Cattle in Appalachia Beef cattle farming in southeastern Ohio's Appalachian country can be as profitable as anywhere in the United States, Bob Evans insists. "Water distribution, high-quality forage, and quality livestock are what it takes to make an operation work." Evans-known to midwesterners for his sausage products, restaurants, and pure-bred Charolais cattle-proves his statement almost daily to visitors at his 2,000-acre Hidden Valley Ranch near Gallipolis in Gallia County, Ohio. Cattle grazing lush grassland offer support for his argument. Evans started ranching after he came home from World War II and soon became a cooperator with the Gallia Soil and Water Conservation District. Working with Soil Conservation Service specialists, he has continued to adopt new and sometimes untried grassland-farming techniques. All of his grassland seedings are Kentucky 31 tall fescue, orchardgrass, or or bluegrass. Separating them by pastures, Evans is able to manage each grass for its most favorable characteristics. Liquid nitrogen and rotational grazing also help assure long-term, healthy stands. Sericea lespedeza is seeded on new areas until grass seeding can be made. This protects the soil, helps heal erosion, and improves the land for use as grassland. It also provides food and cover for wildlife and good hunting. Year-round grazing is a recent practice. Wooded areas furnish needed shelter against winter wind and snow. Round bales of fescue hay left in the field are a winter food supply. "Our herd seems to prefer the open country to wintering in a barn," Evans said. "They are healthier than most sheltered cattle. We also cut down on labor and high building costs." Evans has built a new pond every year. SCS specialists checked out the new pond sites and designed the impoundments. In addition to 20 ponds, Evans has five spring de velopments supplying water. He thinks the cost of these water-re source developments has been defrayed by increased efficiency. The third requirement, along with quality forage and water, is the fast-gaining quality of livestock. The breed is not important if the animals are capable of producing 600-pound-plus calves for fall sales, Evans said. Land-improvement and cost-sav ing procedures account for much of the successful ranch operation that has turned Hidden Valley Ranch into a "conservation showcase" with tangible economic benefits for the community. Scores of people are employed either on the ranch, in the sausage plant, or in the local restaurants. Farm equipment, fertilizer, and related agricultural busi nesses enjoy the side effect of this added prosperity. "This Appalachian area has a good future," Evans predicts. "We have the land, climate, and ample water for cattle farming. All we need are more people willing to work at building a profitable cattle ranch." -GORDON S. SMITH, infor mation specialist, SCS, Upper Dar by, Pa. conservation district. Soil survey data and conservation practices designed to enhance the natural resources of the 2,200- ing relationship with SCS and the The new town in southeastern Minnesota is (like the county) named for Jonathan Carver, an 18th century explorer. Jonathan is within the boundaries of the city of Chaska, to the west of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Both lie in a major growth corridor between Lake Minnetonka and the Minnesota River. Jonathan was among the first to receive financial assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development under a program for new communities. A commitment for potential guarantee of $21 million in debt obligations was signed by HUD Secretary George Romney in February 1970. The initial development is to be doubled in size to accommodate a future population of 50,000. When plans were announced in the summer of 1967, Carver County's soil survey was completed but not published. SCS District Conservationist Don Berg and SCS soil scientists developed a soil capability map of the area using field mapping sheets. They made urban interpretations showing major building site limitations for Ben Cunningham, Jonathan's chief planner. This approach to community planning was instigated by State Senator Henry McKnight. Having cooperated with the Carver District since 1959, McKnight knew the source of soil and water conservation assistance. Plans for his beef cattle farm adjoining the new town reflect the benefits of a good work conservation district. "We have to redo our thinking to save the land rather than redo the land to serve us," Senator McKnight said. Overall planning for land use designated 27 percent of the land for residential areas; 25 percent for recreation and open space; 17 percent for industry; and the balance for roads, lakes, and commercial and religious use. Six new industries already have located in Jonathan. Among the first targets of conservation activity were critical slopes that needed to be clothed in grass and trees to control erosion and sedimentation. All former cropland is being converted to grass to keep soil in place. Berg recommended a selection of grasses and fertilizers to do the job. Marsh areas that have long been neither wet nor dry enough to use are to be reflooded to make homes for wildlife and add esthetic value. State forestry and wildlife people are helping plan for full use of wooded areas and nature trails. Although Jonathan is surrounded by some of Minnesota's "10,000 lakes," it has one of its own, too. Lake Grace, named for Mrs. McKnight, was finished in the spring of 1968 by a private engineering firm that used SCS soils and hydrology data. An apartment complex, a shopping center, and an area designated for cluster development overlook this focal point. Parks surround the town center by the lake with space for golf, playgrounds, picnic areas, and woods. The entire town is laced with treelined greenways for walking or bicycling. A 300-acre tract adjoining Minnesota University's aboretum and fruit research farm has been set aside as an educational center. Each village in Jonathan will have its own shopping center, schools, and playgrounds, all linked with the town center by a parkway system. Site selection for village centers was based primarily on terrain analysis. They are large areas of flatland with exceptionally pleasant natural features, centrally located within a logical land area. A four-building complex of 24 units each is being completed. Village One includes demonstration areas for new-housing concepts such as flexible modular houses and industrially produced "stack" units available in single or multifamily combinations. Now that the building of Jonathan is underway in earnest, the creative conservation plan of Henry McKnight and his staff is being put to the test. From all indications, Jonathan will continue to be a good example of development based on today's technology that meets the needs of people in a city of the future. JOHN M. CROSS, information specialist, SCS, Lincoln, Nebr. Build a better crossing and save money By Ray Kubie Assistant area conservationist, SCS, Roads match up with watershed dams In southeastern Nebraska, an area In sometimes plagued by intense, soil-eroding and flood-producing rainstorms, road improvement has become a practical result of conservation planning. The replacement of rickety or otherwise unsuitable bridges may be undertaken with the building of a dam, which would perform double duty as a container of sediment and a better stream crossing. Since the late 1940's, when soil and water conservation district supervisors first conceived the idea. the use of drop-inlet structures for road improvement has been readily accepted by boards of county commissioners, watershed conservancy district directors, and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committeemen, as well as the conservation districts. The pilot and Public Law 566 watershed programs of the Soil Conservation Service gave further opportunity for improvement of roads, both with erosion-control dams and those installed for flood prevention. Where topography and other considerations permit, either type may be located on the road right-ofway where the structures take the place of bridges or culverts. Where the dams are in drainage courses above county roads, the counties may replace existing bridges, as a part of their regular replacement program, with corrugated metal culverts at a considerable saving to the local taxpayers. Seven such installations were made in Otoe County in 1969. The total to date in that county is 60. Nemaha County has installed 30 road structures, Butler County 15, Conservation plan aids special school By Paul Miletello District conservationist, SCS, Minden, La. Saunders 18, Seward 17 with seven Evergreen Presbyterian Vocational more on the waiting list, Richardson County 12 in recent years (with about 400 in years past), Lancaster County seven, Pawnee County 15, Cass County five, and Johnson County 17. There have been fine examples of cooperation from the Nebraska State Highway Department where problems existed and conditions were feasible for installation. This has been particularly true in the structural phase of the watershed program. Costs for installation may be borne by an individual farmer or a group of farmers, often in cooperation with ASCS, the county, or local sponsors of watershed projects. The federal government shares the cost of dams in watershed projects. In each case technical assistance is available from SCS. Combining conservation land treatment with properly located structures produces benefits to individuals and the community in many ways-supplemental livestock water, erosion control, flood prevention, savings in road and bridge installation and maintenance, improved roadways for moving large equipment and reduction of normal traffic hazards, reducing stream pollution from sedimentation, improvement of wildlife habitat and recreation potential, and beautifying the countryside. ♦ School near Minden, La., occupies 500 acres of campus and farm and pasture land. It is a training ground where boys and girls who learn more slowly than the majority acquire skills to help them find a place in society. The school is operated by the Presbyterian Synod of Louisiana, but support comes also from the state and from private sources. "We help each student recognize those things that he can do to be acceptable in our society," Ralyn Parkhill, director of the school, explained. The Soil Conservation Service, working through the Dorcheat Soil and Water Conservation District, helps the school with conservation and related jobs as do other federal and state agencies. "We have developed a conservation plan for our land with SCS technical help," the director said. "The soil survey helped us to decide which areas to use for cropland, pasture, and recreation. With efficient farming, we can produce most of the meat and milk we need here." Agricultural training at the school consists of dairy, beef cattle, and swine management; use of milking machines and the pasteurization process; planting, cultivating, and harvesting of row crops; fencing; and constructing farm buildings. Forestry training includes the harvesting of poles, sawlogs, and plupwood; timber-stand improve ment; planting and interplanting; maintaining fire lanes; and loading and hauling of forest crops. Fishing and boating are among recreational activities. Three large ponds, built with SCS engineering help, are stocked with bream, bass, and catfish furnished by the Dorcheat District. A large part of the farmwork is done by the boys. "They are learning from experience," Joe Pierson, farm manager, said. "We have boys who are actually running the hog and dairying part of the operation." At times, groups of students live and work off the campus. The most recent off-campus work was for the city of Minden, La., and the Trailblazer-4 Resource Conservation and Development Project. Crews helped install two water-control structures and planted grass on eroded cutbanks of the city airport. Farm management and conservation at Evergreen School are helping give mentally handicapped boys and girls a chance in life. Everything but the kitchen sinks. Differer Watch what ifferent! That's what many visitors say about Alaska. The term fits some of the soils of the vast northland state, particularly those with permafrost. Permafrost is a condition brought about by extremely low average temperatures. Around Fairbankswhere temperatures may range from -65 degrees to more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit-you will find plenty of permafrost. The term means permanently frozen soil material. The uppermost layer in most soils with permafrost thaws and remains saturated during the summer but freezes in winter. Vegetation provides natural insulation, and water below this "active layer" stays frozen in the soil even when air temperature is above freezing. Permafrost has been found to depths of more than 150 feet around Fairbanks. Normal temperature in the permafrost is 30 to 31 degrees. It takes little additional heat to thaw the soil. Successful use of soils underlain by permafrost calls for understanding them, a goal undertaken by the Fairbanks Soil Conservation Subdistrict in recent years. What's the concern? A soil with permafrost "acts up" when the natural cover is removed by people intent on some use other than nature designed for it-such as cultivating it for crops or building houses on it. The permafrost melts, causing the soil to settle. Most soils with permafrost should not be farmed, but some soils with permafrost are excellent for farming. after clearing-except for unstable conditions that come with thawing. Silt loam Minto soils with slopes ranging up to 12 percent, for ex do ample, respond well to development for farming and will produce any locally adapted crop. Minto soils are difficult to use, though, because they contain clear or nearly clear deeply buried ice masses ranging from the size of a football to that of a small house. After the land is cleared, Minto soils will seem normal but removal of the surface vegetation, which provides natural insulation, allows the summer sun to warm the soil. Three to 5 years after clearing, the surface may begin to settle-slowly, but creating a hummocky surface. A deep ice mass may leave a cavern after thawing. During the spring breakup when soil is saturated the soil over the cavern may suddenly fall -resulting in a topographic condition called "thermokarst" pitting. In some cases, caverns formed underground have caused farming hazards. One farm operator had the front end of a fully loaded truck fall into a hole. Another had a cow missing 3 days before he thought to check a field with a number of large open pits. Luckily, with a little water and feed, the cow was none the worse for her "pit stop." On another farm with an unusually large pit, a large tractor was used to fill in the hole. The farmer said only the top of the exhaust stack was visible as the machine worked at smoothing the bottom of the pit. Common visual evidence of thermokarst pitting is a honeycomb pattern over a field, caused by general settling. Troughs or low areas may be 3 to 5 feet lower than mounds around which they form. This shows |