USDA Joins "Walk a Mile In My Boots" Initiative

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2005—U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Bruce Knight today announced that USDA will join the “Walk a Mile in My Boots” initiative, a work-exchange program between agricultural producers and government employees.

NRCS is working with the National Association of Conservation Districts to implement this cooperative conservation partnership program that was developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“This exchange is an innovative experience that will give ranchers, farmers and our employees the unique opportunity to learn first-hand more about each other’s responsibilities and daily challenges,” said Knight.

Initial participation will involve up to 10 pilot exchanges in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Applicants must complete a questionnaire to determine their availability and identify specialized areas of interest. Program coordinators will pair applicants in an exchange that is local and relevant to each person’s areas of interest.

The length of time for the exchange will be flexible, depending on the availability of the producer and the employee. Generally, exchanges should last up to two weeks.

During exchanges, ranchers and farmers will visit NRCS field offices, state offices or NRCS headquarters in Washington, D.C. They may shadow biologists, managers or other specialists; conduct outdoor field activities; attend agricultural meetings and work with USDA officials. Outdoor activities might include conducting water control monitoring or assisting with fish and wildlife habitat planting.

Government employees will visit a ranch or farm and shadow producers in their daily operations. Activities might include branding and vaccinating calves, moving and feeding livestock, irrigating cropland, building and maintaining conservation buffers or haying.
The “Walk a Mile in My Boots” work-exchange will cultivate relationships among government employees and agricultural producers, increase appreciation for rural lifestyles and related economic pressures, improve opportunities to develop and implement effective solutions that are viable alternatives to regulation, and explore ways to increase sustainability of natural resources and agricultural livelihoods.
Application information for this initiative is on the Web at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/walkamile/.

#

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people
conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer