LUBBOCK - The South Plains Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts will meet August 15, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the PYCO Industries located at 2901 Ave. A in Lubbock. Registration will begin at 9 a.m.

The featured program speaker is Bobby Cox, president of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. Cox will talk about grape growing and wine production on the High Plains. Specifically, Cox will be speaking on how the knowledge of soil characteristics is vital in conjunction with efficient water use to the growing of grapes for wine production.

“Based on a 2011 market research report, the economic impact of the wine and wine grapes industry on the Texas economy equates to an annual $1.7 billion. This of course includes all ripple factors from the vineyard to the table”, said Cox.

Representatives from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service will update SWCD directors on state and national soil and water conservation programs and issues during the business session.

Twenty-four soil and water conservation districts in the South Plains region of the state are members of the South Plains Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Counties which the SWCDs serve include Bailey, Lamb, Hale Floyd, Motley, Cottle, Hardeman, Foard, Cochran, Hockley, Lubbock, Crosby, Dickens, King, Yoakum, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Kent, Stonewall, Gaines, Dawson, Borden, Scurry and Fisher.

The local Soil and Water Conservation Districts coordinate the implementation of and delivers coordinated natural resource conservation programs to farmers and ranchers. Soil and Water Conservation Districts participate in planning, implementing, and managing programs for preventing and abating agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint sources of water pollution. Soil and Water Conservation Districts also participate in a water supply enhancement program through the targeted control of water-depleting brush; works to ensure local flood control dams are protecting lives and property by providing operation, maintenance, and structural repairs.

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