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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F (3) FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. Collection/Record Group: Clinton Presidential Records Subgroup/Office of Origin: Americorps Series/Staff Member: General Files Subseries: OA/ID Number: 24236 FolderID: Folder Title: USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps-New Hampshire Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: S 66 1 7 1 North Country Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. 127 Highland Street - Plymouth, NH 03264-1240 Phone 603-536-2146 FAX 603-536-2976 Cerrell MEMO: November 18, 1996 TO: Dee DiFiore, AmeriCorps Program Analyst FROM: Rick DeMark, Program Coordinator, NH RC&D Councils RE: Description of USDA-AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps/Vista projects in New Hampshire sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and North Country and Southern NH RC&D Councils in need of authorization to initiate a second year. Two projects were initiated in mid November of 1995. They are the Community Resource Assistance Fire Team (CRAFT) and the Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Technical Team. Community Resource Assistance Fire Team (CRAFT) - 3 AmeriCorps members The North Country and Southern NH Resource Conservation and Development Councils organized the NH Rural Fire Protection Task Force in 1994. The Task Force, which is composed of several state, federal and local organizations, is addressing the needs of small towns in NH trying to provide adequate fire protection services in an ever expanding wildland-urban interface. The Task Force has organized a collection of technical and financial assistance programs. The Community Resource Assistance Fire Team was established as an arm of the Task Force. It is composed of three individuals, one with a background in fire protection, one with civil engineering and the third with environmental science. CRAFT is providing direct assistance to communities across the State to inventory, assess, plan and construct non-pressurized water withdrawal facilities. To date CRAFT has assisted more than 55 communities. 40 communities have completed their Water Supply Plan. Communities have estimated that the services of CRAFT regarding the development of the Water Supply Plan has saved them at least $10,000. Over 840 water withdrawal sites have been identified for development. Development of sites has begun. CRAFT organized one state-wide seminar that was attended by more than 40 communities and they are planning more educational events. In preparation for a second year, a mailer was delivered to the approximately 180 communities that had still not yet obtained the services of this project. Response was immediate and within two weeks over 30 communities had Page 2 requested CRAFT's assistance. This project has had an important impact in N.H. and warrants renewal. Please see related enclosed material. Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Technical Team - 2 AmeriCorps members The Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Project is in it's fourth year. The Project has several partners performing different functions, all aimed at reducing, or preventing non-point source pollution in this critically important Watershed area. The Watershed Technical Team was established by the partners of the Project to provide direct assistance to communities and individuals in land and watershed management. The Team is composed of two individuals with environmental and resource management skills. One of their major goals is the creation of a Partnership between environmental, economic and culturally oriented organizations. To date, the Team has brought 125 such organizations into the Partnership. The Team is working with each of the 8 towns in the watershed to undertake at least one remediation/restoration project. The Team worked with the town of Alton to help correct environmental degradation problems caused by the major dam failure in that community. Their 1996 goal is to provide direct assistance to 500 landowners in the watershed. To date 396 individuals have been assisted. Of those 86 report a significant decrease in an environmental problem. This AmeriCorps Team is responsible for getting the Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Project national attention at EPA's Watershed '96 Conference and getting this project listed in the national directory of watershed projects. The partners involved in this project have begun to seek alternative funding for the continuation of this initiative. Foundation, corporate and individual support strategies have been developed. However, this project warrants renewal as an AmeriCorps project. Please see related enclosed material. A third project was initiated in April of 1996. NH COOKS, Inc. - 2 AmeriCorps/ Vista members NH COOKS is a major effort organized to establish FDA approved commercial kitchen services to individuals interested in creating specialty food businesses. Underway are the development of two micro-enterprise incubator kitchens, one in Lancaster, the other in Epping. Through a unique partnership between USDA, NRCS, the RC&D Councils and AmeriCorps/Vista, two Vista positions have been created and filled to serve as kitchen coordinators. These AmeriCorps/Vistas are assisting individuals and groups in each region to develop their business and operate in the kitchen. There Page 3 are more than 40 individuals at each site already preparing to use the facilities once they become operational, by November 4, 1996. This project has already received national attention. Several NH communities have expressed interest in developing a kitchen facility in their community as a way to foster micro-enterprise development. Please see related enclosed material. The RC&D Councils and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service have made commitments to continue these three programs through 1997 and are awaiting authorization to proceed. 11/04/96 State objectives obj Prog Yr's Qty Yr's Success State OP Site # Code Obj/Impact Statement Target Quantity Unit of Measure Target Success Unit of Measure 40 11/04/96 MON 13:44 FAX 202 7204614 NH N33A 1 R011B Technical assistance provided to rural 60 plans - fire dpts 100 % of plans implemented fire depts to prepare water supply NH N33A 2 R066A identify water sources for fire 1000 sites - fire protection 40 % of easements obtained protection 800 % of sites identified which where developed. NH N33B 1 E094B Organize partnerships between watershed 100 volunteers - water quality 100 # of people or things %0f participating organizations aided organizations joining NH N33B 2 E009B Provide technical assistance to 500 (andowners - assisted % decrease in The partnership landowners 400 environmental problem USDA NATIONAL SERVICE 700 LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Watershed Partnership Abstract: The Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Parnership is "stakeholders" who live, work, and play in the watershed working in partnership with providers of technical support like the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, AmeriCorps, NH Department of Environmental Services, UNH Cooperative Extension, and the County Conservation Districts among others to assist in management of their watershed. Conservation, and economic vitality need to be in balance. A watershed approach is an essential element for achieving the balance. As we evolve, we envision a Watershed Partnership Manager who will be implementing the task outlined over a three year period. The purpose of the Winnipesaukee Watershed Partnership is to engage community leaders, residents (year round and seasonal), civic, business, tourist, and environmental organizations as Stewards of the Watershed. Together in partnership the stewards with their varied perspectives, interests, skills, and dollars will bring and support a comprehensive overview of the strengths and challenges facing the watershed, locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally. The partnership provides a community based resource for communication, information, planning, protection, education, conservation, remediation, and conflict resolution. Project Goals: The efforts of the Lake Winnipesaukee Partnership are to develop'a common identity as a watershed and with this idenitity create a common voice for influencing, and supporting local, regional, and statewide activities promoting sustainable development. This partnering of diverse interest will explore and develop strategies, will prioitize issues, will implement and expand existing methods for protection of the watershed. Community self-reliance and independence are part of New Hampshire's backbone. The partnership is going one step further to join together those communities around the Lake to collectively develop and fund the vehicle for environmental quality. Project Tasks: 1. A self supporting Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Council (LWWC) will be formed. Eight forums will be held around the Lake to create and develop a watershed council. A method to select representatives for the council will be developed from these forums. Each of the eight communities around the Lake will have a representative on the Council. 2. Watershed Issues will be identified and prioritized by the stakeholders. Stakeholders in the watershed will be asked to prioritize their Lake issues. Contact will be made using a simple survey through local lake and homeowner associations. The responses will be correlated into a database, and a lecture series will be organized on the top five issues. 3. A Winnipesaukee Business Alliance will be created. An alliance of businesses will be developed to provide an economic perspective in the watershed. The business alliance will have a representative on the council. 4. Conservation efforts of local environmental groups around the lake will be integrated for a comprehensive, strengthen, and harmonious approach to watershed issues. Formalize the partnership process of collaboration with local environmental organizations to focus on the issues identified by stakeholders. Lead roles will be establish for organizations based on an organization's expertise for tackling identified issues. 5. Libraries around the Lake will have expanded watershed resources. The Partnership will utilize this existing structure to expand the literature, videos, and internet access for information, education and resource material on water quality, watershed planning and watershed management for non-technical readers. 6. Stewards of the Watershed will become a recognized identity in the Lakes Region. 1 To create identifying products and logos with a pledge for stakeholders to demonstrate their support and commitment to being a steward of the watershed. Help to educate stakeholders at home by distribution of a "water quality report card" to complete scoring themselves on lake friendly practices and residential nonpoint source pollution impacts. Work with USDA- AmeriCorps members providing technical support to landowners in the watershed to increase use of best management practices and comprehension of non point sources. 7. Coordinate the "Celebrate Your Lakes Day" Event on Lake Winnipesaukee with the NH Lakes Coordinator. Proclaimed by the Governor of NH, the second Saturday in August is "Celebrate Your Lakes Day" in New Hampshire. This year is the second celebration on Lake Winnipesaukee. The celebration provides a mix of environmental educational, food, and entertainment. Create a "Celebrate Your Lake Day" event packet to provide the how to information for organizations to develop an event in their watersheds. 8. KIDS (Kids investigating and doing science) will expand from water sampling to include pollution prevention and remediation. At the present time the KIDS at the middle school level learn and are actively involved in water sampling. The curriculum will now include pollution prevention and remediation Project Results: Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Council Attendance and the diverseness of the participants engaged at the forums Active participation on the council by all eight communities Endorsement and support of the council from towns, civic organizations, and the business community in the Lakes Region (each town providing $1,000.00 each and Lake Associations $100.00 each) Survey and Lecture Series Number of responses recieved on the survey Attendance and participation at the lecture series Winnipesaukee Business Alliance (WBA) 100 business members in the first year 300 business members conclusion of third year Establish committment for annual support level for partnership by WBA Number of recognizations for businesses employing sustainable practices Percentage of dollars for support of environmental activities in the watershed Integrated approach to watershed issues Number of participants at training for integrated approach Number of demonstartion projects Economic value realized by sharing resources Library Resource Development Number of sign outs of resource material Increase in request for watershed information by patrons Watershed Number of water quality report cards completed Number of technical assistances provided Reduction in violations in watershed Increase in requests for information and broader diversity on environmental projects in the watershed Celebrate Your Lakes Day Number of new celebration sites around the Lake Number of Request for event packet Community based funding for the event Increase in diversity of particpants and visitors to the event KIDS Increased test scores for KIDS on pollution source identification Increased abliity to select a method to correct a pollution problem Increase of numbers of teachers and students wanting to participate in KIDS 2 Activities of CRAFT by County 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Towns Assisted by CRAFT Total Number of Towns in County 1. Grafton County 8 of 39 = 20% 2. Belknap County 7 of 11 = 64% 3. Hillsboro County 10 of 31 = 32% 4. Merrimack County 5 of 26 = 19% 5. Cheshire County 5 of 24 = 21% 6. Rockingham County 4 of 36 = 11% 7. Coos County 2 of 37 = 5% SFD Released 8/94 John R. Nadeau Fire Chief Your Salem Fire Department Fire Prevention Fire Suppression Emergency Medical Services Disaster Management Americorp Comes to Salem! Americorp, President Clinton's National Service Program will be coming to Salem. Fire Chief John Nadeau announced that the Americorp Community Resource Assistance Fire Team will be in Salem over the next three weeks. The Team will identify, list and map potential and existing rural water supply sites, provide engineering and design plans for dry hydrant installations, and drafting basins, and assist the Department in revising its Rural Fire Protection Plan. Team members include David Degler, Michelle Fullerton and Susan Carlton. The Team is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, New Hampshire Resources Conservation and Development and the the N.H. Rural Fire Protection Task Force. According to Chief Nadeau, the project will serve to update and expand our Rural Fire Protection Plan. "The work of these bright, energetic young adults will provide us with additional water supply tactical options, improving fire protection community wide." For further information, contact Chief Nadeau at 890-2200. Fast Clean Friendly Professional Services At a Reasonable Cost 152 Main Street Salem. New Hampshire 03079-3134 603-898-9774 Fax 603-893-3789 (21)9/30/96 08:09 PM 2/3 New Hampshire COOKS/AmeriCorps VISTA: A Cooperative Project of AmeriCorps VISTA, the New Hampshire Resource Conservation and Development Councils and USDA/ NRCS September 1996 The New Hampshire COOKS (NH COOKS) AmeriCorps VISTA (A*VISTA) project is a partnership of public and private organizations¹ committed to innovative approaches to rural economic development. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) joined with the Corporation for National and Community Service through the Natural Resources Conservation Service/New Hampshire and the North Country and Southern New Hampshire Resource Conservation and Development Councils to mobilize the resources of the A*VISTA program in support of NH COOKS. NH COOKS is an entrepreneurial micro-business development program targeted at the food and agriculture industry. Since arriving on the scene in April 1996, two USDA A*VISTAs have played a key role in the organizational development of NH COOKS. NH COOKS is a non-profit corporation organized to support micro-enterprise development in the food industry for low to moderate income level participants. An important part of this mission is to foster development of value-added products made from agricultural commodities grown in the state. As a market diversification strategy, NH COOKS entrepreneurs offer farmers a new wholesale market. The program also offers farmers the opportunity to add processing value to their own products and subsequently to enter new retail or wholesale food channels. NH COOKS facilities are currently under construction in two locations. A Lancaster NH site will serve farmers and specialty food producers in the New Hampshire's northern ticr. A Epping NH site will service the southern part of the state. Both facilities are scheduled to open in November, 1996. Projections predict close to 250 users of the facilities by the year 2000. Gross sales revenues generated by these new businesses could exceed $3 million. The two USDA A*VISTAs are responsible for supporting the organizational development of NH COOKS at the site level. Their project goals are to assist in the development of NH COOKS entrepreneurial and food safety training programs and producer recruitment strategies. Both A*VISTAs have met and exceeded project expectations. They have been instrumental in bringing together staff from resource agencies with business development expertise to put together the NH COOKS entreprencurial curriculum. The A*VISTAs successfully organized resource agencies in support of the NH COOKS food and equipment safety/sanitation program. Staff from these organizations assisted NH COOKS and the A*VISTAs in developing a Food Safety and Sanitation Policies and Procedures Operating Manual. The document outlines the food handling, hygicne, cleaning and equipment use protocols for the NH COOKS facilities. It combines standard food service procedures with Hazardous Areas Critical Control Point principles. All NH COOKS clients will use these procedures in the NH COOKS kitchens. Work is now underway with the resource providers to develop an orientation program and continuing education training to support sanitation procedures and kitchen operations. 9/30/96 8:10 PM 3/3 New Hampshire COOKS/ AmeriCorps VISTA Project Report, September 1996 page 2 The A*VISTAs are also helping ensure that NH COOKS facilities meet the production and training needs of clients. They have met with potential users, have organized planning meetings and will be helping NH COOKS set up local advisory support groups. To date the A*VISTAs have personally interacted with over 200 potential users of the two facilities. It is clear from the experience of the first six months of the project that the assistance of the USDA A*VISTAs will be needed for a second year. Programs and procedures will need to be adjusted to reflect actual experience. The network of organizations and agencies needed to support NH COOKS programs and clients will require strengthening and expansion. Assisting NH COOKS in developing the capacity to be a sustainable organization capable of meeting user needs will be a priority objective. In summary, the first six months of the NH COOKS A*VISTA project has focused on the organization: developing the entrepreneurial programming, advisory groups and physical and operational structures and procedures necessary for NH COOKS to be responsive to the needs of aspiring micro-enterprises. With the opening of NH COOKS facilities in Epping and Lancaster, a second year of this A*VISTA project will concentrate on the critical task of capacity building-both for the organization and the uscrs. The A*VISTAs will work to ensure that users are able to fully take advantage of the facilities and programs at each site as individual businesses and as members of a collective venture. And the project will work to ensure that the NH COOKS organization is fully capable of meeting users needs on a continuing basis. The project is an excellent example of national service focused on community, resource and human development. 1 NH COOKS is a collaborative effort of public and private organizations with a commitment to rural economic development, including the towns of Lancaster and Epping, the UNH Office of Economic Initiatives, Public Service Company of New Hampshire, Providian Bancorp, the New Hampshire Rural Development Council, the Lancaster National Bank, the North Country and Southern New Hampshire Resource Conservation and Development Councils, AmeriCorps VISTA, the Community Development Finance Authority, the Rural Development and Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, the UNH Cooperative Extension, the UNH Small Business Development Center, the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Community Loan Fund and the Ford Foundation. BATIONAL SE MERICORP A SEPTEM DATED STATES bew TALHIT or TURS USDA AMERICORPS MEMBER SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL NAME: David Deglar DATE: 6/25/96 LOCATION: Loconia NH SITE #: Y33A Yes No 1. Is Member's work neat, accurate, & complete? 2. Is Member prompt in completing job tasks? 3. Does Member take initiative? 4. Does Member readily accept responsibility? 5. Does Member follow instructions accurately? 6. Is Member punctual? 7. Is Member absent from place of work for unauthorized intervals? 8. Does Member follow appropriate safety procedures? 9. Does Member wear appropriate clothing for tasks? 10. Does Member participate in training sessions? 11. Does Member accept constructive criticism and take steps for improvement? 12. Is Member cooperative? 13. Does Member appear to have a good attitude? 14. Does Member work well with others? 15. Does Member show respect for others? 16. Do you feel that the Member is well placed? 17. Does the Member display a desire to participate in National Service? 18. Would you recommend this person for a second term? 19. Did Member contribute to meeting objectives? 20. Other? 6/26/96 (Supervisor's Signature) (Daté) 6/26/96 (Member S Signature) (Date) (Place any comments on back of form.) Appendix R STATE LIMERICORPS A SEPTED PATED STATES DEPART TAHN a AGRICULTURES USDA AMERICORPS MEMBER SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL NAME: Susan Calson DATE: 6/25/96 LOCATION: Leconia NH SITE #: Y33A Yes No 1. Is Member's work neat, accurate, & complete? 2. Is Member prompt in completing job tasks? 3. Does Member take initiative? 4. Does Member readily accept responsibility? 5. Does Member follow instructions accurately? 6. Is Member punctual? 7. Is Member absent from place of work for unauthorized intervals? 8. Does Member follow appropriate safety procedures? 9. Does Member wear appropriate clothing for tasks? 10. Does Member participate in training sessions? 11. Does Member accept constructive criticism and take steps for improvement? 12. Is Member cooperative? 13. Does Member appear to have a good attitude? 14. Does Member work well with others? 15. Does Member show respect for others? 16. Do you feel that the Member is well placed? 17. Does the Member display a desire to participate in National Service? 18. Would you recommend this person for a second term? 19. Did Member contribute to meeting objectives? 20. Other? R.Mo (Supervisor's Signature) (Date) 6/25/96 6/25/96 (Member's Signature) (Date) (Place any comments on back of form.) Appendix R IMERICORP A REPARTMENT UNITED FLATES DEPARTMENT or AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS MEMBER SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL NAME: Chies Dailing DATE: 6/25/96 LOCATION: Madilli NH SITE #: Y33B Yes No 1. Is Member's work neat, accurate, & complete? 2. Is Member prompt in completing job tasks? 3. Does Member take initiative? 4. Does Member readily accept responsibility? 5. Does Member follow instructions accurately? 6. Is Member punctual? 7. Is Member absent from place of work for unauthorized intervals? 8. Does Member follow appropriate safety procedures? 9. Does Member wear appropriate clothing for tasks? 10. Does Member participate in training sessions? 11. Does Member accept constructive criticism and take steps for improvement? 12. Is Member cooperative? 13. Does Member appear to have a good attitude? 14. Does Member work well with others? 15. Does Member show respect for others? 16. Do you feel that the Member is well placed? 17. Does the Member display a desire to participate in National Service? 18. Would you recommend this person for a second term? 19. Did Member contribute to meeting objectives? 20. Other? RD.ML (Supervisor's Signature) 6/25/96 (Date) 6/25/96 (Member's Signature) (Date) (Place any comments on back of form.) Appendix R AMERICORP A SEPTEM UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT or AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS MEMBER SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL NAME: Michalle Fullerton Michalle Fillerton DATE: 6/25/96 LOCATION: Laconia NH SITE #: Y33A Yes No 1. Is Member's work neat, accurate, & complete? 2. Is Member prompt in completing job tasks? 3. Does Member take initiative? 4. Does Member readily accept responsibility? 5. Does Member follow instructions accurately? 6. Is Member punctual? 7. Is Member absent from place of work for unauthorized intervals? 8. Does Member follow appropriate safety procedures? 9. Does Member wear appropriate clothing for tasks? 10. Does Member participate in training sessions? 11. Does Member accept constructive criticism and take steps for improvement? 12. Is Member cooperative? 13. Does Member appear to have a good attitude? 14. Does Member work well with others? 15. Does Member show respect for others? 16. Do you feel that the Member is well placed? 17. Does the Member display a desire to participate in National Service? 18. Would you recommend this person for a second term? 19. Did Member contribute to meeting objectives? 20. Other? 6/25/96 (Supervisor's Signature) (Date) Michelle D bullated 6/25/96 (Member's Signature) (Date) (Place any comments on back of form.) Appendix R ERICORP A INSTED STATES DEPARTMENT or USDA AMERICORPS MEMBER SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL NAME: Janufa Mayx DATE: 6/25/96 LOCATION: March NH SITE #: 433B Yes No 1. Is Member's work neat, accurate, & complete? 2. Is Member prompt in completing job tasks? 3. Does Member take initiative? 4. Does Member readily accept responsibility? 5. Does Member follow instructions accurately? 6. Is Member punctual? 7. Is Member absent from place of work for unauthorized intervals? 8. Does Member follow appropriate safety procedures? 9. Does Member wear appropriate clothing for tasks? 10. Does Member participate in training sessions? 11. Does Member accept constructive criticism and take steps for improvement? 12. Is Member cooperative? 13. Does Member appear to have a good attitude? 14. Does Member work well with others? 15. Does Member show respect for others? 16. Do you feel that the Member is well placed? 17. Does the Member display a desire to participate in National Service? 18. Would you recommend this person for a second term? 19. Did Member contribute to meeting objectives? 20. Other? 6/25/96 (Supervisor's Signature) (Date) 6/25/96 (Place (Member's any Signature) comments (Date) on back of form.) Appendix R