NEWBERRY COUNTY — The biggest fundraising event for the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District is the Affiliate Membership program.

Danielle Himsey, district coordinator, said they hold a number of programs because of their membership.

“All of the money that comes from membership dues goes back into the programs. People can join at any point during the year, but it lasts just for the calendar year, so Jan. 1 to Dec. 31,” Himsey said. “Most of the money that we get are grants funded through the Department of Natural Resources or Newberry County and it goes into helping the district run, pay bills, insurance, things like that. The remainder of the funding goes into helping our programs and events run.”

The money received from the Affiliate Membership program funds programs such as education outreach, Camp Conservation and all of the programs Himsey coordinates for Newberry County residents. Funds raised through the membership program allow her to add to the programs offered.

“Camp Conservation is one of my biggest ones. It is a week long summer day camp for kids. This teaches them about natural resources, conservation, recycling and it gets them outdoors. That will take place July 17-21 this year,” Himsey said. “If I get more members, I can increase the programs.”

So how much does it cost to become a member? For individual members membership is $50 and up and business memberships are $100 and up. A membership due is 100 percent tax deductible.

Members also get a discount card for discounts to Newberry County 4-H, Wilson Tractor Inc., Pour Richard’s and Fulmer Building Supplies Inc. plus two tickets to the NSWCD banquet held in October.

“The individual membership is by household, so anyone who lives in that house becomes a member, but they will only get two tickets to the banquet,” Himsey said.

However, the biggest benefit to becoming a member is the improvement to the public and educational outreach programs.

Members can also attend these programs for free. These include but are not limited to the Gardening Series, Rain Barrel Workshop, Movie Night and any classes in between.

Annually the NSWCD has about 70 members, a number has been growing since Himsey started in 2014. Membership was under 50 then.

NSWCD Commissioner Wayne Satterwhite joined in the 1990s. He said he was originally invited by aboard member to sit in on some of the meetings.

“I think NSWCD has helped to maintain the environment in the county. I think there has been some soil and water practices that have been put in place all over the county,” he said. “If you want to become further involved in the community, that is one way to do it. Come and sit on a few meetings. You cannot just do it in one meeting.”

Himsey added members like what they do as far as educating youth, and the programs they put on.

“Our members are mostly farmers and land owners. In the last two years, we have gotten a lot more individuals that are backyard gardeners,” she said. “Working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service helps us get members as well.”

Becoming a member can also be beneficial to farmers because of the local support system they give to the District.

She added that they are very agriculture related and bring that to the schools. That in turns helps farmers and land owners know there is a future in agriculture in Newberry County.

Contact Himsey at 803-597-3160 for more information on becoming a member.

The Rain Barrel Workshop is one of the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual programs that members of NSWCD can attend for free.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_image000000.jpgThe Rain Barrel Workshop is one of the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual programs that members of NSWCD can attend for free. Courtesy photo

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.