SCSFLO 3rd 2019 Business Session Report

SCOTT COUNTY SMALL FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS ORGANIZATION’S

BUSINESS SESSION REPORT 3RD 2019 BUSINESS SESSION • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2019 • 6:00 P.M. • LITTLE ROCK M.B. CHURCH, 643 TALLABOGUE ROAD, FOREST, MS 39074

Thank you SCSFLO for being a committed partner to help change lives in rural America. As a reward for your dedication and fortitude through 2019, we want each member of SCSFLO to relax and enjoy the holidays because we have major milestones to achieve in 2020.

Love from Frank Taylor and WCSHC members Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year!

Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization member Greg Nicks

By Frank Taylor Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net

Oppressed weather conditions continued to cause havoc for farmers and landowners over the last few months. These conditions forced individuals to rethink their methods of preparing crops and feeding their animals through the winter months. Over the last 35 days most areas received less than one inch of rainfall. This factor will propel grazers to start feeding their animals before the first frost. However, these undaunted factors did not inhibit members of Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization from assembling for their second business session on Monday, September 23, 2019, 6:00pm.

Individuals arrived early with the intent of participating in this educational business session to enhance life in rural communities.

Frank Taylor, WCSHC Team Leader’s eyed the church parking lot and gathered entail to germinate an early start. With his time piece’s spinning in motion, Frank promptly called the second business session to order at 5:55pm. Pastor Arthur Kennedy delivered words of prayer. Frank greeted the audience and acknowledged the first-time participants.

Frank introduced Fenton Pope, President of CCSHP based in Collins, MS. Fenton stated, “Our organization will join forces with SCSFLO & WCSHC to deliver services to farmers and landowners.” Additionally, Allen McReynolds of WCSHC highlighted his role of working with farmers and landowners. After this process, Frank quickly referred to the previous agenda and highlighted several notable factors. Frank defined business session as an opportunity to focus on pertinent ideas to develop SCSFLO’s infrastructure. What’s SCSFLO-Scott County

SCOTT COUNTY SMALL FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS ORGANIZATION Little Rock M.B. Church, 642 Tallabogue Road, Forest, MS 39074 Greg Nicks, 601-507-1439 Sherrie Spivey, 601-507-2266

Small Farmers and Landowners Organization.

Frank emphasized a no gossiping policy to eliminate misinformation about SCSFLO. We should always start on time, if not before time. SCSFLO purpose is to provide a median for individuals with common interests to cultivate and extend agrarian practices for future generations. SCSFLO mission is to provide members and friends with technical, educational and outreach support to strengthen their farms and families. Meeting date is designated as the 4th Monday of each month. Members should make an exception for emergencies or unexpected situations.

SCSFLO should develop an alternative meeting site. Your personal issues shouldn’t impact the success of this organization. This is the people organization-not “I”. Frank reiterated, if you offer suggestions, please be willing to provide leadership for project(s) and create educational and fun events. Do not duplicate or replicate other established programs. Frank requested reports from Vivian Sanders, Mattie Evans and Greg Nicks. Vivian Sanders said,“We are getting

SCSFLO member Sherrie Spivey

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“HELPING FARMERS MANAGE THEIR NATURAL RESOURCES”

Continued from page 1 ready for our first biscuit making workshop and we are excited. Mattie Evans detailed attendees about date, time and location of the annual H&HF. Greg Nicks delineated feed prices from several entities. SCSFLO, WCSHC and CCSHP will decide which entity to purchase feed in buck. Action steps, on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 Tom Wilson transferred the second heifer to Nathaniel Hardy-SCSFLO. This completes Tom Wilson’s Pass on obligations through WCSHC Heifer Program. Nathaniel Hardy is required to pass on two heifers to another youth within two years. After completion of the second business session members and friends continued planning for the SCSFLO biscuit making workshop. Vivian Sanders, workshop facilitator moved forcibly forward by collecting items and supplies needed for the workshop. As the week ended, SCSFLO members readied themselves for an exciting weekend with their eyes squarely focused on Monday. After Sunday’s service on September 28, 2019, individuals informed Vivian, they would attend this history making event. This energy pinged over the hills and propelled WCSHC members to gear up for a trip south on Monday, September 30, 2019 at Little Rock Church. As hustle and bustle slowed down on Monday the parking spaces started filling up with participants. Joseph and Vivian Sanders arrived before 5pm. They started placing items and supplies in position for a timely start. Sherrie Spivey and Greg Nicks arrived shortly after 5pm. This timeliness highlighted SCSFLO’s members commitment of getting it done with promptness to create positive changes from within their communities. Greg Nicks called the biscuit making workshop to order and delivered a thorough prayer. Ashely Jones, Little Rock Church Member verbalized a warm welcome for attendees. The moment finally arrived with Vivian Sanders starting the biscuit making workshop and she uttered words of working collectively to achieve our goals. She engaged participants in the process of making the biscuits from scratch. Numerous participants said, they never made biscuits.

This workshop motivated their interest to learn. Participant received recipes and tips from senior matriarchs to continue after the workshop. As the audience waited for the final product, Frank Taylor, WCSHC, and Fenton Pope, CCSHP and Greg Nicks of SCSSFLO talked about the purpose of each organization. The trio reinforced the needs for team members to work collectively. Fenton Pope serenaded the Continued on page 3

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SCSFLO’s 3rd 2019 Business Session Report

Continued from page 2 audience with the gospel song “May the Work I Done Speak for me.” Fenton invited everyone to travel to Covington County to participate in their planned events. Greg thanked everyone for joining in the biscuit making workshop.

This is the beginning of SCSFLO’s journey. We are developing our skill sets by participating with WCSHC, ASU, CCSHP and others. We are in the process of moving forward and we extend thanks for your participation. Additionally, we thank our sister organization WCSHC for traveling here and sharing their present in this historical event. Frank delivered closing comments by acknowledging Vivian Dickson from the National Office of NRCS. Vivian offered words of consideration and gratitude. She said, “I am a country girl and we love engaging with landowners and farmers and we want you guys to keep moving forward.” Pastor Charles Watkins offered blessings over the food.

Participants consumed biscuit, jams, sausages, bacon, and subway’s sandwiches, along with water and sodas. SCSFLO & WCSHC celebrated the life of Mrs. Bettye M. Nicks, the Mother of Greg Nicks and Mother-in-Law of Evelyn Nicks.

SCSFLO & WCSHC purchased a flower for the family. Mrs. Bettye M. Nicks Homegoing Service occurred on Saturday, October 19, 2019, 1pm at Little Rock M. B. Church.

The Harvest & Heritage Festival did not occur due to inclement weather conditions on Saturday, October 26, 2019. The eastern parts of Mississippi experienced severe winds above 70 miles per hour and heavy rain. This straight-line storm toppled trees and brought down electrical supply lines which caused power outages throughout Scott County. Power outages prolonged into three days for several members of SCSFLO. We want to extend thanks to Mattie Evans and the planning committee for a fantastic effort in preparing for the 2019 festival. We appreciate your due diligence and commitment to help change attitudes in rural America. Winston County Self Help Cooperative members, who lives in the southwest corner of the county encountered damages to roofs, fences, and loss of electricity for 24 hours. Allen McReynolds, WCSHC suffered downed trees and the loss of power for a day. Scott County’s USDA Local Work Group Meeting occurred on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 10am at the USDA Service Center, 1099 Hwy 35, South, Forest, MS. Joe Addy, District Conservationist and Hope Collins, Soil Conservationist Technician of the Natural Resources Conservation Service convened the local work group meeting to gather input from farmers, landowners and others to determine Scott County’s natural

resources concerns. Greg Nicks, Sherrie and Bobby Spivey members of Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization participated. According to Sherrie Spivey, “we learned the processes how the local office of NRCS spends Scott County’s yearly allotment.

NRCS uses a percentage formula based on the following categories; grazing lands, poultry, forestry, wildlife and recreation to spend the yearly’s allotment. SCSFLO members expressed their resource concerns about grazing and forestry. The local work group meeting helped me as a producer to understand how programs funds are spent across Scott county. I will encourage farmers and landowners from across the state to participate in the yearly local group meeting.” Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization will celebrate and host their Fourth Save Rural America Conference on Thursday, January 23, 2020. “We will add a new dimension to 2020 conference by integrating a youth component according to Greg Nicks of SCSFLO. We will work in conjunction with Scott Central High School student body to introduce agricultural careers. This session will occur during the morning hours on the school campus. We will conclude the conference at Little Rock Church with presentations from USDA, extension and community-based organizations. We look forward to presenting positive information to change lives on Thursday, January 23, 2020.”

Pastor Sheldon Thomas

Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization and Winston County Self Help Cooperative appreciate the support of Pastor Sheldon Thomas and the Little Rock M. B. Church Family for allowing us to have access to the church campus. SCSFLO & WCSHC are working collectively to help change lives in rural America through the assistance of this loving church family. Again, thanks SCSFLO & WCSHC. Notes by Frank Taylor

SCSFLO’s 3rd 2019 Business Session Report

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SCSFLO 2019 PHOTO GALLERY

If you need an accommodation to participate in this activity or event, please contact Latrice Todman at 662-446-2423, or by e-mail at tarieltwcshc@gmail.com. “USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender�