Jackson County SWCD

10/13/2026

Producers in our county are starting to hear rumors about the county SWCD offices funding virtual fencing through our annual CIP program. Practice standards change yearly, but at this time, Jackson County SWCD does NOT have the ability to offer cost-share funding for virtual fencing. This is a new practice and is only currently available in the counties of Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, and Limestone for FY2027 as a pilot program.

If you are interested in a corral system, feed troughs, forestry management, and the other practices funded through CIP in Jackson County, check out https://alabamasoilandwater.gov/cip/ to learn more.

Jackson County SWCD accepts applications year 'round for the CIP program. The deadline to submit an application for FY2027 consideration is Monday, November 30th. You are required to submit the quote for the materials/work you are applying for by Dec 18th. The Jackson County SWCD Board will meet in January to determine the number of applications and level of funding available. Applicants will be notified by mid-January if their application was chosen for funding and what amount is available to assist with their applied practice. Applications are available to download in PDF format from our website: https://www.jacksoncountyswcd-al.org/state-cost-share-programs

Alabama Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) The Alabama Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) offers more than 35 conservation practices that support wildlife management, erosion control, water quality improvement and forest stand improvement. Administered through the Alabama Agricultural and Conser...

10/12/2026

10/06/2026

I had the pleasure to assist Jackson County, Alabama 4-H in signing up two classes of 5th graders at Collins Elementary yesterday afternoon. If you have children in Jackson County, please consider signing up for 4-H. Your kids will learn valuable life lessons and real-life skills participating in 4-H.

10/06/2026

The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee and the conservation community itself, lost an icon of conservation when Earl Norton left this world this past Saturday doing what he loved - getting ready to head out to his forest land in preparation of deer season.

This TIP is a little different than the normal erosion, stormwater, or improperly installed silt fence pictures and verbiage you would normally see. This one is more personal. The picture is Earl Norton, taken by Perry Oakes at the recent Clear Water Alabama Event in Northport. R.I.P. Mr. Earl!

From Perry Oakes, PE, Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager:

This TIP may be a little longer than most, but please spend the time to read it.

As all of you probably know by now, Earl Norton passed away Saturday morning. He worked every day to promote and improve the land. And as usual, he woke up early that day to travel to his forest and plant green fields for the upcoming deer season. He loved that forest and always wanted to show it to his friends and others. As with everything Earl did, his forest was a showcase of proper forest management. Saturday morning Earl had made his coffee, prepared materials to go to the forest, and was getting ready to depart when he died. Earl Norton left a huge void with his family, church, and conservation world. I had the opportunity and blessing to work with Earl throughout my career with NRCS and after retirement with the Alabama Erosion and Sediment Control Program. Earl molded this program and created it into the successful endeavor it is today. Many of you had the opportunity to meet and work with Earl over the years. He never met someone that didn’t become his friend, and he always wanted to meet those that he didn’t know at the time to expand his friend world. He was a staunch believer that you should always be a part of a professional organization to expand your knowledge and network. He was extremely active with the Soil and Water Conservation Society (The Alabama Chapter) and the International Erosion Control Association, along with other groups.

As conservationists, we should strive to “be like Earl”. He often thought about the old Soil Conservation Service acronym SWAPA.

So, in your work each day, think about SWAPA:
Always try to save SOIL. Keep it from eroding and make it healthy.
Keep our WATER Clean and Clear.
Do things which help to keep the AIR we breathe healthy. Go plant a tree.
Utilize the proper PLANTS in their proper environment. Use natives and not invasives.
Protect all our ANIMALS and provide them with the habitat they need.

So, Mr. Oakes' "Earl tips" to each of you are:

When challenged with a conservation opportunity, ask yourself, “What would Earl do?”, and strive to “be more like Earl every day”.

Also, don’t sit in your own world but be an active part of a professional organization.

Perry L Oakes, PE
Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager

10/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19s8dUTQvn/

The next chapter of the Singing River Trail starts with your input. 👏

Our original master plan was completed in 2019, outlining more than 70 miles across Madison, Morgan and Limestone counties. Seven years later, our communities have grown, priorities have evolved and it’s time to take another look at what comes next.

Join us October 6 for a public input session where you can share your ideas and help inform the updated master plan.

📍 TARCOG Building, 4976 Corporate Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35805
🗓 October 6 | 5–7 p.m.

We’d love to hear from you, and we hope to see you there!

10/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BpjZFHgLf/

Alabama farmers may qualify for an exemption from utility taxes on electricity and natural gas used in poultry houses, commercial greenhouses, pivot irrigation systems and commercial catfish aeration systems! The exemption took effect Sept. 1.

Farmers must obtain a Form STE-3 Utility Tax Certificate of Exemption from the Alabama Department of Revenue and provide a properly completed copy to their electric or natural gas provider.

Read more and view steps to apply for exemption on the Federation website under news! Link in bio 🔗

09/30/2026

Jackson County SWCD's DAC, Kara Stephan, and Scottsboro Service Center USDA-NRCS Soil Technician, Brandon Edmonds, attended NRCS Grazing Training in Hartselle today along with other DACs and NRCS employees to learn more about the practices and program requirements for Producers to apply for grazing cost-share programs such as EQIP and CSP. Pictured are Soil and Water DACs and Technicians from the North Team area attending to make sure we are up to date and able to assist Producers when applying for programs.

09/28/2026

The Alabama Envirothon Program will have a regional competition on January 13, 2027 in Huntsville. The Alabama Envirothon is an environmental and natural resources competition that builds leadership skills for high school students in 9th - 12th grades. Regional winners will advance to State Competition held in Columbiana, AL on February 25-27, 2027. Alabama's State Envirothon winner will advance to International Competition. Envirothon Teams are made up of 5 students (from same school or program) + 1 Advisor who travels with, trains and otherwise supports the Team.