Emergency Conservation Program Signup Underway Until May 15

April 17, 2020
By:

Donny Green, County Executive Director of the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency, announces due to March 29, 2020 straight-line wind damages in portions of DeKalb and Cannon counties, the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency has been authorized to implement a signup period for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). “Although we have been authorized to accept applications for cost-share assistance, there is no guarantee funding will become available. However, if you would like to be considered for cost-share approval, you should immediately complete an application for ECP cost-share assistance in hopes of anticipated program funding,” says Green.

DeKalb and Cannon counties’ ECP signup period began April 15, 2020 and will continue through 4:30 p.m. on May 15, 2020. The minimum amount of damage to be eligible for assistance under this program is $1,000, unless you are a limited resource producer (adjusted household income for each of the last two filing years is less than $25,750 (DeKalb Co.) and $27,974 (Cannon Co.). Persons that qualify as limited resource producers only have to incur $250 damage to meet the loss threshold. The damage must be on agricultural land (cropland, hayland, or pastureland) and the damage must be directly associated with the straight-line wind event.

Eligible expenses for this program are:
•personal labor ($10) for fence repair/new installation, grading/shaping/leveling (where large trees are uprooted), and debris removal

•hired labor (based on invoice or canceled check) for fence repair/new installation, grading/shaping/leveling (where large trees are uprooted), and debris removal

•use of personal equipment (chainsaw, truck, tractor, heavy equipment) based on Tennessee’s established hourly rate for debris removal and grading/shaping/leveling (where large trees are uprooted)

•invoice for contracted equipment (heavy equipment) for debris removal and grading/shaping/leveling (where large trees are uprooted)

•invoice for purchased materials (fence repair/replacement)

•documented use of materials on hand (fence repair/replacement)

Whoever incurs the expense of repair/clean-up from damages directly related to straight-line winds is eligible for 75% cost-share under this program. Limited resource producers are eligible for 90% cost-share under this program. It is very important to keep a running and itemized record of all expenses, invoices, use of equipment, and personal labor. Before and after photographs are also suggested to support your application. If you use equipment, we will need information detailing what type and horsepower. There are different cost-share rates for different types/sizes of equipment.

Landowners or tenants who wish to apply for USDA cost-share assistance should immediately telephone the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency office to initiate application. Green reminds all applicants that, although his office is accepting the requests, this does not imply that cost share assistance will be made available. If funds become available, the applications processed will receive funding if all eligibility requirements are met. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. on May 15, 2020 will not be approved.

Green reminds potential applicants that USDA Service Centers are not permitted to allow in-person visits during COVID-19 Level 2 status. As a result, all applications and customer transactions must be conducted by telephone, postal mail, or e-mail. Please call the DeKalb-Cannon County FSA office at 615-597-8225, Ext. 2 to initiate your application process. The office staff will mail you an ECP applicant packet with the information you will need.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

April 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

UPDATE: The 23rd Annual DeKalb County Relay for Life has been suspended until further notice. The yearly fundraising event for the American Cancer Society at Green Brook Park was originally set for May 1 and later postponed until May 29 due to COVID-19. Relay has now been suspended until further notice.

April 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School system’s drive through “meals for kids” program on Mondays and Thursdays will be extended at least a few more weeks.

The weekly food distribution began last month after schools were closed due to COVID-19. The idea was to ensure that children and teens had plenty to eat while at home until schools re-opened. With the Governor’s recommendation that schools remain closed for the remainder of this academic year, DeKalb County will continue the food drive at least into the month of May on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon at DeKalb Middle School, DCHS, and DeKalb West School.

The food boxes on Mondays are good for a three day supply and a two day supply on Thursdays. Students being served must be inside the vehicles driving through the pickup line. Meals must be taken home and should be refrigerated until served.

“We appreciate the way our community has come through and supported us with this. We are serving a little over 900 kids each day out of 2,700 students in our district so about 30% of our kids are coming through each day,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps.

“The churches especially have helped support us with our food program and not just monetarily but in the time they have put in packing and passing out food bags. They were on board from the get go and I can’t say enough about their support. Its great to know we have people who love kids and are praying for them and the school system because they know this is totally new and has brought on stress for parents, kids, and teachers who have to get lesson plans together to teach on line or through other contact with students who had packets of lesson plans sent home to them,” said Director Cripps.

“Other community people who have supported us include County Mayor Tim Stribling, Smithville Mayor Josh Miller, Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins and his officers, Sheriff Patrick Ray and School Resource Officers, Alexandria Police Chief Chris Russell, and Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker, along with many more.

“Chief Collins has had three or four officers working this area (DMS/DCHS) every Monday and Thursday making sure everyone is safe getting in and out of the parking lot onto the highway,” Cripps continued.

“I also want to thank School Nutrition Supervisor Amy Lattimore and our cafeteria staff, managers, and cooks who come in and work every Monday and Thursday to get this food ready to go out. They have done a fantastic job helping feed these kids,” said Cripps.

Not only is the food distribution helping students with their nutrition needs, Director Cripps said it is helpful in other ways.

“When these little kids come through the line, many of them get excited when they see their principals waiting to serve them and it means a lot to us as administrators. Its important for us to help see to their safety and social emotional well being,” he said.

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