BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — For three-quarters of a century, the Martin County Soil Conservation District has worked to show local farmers that every shovelful of earth can shape their future. On June 18, its chairman Tom Dials stood before the Fiscal Court with a $157,914 budget for the upcoming fiscal year. He also brought two assurances: Young people are embracing the mission, and fresh money is available to help agricultural producers in Martin County.
“The Martin County Soil Conservation District has been in existence for 75 years,” Dials reminded the magistrates. “All that time we’ve been trying as best we can to assist people in Martin County.”
Dials announced that the district, in partnership with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, secured a $95,072 County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) grant in October 2024. Funding for the program comes from Kentucky’s nearly $2.5 billion share of the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement between 46 states and the four largest U.S. tobacco companies.
“We got money in the county for people — to help on their farms,” Dials said, adding that the Soil Conservation District would receive $30,000 per year.
The CAIP provides cost-share assistance to help agricultural producers improve and diversify their farm operations. The program reimburses up to $5,000 per participant. It covers a wide range of investments: bees and honey, equine, forage, beef and dairy cattle, goats and sheep, horticulture, poultry, swine, timber and technology, energy efficiency and production, farm infrastructure, water enhancement, marketing, and value-added production.
“We talked to one person who wanted to buy a bull,” said Dials. “One person built a barn. Of course, $5,000 didn’t build a whole barn, but it sure did help. Some people did some fencing and they did other things.”
Applicants must have a farm number and meet state eligibility requirements.
“We have a committee that grades the applications,” Dials said. “We grade those applications based upon the state requirements.”
The Martin County Agricultural Development Council manages the CAIP grant and scores the applications. Members include James Cline, Floyd Jude, Bruce Endicott, John D. Preece, Steve Bowman, Tom Dials, Megan Harris, Richard Shmikler and Lauren Traitz.
As treasurer of the Council, Dials said he has already written checks totaling $18,990 to support five local projects.
According to Dials, the district hosted two public meetings to inform residents about the program and application process.
“We had about 60 people attend,” he said.
Dials said the district plans to announce the opening of the next enrollment period. (Watch for the required public notice in the newspaper.)
“It’s open to everyone, and we’re proud to do that,” he added.
While the funding for producers was a highlight, Dials also spoke about the district’s focus on students and education. A significant component of that outreach is the annual Jim Claypool Art & Essay Contest. The district promotes the competition each September at a breakfast with local school principals.
The 2024–2025 contest theme—“Protecting the Forest Together,”—encouraged students to explore forestry and environmental health.
“We had good participation this year,” said Dials. “In April we had a banquet for the winners and their parents.”
Roughly 80 students and family members attended the awards banquet at the Martin County Cooperative Extension Service office.
To further involve students, the district partners with the Martin County Public Library each May to deliver hands-on education to fourth-graders. The program earned the district statewide recognition two years ago as the top Outstanding Conservation Education District.
Before concluding, Dials noted that the district’s office in the Collier Center is replacing its only computer.
He also reminded the Fiscal Court that the district was “instrumental” in the development of the King Fisher Branch Trail and God’s Promise Trail.
“Several years ago I was at a state conference and saw where Russellville, Kentucky, had a trail,” Dials shared. “We came back and put this thing together.”
Kingfisher Branch Trail is a nature loop that blends outdoor recreation with education, heritage, and spiritual reflection. Located behind the Collier Center in Inez, the trail winds through a wooded area, crossing a small stream and passing a waterfall. Native plants, informational signage and benches along the way invite learning and rest. The upper section includes steep climbs with rustic steps and workout equipment.
Kingfisher Branch leads to the intersection of God’s Promise Trail. There, a heritage area featuring a restored log cabin, one-room schoolhouse and gazebo chapel welcomes visitors.
God’s Promise Trail includes a faith-based route with scripture signs and a summit altar offering a peaceful space for prayer or meditation.
Each October, the Soil Conservation District hosts Heritage Day at Kingfisher Branch to celebrate local culture and history. This gathering began as the trail’s grand opening and now attracts families, history fans and nature lovers alike. Attendees enjoy heritage crafts, live music, storytelling sessions and demonstrations.
The event encourages visitors to explore the wooded loop, learn about native plants, and try traditional Appalachian skills like blacksmithing or quilting. At midday, a communal dinner features Appalachian favorites, such as soup beans and fried potatoes cooked over an open fire on location.
The Fiscal Court unanimously accepted the budget.