The grant comes from CAWACO Research Development and Conservation, a government-affiliated agency that supports educational and community development in five central Alabama counties, including Blount.

Blountsville and Cleveland will use the money toward building community safe rooms. Locust Fork will use the money to purchase generators for its town hall and help in contructing a community safe room, and Snead will relocate an outdoor warning siren and install an additional outdoor warning siren. Receipt of the funds is contingent on the towns’ receiving other grants pending for the projects and expending CAWACO funds on the projects as designated.

For more on this project click on the link below-

www.blountcountian.com/news/2011-11-16/Front_Page/Commission_relays_CAWACO_grant_helps_fund_JPO_sala.html

LeCroy started the robotics team at Isabella in 2009 to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Shortly thereafter, the team grew to become countywide.

For entire article follow this link -

http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2011/11/21/robotics-program-receives-cawaco-grant/

Lisa George accepts Wells Fargo Award during Day of Giving

Cawaco’s Horticulture Therapy Program Honored by Gift from Wells Fargo At Days of Giving Event

 Cawaco RC&D’s Horticulture Therapy Program was honored by Wells Fargo with a $1,000 grant at the company’s Days of Giving ceremony at The Birmingham Zoo’s Trails of Africa on September 20, 2011.

The donation to (GROUP) is among nearly 140 contributions, each for $1,000, to non-profits acrossAlabamamade at community events.  It was the first initiative of its kind inAlabama, and Wells Fargo had not supported many of the groups before.

“These unrestricted dollars will allow us to continue to help the community,” said Lisa George.  “With the economy still suffering, the money couldn’t come at a better time.”

“A hallmark of Wells Fargo is local decision-making and local involvement,” said George Trible, community bank president for Mid South Central’s region.  “Through Days of Giving we’re connecting with local communities in a whole new way.”

He added that the Horticulture Therapy Program was selected by frontline employees of the company for the honor.

AcrossAlabama, Wells Fargo has 3,000 employees and serves customers at 190 locations.

Added Mr. Trible, “We know the needs continue to be great across our area, especially now.  This is a new way to help more people and more groups that we haven’t been able to reach in the past.”

The Chilton County Farm, Home & Wildlife Expo 2011

August 6, 2011

In an attempt to make the public aware of the resources that are available to them at the research and extension center,  a field day we term as the Farm, Home and Wildlife Expo highlights the fruit and vegetable work that is ongoing to addresses needs that pertain to the culture these crops are grown in. We offer tours of research underway, tasting of in season fruit and vegetables, samples of cooked items using these products in the recipes, to educate the consumer of other ways to incorporate these healthy items into their diet.  Cooking demonstrations to show consumers how to include other farm raised products including beef, poultry and dairy in their menus at home and inform them of the value these cuts have to the diet.

This event attracted over 1000 participants, who braved the heat as well as the thunderstorms, in order to sample, learn and enjoy fruits, ice cream, cooking and canning, and farm demonstrations. This program was partially funded by Cawaco RC&D, who provided the Chilton County Research Center a $5,000.00 grant.

Horticulture Therapy will be attending and speaking at the American Horticulture Therapy Association Annual Conference, Oct. 21-23, 2011.

The article on Cawaco’s Horitculture Therapy Program is located on Page 18. Click here for entire publication: AHTANews_LateSummer[1]page18Horticulture Therapy Association Newsletter

You will see HTP founder Susan Grimes in a Hawaiian shirt in some photos working with the 4H Club.

See the Video HERE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNDMe4AqHQQ

July 27, 2011 Brad Gaskins/Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The Harrison Library System has received a grant to develop a local collection of instructional resources for skilled workers and trade students.

The grant will provide equal and easy access of resources to those wanting to begin or advance their careers, as well as provide current code and regulations for those already working.

Shelby County, even during a down economy, is recognized as the fastest-growing county in Alabama.

“As such, there is a great need for skilled workers to facilitate the challenges of a growing population,” said Kim Roberts, assistant director for the Harrison system.

Career fields include electrician, HVAC installation and repair, construction technology, plumbing, welding, woodworking, automotive maintenance and repair, urban landscaping, CDL, PE, highway and road construction and computer/networking.

Roberts said the Shelby County library system has “had an influx of requests for educational and instructional materials supporting skilled workers, craftsmen and trade students.”

The grant will help people get a job or advance their careers in a chosen trade while significantly contributing to Shelby County, Roberts said.

“Our hope is that by making this investment in quality craftsmanship that it develops a professional skilled labor market and improves the quality of life of skilled workers, their families and communities.”

The project is funded, in whole or in part, by the Cawaco Resource, Conservation and Development Council and ACES (Alabama Cooperative Extension System).

Cawaco works to support educational and community projects that will make a significant local impact. RC&D Council works to encourage economic and environmental advancement and to raise the standard of living in all communities. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System cultivates community development and economic prosperity in areas throughout Alabama.

http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2011/07/27/harrison-library-supplies-resources-for-skilled-workers-trade-students/

The Alabama 4-H center in Columbiana recently closed a $10,000.00 grant they receieved through Cawaco RC&D and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The grant provided scholarships to students throughout the Cawaco 5-County area.  The educational objective was to promote environmental education and leadership skills through hands-on experimental learning. Topics studied included entimology, forest ecology, herpetology, macro invertebrate study, orinthology, rivers and reservoirs, and outdoor recreation. The scholarships allowed over 2500 students from Walker, Shelby and Jefferson counties to attend the science school program. Without the funding, none of the participants would have been able to attend these events.

Springwood students conducting chemical studies on Lay Lake

http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2011/07/06/timberline-stream-under-restoration/

http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2011/06/23/minooka-now-has-permanent-cleaner-waste-treatment/