"Gateway To Natural Resources"

HISTORY OF THE FORMATION

The value of a Soil Conservation District to assist the people in Alpena County in their soil and water conservation problems, as first discussed with the local people by the Agricultural Extension Agent.  Meetings were held with service clubs, church groups, rural school teachers, and farm organizations to discuss the advisability of organizing a Soil Conservation District.

In the spring of 1948, the County Agricultural Planning Committee, composed of one delegate from each of the seven subordinate Granges, sixteen Community Farm Bureaus and Junior Farm Bureau, selected as on of their goals the establishment of a Soil Conservation District.

Each delegate discussed the proposed Soil Conservation District with his local community group.  Each group signed petitions asking for a public hearing.  Petitions carrying approximately 500 signatures were submitted to the State Soil Conservation Committee.  Each delegate was then assigned the responsibility of having delegates to the public hearing.

A public hearing was held the evening of October 7, 1948 at the Wilson Town Hall for the purpose of expressing opinions for and against the creation of a Soil Conservation District.  The expression of opinions was in favor of creating a District.

Number of votes for creation of the District. . . . 286

Number of votes against creation of the District .  11

Total number of votes cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

The first organizational meeting was held on December 20, 1948 with the following officers elected:

William Scott, Chairman

Ferdinand Dohn, Vice-Chairman

Stanley Zaborney, Treasurer

Ralph Trafelet, Secretary to the District Directors.

FARMING CONDITIONS IN 1945

The 1945 census shows that there are 1215 farms being operated with a total of 168,710 acres.  The average acreage per farm is 139 acres.  The soil types vary from the clay loams to the light sandy loams with areas of rock out cropping, with the greater area being of the sandy loam type.  Numerous areas of wet sands and muck are interspersed in the areas of clay loams and sandy loams.  The soils for the most part were formed from limestone.  The topography of land is chiefly level to rolling with steeper slopes interspersed.  A large acreage of the land is unsuitable for farming because of stoniness and soil type and is best suited for forest and recreational use.  

Approximately 10% of the total land area is state owned.  Numerous large areas of non-agricultural lands are in private hunting clubs.

Dairy and potatoes have been the most important farm enterprises.  They have made up the major farm income.  However the potato acreage is steadily declining due to diseases attacking the potato crop.  The past year the potato acreage was approximately 1450 acres.  Raspberry acreage has steadily increased.  There are approximately 900 acres now being grown.  Wheat and Barley acreage are increasing. These small grains are replacing potatoes in the rotation.  The growing of vetch in the wheat is furnishing another source of income.

                                                                               1945 Census                            1997/2000 Census

NUMBER OF FARMS                                                1215                                                    412

APPROXIMATE LAND AREA (acres)                             363,520                                           444,055

LAND IN FARMS (acres)                                            168,710                                            78,047

AVERAGE SIZE OF FARMS (acres)                           139                                                      189

CROPLAND HARVESTED (acres)                                55,582                                               54,842

WOODLAND PASTURES (acres)                               69,351                                                   7,263

WOODLAND NOT PASTURED (acres)                         15,891                                             Not Available

WOODLAND TOTAL (acres)                                           85,242                                       Not Available  

CORN FOR ALL PURPOSE (acres)                                2,818                                      5,735 (Corn for grain/seed)

OATS THRESHED FOR GRAIN (acres)                              8,550                                            3100

RYE (acres)                                                                   114                                        Not Available

WINTER WHEAT (acres)                                                3,861                                            2,160

BARLEY (acres)                                                            1,732                                             500

POTATOES (acres)                                                         2,954                                          Under 500

RASPBERRIES (acres)                                                     575                                              Under 500

ALFALFA HAY (acres)                                                  19,354                                               24,500

CLOVER AND TIMOTHY (acres)                                       9,183                                         Not Available

ALL CATTLE AND CALVES                                               19,354                                        10,500

COWS MILKED                                                                     9,656                                    2,900

ALL HOGS AND PIGS                                                          2,955                                   Under 500

ALL SHEEP AND LAMBS                                                        5,148                                  Under 500

ALL CHICKENS                                                                    46,502                                    1,000

 For more information you can contact Pam Troy at the Alpena Conservation District.  She can be reached at (989) 356-3596 ext 101.  Pam can also be reached vial email at pam.troy@mi.nacdnet.net  The following links will take you to a list of some of the services and support that the Alpena Conservation District offers to the community.