with
fifth grade students has been successfully completed. The total
number of student involved in the Extension 5 Program in Jefferson
County are 1,170. Several skits and plays have been written on
drug abuse, pregnancy, and other peer pressures. Lessons plans
have been made up to go along with the fifth graders lessons in
their books. Comic books have been distributed to fifth graders on
Motivation to learn. The second set of comic books will be
distribted in December. The schools have already been contacted
when and where to pick them up at.
7. The next big accomplishment will be on April 25, 1995. There
will be a multi-conference on Juvenile Crime Prevention and
Increase Parental Involvement. We are expecting 5,000 fifth
graders and over 200 parents to attend the conference. This
conference will consist of students and parents not only from
Jefferson county, but Phillips County as well.
8. The disappointments that come to my mind is the fact that we
are not given ample time to work on these reports we are required
to do. The plan of work and our first quarter report are two
reports that I feel we should have had at least a month to prepare
for. I personally feel that my reports are not as good as they
could be had I known I had to do these ahead of time. I realize
this is a new program and everyone is doing the best they can. I
just hope the next reports will be done in a timely manner.
9. My goal is to learn how to put farm plans into the computer
without having problems. In order, for me to do this I will need
to receive training from other personnel with FmHA. This agency
will be able to help me more with training because this is
something they do almost everyday.
JANA COLEMAN
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
HELENA, ARKANSAS
FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
TRI-COUNTY OUTREACH
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE. As of December 13,
1994, I have worked 536 hours.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING. Of those 536 hours, 80
hours would be considered training.
PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES. My
overall objective is to improve the standard of living for
people in small towns and rural communities within Monroe,
Phillips, and Lee counties. I a.m. doing this by finding out
the problems and needs in the tri-county area by meeting
with county and city governments as well as non-profit
groups. I, then, provide possible grant and funding sources
to each rural community based on their individual problems
and needs and the priorities that they have identified.
I have identified and cataloged all units of government
and non-profit organizations in Monroe, Phillips, and Lee
counties. This has been done by collecting names,
addresses, and phone numbers for the three county judges and
the quorum court members for each county as well as
seventeen mayors and the city councilmen and recorders for
each of those communities. This also includes contacts at
community organizations and non-profit groups within the
tri-county area. Most of this information was gathered via
the phone and was time consuming. It has been updated since
the recent election and compiled into a twenty-four page
report. This was Goal 1 of my objective plan and has been
met.
The second phase of my project is to find out the
problems and needs of these communities within the three
counties. I have begun with Monroe County and five towns
within the county. I have spoken to Monroe County Judge Tom
Catlett, who is very enthused about the Americorps program.
I attended the last Fargo City Council Meeting where they
helped me to make a list of their community problems and
needs. Currently, I'm checking into possible funding and
grant sources and am scheduled to go back to their next
meeting. I am also scheduled to attend the upcoming city
council meetings for Roe, Clarendon, and Brinkley as well as
a Committees Meeting in Holly Grove. Each of these meetings
will take place in January when the new aldermen take
office. While I have not met with the other two counties, I
have been in touch with individuals who serve as county and
city officials in Phillips and Lee counties and who will be
in attendance at those meetings once they are scheduled.
2
The third and final phase of my tri-county outreach
program is to provide sources of funding to the city and
county governments. The possibilities that I've been
looking into include federal, state, and private grants as
well as low-interest loans. I've cataloged these resources
and their concentration areas into a file for future
reference.
PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Another important community
service I have performed has been in my hometown of Holly
Grove. I was able to go out into the community, along with
four other Americorps members, to talk to the residents who
are living in the one-hundred year floodplain. We surveyed
a. family member from each household from a standardized
interview form. Our primary goal was to find out the level
of interest in moving and their preferences of single family
housing verses multi-family housing. We also discussed
renting and buying options outside of the floodplain zone
that are available to them.
PROJECTED OUTCOMES FOR NEXT QUARTER. By the end of the
second quarter, I hope to have met with each and every
community and small town in the three county territory.
With their lists of problems and needs in hand, I'll
continue to research all sources of funding and match them
to the problems identified.
PRIMARY CHALLENGES. I have not experienced any problems
that could have been prevented by any person or agency. The
only obstacle I have encountered has been with the local
elections. The big turnover in county and city government
officials prevented me from getting out in the communities
sooner.
PRIMARY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. The training I
am most interested in at this time is grant writing. I
would like to learn how to fill out the actual grant papers
once they are obtained. Then, I would not only be able to
provide a list of available grants to small towns, but
assist them in filling them out as well.
GETTING THINGS DONE
On December 1, 1994 a group of AmeriCorps members from
the United States Forest Service and the USDA's Rural
Economics and Community Development, formerly Farmers Home
Administration, joined together to get things done. These
members set out to help the homeless by taking the time to
serve hot meals to people at the Haven of Mercy in Johnson
City. Along with their other community projects throughout
the year these members along with four other members from
their cluster plan on volunteering at least one day a month
helping others in the community. Other activites planned
include a streambank clean up, a river trash pick-up, and
helping with Habitat for Humanity.
This is a list of some of the topics which will be discussed
at the Media Training. Mr. Larry Blick, NRCS, will with us
from Nashville to conduct the training session.
Please call Roy Settle's office 615-854-9621 or 615-854-0923
or fax 615-282-6451 whether or not you will be able to join
us by DECEMBER 2, 1994. Inclosed you will find a map to the
office where the training will be.
MEDIA TRAINING
AmeriCorps Cluster Meeting Agenda
December 6, 1994 9:00 a.m.
Greeneville, TN SCS Office
Topics
Developing:
Press Releases
Media Advisories
Press Kits
Getting Media Interested in:
Coming to your event
Promoting your event
TV/Radio Relations:
Live and recorded Interviews
TV/Radio Talk Shows
Confrontational Reporters/Situations
If time allows information on developing brochures or fact
sheets may be included.
To:
Louis Elliot, USDA, Room 202
From: Joel Berg or P
2 pages
to
11-28 94
LMATS Partnership Council 180,000
One Hundred Eighty
Thousand and
Brown Cris
THE PROPER NUTRITION PROJECT IS
GOAL
A nutrition education program that has been
To convey the importance of nutrition to
developed by the USDA's Anti-Hunger Team.
elementary school children SO that they may
The Anti-Hunger Team is comprised of 12
make food nutrition an integral part of their
young women and men between the ages of
daily lives.
17-22. They are members of the D.C. Service
Corps and President Bill Clinton's National
Service Corporation, Americorps (an initiative
GOALS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
started September 12th, 1994).
Through basic nutrition education
MISSION
PRESENTATIONS
-
rap songs
The mission of the Anti-Hunger Team is two-
-
stories
fold: (1) to make people who are in need
-
puppet shows
aware of food sources and (2) to provide
-
games
nutrition education to elementary school
-
group participation
children in the metropolitan D.C. area.
OBJECTIVES
To teach the 5 basic food groups.
To target students who are eligible for the D.C.
Public Schools free Lunch & Breakfast
Program.
The Anti-Hunger Team
Team Coordinator - Karla Van Pragg
THE
D.C. SERVICE CORPS/
Mark Bey
}
AMERICORPS
Stephanie Hammel
}
Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd
Reco Smith
}
Samona Wilson
}
Jeffrey Ellis
}
Proper
Robert Shelton
}
3rd & 4th
Nutrition
LaShawn Walls
}
Angela Whiting
}
Project
Nikki Harris
}
John Henderson
}
5th & 6th
Kyle Terry
}
in collaboration with the
Kelly Williams
}
Department of Agriculture
D.C. Service Corps Staff
Deputy Director - Jim Hirt
Accountant - Curtis Carr
PRESENTS
Grant Developer - Stephanie Teleen
Executive Secretary - - Elaine Thompson
Education Director - Cara Fulton
Logistics Coordinator - Karl Gaddy
Nutrition
Awareness
Special Thanks
Theresa H. Richardson
Db/a and Home Study - Director
GETTING THINGS DONE
On December 1, 1994 a group of AmeriCorps members from
the United States Forest Service and the USDA's Rural
Economics and Community Development, formerly Farmers Home
Administration, joined together to get things done. These
members set out to help the homeless by taking the time to
serve hot meals to people at the Haven of Mercy in Johnson
City. Along with their other community projects throughout
the year these members along with four other members from
their cluster plan on volunteering at least one day a month
helping others in the community. Other activites planned
include a streambank clean up, a river trash pick-up, and
helping with Habitat for Humanity.
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
Item
VERMONT
RC&D MESSENGER
Since 1964 the Resource Conservation and
Development Program has promoted wise use
and development of natural resources to improve
the local economy and people's standard of
living. We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organiza-
tion comprised of a network of people dedicated
to helping local citizens meet their needs.
"Helping to Make Things Happen"
August 1994
Issue 2
Volume 2
AMERICORP PROVIDES
2. To have 40 rural fire departments in Vermont
VT RURAL FIRE PROTECTION
fully understand water supply needs and
management principles.
TECHNICAL TEAM
3. To assist 20 rural Vermont communities in
finding innovative ways to carry out
What is Americorp? Americorp is a new national service
planned improvements.
program that allows diverse groups of young people to
4. To have 10 fire departments in Vermont
earn college or vocational school scholarships while per-
create and implement a comprehensive
forming critical service to meet human, environmental,
educational fire prevention plan with their
public safety and educational needs. Participants in the
citizens.
program will work for a year earning a stipend, as well as
(Continued on Page 2)
health and child care benefits, and then receive an educa-
tional award.
The educational benefit can be used to pay for college or
STANDARD TIMBER
graduate school in advance, or to repay student loans. It
can also be used to pay for vocational school or job training
RETAINING WALL DESIGN
programs approved by the Departments of Labor or Educa-
tion. The education award will be paid directly to the holder
of a loan or to a school and must be used within seven (7)
years of the completion of service.
The Vermont Rural Fire Protection Technical Team
project is a collaborative effort of the Soil Conservation
Service (SCS) and Vermont's two RC&D Councils. The
Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force is a strategic
partner in this initiative. SCS will hire three (3) Americorps
members to staff the team.
INNOVATIVE TIMBER WALL DESIGN
The goal of the project is to reduce loss of life and property,
PROMOTES USE OF LOCAL
improve personal security and reduce costs for fire in-
surance in rural areas of Vermont.
RESOURCES
Objectives: The following Phase I objectives will be com-
pleted within 12 months.
The Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)
Councils of New Hampshire and Vermont identified the
1. To provide the skills and technical informa-
need for an innovative timber retaining wall for both private
tion to help 40 rural fire departments in
and municipal applications. A wall that would provide an
Vermont develop innovative fire protection
engineer certified flexible design suitable to a broad range
plans for their communities.
of projects. (Continued on Page 2)
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
01-12-95 06:21PM FROM FMHA
P09
office
PAGE 10 THE JACKSON TIMES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1994
What's news at the Senior Citizens?
H
BY IRENE SLUSHER
L)
A beautiful drawing was pre-
sented to the Senior Citizens' Cen-
ter during the past week. The Bib-
C
lical drawing, 'The Three Wise
!
Men' was drawn by a former
Jackson City School student, Glenn
Price, son of Mr. & Mrs. Charles
Price.
Glenn, a resident of Prestonsburg,
is employed by the Prestonsburg
School System. He not only teaches,
but does many art displays for the
school system, the churches, and
other requests of the locality.
Glenn and his two daughters re-
side in Prestonsburg. Kristen is a
student of Morehead University and
Shelley attends the Prestonsburg
Rebecca Estep, KMHA Rep-
High School.
resentative.
Each senior citizen and other
visitors to the center are really en-
ited the center. She discussed the
joying the gift and extend their ap-
loan purpose, who may qualify,
preciation to Glenn for the bulletin
rates/terms and other information
board display.
regarding the program. A follow-
Thanksgiving has come and gone
up is to be made soon.
everyone enjoyed the 'big Thanks-
Wilfred T. Grenfield said:
giving dinner' served by the kitchen
Real joy comes not from ease or
crew. In fact, approximately 80
riches or from the praise of men, but
people were present to enjoy the
from doing something worthwhile
food and fellowship with those at-
for others.
tending.
& Many thanks go to all the con-
The center, with the help of all the
tributors who help the center and
employees, is decorated with all of
the citizens who attend.
the Christmas array. Everyone is
enjoying 'the spirit of Christmas'
and looking forward even to Santa.
(However, his/her bank balance
after the holidays will wake each
one up, I'm sure).
However, our Christmas dinner
will beon Thursday, Dec. 22. Come
and celebrate with us.
During the past week, a represen-
tative from KMHA, Rural Housing
Programs. Ms. Rebecca Estep. vis-
RECD
Americorps Newsletter
December 1994 Edition
FmHA Dispatches
Duncan ), Barbourville (Gail
participants received instruction
Fee and Rebecca Davidson),
in several areas including train-
Americorps
London (John Mills and
ing in federal employee ethics
Volunteers
Michelle Humfleet), Hazard
and civil rights, completion of
[Press release from Farmers
(Matthew Hall), Prestonsburg
502 and 504 loan and grant
Home Administration]
(Lara May and Rebecca Estep),
applications, techniques for
and Somerset (Tina Elza).
community outreach, and devel-
Nine Americorps
oping a plan of work for
members recently began their
Americorps as well as over-
service in Kentucky's Appala-
Americorps
views of Empowerment Zone
chian Region after being sworn
Volunteers
and Enterprise Community pro-
in at the Farmers Home Admin-
grams and existing community
istration (FmHA) state office in
Receive
and business programs.
Lexington.
Training
The second training ses-
Thomas G. Fern, state
sion, held in Hazard, KY at
by Laura Duncan
FmHA director, conducted the
Kentucky River Area Develop-
ceremony and challenged the
ment District, was attended by
The Kentucky
members to "become leaders in
nine Americorps participants,
Rural Economic
the community which they will
including Mona Powell who
and Community
be working."
replaced Gail Fee at KCEOC in
Development
The nine members at-
Barbourville. Training for this
(RECD, formerly
tended a two day orienta-
session focused primarily on the
known as FmHA)
tion/training session in London,
development of program plans
Americorps team has recently
and have now reported to their
for the six participants working
participated in various training
respective communities to begin
with community development.
sessions throughout Kentucky.
work.
Kevin Antle from the
The initial training ses-
The participants in the
Prestonsburg RECD office as-
sion was held at the
Kentucky Appalachian Region
sisted the other three partici-
Cumberland Valley Area Devel-
will facilitate community strate-
pants by discussing 502 and 504
opment District in London, KY
gic planning and assist in imple-
loan application processes with
on October 6th and 7th and was
menting programs to improve or
them.
attended by all nine participants.
develop needed community fa-
An informal training
RECD employees who
cilities. Team members will
session was held in Corbin, KY
assisted with training at this
also engage in outreach activi-
on November 22nd. The ses-
session were Louis Elliott,
ties to assist economically and
sion was attended by Laura
Vickie Gross, Denver Parks,
socially disadvantaged citizens
Duncan and Mona Powell. The
Linda Chadwell, Don Johnson,
in rural areas in accessing
purpose of this session was to
Russ Thomason, Kenneth
FmHA grant and loan programs.
update Ms. Powell, who is new
Arterburn and Jerry Valentine.
Site locations for the
to our program, by covering
Jim Davenport from KCEOC in
Kentucky Appalachian Region
information she had missed at
Barbourville, KY assisted with
include Middlesboro (Laura
Please see TRAINING, page 2
training as well. Americorps
1
TRAINING (continued)
Site Program Plans
ment of a summer youth recre-
an earlier session.
Established for Each
ation program in Maggofin
On November 28 and
County, KY. Lara feels that a
29, 1994, a third training ses-
Participant
program such as this will be
sion was held at the Marriott in
beneficial to the youth of this
by Laura Duncan
area because presently there are
"no services and/or facilities
Americorps participants,
dedicated to teenage youth" in
along with their site supervi-
Magoffin County, She feels
sors, were asked to create a
that recreation activities will
plan of action that would best
help alleviate some of the seri-
serve the needs of the individu-
ous problems facing these
al communities in which they
young people, such as lowering
are working. Because each
teen pregnancy, migration, and
community is so different, the
high school dropout rates.
plans which were established at
Michele Humfleet in
each site are extremely diverse.
London is working to improve
Lexington, KY. Participants
There are, however,
services provided to families
attended the RECD state meet-
three participants who are pre-
throughout the state by attempt-
ing and had the opportunity to
forming similar functions in
ing to prioritize services provid-
their communities. Rebecca Da-
hear Michael Dunn, Acting Ad-
ed. In an attempt to "identify
ministrator of Rural Housing
vidson (Barbourville), Rebecca
the diverse needs of families",
Community and Development
Estep (Prestonsburg) and Tina
she is conducting telephone sur-
Service, and Dayton Watkins,
Elza (Somerset). All three work
veys and personal interviews
Acting Administrator of Rural
in RECD offices and help with
and leading focus group meet-
Business and Cooperative De-
processing 502 and 504 loan
ings. Family services which
velopment Service, address the
and grant applications. By
Michele's work will impact in-
conference. In addition, the
offering this assistance, these
clude housing, transportation,
participants attended conference
volunteers are helping elderly
social services, health care, edu-
and low income families to be
sessions on civil rights, present-
cational opportunities, and em-
ed by Jerry Valentine, and
able to live in safe, healthy en-
ployment.
Stress Management, presented
vironments. Tina Elza is quick
John Mills, also located
by Rick Roepke. Members also
to point out, though, that she
in London, is working on updat-
feels her role is much broader
attended a training session for
ing an inventory of Kentucky
than this one task. She feels
making e-mail and internet con-
Highlands' investments. John is
nections presented by Gordon
strongly about working to give
working on the preliminaries of
Davis, RECD Information Re-
the whole community a positive
several KHIC projects in prepa-
sources Manager. Mr. Davis
attitude about Americorps and
ration for possible EZ/EC de-
also assessed individual site
the role she plays as one of the
signation in his area. He will
needs based on information pro-
programs participants.
be "coordinating and preparing
vided by participants and began
All Americorps mem-
public relations activities", pre-
work on creating a plan to meet
bers, like Elza, are working to
paring a community assets list,
the needs of each member at
foster strong relationships within
and assisting with grant writing
his/her site.
their communities, but the ap-
and information gathering for
proach that each one is taking in
grant applications.
accomplishing this task is vastly
Laura Duncan, in Mid-
unique.
dlesboro, is helping with the
Lara May, who is locat-
preliminary processes for the
ed in Prestonsburg, is assisting
Please see Plans, page 3
with the creation and develop-
2
PLANS (continued)
Partners
years. Part of Steven's mission
construction of an industrial
is to get input from the young
park in Bell County, She will
by Laura Duncan
people in the area and find out
facilitate these processes by
what would keep them from
completing grant applications,
leaving the area. If he can get
attending public hearings and
answers to this question, he can
pre-construction conferences, in
plan future projects to benefit
addition to assisting with pro-
Hancock County and its youth
curement of construction con-
Recently, I had the op-
and begin to start implementing
tracts, engineering services, and
portunity to have lunch with
these projects. One project he
environmental permits for the
Steven Trent, an Americorps
has already initiated with Han-
site.
volunteer from Tennessee. In
cock County high school stu-
Matthew Hall, located in
Tennessee, Steven, like many of
dents involves making a road
Hazard at Kentucky River Area
us, works with community de-
sign for the Virginia/Tennessee
Development District(KRADD),
velopment. In fact, Steven is
border which says "Welcome to
will work with the initiatives of
located in Hancock County,
Tennessee." By involving the
KRADD's EZ/EC proposal. His
TN, one of Bell County's part-
students in projects like this,
plan involves working with
ners in the Cumberland Gap
Steven hopes to keep the stu-
several subcommittees in areas
Empowerment Zone proposal.
dents interested in their com-
such as economic development,
Should the Cumberland Gap
munity.
leadership, healthcare, housing,
area be designated as an Em-
Although at the moment
education, human resources,
powerment Zone, I will be
Hancock County's top priority is
youth, and environment.
working closely with Steven to
the construction of a new ele-
Mona Powell, who is
implement Empowerment Zone
mentary school, Steven is work-
with KCEOC in Barbourville,
projects in his area. I was inter-
ing with various projects besides
plans to work with 15-20 target-
ested to know (and thought you
the elementary school project.
ed low-income families. By
might be also) what was going
He is working with economic
providing education and teach-
on with Steven's Americorps
development projects like the
ing craft and marketing skills to
program.
Hancock County Industrial
these families, Mona hopes to
Although Steven works
Park project, and the creation of
help these families become
with several other Americorps
a recreation facility which
more self-sufficient. She also
volunteers throughout the state
would include a walking/biking
intends to help some of these
he is the only one who is in-
path and picnic areas to enhance
families apply for loans for af-
volved with community devel-
the scenic beauty of Hancock
fordable housing.
opment. The other members of
County. He also hopes to work
his team, including five RECD
with developing the infrastruc-
participants, work in diverse ar-
ture of the area, particularly the
eas. In fact, part of his team
roadways.
stmas
works with the forestry depart-
I plan to keep in contact
ment.
with Steven, and I will let you
Steven has spent a good
know how things are progress-
deal of the last three months
ing with him throughout the
working to get community in-
year.
volvement with his projects,
especially from the teenagers in
the area. Like many rural com-
munities the population of Han-
cock County, TN has been re-
duced tremendously in recent
3
Elliott and Gross
long. Her travels allowed her to
It was at EKU's Corbin
Honored
live in a variety places. For
campus, where she attends
instance, she lived in Spain for
classes and works, that Mona
by Laura Duncan
three years, and while she did
heard about Americorps. She
learn some Spanish there, she
saw flyers and posters sent to
While attending the
says she has forgotten most of
EKU by KCEOC. She picked
training session in Lexington,
it.
up an application for the U.S.
Kentucky, Americorps members
Mona is first and fore-
Dept. of Labor's Americorps
recognized the contribution of
most a mother. Her daughters,
scheduled to start in early 1995
Louis Elliott, coordinator of the
she says, are the most influential
and filled it out. When Gail
KY RECD Americorps team,
people in her life. She spends a
Fee unexpectedly had to resign
and Vickie Gross, RECD Hu-
great deal of time with her chil-
her Americorps position in
man Resource Manager. Vickie
dren going to church functions,
Barbourville, Mona's applica-
and her staff have assisted
festivals, bazaars, and the mov-
tion was reviewed, and she was
Americorps members with nu-
jes. One recent trip with her
asked to fill the vacant position.
merous personnel matters. Lou-
children was to St. Anne's
Mona likes her
is Elliott has been responsible
Convent, where Rain Man was
Americorps position because it
for finding, hiring, training and
filmed, near Covington, KY.
is the first job she has had
supervising Americorps partici-
Her goals for the future
which allows her to use her area
pants. The Americorps team
revolve around being a good
of expertise, sociology. She
especially appreciate the efforts
role model for her children.
also is excited about the fact
and patience of Mr. Elliott with
That is one reason that she de-
that Americorps offers a
developing and maintaining the
cided to return to school in
chance her to meet a wide range
KY RECD Americorps project.
1991. After graduating from
of people and assess how edu-
Americorps participant Tina
high school, Mona became a
cational and economic opportu-
Elza presented Ms. Gross and
wife and mother. It was two
nities will impact their lives.
Mr. Elliott tokens of esteem
children, a divorce, and several
Her work with
from Team Americorps.
years later that Mona enrolled in
Americorps also has gotten her
college classes at Eastern Ken-
involved with several commu-
tucky University. She expects
nity-based organizations and
Americorps Profile:
to graduate in December 1995
committees. She has attended
Mona Powell
with a major in sociology and a
meetings of the Enterprise Com-
major or minor in psychology.
munity Committee, the tourism
by Laura Duncan
She plans to eventually get a
commission, the solid waste
masters degree in sociology.
commission, and the Tri-County
Mona Powell has a mis-
Industrial Foundation since be-
sion. Her goal is to make Knox
coming an Americorps volun-
County a better place to be.
teer. She is also working with
Knox County has been an
an incentive program to attract
intrical part of Mona's past, and
new businesses to Knox County.
she wants to be part of the
Mona thinks that the
county's future. After all, Mona
Americorps program has tre-
has lived in Corbin for the last
mendous potential, and although
twenty years and her daughters
she is new to the program, she
(ages 12 and 6) are growing up
feels that she can make a differ-
there. Mona was actually born
ence in Knox County. That's
in Louisville, but like most chil-
her dream. And Americorps
dren in military families, she
Mona Powell, Americorps
gives her a chance to accom-
had to move a great deal and
member, at work in her office
plish it.
never attended one school very
!
A Helping Hand
er, healthier place to live.
What is the Internet?
by Tina Elza
Due to Ms. Jasper's con-
The internet is a network
dition, she was unable to come
linking thousands of computers
into the office to fill out the
throughout the world, many of
necessary paperwork. When
them located in academic and
she returned home from the hos-
research institutes. It is used to
pital, I went out to her home to
obtain an infinite amount of
fill out the paperwork and col-
information, most if it critical to
lect the documentation needed
any business. You can get and
to process the loan.
send e-mail, access databases,
Once back at the office,
and download files. To get full
Mr. Crockett and I along with
access, you should contact a
Americorps member, Tina
Ms. Ramsey took the steps nec-
provider service. Digital Ex-
Elza, providing Ms. Jasper a
essary to process the loan. We
press Group (301-220-2020),
helping hand with a 504 loan
were able to get the funding to
NetCom (408-554-8649), and
build a bathroom and install a
application
Panix (718-832-1525) all pro-
septic tank at Ms. Jasper's resi-
vide a direct link to the internet.
dence.
A few weeks ago, I re-
The costs for using these servic-
ceived a call from a social
Ms. Jasper was very
es vary, but $10-$20 per month
worker at St. Joseph's hospital
happy that she was going to get
is an average rate. In addition,
in Lexington. She had called an
her home repaired. She was
you must pay long distance
amazed that someone would
area development center in
charges for dialing the access
Pulaski County that I had con-
actually come out to her home
number. Normal long distance
tacted as part of my outreach.
and do the paperwork for her.
rates apply for each minute that
At the center, she was told
She just couldn't say enough
you are connected to the
good things about Americorps
internet. There are 20-30 mil-
about Americorps and FmHA
and FmHA. The fact that I was
504 loans. Once this social
lion active internet users, grow-
worker explained how she had
able to help Ms. Jasper made
ing 160,000 per month.
me realize that as an
found out about the program,
she began to tell me about Ms.
Americorps participant I have
the opportunity to make a real
What you need
Jasper.
Ms. Jasper is a 77-year
difference in my community.
At a minimum, you will
need a computer with a modem,
old woman who lives alone, has
never been married, and has no
a phone line, and either online
Get Yourself
software (provided by your
living relatives other than an
online service, and usually free
elderly sister. Ms. Jasper had
Connected: Getting
of charge when you subscribe),
fallen and broken her hip. As a
result, she would have to learn
Started
or basic communications soft-
ware (Qmodem, ProCom, and
to walk all over again.
by Laura Duncan
Terminal for Windows for
Ms. Jasper had no indoor
plumbing and needed a bath-
This is the
Workgroups 3.11).
room installed desperately. Af-
first, I hope,
ter I received the call, I went
in a series of
articles about
Online Services
out with the Assistant County
Supervisor, Gary Crockett, to
accessing the
One of the most com-
make an inspection, and he de-
internet. As I find out more
mon ways of accessing the
termined that this was a case
about the process of gleaming
internet is by using one of the
information from the internet,
available online services. The
that needed immediate attention
I'll let you know.
Please see CONNECTED, p. 6
to ensure Ms. Jasper had a saf-
5
CONNECTED (continued)
Dedication
four best online service internet
providers are America Online
DEADLINE
(AOL),
Compuserve, Delphi,
I would like to dedicate this
and GEnie. In addition to
first issue of The Americorps
monthly membership charges,
Newsletter to all those who
which range from $10-$20 per
have made the program
month, some online services
possible, the Americorps site
charge an hourly rate for
supervisors, and those who
internet use. All of these online
helped with our training:
services are accessible by mo-
dem using a local access num-
Thomas Fern
ber. Unfortunately, in rural
Louis Elliott
areas the local access number is
Vickie Gross
All materials for the
provided from a larger calling
Denver Parks
area, and therefore, some long
Linda Chadwell
Junuary edition of the
distance charges may apply.
Don Johnson
newsletter are due by
You can call the numbers listed
Russ Thomason
December 23, 1994.
below to subscribe or inquire
Kenneth Arterburn
about local access numbers.
Jerry Valentine
Mail them to:
Jim Davenport
Helpful numbers
Kevin Antle
Laura Duncan
America Online: 800-827-6364
Gordon Davis
Compuserve: 800-848-8199
Paul Hall
Bell County Chamber of
Delphi: 800-695-4005
Jim Cass
Commerce
GEnie: 800-638-9636
Gale Edwards
P. 0. Box 788
DEG: 301-220-2020
Robert Dunn
Middlesboro, KY 40965
NetCom: 408-554-8649
Jerry Rickett
Panix: 718-832-1525
Roger Recktenwald
or fax them to:
Dallas Hargis
606-248-8851
Special Thanks to those who
helped me put this first edition
together.
After the deadline, you
Happy Birthday
will need to contact me at
Tina Elza
606-848-1431 to see
John Mills
where you need to fax or
Mona Powell
Gale Edwards
mail materials.
Steven Farmer
Mona Powell
October 30
Becky Davidson November 11
Tina Elza
December 24
6
808 438 2144
KRADD
003
Suggested Captions for Photo
SCHOOL-TO-WORK GRANT AWARDED - Governor Brereton Jones and
William Huston, secretary of Kentucky's Cabinet for Workforce Development,
recently presented school-to-work grants to local labor market areas across the
state. Representing Local Labor Market Area number # 18 , which received
a check for $ 180,000 , was/were
. The program is a
joint effort of business and industry, labor, education and government in the
area, and is designed to help students make a successful transition from school
to the workplace.
#
02/23/95 09:46 FAX 1 908 246 2358
SCS-NJ
001
NEW JERSEY AMERICORPS SITES
Site Manager
AmeriCorps Members
Duty Station
SI
County
Janice Reid
Marva Collier
Bridgewater
Somerset 1
Wendy Kresge
Bridgewater
Somerset/Morris/ 2
Hunterdon
Kimberly Nye
Bridgewater
Hunterdon
3
Doris Ignatow
Bridgewater
Monmouth
4
Kathy Leck
Bridgewater
Middlesex
5
Mary Barfield
Bridgewater
Monmouth/Mercer
6
Dan Jones
Scott Crimmel
Hackettstown
Warren-Sussex
7
Donna Symancek
Hackettstown
Warren-Sussex
Tom Servas
Hackettstown
8
Warren-Sussex
Gail Bartok
Don Donnelly
Flemington
Hunterdon/Sussex
9
Matthew Denberg
Flemington
Hunterdon/Sussex
Chris Markham
Flemington
Hunterdon/Sussex
Kent Hardmeyer
Dadma LaFrance
Morristown
Morris
Dave Gabourel
Morristown
Morris
Steve Kellman
Morristown
Morris
Leon Brooks
Brian Embley
Hamilton Square
Mercer/Somerset/
Monmouth
Laurie Goldstein
Hamilton Square
Mercer/Somerset/
Monmouth
Michelle Kubin
Hamilton Square
Mercer/Somerset/
Monmouth
Marie Larson
Hamilton Square
Mercer/Somerset/
Monmouth
Barbara Renk
Hamilton Square
Mercer/Somerset/
Monmouth
Ken Taaffe
Janel Decker
Mt. Holly
Burlington/
10
Camden/Ocean
11 R
Marybeth
Michele Bellinger
Mays Landing
Atlantic/Cape
Sorrentino
May
Reginald Easley
Mays Landing
Cape May
13
Linda Gray
Mays Landing
Cape May
Russell Holst
Mays Landing
Cape May
OPTIONAL FORM 99 (7-90)
FAX TRANSMITTAL
# of pages
To
Dee
Dept. USOH Agency INRCS
Phone # From Carlos Henning
908 246 1171
Fax 202 690 0639
Far# 908 246-2358
NSN 7540-01-317-7368
5099-101
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
JANUARY 1995
SUN.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SAT.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
10:00 ANYMONY H2ODIST
NEW
PAT BANEGAS/LOREN
YEAR'S
HOLIDAY
SCHOONOVER
DAY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
10:00am Mr6 1:00pm w/
PAT BENAGAS SCHOONOOD
4:30
3:00pm JERRY LUSAN
7:00pm CARALLO 4-H
8
HERE
9
10
ALBERT LYON 894-237511
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
1:00Pm
MARTIN LUTHER
10:00Am ROMERO about
9:00AM- Dioces /ASK FORCE
10:00AM 1100Am Swcoo PRISCILLA
KING, JR'S
Applications
16:00- 11:30Am SILVERCITY
BIRTHDAY
Senior CITREN'S CENTER
1:00pm
Chumbrino H2O
HOLIDAY
5:00pm HURLEY City Conncil
DISTRICT MING 15
16
6.00pm Centerl CITY Coll
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
10:30AM & PASO Co Office
Cluster MTG
12:15 GILA
SENIOR CITIZENS Mrs,
SALEM 5:00pm
2:00pm Colonia's TASKFORCE
fill Applications
22
23
24
4:00pm Meet w/LYNN Goinsteif 25
26
27
/RUBEN 28
of cor from SANTAFE
29
30
31
NOTES:
DECEMBER 1994
FEBRUARY 1995
S M T W T F S
S M T W T F S
10:00 ANTHONY H2O DIST
I 2 3
I 2 3 4
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
7 00pm HATCH w/c06
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
26 27 28
29
JERRY LUSAN 30
31
JANUARY 1995
7540-01-337-4701
OPTIONAL FORM 67
For 199 higr 7540-01-337-4702
QUALITY BEGINS WITH YOU
erly AD-300) 5067-124
Sepember 30, 1994
Used as a day without pay.
October 3, 1994
Today was our first reporting day. There are two
of us Americorps working here. Paula Montez and Susan
Burns. Paula is age 20, happily married to Martin and
has a 3 year old son Joshua; Paula is origionally from
Las Cruces, but has just moved back from Washington
state. Susan is 25, single and has a brother who lives
in New Mexico named Stan; Susan is from Kansas and has
just moved here too.
Today we met the office personel: Georgia Perry
is the County Superivisor, Lynn Muncy is the Assistant
County Supervisor, and Linda Ledesma is also an
Assistant County Supervisor, Liz Duran is the clerk as
well as the office supervisor, Paula Massey is the
office trainee and only works on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
Our first project was to become familar with the
FmHA programs. To accomplish this we began by reading
the regulations. This took all of the day. We also
observed how the office worked.
October 4, 1994
Today we worked on copying various pamphlets in
preparation for a Colonias Task Force Meeting this
afternoon.
The task force meeting was held at the library.
We met Clyde Hudson at the meeting, he is in charge of
Multi-Family housing and is the Assistant District
Director.
At the meeting we obtained a list of task force
members that we can use as contacts. Not much seemed
to be accomplished during this meeting, it seemed as
that everyone was more concerned about what each other
was doing instead of concentraiting on helping the
people of the colonias.
October 6, 1994
Today we read some more on the regulations and
toured the southern portion of Dona Ana county.
We went Mesquite, Vado, Mesilla, La Mesa, Anthony,
and Sunland Park. We learned that it is really pretty
easy to distinguish a FmHA, because they are all about
the same style and size.
October 7, 1994
Spent the whole day reading pamphlets and
regulations and asking questions.
October 11, 1994
Today Ana Rodriguez started. She is 27, has a
degree in acounting and is originally from Sunland
Park.
In the afternoon all three of us went with Linda
and Lynn to do a framing inspection of the group of
self-help housing that is being built.
The framing inspection takes place after the
footing inspection. This consists of looking at the
walls, studs, plumbing, electricity, and roof to make
sure they are up to FmHA standards. We were taught
about hurricane straps, and FmHA straps. We were shown
how to check to see if the studs were straight. We
also learned about metal spacers in the roof. We also
learned that at this stage you must check to make sure
the windows were installed correctly so taht they open
and close and of course are level. We were also told
to check to make sure that there was insulation behind
the tub/shower and also in the corners. Linda and Lynn
explained to us that there were city inspectors who
checked the plumbing and the electrical wiring so all
we have to look for is the inspection stickers.
October 13, 1994
Today we worked on learning the 8 position docket
and the filing system.
We also have not recieved a health care card and
Paula has not recieved anything on the child care
allotment. We called 1-800-94-ACORP we talked with a
gentleman who promished that someone would return our
call within 48 hours.
October 17, 1994
Today Paula had to attend a funeral so she was
gone all day.
I went with Paula Massey to do a chattle check on
three different borrowers. This took us all day,
partially because the maps we had were 30+ years old
and the names of the roads had changed or new roads had
been added. Upon returning we requested that some new
maps be purchased. Quote of the day "All roads lead to
Snow Road. =
October 18, 1994
Today we went with Georgia and looked around the
Las Cruces area at FmHA houses.
Today we also called the Americorps at 1-800-94-
ACORP from the District Office, because we had not
recieved a call within the 48 hours as promised. This
time all three of us spoke with the enumerator and
again we were promised a call within 48 hours.
October 24, 1994
Kimberly Barnes-O'Connor called at 8:30 this
morning. She said that she was working on trying to
find someone who would or could answer our questions.
She asked us to write a letter and send it to her in
care of Nancy Kassebaum in Washington D. C. as soon as
we could. After hanging up we quickly drafted a letter
and sent it off during our lunch.
October 25, 1994
Today there was a sale of a house that we had
forclosed on. We were told that nobody but FmHA
usually showed up, but today there were 4 other bidders
there and the house was sold for $8500.00 which was
several hundred dollars over what our bid was.
October 26, 1994
Today we had housing with Georgia. This is a time
when Georgia clears her day and reserves it just for an
in depth study. This time the consentration of the
study was on the rural housing part of FmHA. This took
all day, but it was worth it we really learned a ton.
We also made plans to make a video tape that would
be both educational and could be used for outreach. We
had been talking about making a video so we asked
Georgia about it; she said it sounded like a tremendous
idea and that we could begin working on it when ever we
wanted to. We decieded to begin it the next day, by
going out and taking some video of the self helpers,
and some acceptable and unacceptable lots, some recent
and older FmHA houses, etc.
October 27, 1994
Today we spent all day out working on our filming.
We went to Mesquite, Anthony, Vado, La Mesa, Mesilla
and all around Sunland Park.
Upon returning to the office we were told that a
gentleman from Americorp had called to talk to us, and
that he would call back at 8:00 the next morning.
October 28, 1994
We arrived early expecting a call we waited and
waited. While we waited we worked on the never ending
pile of filings. Finally Mr. David Gibson from the
Agriculture Department of the Americorp called. The
call came through at around 11:00 which was 3 hours
later than he had said. He asked what our complaints
were so we explained to him about the child care, the
insurance, the educational award, and about the
misleading pamphlets. He then said he would be here in
person on the following Tuesday. He said he would
catch a plane and fly into El Paso and then drive up
here.
We told Georgia of his planned arrival. Then we
called Ana and told her and asked her to pass it on to
Clyde and Mr. Martinez. Then we called John Thomas's
office in Albuquerque to tell him, but we were told he
was not there and would be away on annual leave all of
the following week.
October 31, 1994
Today we had to go to inspect the self-help for
the insulation inspection. At 9:00am a Jim Coyle from
Washington D.C. called to tell us that David Gibson's
plane would be landing at 11:00am. We had already made
plans for the inspection so we tried to make it back
before he arrived. We didn't make it. When we arrived
he was sitting chatting with Liz. We sat here for the
next hour and made plans to go to dinner with him.
Paula said that she wouldn't be able to attend because
tonight is Halloween and she had a birthday party for
her aunt that she had already made plans to attend and
afterward she had promised to take her little boy trick
or treating.
Last night Ana and I went to dinner with David
Gibson. He explained to us the chain of command of the
Americorp and he also told us that we should be
recieving $12500.00 for the year. He basically swore
that we should be recieving that amount. We also made
plans to go to Demming and meet with the Americorp
members there the next day.
November 1, 1994
Today we left at 8:00am to go to Demming. At
Demming we met Laurence and Lourdes. We first met in
and wrote down what questions we had. Then we had a
conference call with a gentleman named Ron Demunbrun in
Washington D.C., his answer to our educational grant
was that if we would not use it for 5 years then they
would have everything settled. We told him that, that
was not feasable, we wanted to use the award as soon as
we recieved it to pay off some of the principle on our
loans. He told us that we must be the exception
because all the rest of the americorps would use this
award for future costs of college. Which really seemed
odd to us because Mr. Gibson had just explained to us
that the reason we were recieving more than $9000 was
because we had all gone to college. Later on that
afternoon Mr. Gibson told us that we were only suppose
to get $12000.00 for the year.
This day was a day of contridictions. Not only
did David Gibson contradict himself, but also Mr.
Demunbrun also contradicted Mr. Gibson. When asked by
Georgia if we had learned any answers today we said NO.
*note we audio taped the entire meeting at Demming*
November 2, 1994
Today Mr. Gibson met with Georgia and Clyde. We
think that instead of meeting with us seperately he
should have met with all of us together, We mean that
we tell Georgia everything and she tells us what they
discussed. It seemed that this way we would be able to
tell each group something else.
November 3, 1994
Today we worked on making copies for the
Disability program we are presenting on November 9
which is next Thurday. We made packets and started on
the lessons.
November 7, 1994
Today we finished our speeches and worked on
filing again. We also tried calling and making some
more dates to give the program. We stuck out, Mrs.
Castinetas of Tombaugh was the only one who seemed to
be interested.
November 8, 1994
Worked on filing and dockets all day. We really
would like to go out and do some filming soon.
Last night we were at Ana's for about 2 1/2 hours
we went over that speeches first and then put the
lessons together with the video.
November 9, 1994
Today we left our office at 7:45am and picked Ana
up at the district office and drove across town to
Tombaugh Elementary School arriving there at :10am.
We talked to 3 different groups of 5th graders. Each
group consisted of 2 classes which made for groups of
35 to 50 kids each. By the end of the last group we
could give our speeches from memory and recite the
dialog to the entire video. We presented each class a
poster about Disability awarness month. At the end of
the day we gave the video and lesson booklet to Mrs.
Castinetas she said that she would be interested in any
other programs that we had to offer.
We had a great day today. We think that the kids
really enjoyed our presentation and we enjoyed
presenting it.
November 14, 1994
Today we went farming with Georgia. This is
another one of those in depth study sessions this took
most of the day. The rest of the day we spent calling
4-H leaders and FFA leaders trying to set up some
outreach.
November 15, 1994
Today Paula had paid leave this morning. Also
this morning was a Farmer Program Training presented by
a genlteman from Oregon and one from Idaho. *everyone
in the district was here. It lasted all day.
November 16, 1994
Today Eric from the state office lead a guaranteed
rural housing training. This lasted from 9:00 til
lunch. This meeting was intended to be for lenders,
but there were realitors, and contractors also present.
The rest of the day we talked with Eric about the
Water and Waste Disposal Grants for colonias.
November 18, 1994
Spent the entire day preparing for the Colonias
Task Force sponsored meeting in Hatch on Monday at
6:00pm.
We designed a pamphlet about Water and Waste
Disposal Grants. Eric and Gil G. had told us that
there was not a pamphlet. We also wrote our speech in
English and Spanish.
November 21, 1994
Today we finished getting ready for the
presentation that we put on at Hatch. We made copies
of appropiate pamphlets.
November 22, 1994
Last night we went to Hatch for a Colonia meeting.
We presented a 10 minute program and were overwellemed
by the reaponse that we recieved. We gave out all of
the pamphlets, applications, and business cards we had
brought with us. This was a good meeting, we made
several good contacts with water district leaders and
colonias leaders.
Today we had a suprise baby shower for Georgia at
lunch, the district office came over too.
November 23, 1994
Today we listened to a Conference call from the
State Director. This lasted for over an hour. The
call pertained to the reorganization but no questions
really were answered.
November 27, 1994
We are leaving today to drive to Albuquerque
tonight and then on to Mancos, CO for a three day
meeting with other Americorp Members.
November 28-30, 1994
Attended Meeting in Mancos, CO. Learned alot
about team building. We seemed to be the only ones who
had been on board for a while. We also gave a speech
about what types of outreach we have been doing. John
Thomas also looked through our docket and kept a copy
of our journal. We arrived back in Las Cruces at
2:00pm. Washed Gil's Truck and returned it to Gil at
the District Office. Gil also mentioned that a lady,
Laraine Clements from Temple, Texas will be in El Paso
on Monday and would like to meet with us at 1:00pm in
the El Paso County Office.
December 1, 1994
Today we returned calls. Arnold Wilson from
Grants wanted a copy of our action plan faxed to him so
we did that. We read all of the thank you notes from
Tombaugh Elementary school and copied them and sent
them to the State Office.
December 2, 1994
Today we called the El Paso County Office to find
out directions to get to their office.
December 5, 1994
Today we left at 10:30 to travel to the El Paso
County office to meet with Loraine Clements. At the
meeting we met 2 more AmeriCorps members from El Paso.
The meeting was very informal we just talked about what
we were doing and about the inforamation we had been
recieving on Americorps. We returned to Las Cruces at
5:00pm.
December 6, 1994
Today we made application packets and made copies
of pamphlets. We also set up an appointment to meet
with Clyde to learn about his programs.
December 8, 1994
Martinez came over and talked with the office
staff about the reorganization. At 1:30pm we went to
the District Office and met with Clyde. He gave us
several hand outs and told us a lot of information on
watersystem programs. We returned tot he office at
4:30.
December 12, 1994
Today we worked on filing and also setting up
suspense dockets. We also tried to contact people
about seting up some meetings. I talked with Albert
Lyon the Extension Agent for Sierra County. He said
that he would talk to some 4-H clubs and get back to
us.
December 13, 1994
Today we had an Americorp meeting in our meeting
room. The meeting was called by Clyde. Dave, Lourdes
and Lawrence from Deming, Jess Garcia and two of his
Americorps members, Clyde and Ana, Danny Asbill from
the state office, and of course Linda and ourselves.
The meeting was mainly about the Water and Waste
Disposal Grants, and the Home Repair and Improvement
Loan Grants. We were again told that there was 2
million dollars available for people in colonias for
water and waste disposal. We were also informed that
there was no grant money available in the 504 so to
really push the loans. We were again asked to tell
what we had been doing so we said that we had done the
same things as last time. The people from El Paso
talked about the outreach they had been doing by
working with Toys For Tots. They also told about a car
show that they are co-sponsoring to raise toys for kids
in colonias. The people from Deming and Ana from the
District Office had still have not done much in the
way of outreach.
December 14, 1994
Worked on setting up meetings. We gave Ana 1/2 of
the names and numbers that we had she managed to get in
touch with Hanover. The Hanover water system is having
a meeting on Friday the 16th. I tried to get in
contact with Leon Romero from the New Mexico Rural
Water Association but he was not in the office so I
eft a message. At about 2:30pm Ana called to say that
she had set up a meeting in Hanover for Friday at
11:00am. At 3:00pm Mr. Romero called from the
District Office to tell me that there was a Water
Association meeting in Hanover on Friday. So since we
were told twice I think that we will attend. We agreed
to meet Mr. Romero at the Central City Hall at 10:30am
on 12/16/94.
December 15, 1994
Today at 9:30am we met wtih Fred Varney from GSA.
He talked to us about the use of government cars. We
also learned what to do and who to call incase of an
accident or in case of a break down. We finished up at
about 11:00am.
12/15/94
17:24
402 437 5327
SCS NE STATE OFC
7
United States
Natural
Federal Building, Room 152
Department of
Resources
100 Centennial Mall North
Agriculture
Conservation
Lincoln, NE 68508-3866
Service
Subject:
PER - First Quarter AmeriCorps Report
Date:
December 15, 1994
To:
Lloyd E. Wright
File Code:
360
Director
Community Assistance and Resource Development
Below is the first quarter AmeriCorps report from Nebraska:
1. NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE TIME OF THE LAUNCH (09/12/94))
10 members of 20 total enrolled by 09/12/94
2. NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE END OF THE QUARTER (11/30/94)
18 members of 20 total enrolled by 11/30/94
3. TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE PERFORMED
Omaha
1,250
Lincoln
800
Tecumseh
1,650
Norfolk
300
TOTAL HOURS
4,000
4. TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING:
Omaha
80
Lincoln
300
Tecumseh
300
Norfolk
50
TOTAL HOURS
730
The Natural Resources Conservation Service,
formerly the Soil Conservation Service,
is an agency of the
United States Department of Agriculture
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
12/15/94
17:24
402 437 5327
SCS NE STATE OFC
7
Lloyd E. Wright
2
December 15, 1994
5. PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Omaha: AmeriCorps members will present resource conservation and flood plain
management to eight local communities in areas of the 1993 flood. Members will
coordinate public work projects in eight communities to do maintenance in water
courses and to promote flood plain management techniques.
Members have not made any public presentations to community groups. They have
been very active in local conservation/recreation area improvements and
maintenance at nine different sites.
Lincoln: AmeriCorps members will gather biological data for resource inventories and
assist in developing environmental and cultural resource assessment reports to
present at six community meetings in the Rock Creek and Nemaha watersheds
impacted by the 1993 floods. Member will coordinate community based clean-up
activities in six water course or public access areas.
Members have carried out a historical/cultural inventory and assessment of locally
significant homes in Lincoln normal neighborhood. Members have not made any
public presentations to community groups. They have been very active in local
recreation area improvements and maintenance at two different sites.
Tecumseh: AmeriCorps members will prepare natural resource inventory reports to
present natural resource inventory reports to present at six community meetings in
the Nemaha Watershed impacted by the 1993 floods. Members will coordinate
community based environmental clean-up activities in public access areas in six
communities.
Members have not made any public presentations to community groups. They have
been very active in local conservation clean-up and area improvements and
maintenance at three different sites. They are assisting a new 'bio-engineering'
project with the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Norfolk: AmeriCorps members will identify target audiences in nine rural
communities and present information on resource treatment of soil erosion and
sedimentation, riparian area protection, and water quality protection. Members will
organize and coordinate community work projects in nine communities to do water
course clean-up.
This team is still in start-up phase with only three of the five members on board.
Members have not made any public presentations to community groups. They have
been active in local conservation/recreation area improvements and maintenance at
two different sites.
12/15/94
17:25
402 437 5327
SCS NE STATE OFC
E 1000/000
Lloyd E. Wright
3
December 15, 1994
6. PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Omaha:
A. 400 acres of boundary marker (BIA Winnebago Tribe)
B. 160 acres of timber marking (BIA Winnebago Tribe)
C. 3 recreation trails designed for Resources District
D. Recreation Trails mulched and maintained - Chalco
E. Public recreation and access area improvements
1. Zorinsky Lake
2. North Omaha Freeway
3. Orchard Park
4. Elkhorn River
F. Conservation practice application
1. Omaha area
2. Fremont area
G. Heron Haven - Urban wetland clean-up - Audoban
H. "Cans for Corps" - started recycling project
I. Groundwater level monitoring - NRCS
J. Outdoor conservation class - Christ King Omaha
K. Outdoor demonstration farm - Gretna
Lincoln:
A. Revitalization of Lincoln Normal historical preservation project
B. Recreation trail improvements - MoPac
C. Signage on MoPac trail - 20 miles
D. Conservation practice assistance - urban areas
E. Public promotion on Shop SMART (Saving Money and Reducing Trash)
F. Developing education program to promote recycling
G. Coordinating on developing 3 recycling drop-offs
Tecumseh:
A. Assisted the National Arbor Day Foundation in the assessment and debris
removal from South Table Creek in Nebraska City. (Chief Johnson and Joel
Berg were at the site). Removal has been accomplished on about 1/2 of the
29 sites damaged in the 1993 floods.
B. Coordinated with the Nemaha NRD in the inspection and maintenance report
of flood control structures and public recreation areas impacted by the 1993
floods.
C. Provided support for communities in accomplishing their goals for historical
preservation of cultural resource sites. At Brownville, the team carried out
maintenance and improvement of the Captain Bailey Museum in the historical
district and on the National Landmark Merriweather Lewis Dredge at a
recreation area. About 1/4 of both projects are complete.
12/15/94 17:25
402 437 5327
SCS NE STATE OFC
004/000
Lloyd E. Wright
4
December 15, 1994
Norfolk:
A. Recreation and conservation maintenance in Lower Elkhorn River area
B. Maintenance and improvements at Willow Creek State Recreation area
C. Recreation and conservation maintenance Norfolk public parks area
D. Promotional assistance to "Keep Norfolk Beautiful" public project
E. Making contacts to assist Stanton County Roads Department to assist on
conservation measures to control critical area of erosion and sedimentation
7. PROJECTED OUTCOMES FOR NEXT QUARTER
Plan to have all teams concentrate on achieving about 40% of community service
goals related to relief efforts of the 1993 floods. (See Community Service
Objectives)
8. PRIMARY CHALLENGES
Promoting the mission of AmeriCorps: Need to be better able to explain how the
AmeriCorps mission compliments the NRCS mission in Nebraska. Many people feel
that the AmeriCorps program should be designed to assist NRCS in carrying out
its'mission of providing technical assistance to land users in the planning and
application of conservation systems. The missions of both NRCS and AmeriCorps
need to be publicized, promoted, and clarified both internally and externally.
RECOMMENDATION:
A regional workshop with Midwest states AmeriCorps program directors and staff
from USDA and NRCS should be scheduled. It would be best to do this now in
order to review initial progress and problems in FY 95, and to discuss program
direction before FY 96 AmeriCorps project proposais are developed.
Direct Supervision Problems: Our AmeriCorps project site managers for the NRCS in
Nebraska are field office liaison district conservationists (LDCs). They are very
challenged with existing workloads and time constraints that intereferes with
effectively supervising and directing the AmeriCorps teams on a day-by-day basis.
RECOMMENDATION:
Nebraska NRCS will discuss the possibility of identifying a staff person on each of
the LDC project manager's staffs to provide direction and guidance to AmeriCorps
teams on a day-by-day basis.
12/15/94
17:25
402 437 5327
SCS NE STATE OFC
5
005/006
Lloyd E. Wright
5
December 15, 1994
Team Problems and Member Attrition: All of the teams have had some problems in
member relations, taking direction, acting professional, and acting courteous and
well mannered. This is a somewhat diverse group and getting them to accept each
other to achieve our goals has been difficult. We have lost 4 members due to
resignation in the Nebraska program. We have had problems with team members
getting along with each other, and problems between the crew leaders and team
members.
RECOMMENDATION:
We will need to continually coach the AmeriCorps members on the positive aspects
of doing community service work, on team building, and on professional manners.
Child care and benefits: It has been difficult to accommodate all of the individuals
needs for child care and to meet the members' expectations for this benefit.
Problems with the income guidelines, certified care providers, and non-work days
have been difficult to overcome.
RECOMMENDATION:
In hindsight, it may have been a mistake to become involved administratively with
individuals income, choice of day care providers, and other problems.
AmeriCorps Supplies: We need to provide the AmeriCorps members with their T-
shirts, a sweatshirt, and cold weather clothing if we want them to maintain the
program identity and look like a team. We received the T-shirts in September, but
we need more in Large and X-Large sizes. The members would also like buttons,
pins, and other program identification items.
9. PRIMARY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS
As mentioned earlier, it would be advisable to organize a regional workshop with
Midwest states AmeriCorps program directors and staff from USDA and NRCS. It
would be best to do this now in order to review initial progress and problems in FY
95, and to discuss program direction before FY 96 AmeriCorps project proposals are
developed.
17:26
$402 437 5327
SCS NE STATE OFC
0.1 006/006
Lloyd E. Wright
6
December 15, 1994
10. MEDIA COVERAGE
All of the Nebraska media articles have been sent to NHQ as they were published in
our local papers.
11. OTHER CREATIVE DOCUMENTATION
We sent to USDA a video of Joel Berg at Nebraska City and Omaha that was
featured on local TV.
I hope that this information will assist your efforts to administer the AmeriCorps
program. Please contact Craig Derickson, Nebraska Project Director, at 402/437-
5878, if you have questions or need additional information.
Kennet Name
RONALD E. MORELAND
Acting
State Conservationist
CC:
Craig R. Derickson, Project Director, GenAd, NRCS, Lincoln so
Service* Corps
AmeriCorps/USDA Quarterly Report #1
DC Service Corps
1)
Progress toward meeting community service objectives
a)
Objective #1: Community outreach. Meet the information and
referral needs of Washington, DC's low-income population through
door-to-door, school-based and on-the-street distribution of
informational flyers, phone banking, and person to person
assistance.
Accomplishments:
Produced and distributed 20 posters on immunization and
the location of WIC express clinics
Distributed 300 informational flyers on immunizations
for children and WIC express clinics
Made 150 reminder telephone calls to parents regarding
immunizations for their children
Assisted 200 senior citizens in filling out food stamp
applications
Distributed 500 flyers on the School Breakfast Program
(SBP)
b)
Objective #2: Homelessness Assistance. Assist the Homeless
in meeting their nutritional needs.
Accomplishments:
Sorted over 70,000 pounds of food for a regional food
bank
Assisted in the mailing of over 7,000 fundraising
letters for the food bank
Served over 1,000 people in direct service at soup
kitchens
Cooked and prepared meals for over 6,000 people at DC
Central Kitchen
2)
Number of members enrolled at end of quarter VS. number who
enrolled at the time of the launch
12/7
Service* Corps
AmeriCorps/USDA Quarterly Report #1
DC Service Corps
3)
Total numbers of direct service performed and total number
of hours in training
2526/632
4)
Any major staff or structural changes you have made.
Our Executive Director, Keith Canty, resigned on November
18, 1994. We expect to fill his position by January 30, 1995.
5)
Primary accomplishments
At the outset of the program, we held a week-long orientation in
the Virginia wilderness. Corpsmembers participated in team-
building exercises (physical and intellectual), group
discussions, and direct service projects. In addition, they took
part in numerous workshops, including those on program rules,
teamwork, diversity, leadership, and community.
In the following weeks, the USDA team worked with and learned
about the variety of organizations which are involved in hunger-
related work, including the Capital Area Community Food Bank, DC
Hunger Action, DC Central Kitchen, Save Our Strength (SOS), So
Others May Eat (SOME), Martha's Table, the Children's Defense
Fund and Bread for the City. In their service days with the
Capital Area Community Food Bank, Corpsmembers assisted in a
holiday fundraising mailing, they sorted and stacked food, and
they assisted in its delivery to local soup kitchens and
religious agencies. In a one-day trip organized through the Food
Bank, the Corpsmembers also had a chance to compost and to plant
fruits and vegetables on an organic farm. Working with SOME and
DC Central Kitchen, the Corpsmembers learned how to both prepare
and serve food to people in need.
DC Service* Corps
AmeriCorps/USDA Quarterly Report #1
DC Service Corps
Of the first quarter, the most successful service project by far
was the food stamp assistance project led by DC Hunger Action.
After receiving training on how to fill out food stamp
applications, we spent our Wednesdays visiting elderly housing
complexes working with the Senior Citizens in that respect. The
Corpsmembers found that this work was especially positive. The
direct interaction with the Seniors has been described as
"enlightening," "inspirational," and "informative." The team
continues to look forward to the day of the week set aside for
this project.
6)
Primary challenges
Full funding for our program has not been forthcoming. This
has dampened morale since staff members have missed paychecks,
the purchase of uniforms has been delayed, and building upkeep
and supplies have not been adequate.
Most challenging, however, is a lack of pre-planned service
projects. As a result, the team's schedule has changed week to
week, and sometimes day to day. This has, in the past, had an
effect on their expectations of this year. In the future,
however, we expect that these problems will dissipate as staff
works on putting long term programs into place.
7)
Primary training and technical assistance need
The Corpsmembers knowledge of nutrition is limited, and they
could use some additional training in this respect, i.e. meeting
regularly with a nutritionist. Furthermore, they could utilize
materials on nutrition and the problems of hunger in America in
order to educate themselves as well as to assist them in their
presentations to children and elders. For example, videos,
periodicals, reports, brochures, and examples of successful
lesson plans would be desirable.
8)
Media coverage
There has been no media coverage this quarter.
DC*Service* Corps
AmeriCorps/USDA Quarterly Report #1
DC Service Corps
9)
Other documentation
We have attached a copy of a brochure the Corpsmembers
created. In it, they announce and briefly describe the nutrition
education programs they present to elementary schools.
January 23, 1995
Mr. Joel Berg
Director of National Service
USDA/Office of Communications
Room 542-A Administration Building
Washington, D.C. 20250-1300
Dear Mr. Berg:
Here are the items that you requested. We are only
enclosing the main parts of our journal. We are also
enclosing a copy of the quarterly report we sent to the New
Mexico State Director, a copy of our January calendar, and
copies of two letters that we have received from agencies
that we are working with. We would like to thank you for
taking time out of your schedule to call us. If you have
any further questions or suggestions please contact us
directly.
Sincerely,
PaulaJ. Montez
Paula J. Montez &
2507 N. Telshor Suite 3C
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(505) 522-6031
(505) 521-3905 fax
Quarterly Summary of AmeriCorp Outreach
October 3, 1994 was the first day that we as AmeriCorps
reported to work. Our first outreach was on October 4, 1994
when we attended a Colonias Task Force meeting held at the
Branigan Memorial Library here in Las Cruces. The meeting
was attended by 27 individuals representing many different
colonias concerns. At this meeting the we made contacts
with many people that we will be working in cooperation
with. This meeting lasted from 2:00pm to 4:30pm.
On November 9, 1994 we met with Ana Rodriguez from the
District Office and went over our presentation of a
Disability Awarness Program which we would be presenting the
next day at Tombaugh Elementary. This took us about three
hours to refine it enough that we felt comfortable with the
program.
On November 10, 1994 we arrived at Tombaugh Elementary
School at 8:00am. We met with 3 different groups that
consisted of 2 fifth grade classes each. By the end of the
school day we had met with about 150 students. We arrived
back at the office at about 3:00pm.
Our next outreach was done on November 21, 1994. For
this outreach we traveled to Hatch, NM for a meeting for
colonias in cooperation with the Border Research Institute.
The meeting began at 6:00pm. There were approximately 40
people in attendance. Many of these people were residents
of colonias. We did meet several people that could help us
with our outreach there. We had taken 30 applications with
us that we had marked with a hilighter so as to identify
them as application that had been generated by our efforts.
At this meeting we gave out all of our applications and most
of our pamphlet. The attendees were very interested in the
programs that were available through FmHA, and would like us
to return to their communities in January to help them fill
out the applications.
December 16, 1994 took me, Susan, to Hanover, NM which
is in Grant County. (we are covering Grant County since
there are no AmeriCorp members in the Silver City county
office). This meeting was prescheduled by Ana Rodriguez
from the list of contacts that we had given her. Ana and I
left at 8:15am to travel to Central, NM to meet with Leon
Romero whom I had previously met at the meeting in Hatch.
Mr. Romero is a technician for the New Mexico Rural Water
Association. We arrived in Central and met Mr. Romero and
was introduced to a Mrs. Priscilla Lucero who is a community
planner with the Southwest Council of Governments in Silver
City, NM and Mr. Marcos Parra also with the New Mexico Rural
Water Association. Then went to Hanover to attend the Water
District Meeting. This meeting started at 11:00am and
finished at approximately 12:45pm with only about 10 people
in attendance. We had lunch with Mr. Romero and Mrs. Lucero
where we discussed our programs. We were asked to attend a
water district meeting in Chamberino, NM the next day at
2:00pm. We arrived back in Las Cruces at about 4:45pm.
Also on December 16, 1994 Paula attended a Christmas
get together hosted by Tierra Del Sol. At this meeting she
made a few contacts.
On Saturday December 17, 1994 I, Susan, attended the
meeting in Chamberino, NM. The meeting began at 2:00pm. I
really didn't give a presentation at this meeting, the
people just wanted to ask me questions concerning our
programs. Also at this meeting I met Jerry Lujan who is on
the Council of Governments and also the leader of the
Colonias Task Force. This meeting lasted until 4:00pm.
There was only about 25 people present and a meeting was
scheduled on January 15, 1994 and I was asked if we would
attend that meeting also.
On December 19, 1994 we drove to Bayard to attend the
City Council meeting. We also had scheduled to meet with
Mrs. Priscilla Lucero at 4:00pm to discuss an contacts that
she might have that we could use to help in our outreach.
Mrs. Lucero was very helpful, she gave us many names and
phone numbers and even offered to personally introduce us to
them. At 5:00pm we attended the Bayard City Council
meeting. We gave our program and it was well received. The
council people said that they were very interested in
promoting our programs and would be in contact with us. We
left the meeting at 6:00pm and arrived back in Las Cruces at
8:00pm.
On December 27, 1994 we met Mr. Marcos Parra and Mr.
Leon Romero, both of the New Mexico Rural Water Association,
for lunch. During the meal we discussed what the purpose of
the Rural Water Association was and what our goals as
Americorps Members were. We developed some ideas on how we
could work with the New Mexico Rural Water Association to
reach our goals as well as helping them to reach theirs. We
also were promised a list of local Rural Water Association
contacts, as well as to be kept informed of any Rural Water
Association meetings in the area.
On December 29,1994, Mrs. Priscilla Lucero came to our
office to have a meeting with us. We invited Ana Rodriguez
to attend also. During this meeting we explained our
programs in depth to her and provided her with copies of the
procedures for the 306c and 504. This meeting lasted for
about 2 hours and then we went to lunch with Priscilla.
After lunch we went to the district office where we met
Clyde Hudson to drive to Deming to attend a status meeting
with the Village of Columbus. There were 8 people in
attendance, besides us there was Lourdes Vigueria an
Americorp Member in Deming, the Mayor and secretary of
Columbus, an engineer, and a lawyer. Clyde ran the meeting
and went over the letter of conditions to find out the
status of the various documents. This meeting lasted for
only and hour.
02/03/95
10:50
2026900639
COMM-ASSISTANCE
-
USDA NAT SER OFF
1
002
02/03/95 08:50
4107570887
SCS ANNAPOLIS MD *** COMM-ASSISTANCE
0 001
United States
Sol
John Hanson Business Center
Department of
Conservation
339 Burch's Frontage Road, Suite 301
Agriculture
Service
Assuspolis, Marykand 21401-5534
NUMBER OF PAGES BEING FAXED INCLUDING COVER:
5
TO:
Paula Cole Jones
DATE:
02/03/95
FAX NO:
202-690-0639
FROM: Linda Elben Odams
PHONE:
410-757-0861
FAX NO:
410-757-0687
/
New FY95 Proposal
(.8 Members)
2
1st Qt. Report.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
The Not Conservation Service
is an agency or the
Department of Agriculture
I) Other Creative Documentation:
Evaluation forms have been created for both Members and project sponsors. The
evaluation form for Members covers the basic information for each project such
as the objective, the location, the contact, the tools used, and the work
involved. It covers these areas so that each Member, who will receive a copy
of the completed form, can reMember the specifics of each project for resumes
and applications. It also covers how the Members feel about the project and
how much they got out of it for their future. For instance, Members evaluate
and record whether or not they were exposed to a new career field or to
anything that interested them as far as future studies. It also covers their
feelings on the logistical support, the safety precautions, the quality of the
work and the quantity of work.
The evaluation form for project sponsors will be included in a post-project
letter of appreciation for each sponsor. The letter will be a cover for the
evaluation that they will send back to us. The form asks about their
satisfaction with our work, our professionalism, and our attitude. It asks if
they liked us enough to recommend us to others, and to use us again.
Another document that has been created is a monthly newsletter for the San
Bernardino N.F. It has a standard format and is in the planning stages for a
third issue. Its primary function is to keep up good relations with our
internal publics on the forest that see us and work with us on many occasions.
A Member newsletter is now in the planning stages. It will be a conduit of
information from the staff to the Members. Anything they need to know about,
such as an upcoming training or anything they are interested in, such as
articles on some of their stated career directions, will fill the issues. Each
crew will know what the others are up to and also what is in store for them.
Hopefully, the Members will participate in it as well. Articles will be
solicited from the Members themselves on whatever they might want to
contribute.
Letterhead for our program has been developed. It has the national symbol for
AmeriCorps in the upper left hand corner. It is boxed in with lines that run
from the that corner to the right and to the bottom. It has "AmeriCorps"
written on the top above the line that goes to the right. It also has our
address and the Forest Service shield in the lower left margin. Our official
letters will be put on paper with this letterhead.
AMERICORPS/USDA QUARTERLY REPORT
Six Rivers National Forest
First Quarter Report
A) Number of Members enrolled at end of quarter vs. number who enrolled at the
time of launch:
25/23. Six Rivers successfully recruited 120 applicants for our project. From
this applicant pool we hired 25 Members. Our crew composition is composed of
54% women, 54% minority, and 4 % handicap. The ethnicity of the group
represents 24% Native American, 12% Asian, 8% Black, 12% Hispanic, and 44%
white. To date we have 23 Members, two Members have been released. One Member
was released for compelling personal reasons, the other Member was released
from the program for cause.
B) Total numbers of hours of direct service performed by Members and total
number of hours Members were in training:
To date enrollees have have performed 5466 hours of direct service and 1366
hours of training.
C) Any major staff or structural changes you have made:
To date we have made no major staff or structural changes. Our original
program format is working well with some minor adjustments. At the inception
of our program implementation, the Project Director worked with a recruiting
specialist to ensure that we obtained an applicant pool which was
representative of the general population and also to meet the objectives of our
recruitment plan which included targeting displaced timber worker families. As
noted in response A, we were able to recruit 120 applicants and meet our
recruitment plan objectives. Two weeks before the start of the program, we
hired a crew supervisor who had the requisite skills in order to lead and
direct a diverse group of AmeriCorps Members. This supervisor provides the
direction and supervision to the crew Members on all project work. In
accordance with our partnership arrangement, the College of the Redwoods
provides college level instruction and training during the course of project
work. AmeriCorps Members accumulate college level credit which leads to a
Natural Resource Conservation Technician Certificate. We also have an
assistant crew leader that is an AmeriCorps Member. This individual was
selected based on his ability to provide guidance and leadership in the
capacity of a crew leader. This Member is paid at higher pay rate in
accordance with AmeriCorps guidelines.
D) Progress towards meeting community service objectives:
In our original objectives we planned a strategy for community and economic
revitalization for our area by first developing a recruitment plan which
targeted the families of displaced timber workers. During the last few years
our locality has been economically depressed because of the decrease logging
activities which has resulted in a large unemployment rate for Humboldt,
Trinity, and Del Norte Counties. By being awarded an AmeriCorps grant we were
able to recruit family Members of displaced timber workers to be part of our
AmeriCorps project. Simultaneously we planned projects which support our
ecosystem management practices and to enhance opportunities for tourism and
recreation.
Fisheries - The projects which we have accomplished have given direct benefit
and will provide sustainable long term benefits to the communities. One of our
major projects was a fisheries/riparian/vegetation project on the Smith River.
XC
Our AmeriCorps crew went through an experiential learning exercise whereby they
received college credit for an anadromous fisheries class and completing the
class by working on on a fisheries project. Under the direction of Fish and
Wildlife Service and the Forest Fisheries Biologist, they installed 16 instream
structures (large woody debris and boulders) to restore critical salmon and
steelhead habitat in the Smith River. Approximately .5 mile of anadromous
fisheries habitat was rehabilitated. This project required labor intensive
activity to anchored these structures. The benefit to the community will
hopefully result in an increase of salmon population which will in turn
stimulate community and also help to protect the salmon species.
Reforestation - The crew completed a reforestation project consisting of 10
acres of an old gold mine "waste' area to restore riparian vegetation, increase
wildlife habitat, erosion control etc. on Red Cap Creek. This activity will
benefit the community by supporting ecosystem management and public service
conservation.
Trail maintenance - The AmeriCorps completed 3.5 miles of trail rehabilitation
on the Little Bald Hills Trail. This trail is a major trail which connects to
the Jedediah State Park. This trail is used by recreationists using all-terrain
vehicles, horseback and foot traffic.
Watershed - Collection and processing of 15,000 willow cuttings for propagation
at the USFS Nursery for future riparian revegetation projects.
Intern Projects - One of the AmeriCorps interns is working on water systems
evaluation, water quality monitoring, and facilities design. To date we now
have a contract prescription for Panther Flat Campground. This campground is
utilized by many tourists and local community Members. This work is of such
high priority but yet underfunded that this project would have not been done
for several years without the AmeriCorps Program.
Meetings have been held to obtain input from other branches of the Forest
Service as well as input from county school representatives.
County school representatives have been kept updated as to progress on the
program and their input is actively sought on different aspects of the
program
Advertisements for the programs available in January are being sent to
teachers in the local area.
In progress, AmeriCorps Members from other crews are being interviewed to
determine their ability to work well on the ed. team.
In progress, classes are being scheduled to review programs.
In progress, on going bi-monthly training sessions for Members and others
interested in environmental education and the forest.
F) Primary Challenges:
GSA2
Our biggest challenge is getting the Members where they need to go. Right now
we must continue to rent vans from a private company at an expensive rate. We
also must borrow vehicles from other agencies such as the BLM. These vehicles
must be returned on request when that agency needs them. The rental vans are
not equipped with four wheel drive, snow chains, or enough cargo capacity to
carry equipment needed to complete projects. Most of the equipment must be
brought up in a chase vehicle that is borrowed and in very high demand among
the crews.
Southern California is very dependent on individual vehicles. Our communities
are very spread out and our projects take us many miles in different
directions. We need our own vehicles. The GSA has not delivered the vehicles
we ordered months ago. We have made numerous attempts to get them to give us
our vehicles. No attempts have been successful to date.
Education Team
Office space for our environmental education teams has been hard to come
Conputer
by, we are still working on meeting our physical space requirements.
A personal computer is needed in order to make our handouts look
professional. Education Team Members will be required to create their own
programs which will entail handouts for teachers.
G) Primary training and technical assistance needs:
Crew Supervisors
Time management training (training scheduled for December 12)
Supervisory training (40 hour Basic Supervision scheduled for Feb 13)
Sexual Harassment Training (Planned, but not scheduled)
Gov't drivers license training (Planned, but not scheduled)
Computer CEO Training (Some training planned for week of Dec 12)
Personal Computer Training (Some training planned for week of Dec 12)
Chainsaw Training (Planned for Jan'95)
FIRST QUARTER AMERICORPS REPORT
RURAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM & ENVIRONMENTAL CORPS
(RDT)
(EC)
Location: Goldendale, Washington
Time Period: September 19 - November 30, 1994
1.) NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE TIME OF THE LAUNCH
RDT
EC
5
8
2.) NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER
RDT
EC
5
9
3.) TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE PERFORMED
RDT
EC
1,680 HRS
2,944 HRS
(A total of 336 hours of paid holiday time was used)
4.) TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING
RDT
EC
320 HRS
576 HRS
5.) PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Rural Development Team Objective #1
5 - Projects Planned, Designed
3 - Projects Completed
1 - Project Being Implemented
5 - Landowners Assisted
1 - Forest Fire Burned Area Treated
1.75 Miles - Stream Benefited
2 - Additional Projects Planned & Designed
New requests for assistance have increased 100% for this
time period as a direct result of highly visible AmeriCorps
projects being implemented.
TO: Lloyd E. Wright
Director
Community Assistance and
Resource Development Division
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Washington, DC
PLEASE NOTE:
The attached correspondence was previously sent to you via FAX on
December 15, 1994 by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, 3737 Government Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302.
01/05/95 08:13
202 205 1181
USDA FS ADM
1
004/005
United States
Forest
Peaks
5075 N Highway 89
Department of
Service
Ranger District
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Agriculture
602-526-0866
FAX 602-527-8288
File Code: 1830
Date: November 28, 1994
Americorp Program Manager
Gary Burden
Fort Huachuca
Sierra Vista, AZ
Dear Mr. Burden,
I wanted. to take this opportunity to tell you about our experience with the first
crews of the Americorp project. I assigned our Volunteer Coordinator, Sheri Fox
to working with the crews, and she kept me informed on their progress. Sheri was
extremely impressed with their ability to adapt to new situations, take on any
projects and complete them in a timely manor. In the short three weeks the crews
were on the Peaks Ranger District, they completed twenty-five chains of cable
fence, a quarter mile of barbed wire fence, approximately two and a half miles of
re-construction on aspen regeneration fencing, hand obliterated two miles of
road, 70 acres of thinning and slash piling, approximately 300 acres of burn
prep, plus some clean-up in a badly needed area. In addition to all their
efforts, we were able to give ten of the crew members two days of saw training
which allowed us to use them on the thinning project. These young people are to
be commended for their hard work and enthusiasm.
One suggestion I do have, we were able to give each crew some type of briefing or
history of the area they were working in, what each project was about, and why it
was important. They showed good interest and asked lots of questions. By doing
this I believe it gave them a sense of ownership in each project.
It is my understanding that the crews will be returning to Northern Arizona in
the spring. We are looking forward to working with them, and have already begun
lining out projects.
Sincerely
The Slum
for
CLYDE N. THOMPSON
s.fox
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
01/05/95 08:14
202 205 1181
USDA FS ADM
5
005/005
United States
Forest
Mormon Lake
4825 S. Lake Mary Rd
Department of
Service
Ranger District
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Agriculture
(602) 527-3650
Date: November 28,1994
Mr. Gary Burden
Program Manager
Team USDA Arizona-Americorps
Ft. Huachuca, Arizona
Dear Gary:
I would like to take this opportunity to express my feelings concerning my recent
involvement with the Americorps program. Since my introduction to human resource
programs in 1977 I've had many choice experiences. Characteristic of most
programs are hectic start-ups, varied projects, meaningful interpersonal
relationships with fine participants and a sense of sadness at good-byes. My
experience for the past two or three months has followed a similar pattern. How
grateful I am for it.
It has been a delightful experience working with the corpsmembers, yourself and
your staff. I believe I can speak for the Mormon Lake Ranger District and the
Coconino National Forest in extending to you our thanks for the many projects the
Americorps crews were able to accomplish. Each week I witnessed a closer and
more cohesive group. They listened well, worked hard and received the benefit of
knowing they did needed work to a high quality standard. Truly growth was taking
place for all of us.
I was privileged to work with your crews on several fence projects involving both
construction and removal. Additionally, we worked together on some site
rehabilitation and trail projects.
I wish you personally and each member of your program my sincere best wishes for
a successful tour at Ft. Huachuca. I look forward to seeing you back at Camp
Navajo in the Spring.
Sincerely,
DAVID E. MICHAEL
Coconino Work Supervisor
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
PHOTOCOPY PHOTATION
AMERICORPS/USDA QUARTERLY REPORT
WINOOSKI RIVER PROJECT, VERMONT
A) Number of Members enrolled at the end of quarter versus number
enrolled at time of launch.
2/2
B) Total numbers of direct service performed by Members and total
number of hours Members were in training.
1,040/120 hours.
C) Any major staff or structural changes you have made.
none
D) Progress towards meeting community service objectives.
Our data collected for erosion control evaluation will be
shared with community members in the Winooski River Project
Final Report.
E) Primary accomplishments:
A 21 mile reconnaissance survey of th
ooski River from
Jonesville to Essex Jct., Vermont has
conducted since
September 12, 1994. Research along t
ver banks and at
upland sites has included inventorying and evaluation of
erosion control and bioengineering measures installed in the
late 1930's. Our investigation of Project Vermont included
use of a GPS receiver, GIS mapping systems, pre and post
Project Vermont aerial photographs and historical photographs
documenting the ir allation of the erosion con measures.
Currently, river cross secti aps are being prepared
using surveying te ques. Info ion from this Americorps
project has been shared with USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service Northeast National Technical
Center, State of Vermont Fish and Wildlife, State of Vermont
Agency of Transportation and the United States Geodetic
Survey.
F) Primary challenges:
A
field season due to program start date; lack of
spe ialized training; and insufficient historical information
for Project Vermont.
G) Media coverage:
Television stations WPTZ, WCAX and WBNY interviewed Americorps
members on September 12, 1994. U.S. Senator Jeffords was in
attendance.
Television stations WPTZ, WCAX and WBNY news conference of the
Winooski River Project on October 17, 1994, sent to HQ. U.S.
Senators Leahy and Jeffords as well as Joel Berg and Eli Segal
were in attendance.
Burlington Free Press photograph of news conference was
printed on October 18, 1994 and used in Jim Jeffords campaign
literature.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
DATE:
December 15, 1994
TO:
Mr. Joel Berg
USDA-Director of National Service
FROM:
Dennis Borchardt, Executive Director
George D. Aiken RC&D Area
AmeriCorps Project Manager
SUBJECT: AmeriCorps Quarterly Report for the
Vermont Fire Technical Support Team (VFTST)
A)
Number of members enrolled at the end of quarter vs.
number who enrolled at the time of the launch.
3 / 3
B)
Total number of hours of direct service performed by
members and total number of hours members were in
training (through December 16, 1994).
1571 / 107
c)
Any major staff or structural changes you have made.
None
D)
Progress towards meeting community service objectives.
The following were the initial objectives:
1.
To provide the skills and technical information to
help 40 rural fire departments in Vermont develop
innovative fire protection plans for their
communities.
2.
To have 40 rural fire departments in Vermont fully
understand water supply needs and management
principles.
3.
To assist 20 rural Vermont communities find
innovative ways to carry out planned improvements.
4.
To have 10 fire departments in Vermont create and
implement a comprehensive educational fire
prevention plan with their citizens.
The following are the revised objectives:
1.
To have 40 rural fire departments in Vermont fully
understand water supply needs and management
principles.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
2.
To develop innovative fire prevention water
management plans with 15 communities.
3.
To assist 40 rural fire departments/communities
develop marketing strategies and identify
potential funding resources.
4.
To improve communication among fire departments;
fire departments and regulatory agencies; and
their communities.
E)
Primary Accomplishments.
*
Contacting and beginning to work with 48 of the
241 fire departments in Vermont (20% of all fire
departments in Vermont).
*
Organized job tasks; developed forms, brochures,
business cards, information packets, map diagrams,
engineering drawings, performed research and site
surveys.
*
Actively marketing the Vermont Fire Technical
Support Team and the dry hydrant program through
the multi-media.
*
Participated in 1 installation of a dry hydrant.
*
Have performed 30 of dry hydrant site surveys.
*
Have participated in 10 initial meetings with fire
departments/communities to get the program started
with those towns.
*
Have initiated and participated in meetings with
VT Emergency Management, VT Fire Safety
Association, VT Fire Training Council, the Vermont
Fire Fighters Association, The Vermont Fire Chiefs
Association the Vermont League of Cities and
Towns,
*
The VFTST is an active participant with the
Vermont Fire Protection Task Force: the Northern
Vermont and the George D. Aiken Resource
Conservation & Development Councils.
F)
Primary Challenges.
*
Prioritizing the work we now have many more
requests for assistance than we can provide.
We rely on the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task
Force to prioritize our work.
*
Reaching broader interest groups and involving
them in the initiative.
*
Developing funding opportunities to install
planned improvements.
*
Expanding technical assistance to include newly
identified needs of fire departments.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
G)
Primary training and technical assistance need.
*
Grantsmanship Training
*
Insurance Service Office (ISO) Rating Training
*
Basic Photo Interpretation Training
*
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Wetlands Training
*
Computer - AutoCAD
H)
Media Coverage.
Item 1. August 1994: Vermont RC&D Messenger
Newsletter article
Item 2
September 12, 1994: AmeriCorps kick-off at he
Vermont College. Attended by major Vermont
political, educational and civic leaders, as
well as the multi-media with coverage in
Vermont, New York and New Hampshire.
Item 3.
October 3, 1994: Press release to all media
announcing the formation of the VFTST.
Item 4.
October 5, 1994: Radio talk show "Morning
Coffee Break" with WVNR- Poultney, VT.
Item 5.
October 5, 1994: VFTST photograph taken for a
feature article by "The Herald" printed
October 20, 1994.
Item 6.
October 11, 1994: Mr.Eli Segal/Mr. Joel Berg
(AmeriCorps), Senators Patrick Leahy and
James Jeffords reviewed the 2 AmeriCorps
programs in Vermont. Covered by the multi-
media.
Item 7.
November 1994: Vermont Emergency Management's
newsletter has article on the VFTST and how
program is helping communities in Vermont.
I)
Other Creative Documentation.
Item 8.
VFTST business card
Item 9.
VFTST brochure
Item 10. Vermont map showing communities the team is
working with.
Item 11. Vermont map showing the lack of fire
protection throughout most of the state as
indicated by the ISO rating information.
First Quarter AmeriCorps Report
Dry Fire Hydrant Project
Louisiana
Time Period: September 12-November 30, 1994
1.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE TIME OF THE LAUNCH
4
2.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE END OF THE QUARTER
(NOVEMBER 30)
4
3.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE PERFORMED
884 Service Hours Recorded
4.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING
Of the 884 hours of service time, approximately 264 were spent in training
(30 percent of service time).
5.
PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
A.
Develop the knowledge and skills of four AmeriCorps members within
six weeks in order to provide technical assistance necessary to carry
out the dry fire hydrants program.
AmeriCorps members have received extensive on-the-job training to
develop skills to coordinate the dry fire hydrant program in Louisiana.
AmeriCorps members understand the fire protection problems of rural
homeowners and have developed working relationships with Natural
Resources Conservation Service district conservationists, landowners,
state and federal agencies, and local police juries and fire
departments.
B.
Complete planning activities for the installation of 35 dry fire hydrants
per parish.
AmeriCorps members have worked with RC&D councils, soil and
water conservation district personnel, police juries/parish councils,
volunteer fire fighters, Natural Resources Conservation Service
First Quarter AmeriCorps Report
September 12-November 30, 1994
Dry Fire Hydrant Project
Louisiana
Page 2
employees, state and local governments, and concerned citizens in
the coordination of the State Dry Hydrant Program. Several parishes
have located possible sites for dry fire hydrants.
6.
PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The first quarter of this program was primarily devoted to training and
development of a network of contacts to aid in coordination of the dry fire
hydrants project.
During the first quarter the following accomplishments were achieved:
brochures were developed to educate the public on the benefits of dry fire
hydrants; preliminary work was accomplished on development of a video to
support the dry hydrants program statewide; assistance was provided to
area fire chiefs performing needs assessments for rural fire fighting; support
was provided to the Trailblazer Associate Sponsor/Resource Distribution
Program; assistance was provided in planning activities for the dry hydrants
field day; preliminary development of a dry hydrants field manual was
accomplished; development and manning of an RC&D exhibit was
accomplished for the state agricultural fair to inform the public about all
RC&D activities in Louisiana including information on the dry fire hydrants
program and AmeriCorps; members attended council meetings to promote
the dry hydrant program; members organized current dry fire hydrant
information to help each parish track their progress; six-member dry hydrant
committees were established in 13 parishes composed of an RC&D council
representative, a soil and water conservation district supervisor, a police
jury/parish council representative, volunteer fire fighters, and Natural
Resources Conservation Service employees; and USGS quad sheets were
secured for each parish.
Other accomplishments of these AmeriCorps members include: assistance
was provided to the Rural Community Giving Program in the Northeast RC&D
area; assistance was provided to the Franklin Guest Home for their annual
Fall Festival; assistance was provided to the Louisiana Shiitake Association
with their annual meeting; and assistance was provided to the Louisiana
State Association of RC&D Councils' for their trade show.
7.
PROJECTED OUTCOMES FOR NEXT QUARTER
Parish meetings have been scheduled with local fire departments, police
juries, and local concerned citizens to discuss the dry fire hydrants program.
Additional brochures, a video script, and the field manual will continue to be
developed and completed during in the next few months.
First Quarter AmeriCorps Report
September 12-November 30, 1994
Dry Fire Hydrant Project
Louisiana
Page 3
Additional news releases will be developed and published to promote the
various activities of the dry fire hydrant program.
Planning activities for the installation of 35 dry hydrants per parish within the
Capital RC&D area will be accomplished.
8.
PRIMARY CHALLENGES
Implementation of the statewide dry fire hydrant program administered by
the Trailblazer RC&D Council has been delayed because of negotiations
between the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and the Trailblazer
RC&D Council. Until the contract for this program is signed, no dry hydrants
can be installed. It is anticipated the contract will be signed in January
1995. Our members have used this first quarter to publicize the dry
hydrants program, form dry hydrant committees, coordinate
federal/state/local involvement in the dry hydrant program, and located dry
hydrant sites. As soon as the contract is signed, dry hydrants will be
installed. Because of this delay, work on the dry fire hydrant program will
carry over into fiscal year 1996.
In Louisiana, we have Natural Resources Conservation Service AmeriCorps
members working side-by-side with Forest Service AmeriCorps members.
The USDA/AmeriCorps program in Louisiana has been a great Team USDA
effort. However, the Team USDA concept has not always been clear to
AmeriCorps members especially when one agency requires one method of
accomplishing something and another agency has another method. Agency
differences in travel authorizations have caused some problems. Although
members are receiving good information from both agencies, it sometimes
appears contradictory because the methods/availability of funds differ.
Employees of both agencies have learned to work through the differences in
agency policy to get things done, and AmeriCorps members are learning to
accomplish this also.
Some supervisors of AmeriCorps members feel the number of cluster
meetings the members are required to attend should be reduced. This would
lead to more productive time in the field to achieve the required goals and
objectives.
Organizing parish committees is difficult at times for our AmeriCorps
members. Recommendations are sought from district conservationists and
police jury/parish councils for committee memberships, and then each
member is contacted by phone to set a suitable meeting time and place for
the committee's first meeting. Most committee members require contact
after normal working hours. With persistence, our AmeriCorps members
have been able to make follow-up phone calls and establish parish
committees.
United States
Natural
3737 Government Street
Department of
Resources
Alexandria, Louisiana
Agriculture
Conservation
71302
Service
Subject: PER - AmeriCorps Quarterly Report - Louisiana
Date:
December 15, 1994
1st Quarter
September 12-November 30, 1994
To: Lloyd E. Wright
File:
360
Director
Community Assistance and
Resource Development
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Washington, DC
Attached are the first quarter reports for the USDA/AmeriCorps dry fire hydrant and
Farm *A* Syst projects in Louisiana. This first quarter has been very productive for both
programs, and we look forward to accomplishing even more as the year progresses.
Brien R. More
Billy R. Moore
Assistant State Conservationist/Programs
AmeriCorps Project Director
Enclosures
CC:
Donald W. Gohmert, State Conservationist, NRCS, Alexandria, LA
The Natural Resources Conservation Service,
formerly the Soil Conservation Service,
is an agency of the
United States Department of Agriculture
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
First Quarter AmeriCorps Report
Farm *Syst Project
Louisiana
Time Period: September 12-November 30, 1994
1.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE TIME OF THE LAUNCH
3
2.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED AT THE END OF THE QUARTER
(NOVEMBER 30)
2
(A new member was enrolled on December 1, 1994, to replace a member
who dropped on November 18.)
3.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE PERFORMED
578 Service Hours Recorded
4.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS IN TRAINING
Of the 578 hours of service time, approximately 254 were spent in training
(44 percent of service time).
5.
PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
A.
Develop the knowledge and skills of three AmeriCorps members
within six weeks in order to provide technical assistance necessary to
carry out the Farm *A *Syst Program.
Members have attended a Farm *A*Syst satellite training session and
a training session conducted by the University of Wisconsin on pre-
and post-assessment surveys. The members have performed over
100 pre-assessment surveys. The majority of these surveys were
conducted independently with no supervision. Over 100 rural
landowners have benefited from the pre-assessment surveys
conducted during this quarter. The University of Wisconsin is
incorporating the results of these pre-assessment surveys in their
analysis of the program.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DATE
REFERENCE SLIP
12-16-94
to
Paula Jamas
NHQ
ACTION
NOTE AND RETURN
APPROVAL
PER PHONE CALL
AS REQUESTED
RECOMMENDATION
FOR COMMENT
REPLY FOR SIGNATURE OF
FOR INFORMATION
RETURNED
INITIALS
SEE ME
NOTE AND FILE
YOUR SIGNATURE
REMARKS attach his the
Amrilan Quantity
Part <<< reguster
FROM
Carly Hinning
GPO 1982 -385-528/5030
FORM AD-314 8-64)
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
TEAM USDA / AMERICORPS
FOUR CORNERS REGIONAL
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah join together.
Submitted to:
THE AMERICORPS CORPORATION
Submitted by:
SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
and
THE FOUR CORNERS RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT AREA'S:
HUB RC&D AREA, INC. (New Mexico)
SAN JUAN RC&D AREA, INC. (Colorado)
CASTLELAND RC&D AREA, INC. (Utah)
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER PLATEAU RC&D AREA, INC. (Arizona)
April 11, 1994
and revised June 1994 & October 1994
SMOOTH CORDGRASS
BENEFITS OF COASTAL WETLANDS
Coastal Wetlands play an important role in the productivity of Galveston Bay.
Ecosystems and the economics of the bay area depend on these "estuarine
emergent wetlands" and their stands of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
for bird and fisheries habitat, water quality, and erosion and storm protection.
MARSH CREATION
Because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has documented the loss of more
than 30,000 acres of coastal wetlands in the Galveston Bay system since the 1950's,
the Galveston Bay National Estuary Program has identified the creation and restoration
of this habitat as a priority. The restoration of coastal wetlands is now possible because
the major causes of destruction, such as coastal development, have greatly slowed and are
not expected to cause any significant future problems.
HISTORY OF OBTAINING PLANTS
Smooth cordgrass, which tolerates a wide range of salinities, soil types and water levels,
has been selected as the plant species best suited for creating or restoring coastal wetlands
in the Galveston Bay system.
In the past, the majority of marsh creation projects relied on transplanting smooth cordgrass
from native stands. However, this process not only limits created marshes to areas with convenient
access to native stands of the plant and restricts the size of created marshes, it also risks the
health and viability of the native stands being harvested.
SMOOTH CORDGRASS CULTIVATION
In order to protect these native stands, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation
Service is cultivating new sources of smooth cordgrass. Cultivation begins with harvesting
seeds from plants in the natural marshes. The seed source selected for the Galveston Bay project
was Vermillion Bay, La., where plants were determined to be a hardier and more vigorous
strain that resists the Rhizoctonia fungus that has damaged cordgrass in the Galveston Bay
system.
Harvested seeds are potted in soil trays in the greenhouse for germination, which occurs
within 10 to 20 days. Then seedlings are transplanted into small, individual pots that
are placed in gravity flow ponds where they will grow to transplanting size. Plants are
ready for transplanting into the creation marshes during May, after which, under ideal
conditions, full plant coverage is usually achieved within one growing season. The process
is repeated using seed harvested from the new crops.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
5007
ORE RER NAT vasa ---
10:45
02/03/95