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| Friday, April 14, 2000 Washington, DC. |
If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. Booker T. Washington
USDA Seeks Public Input on CSP! - As part of his 2001 budget proposal, the President announced the creation of a new Conservation Security Program (CSP). Designed to recognize both good stewardship and provide an economic safety net to those in need, CSP will provide direct payments to farmers and ranchers who practice sound conservation stewardship on the land.
The Department is interested in the public's point of view on CSP. To learn more about CSP, go to: http://www.info.usda.gov/csp To provide input how CSP should be implemented, go to: http://www.info.usda.gov/csp/Comments.htm
White Paper Discusses Data Availability, Landowner Privacy Issues -
A discussion of issues on the growing amount of natural resource data and information on agriculture and landowners' concerns about confidentiality is available on http://www.arborday.org/programs/papers/PrivacyWpaper.html Entitled "Privacy and Natural Resources Workshop White Paper: Data and Information About Natural Resources on Agricultural Land: No Rules, Just Rights," the Web page features discussions on landowners' concerns about why the easy availability of natural resource data and information on agriculture could be gateways to regulation and threats to privacy.
FOCUS ON THE FIELD
NRCS, Partners Encircle Town for Fire Safety - More than a century ago, people flocked to Michigan Bluff, California, to literally "go for the gold." Their goal: financial security. Today, folks there are seeking a different kind of security. Safety from the ravages of fire. Twenty homeowners, NRCS and other government agencies, a local fire department, and a conservation group are encircling the town with a 2.1-mile-long, 200-foot-wide sheath of shaded fire break. "It's time to take action before Mother Nature beats us to the punch," said NRCS District Conservationist Cliff Heitz. The Placer County Resource Conservation District helped assemble the group and secured funds through an EQIP grant. All agencies and townspeople will cooperate in showing off their handiwork this fall and into the future. "In some ways the threat of fire has forged this consensus and cooperative spirit," said Cliff. "We're anxious to put on the ground what has been on paper and in our heads for years." Your contact is Paul Laustsen, NRCS Public Affairs, on (530) 792-5645.
Vermont FIP Farmer Shows Outstanding Stewardship -
George Livak of Rutland, Vermont, has just completed his third Forestry Incentives Program activity since 1995. For more than half a century, he has worked his 260 acres of land both as a dairy and tree farmer keeping the tradition his father started in 1919. He has been a co-operator with the Rutland County Forester's office since 1955 and due to his hard work and understanding of the forest was named the 1995 Outstanding Tree Farmer for Rutland County. He manages his property for timber, firewood, wildlife, aesthetics, and recreation. How does George, 80, relax? By releasing his prize crop trees or splitting another cord of firewood. Your contact is Robert Molleur, NRCS Resource Conservationist, National Headquarters, on 202-720-6521.
NRCS Washington State Takes Public TV "Trailside" - A report from Dianne Guidry, Management Analyst, Washington State Office
Coming soon to your local PBS Station: the "Trailside – Make Your Own Adventure" episode featuring NRCS Washington State and other USDA agencies. NRCS was involved with the Teaching Learning Network's filming of the episode in October 1999. "Trailside" features different outdoor documentary-style adventures each week, and this year, the show is emphasizing efforts to protect and enhance the Nation's natural resources for future generations.
Conservation messages regarding water quality and quantity issues were woven into hiking and kayaking trips in the Cascades (with Harold Crose, Central Field Team Leader, Ephrata) and at Semiahmoo Bay (with John Gillies, District Conservationist, Lynden Field Office). Water quality and quantity issues, the enhancement and restoration of salmon habitat, and the diversity of the state's resource issues were discussed.
The adventure was filmed over several days of rain and winds. Yet even with the uncooperative weather, this was an exciting assignment and we were able to stress the value of voluntary conservation and stewardship on private lands and the benefits to local communities and the Nation.
For more information, visit the "Trailside" Web site at http://www.trailside.com, or check your local television listings or PBS station to find out when episode #710 will be broadcast! Your contact is Dianne on (509) 323-2911 or at dianne.guidry@wa.usda.gov
MANRRS Conference Draws Dreamers, Looks for Leaders - "Making Today's Dreamers Tomorrow's Leaders" was the theme of the 15th Annual Conference of the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Resources (MANRRS) held in Lexington, Kentucky. Nearly 900 persons learned the latest about water quality, aquaculture, strategies for success, finding a profession in natural resource fields, and other topics. NRCS personnel from nine States and National Headquarters exhibited at the conference's career fair where interviews were conducted for possible summer placements. NRCS and seven other USDA agencies were represented. MANRRS Region III at Kentucky State University co-hosted the event. For more information about MANNRS, see http://www.manrrs.org Your contacts are Lois Jackson, State Public Affairs Specialist for Kentucky, on (859) 224-7372, and Maxine Barron, Director, NRCS Outreach Division, on (301) 504-2229.
Signs "Jingle" for Greater Conservation Awareness -
A common sight along highways in the 1950s was Burma Shave signs. Each sign featured part of a cleverly written advertising slogan. The signs were placed in sequence along roadsides and placed just far enough apart for drivers and riders to read them and "get the message" while on the move. The goal: to sell shave cream. Today in Mississippi, the Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District and NRCS District Conservationist Philip Crosby are using that concept to make passersby conservation conscious. Here's a sample: "Family firstfarmers believeconserves ourresources forour childrento receive. Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District." Seven different messages can be seen along the county's roads. Your contacts are Beverly Newlin, District Coordinator, and Philip Crosby on (662) 834-4688.
Alabama 4th Graders Get a Taste for Water Quality - Muscle Shoals, Alabama, is famous for producing some of the sweetest soul music of the '60s. But when more than 800 4th graders recently came to town for the Colbert County 2000 Water Festival, they got a taste of something even sweeter--an edible aquifer. Among the festival's activities for the students was the construction of an aquifer made of ice cream, 7-Up, chocolate sprinkles, and ice. The kids also made rain sticks and bracelets that depict the five parts of the water cycle, and saw an environmental magic show. The event won positive press in an editorial in the local newspaper. Your contact is Kathy Gotcher, District Conservationist, at Kathy.Gotcher@al.usda.gov
CSREES Announces Water Quality Grants, Requests Proposals - Water quality grant funds are available and requests for proposals are being accepted for the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service's Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program. The program supports integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, extension, and education activities that address agricultural water quality priorities in the U.S. Nearly $12.4 million is available for FY 2000. Colleges and universities may submit proposals; Federal agencies are not eligible.
Send your proposal to: Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program -- Water Quality; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; USDA, Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20024. U.S. Postal Service: STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-2245. Proposals must be postmarked no later than June 6, 2000. Your contact is Dr. Timothy Strickland, Water Quality Chair, CSREES, on (202) 205-5952 or at tstrickland@reeusda.gov
The incredible contributions of the folks who volunteer their time and talent to NRCS can leave the agency's personnel and customers speechless! To help fill in those blanks, here are some special quotes that express the meaning and value of the volunteerism:
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. -- George Bernard Shaw
Somewhere on this planet, someone has a solution to each of the world's problems. It might be one of us. With your help, we can build a more hopeful world. -- Marianne Larned
In every community there is work to be done. In every Nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is power to do it. -- Marianne Williamson
A pessimist, they say, sees a glass of water as being half empty. An optimist sees the same glass as being half full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty. -- G. Donald Gale
Those among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. -- Albert Schweitzer
How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start now, start slowly changing the world! -- Anne Frank
Happy National Volunteer Week!
Water Content Consideration in Designing Clay Liners for AWSPs - In order to minimize permeability in compacted clays, one can design within a range of water content/dry density combinations. The decision as to which combination of dry densities and water contents to use can be confusing. The objective of this technical tip article is to provide a planning procedure for selecting the molding water content and dry density combination that will likely result in a minimum permeability to use in design of compacted clay liners.
Designers should strongly consider the natural water content when selecting the combination for design. The procedure applies to Group III and IV soils as defined in Appendix 10D to the Agriculture Waste Management Field Handbook. The steps that can be used to define this range of combinations is described as follows:
1. Obtain the natural moisture content of the soil proposed to use in the soil liner.
2. Perform a Standard Proctor (ASTM D698A) compaction test. This defines the maximum dry density and upper limit of acceptable compaction. The minimum dry density acceptable is assumed to be 90 percent of D698A dry density.
3. For both the upper and lower limit densities of 90 and 100 percent of Standard Proctor dry density (gd) compute the values for the theoretical saturated water content (wsat (%)) using the following equation. These calculated points can be plotted on the compaction curve. These points will make up the zero air voids curve. Use Gs = 2.70 for clay soils if a specific gravity test was not performed.
4. Compute water contents equal to 80 and 90 percent of theoretical saturation water content for each of the upper and lower densities. Plot both the 80 and 90 percent moisture curves. These curves will plot parallel to each other and to the zero air void (saturation) curve. A design combination of molding water content/dry density can be obtained when the combination plots within the 80 and 90 percent of saturation moisture curves and is within the upper and lower limit compacted dry density (100 percent and 90 percent of Standard Proctor dry density).
5. The natural water content of the soils to be used constructing the clay liner should be plotted on the graph to assist designers with selecting the most appropriate level of compaction energy. In some cases, using a different energy may be more economical than adding water on the fill or drying the soils.
6. Perform a permeability test on the molding water content/dry density selected for design as required by local regulatory agencies to ensure predicted low permeability.
Your contact is Stephen D. Reinsch, PE, Director, National Soil Mechanics Center at (402)-437-5337 if you have any questions or need further information.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Idaho Farm Family Wins Ag-Earth Partnership Millenium Award - A farm family that created a model of agricultural and forestry stewardship in Idaho received the Millenium Farm/Ranch Family Award yesterday at the Ag-Earth Day Celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Wittman family of Lapwai (near Lewiston) were honored for their contributions to the environment and sharing their knowledge through public outreach. Their fourth-generation operation features a variety of conservation practices, plus a natural resources camp and an education center. Receiving honorable mention were four family farms and ranches in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, and New
CT's Faber Named Agency's GLOBE Liaison - Margie Faber, Assistant State Soil Scientist in Windsor, Connecticut, was named NRCS soils liaison for the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), a hands-on, school based, international environmental science and education program. Margie will conduct soils training for trainers and teachers, reviewing and developing protocols and learning activities for the soil portion of the Teachers Guide, and helping with coordination of the soil science education Web site. As NRCS liaison, she will work with agency personnel to increase awareness of the GLOBE program and increase local GLOBE involvement. In the U.S., GLOBE is a Federal interagency effort led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For information about GLOBE, contact Margie at: margie.faber@ct.usda.gov or visit the GLOBE Web site at http://www.globe.gov
CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION
April 14, 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
