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Friday, September 8, 2000 Washington, DC.
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"We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation."
-- Cesar Chavez, (1927-1993) Hispanic labor organizer and founder of the United Farm Workers
- Focus on the Field
- California: Students Focus on "ABCs" of Watershed in Santa Cruz County
- Iowa: Urban Conservation and Soil Quality Tour
- Many Explore Carbon Benefits and Climate Change
- Nebraska: Computer Technology Speeds Up Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Sign Up
- Virginia: National Black Farmers Association Explores Future
- Western States: Fires Destroy SNOTEL Sites
What's Up In Washington
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
- Gallup's Earth Day 2000 Poll is Positive on the Environment
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- Tech Tip
- Protecting Family Farms and Ranches through Wise Estate Planning
USDA/NRCS 'NetNewsLinks:
- NEW! Farm Disaster Resource Net
- NEW! CBS News Disaster Links now links to the NRCS home page (under "Drought") and to the National Drought Mitigation Center.
NRCS National Water and Climate Center Snow-Precipitation Update for the West
- NRCS Legislative Summaries
Also on the 'Net:
- Howdy Howdy Ag and Farm Search Engine: Surf this large database of categorized Ag sites
- AGRICOLA: USDA's AGRICultural Online Access
- e-Notes from NACD: Weekly news briefs from the National Association of Conservation Districts
- Ag Day - Nationally syndicated daily program at http://www.agday.com/.
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- Conference & Training Connection!
- See the alphabetical-by-subject list of upcoming events.
- See NEW! additions under Air Quality, Animal Residuals Management, and Coastal Zone Management.
FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Students Focus on "ABCs" of Watershed in Santa Cruz County -
Sixty-four middle school students recently spent a Saturday at Cal Poly's Swanson Pacific Ranch focusing on the "ABCs" of the Scotts Creek, California, watershed. The "ABCs" were aspects of the abiotic (physical), biotic (biological), and cultural (human) components of the watershed's eco-system. Activities included a "soil, water, and air" exercise; participation in a brief eco hunt searching for examples of producers, consumers, and decomposers; and conducting a scavenger hunt at a local beach to observe and record a wide variety of items ranging from macro-algae to mollusks. Your contact is Anita Brown, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, on 530-792-5644.
Urban Conservation and Soil Quality Tour -
A diverse group of city and county officials from the Des Moines area, realtors, appraisers, engineers, and construction company representatives gathered in Ankeny to learn about soil and the urban landscape. Mike Sucik, NRCS State Soil Scientist and Gregg Haddish, geographic information systems (GIS) specialist, led an urban conservation and soil quality tour that included a GIS demonstration that used NRCS Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) certified digitized mapping for Polk County, Iowa. Wayne Petersen, NRCS Urban Conservationist, presented a program on soil quality and storm water management. Demonstrations of the Soil Quality Test Kit, compaction, water infiltration rates, soil acidity, nitrates, and earthworms tests were presented as well as presentations on best management practices for sediment control, storm water management, and methods to control soil erosion during construction. Your contact is Steve Manternach, NRCS, District Conservationist, at 515-964-1883 or steven.manternach@ia.usda.gov.
Many Explore Carbon Benefits and Climate Change -
An international gathering of farmers, scientists, policy makers, and conservationists recently explored the benefits of carbon sequestration at the "Carbon: Exploring the Benefits to Farmers and Society," conference held in Des Moines, Iowa. Nearly 480 persons from Australia, France, Germany, and Canada, and 37 States in the U.S. attended.
At the conference they saw how carbon sequestration practices have many societal and environmental benefits outside of climate change mitigation including improved soil, air, and water quality, as well as better wildlife habitat. One of the most useful carbon best management practices is no-till farming, as tillage robs the soil of carbon through oxidation. Your contact is: Laura Greiner, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, 515-284-4262 or laura.greiner@ia.usda.gov.
Computer Technology Speeds Up Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Sign Up -
GIS software has helped NRCS Nebraska reduce staff time when calculating soil acres during the last Conservation Reserve Program sign-up. Using NRCS's SSURGO database and Farm Service Agency's Common Land Unit database, a point-and-click interface was developed for field office staffs. With it, they can find the tract being offered, delete fields from the offer, print out all the map units and acres in each field, get a preliminary weighted rental rate for the bid, determine the proximity of each field to water, and determine if the bid qualified for water quality and conservation priority area subfactors.
A second use employs ArcView, a program made available to NRCS by the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture and a Global Positioning System. It determines CRP eligibility for fields and was developed by the Hebron Field Office. Areas bid into CRP were digitized and GIS tools calculated the soil's acreage in seconds versus using a dot counter or other manual means. Time spent making these soils calculations was cut by one-third to one-half. Your contact is Doug Garrison, NRCS Resource Inventory Specialist, 402-423-9683.
National Black Farmers Association Explores Future -
About 350 people attended the first nationwide meeting of the National Black Farmers Association in Richmond, Virginia, August 24-25, 2000. "Exploring the Future of the Farmer: What Works" was the theme for the meeting which was co-sponsored by USDA. Top Department officials participated in workshops to discuss "nuts and bolts" programs to improve service to small and limited resource farmers. NRCS speakers included Deputy Chief Dwight Holman, National Leader for Animal Husbandry and Clean Water Director Obie Ashford, and Virginia District Conservationists Debbie Bullock and Bobby Whitescarver. Other dignitaries included Congressman Bobby Scott from Virginia, Congressman Earl Hilliard from Alabama, Congresswoman Eva Clayton from South Carolina, and Ben Johnson, Special Assistant to the President. State Conservationist M. Denise Doetzer recognized the conference as a good medium to share information about NRCS programs. She said that several landowners came by the NRCS booth to ask for local contacts and program information. One of the highlights of the conference included a live sky broadcast by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. Your contact is: Pat Paul, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, 804-287-1681 or ppaul@va.nrcs.usda.gov.
Fires Destroy SNOTEL Sites -
Fires in the West have burned several snowpack telemerty (SNOTEL) sites in Montana and Idaho. In Montana, five sites had the equipment pulled. Three of those sites are in the Bitterroot River basin and the two other are in the central and northwest part of the State. Although efforts by NRCS employees and firefighters saved several thousand dollars of radio equipment, fires still threaten of SNOTEL equipment at three other sites.
The NRCS Snow Survey Staff in Idaho is working with Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to monitor fires and potential threats to SNOTEL sites. NRCS SNOTEL and Forest Service personnel pulled electronics out of four sites in the central part of the State and one structure near the Moose Creek site that housed electronic gear and batteries. Your contact in Montana is Roy Kaiser at 406-587-6991 and Ron Abromovich, Water Supply Specialist in Idaho, at 208-378-5741.
WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! -
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Ask your Hispanic Emphasis Program Manager about activities to help focus attention on the contributions of people of Hispanic heritage to the history of the United States.
Gallup's Earth Day 2000 Poll is Positive on the Environment -
Because the year 2000 marked the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, the Gallup organization conducted a survey of public perceptions regarding the environment. To see the encouraging poll results check the Gallup website at: http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr000418.asp
TECH TIP
Protecting Family Farms and Ranches through Wise Estate Planning -
Investments in resource conservation help improve the value of assets owned by family farms and ranches. Farmers planning on passing the farm or ranch on to their children or grandchildren may have concerns about estate taxes. While many proposals have been made to change or repeal the estate taxes, farmers and ranchers should take advantage of tax rules enacted in 1997 that allow a married couple to pass on over $1.35 million in assets this year, such as farmland, without heirs paying any estate tax. The allowable exclusion for a couple will increase to $2.0 million by 2006, plus in some cases a qualified conservation easement may help protect more assets. Even on larger estates where some taxes must be paid, a family can obtain very favorable terms for installment payments on closely held businesses, such as a family farm.
NRCS supports family farms and farmland protection through avoiding forced sales or other steps that break up family farms. Yet the complexities and personal nature of many family financial situations dictate that financial planning or estate planning advice to farmers and ranchers be obtained from qualified private sector sources. NRCS should encourage our customers to consult with their tax attorney, accountant, or financial planner on ways to pass on assets while avoiding or minimizing estate taxes. A friendly word of encouragement to seek estate-planning assistance can be helpful to the family, our customers, and the natural resources that make up the farms and ranches across the nation. Your contact is John H. Stierna, NRCS Senior Economist, at 202-720-6924.
CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION
September 8, 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 fred.jacobs@usda.gov
- NEW! Agricultural Economics
- Agroforestry/Forestry
- NEW! Air Quality
- NEW! Animal Residuals Management
- Carbon Sequestration
- NEW! Coastal Zone Management
- Dam Safety
- Environmental Education
- Farmland Preservation
- GIS
- Grazing Land & Grassland
- Irrigation
- Mining & the Environment
- Partnerships
- Plant Materials
- Resource Conservation & Development
- Rivers
- Soil Science
- Water Quality
- Watersheds
- Wetlands
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Agricultural Economics
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- NEW! American Agricultural Economics Associtaion Annual (AAEA) Meeting
- August 5-8, 2001
- Chicago, Illinois
- AAEA seeks submission for posters, papers, organized symposia and free sessions for the 2001 annual meeting in Chicago. For more information, contact Nancy Herselius at 515-233-3202, or nancy@aaea.org or visit the meeting website at http://www.aaea.org/meetings/.
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Agroforestry/Forestry
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- 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
- 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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- Forest Utilization Conference
- May 1-3, 2001
- Wagoner OK
- The Ouachita Mountains Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. will sponsor its 6th annual Forest Utilization Conference and Equipment Exposition at the Western Hills Guest Resort in Sequoyah State Park on the shores of Lake Fort Gibson. For information, contact Gary Garman, Coordinator for Ouachita Mountains RC&D Council, at (918)-423-2479, fax 918-423-0793, email omrcandd@icok.net or visit the web site http://www.icok.net/~omrcandd
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- Southern Forest Science Conference: Contributions of Forest Research to Sustainable Forestry Preliminary Conference Announcement and Call for Papers
- November 26 - 28, 2001
- Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia
- The Southern Forest Science Conference will highlight the history and future of research in sustainable forestry. The conference is for anyone interested in the science of southern forests and is open to researchers, research managers and research users as well as policymakers, landowners and other interested stakeholders. Call for Papers: Topics, deadlines and other information can be found at the conference website at http://www.southernforestscience.net/ For more information contact www.southernforestscience.net or the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station at (828)-257-4302.
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Air Quality
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- NEW! Second International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations
- Eighth International Symposiumon Animal, Agricultural and Food Processing Waste(ISAAFPW)
- First International Swine Housing Conference
- October 9-11, 2000
- Marriott Conference Center, DesMoines, Iowa
- The American Society of Agricultural Engineers is hosting three concurrent meetings in Des Moines. . For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.asae.org/meetings/
Future Directions in Air Quality Research
- February 12-15, 2001
- Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Conference topics will focus on ecological, atmospheric, regulatory/policy and educational issues. The conference is sponsored by the Air Resources Research Consortium. For more information contact Sherrie Knott at (919) 515-2261 or visit the conference website at http://www2.ncsu.edu/cpe/airqualconf.html
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Animal Residuals Management
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- NEW! Eighth International Symposiumon Animal, Agricultural and Food Processing Waste(ISAAFPW)
- First International Swine Housing Conference
- Second International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations
- October 9-11, 2000
- MarriottConferenceCenter, DesMoines, Iowa
- The American Society of Agricultural Engineers is hosting three concurrent meetings in Des Moines. . For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.asae.org/meetings/
The 2000 National Poultry Waste Management Symposium
- October 16-18
- Sheraton Fontainebleau Hotel, Ocean City, Maryland
- The 2000 National Poultry Waste Management Symposium will communicate the latest technology and information regarding poultry waste management. The symposium is targeted to meet current and future needs of the poultry industry when responsibly dealing with environmental issues. The program begins with a general session covering broad topics related to poultry by-products and social issues, followed by concurrent sessions addressing specific issues such as air and water quality, utilization and marketing alternatives and regulation. For more information, contact Richard Reynnells National Program Leader, Animal Production Systems at (202) 401-5352, fax: (202) 401-5179 e-mail: rreynnells@reeusda.gov
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- Animal Residuals Management Conference--Issues and Solutions
- November 12-14
- Kansas City, Missouri
- The conference will feature three session tracks: issues and environmental assessments, solutions and technology, and policy. Topics include: applied solutions for animal manure use and disposal, nutrient management in watersheds, public health risks associated with agricultural use of animal manure, and case studies on the beneficial use of animal manure. Deadline for submittal of abstracts is June 23. For details, contact: Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314-1994. Phone: (703) 684-2438. NRCS co-sponsors.
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- Innovative Technologies for Planning Animal Feeding Operations
- December 4-6, 2000
- Renaissance Denver Hotel, Denver, Colorado
- Workshops include: "Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP)" and "Seepage Control in Ag Waste Ponds" Other topics include: emerging technologies associated with animal feeding operations which can be adapted to the Great Plains; land application technologies; alternative uses of manure; air quality control strategies including ammonia, dust, odor, and green house gasses; systems approach to CNMP; planning to prevent adverse environmental impacts; monitoring AFOs; diet/feed additives; and handling animal mortality. Exhibit and poster space available. For more information, contact Ron.Schierer@ks.nrcs.usda.gov or Myron Senechal at 701-530-2085 or Myron.Senechal@nd.usda.gov.
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Carbon Sequestration
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- Advances in Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory, Measurements and Monitoring.
- October 3-5, 2000
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- The conference will cover forest, agriculture, rangeland, wetland, and urban landscapes in the U.S. Focus is on terrestrial ecosystem carbon measurements, monitoring, and mitigation strategies. Objectives: evaluate current methodologies and identify knowledge gaps in terrestrial ecosystem carbon measurement and monitoring, propose priorities and standardization for terrestrial carbon monitoring, and data collection; and evaluate current and propose new experimental designs and outputs for increasing carbon storage. For more information contact Steven McNulty, conference chair, at 919-515-9489 or steve_mcnulty@ncsu.edu or visit the conference website at http://www.sgcp.ncsu.edu/conference/.
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Coastal Zone Management
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- NEW! Coastal Zone 01
- July 15-19, 2001
- Cleveland, Ohio
- CZ01 will feature important lessons learned by coastal managers around the world and models of successful partnerships, such as that established in the Great Lakes, where two sovereign nations jointly manage water and living resources of this great "inland sea." Cleveland offers an outstanding opportunity to examine how local and regional issues are connected to worldwide influences of culture and commerce, climate and biology. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/cz2001/conference.html.
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Dam Safety
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- Dam Safety 2000
- September 26-29
- Providence, Rhode Island
- ASDSO's 17th Annual Conference.
- For meeting information about the meeting, visit the website at http://www.damsafety.org/confer_train.html
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- Environmental Education
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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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- New Beginnings, ASFMRA 2000 Annual Convention & Trade Show
- November 9-11, 2000
- Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee
- The theme is New Beginnings, and the program includes an in-depth look at key issues in the future of agriculture, including a session with Jim Lyons.
- For more information about the conference, visit the website at http://www.asfmra.org/fmeetings.htm
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- Farmland Preservation
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- Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Association (PFPA)
- October 10 & 11
- Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania
- PFPA is an organization of county program administrators for the Pennsylvania Farmland Protection Program.
- For more information about the conference, contact Betty Reefer, PFPA President, at RR 12 Box 202-B Donohoe Center, Greensburg, PA 15601 or bcr54321@aol.com
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- Winning Through Wise Land Use Conference
- March, 2001
- Tennessee, Federal and private partners will conduct a seminar for developers, conservationists, and others interested in lessening the impact of development on the State's natural resources. For more information contact Larry Blick, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Field Support, at 615-736-5490 or lblick@tn.nrcs.usda.gov
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- GIS
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- SOFOR GIS 2000 3rd Southern Forestry GIS Conference
- October 10-12
- Athens, Georgia
- For more information, contact William G. Hubbard, Cooperative Extension Service, at 706-542-7813 or < whubbard@uga.edu>, or visit the conference website at http://www.soforgis.net/.
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- Grazing Land & Grassland
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- Grasstravaganza 2000
- October 27-28
- Syracuse, New York
- The South Central New York Resource Conservation and Development Project, Inc. will host Grasstravaganza 2000! a two day, conference on topics pertinent to grass-based agriculture at the Wyndham Syracuse Hotel in Syracuse NY. For more information, contact Kim Handy at 607-334-3231, ext. 4 or kimberly.handy@ny.usda.gov Register on-line at https://secure.btittc.com/register/grass2000.htm.
- 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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- Irrigation
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- 21st Annual International Irrigation Show
- November 12 14
- Phoenix Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona
- The Irrigation Association's 21st irrigation show will feature the American Society of Agricultural Engineers' 4th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium. Irrigation training opportunities are available prior to, during, and after the show. For more information about the show, visit the website at http://www.irrigation.org.
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- 4th Decennial (every 10 years) National Irrigation Symposium
- November 14 - 16
- Phoenix Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona
- American Society of Agricultural Engineers will host a symposium featuring numerous irrigation technical presentations For more information about the symposium, visit the website at www.asae.org.
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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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- 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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- Plant Materials
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- Plant Materials workshop for Native Americans
- September 13, 2000
- Big Flats Plant Maerials Center, Big Flats, New York
- Particpanats at this NRCS and the New York Stae Sea Grant sponsored workshop will learn how the NRCS, Plant Materials Program incorporates plants into conservation programs, tour the plant materials center, discuss plant materials needed and how the Plant Materials Program and New York State Sea Grant/Cooperative Extension could establish sweetgrass as a crop. The workshop will also provide an aopportunity to learn more about Native American culture and how NRCS and it partners can work together to help provide plant material assistance to meet American Indian conservation needs. For more information, contact Diane Rightmire at 607-562-8404, fax: 607-562-8516 or dianne.rightmire@ny.usda.gov.
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- Resource Conservation & Development
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- New England Association of RC&D Areas Annual Conference
- October 26-29
- Newport, Rhode Island
- For more information call, please call Susan Arrants at (401) 949-4418.
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- Rivers
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- International Conference on Wood in World Rivers
- October 23-27
- Corvallis, Oregon
- Sessions on primary research of fluvial processes, synthesis of policies and science to guide management options for rivers, applied research, and conservation perspectives. Co-sponsored by the Wildlife Habitat Management Institute. For more information, see the conference's Web site at http://riverwood.orst.edu or contact the Institute's Kathryn Staley at Kathryn.Staley@orst.edu
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- Soil Science
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- The 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy
- November 5-9
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- The American Society of Agronomy, the Soil Science Society of America, and the Crop Science Society will host the annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy. For more information, visit the meeting website at http://www.asa-cssa-sssa.org/olr99/. Registration packets can be requested directly from the American Society Agronomy Headquarters Office, 677 South Segoe Road, in Madison, Wisconsin 53711-1086. Pre-registration ends September 22.
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- Water Quality
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- 7th Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference
- March 25-29, 2001
- Reno, Nevada
- Will provide Federal and non-Federal scientists and managers from various disciplines the opportunity to discuss recent accomplishments and progress in research and on technical developments in the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of sedimentation. Scheduled are tours, exhibitions, and presentations of papers. For more information about the conference, visit the website at http://water.usgs.gov/wicp/SED7FISC_crf.html
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