Rural is as rural does

 

At the April 1 meeting of the Goochland Board of Supervisors, Keith Burgess  District Manager, Conservation Specialist, and Freedom of information act officer for the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District (https://www.monacanswcd.org/) astutely observed the value and role of institutional knowledge. This can be defined as the collective memory of an organization that forms an operational blueprint formed by the collective experience, skillsets and knowledge of employees gained over time.

Transmitting this knowledge to people as an organization evolves prepares people to adapt to situations as they arise, avoid repeating past mistakes, and wasting time bringing new employees up to speed.  This, said Burgess, takes years of conversation and teamwork to transfer the collective operational memory of an organization between leadership and staff. Too often, when experienced employees leave an organization, their institutional knowledge goes with them, creating an operational void.

Burgess welcomed The Hon. Manuel Alvarez as interim county administrator, whose deep knowledge of county operations will get things back on track.

The MSWCD does more than any other organization to keep Goochland rural by supporting agriculture and protecting the environment.

Among its functions are working with local farmers to help them implement best management practices that both increase their productivity and protect the environment. The MSWCD administers the Virginia Cost Share program that helps farmers fence livestock out of streams and build alternate water sources for their animals. See the website for details.

Burgess reported that the MSWCD, like many agencies, is working on its budget as governmental funding sources remain in flux.

According to GIS, Burgess said there are 16,000 parcels of land in Goochland County, 11,000, or 89 percent, of which, are zoned agricultural. Of those “ag” parcels, only 3,300 are larger than five acres, 1,700 of which are enrolled in the land use valuation program. Currently, there are approximately 155 conservation easements—which preclude development in perpetuity—some of which have an assessed valuation of zero.

A 30 plus year employee of MSWCD, Burgess contended that he has probably forgotten some of MSWCD services and projects completed over the years for the benefit of Goochland County. These include serving as environmental inspector; reviewing plans of development and providing unbiased environmental comments; conducting land use seminars; and being recognized at the state level for multiple projects. Innovative ideas crafted by the MSWCD have also gotten national and international attention.

More recently, MSWCD staff, which is headquartered at the Central High School Cultural and Educational Center in Sandy Hook, found a water leak that had eluded county staff which lead to a fast and economical repair without hiring outside contractors.

Thanks to Burgess and the staff and directors of MSWCD for their part in keeping Goochland rural.