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Friday, April 7, 2000 Washington, DC.
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"The biggest public health problems I think in India and many other countries throughout the world are based on the fact that there's not enough clean water and too much of the soil is washing away or blowing away in the wind." President Clinton, Jaipur, India
SPECIAL NOTICE: Next week is National Volunteer Week!
- Focus on the Field
- North Dakota: Soil Primer Earns High Marks
- Louisiana: State's First American Indian Youth Camp Held
- Oklahoma: Choctaw Nation Gets First Conservation Plan, Approved for Grant
- Pennsylvania: Flyash Cuts Paving Costs for Heavy-Use Areas, Says Study
- Ohio: RC&D Identifies 3K Limited Resource Farmers
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- Tech Tip
- Restoring Plants Important to Indigenous People
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- Awards & Accolades
- Buffers Group Honored for Innovations for Wildlife
- Connecticut: Trout Unlimited Pres Congratulates NRCS, Partners on Norwalk Plan
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- What's Up on the Web
- Farm Policy Hearings Info On-line
- NRCS Legislative Summaries
- Secretary's News Release on Using GIS to Increase Donations to Farmer's Markets
- The April issue of NACD's District Leader
FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Soil Primer Earns High Marks in North Dakota -
Soil scientists from NRCS North Dakota report that producers and crop consultants are saying good words about the agency's recently released "Soil Biology Primer." North Dakota State University professors have requested copies of the primer for use in soil microbiology courses. Seed company representatives are using illustrations from the primer in their presentations. A seed dealer informed NRCS that his company is willing to pay for the printing cost of 5,000 copies of the primer. One producer said, "This is one of the best publications NRCS has produced in a long time." Your contact is Arlene Deutscher, State Public Affairs Specialist, on (701) 530-2099.
Louisiana's First American Indian Youth Camp Held -
The Louisiana Indian Education Advocacy Committee and the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs conducted the State's first-ever American Indian Youth Camp. Approximately 40 American Indian young adults from various tribes learned about heritage, leadership, crafts, dance, and opportunities for higher education from tribal members and elders. NRCS personnel took the opportunity to talk to the group about USDA, NRCS and other agencies, natural resource conservation, Earth Team, and possible employment with USDA. The Louisiana Indian Education Advocacy Committee's mission is to support the Office of Indian Affairs with establishing guidelines to support traditional Native cultures and values, enable Native learners to be contributing members of their communities, and improve educational opportunities and resources for American Indians. Your contact is Herb Bourque, State Public Affairs Specialist, on (318) 473-7762.
Choctaw Nation Gets First Conservation Plan, Approved for Grant -
The first conservation plan for the Choctaw Nation was written and approved for property located in McCurtain County, Oklahoma. The Little River Conservation District approved the plan, written by Tribal Resource Conservationist Ann Colyer. The plan consists of 3,082 acres. The cropland is leased to an individual. Bermuda grass and alfalfa are grown for the cattle operation. The Choctaw Nation was also recently approved for a grant through the Oklahoma Grazing Lands Conservation Association. Through the grant, three varieties of bermuda grass will be grown. This will be a 2-year demonstration project. Your contact is Ann on (580) 924 8280 x5134.
Flyash Cuts Paving Costs for Heavy-Use Areas, Says PA Study -
Studies by NRCS Pennsylvania and its partners shows that applying flyash is an effective and low-cost way to protect heavy-use areas on farms. NRCS, USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and Pennsylvania State University are seeing impressive results in trials on cooperators' farms and are determining which additives help flyash work best in barnyards, access lanes, and manure stacking pads. When it comes to cost, the price is definitely right. Local power plants provide the flyash free of charge because it saves them from having to dispose of it. If there are hauling charges, they are usually less than the cost of paving with gravel or concrete. Research done by NRCS and ARS in Ohio was used in the Pennsylvania study. For more information, contact Alan Wood, State Project Engineer, at awood@pa.nrcs.usda.gov
Ohio RC&D Identifies 3K Limited Resource Farmers -
More than 3,000 limited resource farmers identified by Southeast Ohio's Buckeye Hills RC&D will be contacted and surveyed to increase awareness of conservation programs and practices. Incentives will be offered for applying conservation practices. This outreach focused on 10 townships that have significant populations of Appalachians, African Americans, American Indians, and Hispanics. Farmers will be asked for their input regarding programs and practices, acquainted with pasture land and forestry practices, and offered follow-up technical assistance. Your contact is Latawnya Dia, State Public Affairs Specialist, on (614) 255-2471.
TECH TIP
Restoring Plants Important to Indigenous People -
By Scott Peterson, National Plant Data Center
Gathering plants from the land and using them to weave baskets, make meals, heal ailments, and carve utensils is known as ethnobotany. Throughout the U.S. today, indigenous people still harvest native plants that play a very important part in maintaining cultural identity. Information about the uses, propagation, establishment, and management of these native plants is available through a series of cultural Plant Guides available through the PLANTS Web site http://plants.usda.gov/ The Plant Guides also provide information on propagation and management of these native species that are important for ecological restoration projects.
The National Plant Data Center (NPDC) would like to assist each NRCS region in developing plant guides for your area that would be available electronically. Please let your State PLANTS Coordinator know if there are key species not on the PLANTS Web site for which you would like Plant Guides completed to aid you in providing assistance to clients. They will forward that information on to the NPDC. For more information, contact Scott at speterson@npdc.usda.gov
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Buffers Group Honored for Innovations for Wildlife -
The Buffers for Wildlife Group, which teamed personnel from NRCS, State agencies, and University of Illinois Extension, received the Wildlife Management Institute's Touchstone Award at the recent held 65th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. The group developed and implemented wildlife friendly job sheets that assist field personnel with producing farmland conservation plans and programs for enhancing wildlife. Sharing the award are:
From NRCS: Hank Henry (Watershed Science Institute), and Charlie Rewa, Ed Hackett, Kathy Staley, Wendell Gilgert, and Bill Hohman (Wildlife Habitat Management Institute).
From the States and Extension: Virgil Kopf (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries), Edith Thompson (Maryland Department of Natural Resources-Wildlife and Heritage Division), Steve Hall (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department), Allan Clark (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources), Dick Warner (University of Illinois Extension), and Pat Kuck (South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources).
Chief Pearlie S. Reed congratulated the group and gave special acknowledgement to Hank Henry who was the overall coordinator of the project. Hank accepted the award on behalf of the group. WMI President Rollin D. Sparrowe presented the award. Your contact is Richard E. McCabe, Vice President, Wildlife Management Institute on (202) 371-1808, ext. 24.
Trout Unlimited Pres Congratulates NRCS, Partners on Norwalk Plan -
NRCS and its partners received special recognition when Charles Gauvin, National President and CEO of Trout Unlimited, visited the Norwalk River Watershed. Gauvin recently toured sites where the local Trout Unlimited Chapter, NRCS, and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection are working together to improve fisheries habitat and water quality. He congratulated the partners on the Norwalk River Watershed Action Plan and said that the partners' plan serves as a model for protection of natural resources. The plan focuses on water quality, flood protection, habitat restoration, land use changes, and long-term stewardship of the watershed. For more information about this initiative, contact Walter Smith, Water Quality Coordinator, on (860) 487-4040. For more information on the fisheries habitat improvement work, contact Todd Bobowick, Resource Conservationist, on (860) 626-8258.
CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION
April 7, 2000
As a service to NRCS personnel and the agency's partners, "NRCS This Week" offers the following by-subject list of conferences and training sessions. To add an event, please send an e-mail message to brad.fisher@usda.gov
- Agricultural Engineering
- UPDATE! Agroforestry/Forestry
- NEW!Alternative Agriculture
- Buffers
- Carbon Sequestration
- Core 4
- Economics
- Employee Organizations
- Environmental Education
- UPDATE! Ethics
- Executive Women in Government
- Farming & Ranching
- Flood Control
- Grazing Land & Grassland
- Land Use
- NEW! Mining & the Environment
- Partnerships
- Resource Conservation & Development
- Rivers
- UPDATE! Science & Natural Resources
- Water Quality
- Watersheds
- Wetlands
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Agricultural Engineering
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- American Society of Agricultural Engineers 2000 Annual International Meeting
- July 9-12
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- The theme for this year's meeting is "Engineering Solutions for a New Century." Interact with engineering professionals worldwide; share your ideas, techniques, and research with your peers; and promote the profession of agriculture, food, and engineering. For additional information, contact ASAE at http://www.asae.org, or William Hughey at (202)-720-5023 and william.hughey@usda.gov
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Agroforestry/Forestry
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- Forest Utilization Conference & Equipment Expo
- April 26-28
- Western Hills Resort, Sequoyah State Park, Wagoner, Oklahoma
- Contact Ouachita Mountains RC&D on (918) 423-2479, or at omrcandd@icok.net
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- NEW! Pacific Northwest Regional Poplar Conference
- May 9
- Spokane, Washington
- A regional conference on the expanding opportunities for hybrid poplars in new markets,
- wastewater management, carbon credits, strategies for production, culture and management, and economics of dryland and irrigated production. Contact: Janet Kidder on (509) 353-2187, or at janetk@spkol.com by April 28.
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- UPDATE! Fragmentation 2000-A Conference on Sustaining Private Forests in the 21st Century
- September 17-20
- Annapolis, Maryland
- An examination of the forces that are fragmenting American working lands and forests. Contact: Lester DeCoster on (703) 860-2513, and at lesdecoster@worldnet.att.net To submit papers, contact: Terri Bates at 3325 Rose Lane, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. Her telephone number: (703) 538-1134, and at <Bates-Stasny@erols.com> To get updates, articles, and registration material (coming soon), click on http://www.sampsongroup.com/FragCon/frag_conf.htm
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- International Poplar Commission 2000 Conference
- Sept. 24-30
- Portland, Oregon
- Will include scientists and practitioners from more than 32 countries. The theme: "Poplar and Willow Culture: Meeting the Needs of Society and the Environment." Papers will be presented in working group sessions, including Poplar and Willow Breeding, Diseases, Insects and Other Animal Pests, Production and Environmental Systems, and Logging and Utilization. The Web site is http://www.ncfes.umn.edu/IPC2000/
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Alternative Agriculture
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- NEW! Alternative Ag Expo
- August 28-29
- Sioux City, Nebraska
- Will feature locally grown food systems, nutrition, concurrent sessions for farmers, non-farmers, and urban residents. For more information, contact the Nebraska Loess Hills, RC&D Council on (402) 494-3701.
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Buffers
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- Buffers: Commonsense Conservation for Urbanizing Landscapes
- May 9-11
- Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City, Nebraska
- For more information, please check the National Arbor Day Foundation's web site on http://www.arborday.org
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Carbon Sequestration
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- Wetlands, Carbon Cycling, and Future Climate Change Workshop
- April 25-27
- Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland
- This workshop will explore what is known scientifically about wetlands as carbon reservoirs and the role of wetlands in sequestering carbon including methane production and sequestering in sediments. It will explore the implications of various land management strategies such as planting trees, fire control, and flooding. It will suggest wetland and carbon cycling research needs. Web site: http://www.aswm.org
Carbon: Exploring the Benefits to Farmers and Society
- August 29-31
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Ag perspectives on emerging policies and technologies involving carbon management and sequestration and other greenhouse gases. Focus on the impacts and benefits of carbon sequestration affecting ag producers, society and the environment. Hear ideas from a cross-section of policy, science, and industry perspectives. Poster abstracts due March 13. Contact Alice Vinsand, conference coordinator, at (515) 225-1051 or email
- avinsand@aol.com Complete abstract details and other conference information are available at http://www.cvrcd.org/carbon.htm
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Core 4
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- Core 4 Field Day
- June 15
- Eminence, Kentucky (near Louisville)
- Sponsored by the Shelby and Henry County Conservation Districts on Worth and Dee Ellis Farms. See Core 4 on the job on an award-winning family farm and presentations by USDA and University of Kentucky conservation specialists. For more information, contact Mike Ellis on (502) 845-4740 or by e-mail at wdemike@iglou.com
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Economics
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- Valuation 2000
- July 10-13
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- A business, education, and networking conference sponsored by the American Society of Appraisers, American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and the Appraisal Institute. Will focus on environmental concerns and their impact on valuation, technology in valuation and its use, employment, regulatory concerns, trends, and other unique valuation problems. May be the largest gathering of NRCS' resource information customers, especially regarding soil survey. For more information, see http://www.val2000.org/
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- 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Agricultural Economists
- July 30-August 2
- Tampa, Florida
- For meeting information, see http://www.aaea.org/meetings/m2000
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Employee Organizations
National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees
- (NOPHNRCSE) 8th Annual Training Conference
- June 26-29
- Washington, D.C.
- Theme: "Hispanics-The New Dynamic." In conjunction with the Hispanic Emphasis Program Managers (HEPM) and Federal Women Program Managers (FWPM) training sessions. For more information call Gerry Gonzalez (NOPHNRCSE) on (602) 280-8777, Rafael Salazar (HEPM) on (706) 554-5183, or Sheila Greene (FWPM) on (301) 504-2178.
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- Environmental Education
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- 22nd Annual Natural Resource Societies Science Day
- June 7
- Washington, D.C.
- The event will address projected demographic, technology, and economic trends and their effects on natural resource science and practice.
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- North American Association for Environmental Education National Conference
- October 17-21
- South Padre Island, Texas
- The conference theme is "Spanning Cultural and Ecological Diversity through Environmental Education." Learn more about the conference, at http://www.naaee.org
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Ethics
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- The Good in Nature and Humanity: Connecting Science, Religion, and the Natural World
- May 11-14
- New Haven, Connecticut
- An extraordinary gathering at Yale University of scientists, religious, and spiritual
- leaders, conservationists, and resource practitioners from around the world. Will examine the divide between faith and reason and its challenge to a future of sustainability. Sponsored by the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, the Yale University Divinity School, the Wilderness Society, and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. For more information, including a complete list of speakers and a
- schedule of events, please visit the conference's Web site at http://www.yale.edu/natureandhumanity/
- UPDATE! Science Day Conference 2000
- June 7
- Washington, D.C.
- Theme for the 22nd annual event is: "Science, Policy, and Values: Natural Resource Decision Making in the New Century." The event will provide resource science professionals opportunities to share ideas on current and emerging issues, and the latest developments in science and technology. Presented by the Washington, D.C., Area Chapters of: American Fisheries Society, Ecological Society of America, Society for Range Management, Society of American Foresters, Soil and Water Conservation Society, The Wildlife Society. Program details, location, registration, and other information is on the Web at: http://www.potomac-afs.org/science_day.html Contact: Bill Boyer on (202) 720-0307.
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Executive Women in Government
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- Reaching Beyond: Governance in the 21st Century
- May 24
- Washington, D.C.
- A futurist's view, CEO best practices, community-based solutions, New High-Tech Tools and more! Prepare yourself for new job opportunities in the next administration with this exciting training conference. Sponsored by Executive Women in Government. Call (703) 941-0023 for details.
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- Farming & Ranching
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- The Culture, Economics, and Ecology of Ranching West of the 100th Meridian
- May 4-6
- Colorado State University at Fort Collins
- Will bring together people who practice and help change the culture, ecology, and economics of ranching. Sponsored by NRCS, American Farmland Trust, the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management, The Nature Conservancy, and others. Contact CSU's Office of Conference Services on (970) 491-6222. E-mail messages to Wendell Gilgert at wgilgert@cnr.colostate.edu
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- Flood Control
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- Nation's First Upland Flood Control Rehabilitation Project Celebration
- April 14
- Cheyenne, Oklahoma
- Site 2 Sergeant Major Creek will be rededicated after complete rehabilitation of the 50-year dam, which will extend its life for another 100 years. For more information, contact Nena Wells, Upper Washita Conservation District, Cheyenne, Oklahoma, on (580) 497-3413.
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- Association of State Floodplain Managers' 24th Annual Conference
- June 16-23
- Austin, Texas
- "Floodplain Management 2000 and Beyond: A New Beginning in a New Millenium." For reservations, call (512) 477-1234.
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- Grazing Land & Grassland
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- 1ST Annual Mid-America Grassland Evaluation Contest
- June 5-7
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Open to FFA and 4-H teams, nationwide. Contest includes soil interpretation, plant identification, forage and livestock management, and wildlife habitat management. Sponsored by the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council, in cooperation with NRCS, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and University of Missouri Outreach and Extension. Contact Melodie Marshall on (800) 364-8732x3, or Mark Kennedy on (417) 967-2028.
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- First National Conference on Grazing Lands
- December 5-8
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Economic and environmental effects of proper grazing lands management. Sponsored by NACD, Grazing Lands and Public Lands Committee, the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), and others. Abstracts for oral and poster papers accepted until April 1. Contact John W. Peterson, NCGL Program Manager, by phone on (703) 455-4387, or fax at (703) 455-6886, or by e-mail on jwpeterson@erols.com
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- Land Use
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- Land Conservation Summit 2000
- July 28-29
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- The conference will advance the debate about private land conservation and the use of conservation easements in the new millennium.
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- Mining & the Environment
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- Conference on Tailings and Mine Waste
- January 15-18, 2001
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- A forum for members of the mining community, engineers, and scientists concerned with environmental issues related to tailings and mine waste management. Abstracts due by June 2. To submit an abstract or for more information, contact Linda Hinshaw, Department of Civil Engineering, Colorado State Univeristy, (970) 491-6081, or at (lhinshaw@engr.colostate.edu
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- Partnerships
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- Northern Plains Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- June 11-13
- Pierre, South Dakota
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- SWCS Annual Conference: Gateway to the Future-Conserving Private Land
- July 8-12
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Information is available on the Soil and Water Conservation Society's Web page at http://www.swcs.org Your contact is Charlie Persinger, SWCS, Director of Member Services, 7515 NE Ankeny Road, Ankeny, Iowa 50021-9764. Voice: (515) 289-2331, ext. 12. Fax: (515) 289-1227. Email: charliep@swcs.org
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- North Central Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- July 9-11
- Sault St. Marie, Minnesota
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- South Central Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- July 30-August 1
- Springdale, Arkansas
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- Northeastern Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- August 6-9
- South Portland, Maine
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- Southeastern Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- August 13-15
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- Southwestern and Pacific Regional Meetings--National Association of Conservation Districts
- September 10-12
- Reno, Nevada
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- NASDA 2000
- September 22-27
- Columbus, Ohio
- Meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Contact: Liana Lee, Ohio Department of Agriculture on (614) 466-2732.
Third Biennial Conference on Understanding Each Other and Working Together for a Better Future
- October 24-25
- Eugene, Oregon
- Forum for agricultural interests, government, and environmentalists to discuss issues relevant to agriculture and water quality. Perspectives presented in a non-confrontational forum and others see and understand other points of view. For more information, see the conference's Web site at http://www.agwaterqualitynw.org
- 2001 National Association of Conservation Districts' Annual Meeting
- February 4-8
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- Resource Conservation & Development
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