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Friday, September 15, 2000 Washington, DC.
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"It is beautiful to me to see something that is really working. Tomorrow I will have my own business so I won't depend on big companies. I will have my own ranch where I can produce for a lot of people and have direct contact with people. CSA's (community supported agriculture) are one form of contact with peopleSome have never had organic vegetables and they notice the difference in the flavor. I want to do what is good for the world and when I don't use pesticides I am not only helping my family, I am helping the whole world."
-- Maria Inez Catalan, grower - Salinas, California
- Focus on the Field
- California: Lemongrass Workshop "Spices Up" California Specialty Crops
- Kansas: In Kansas, NRCS Releases Seed for Conservation Legumes
- New Mexico: Fear of Fire Sparks Interest in Finding Funding for Woodland Fuel Reduction in New Mexico
- Tennessee: NRCS, Partners Take on High Cropland Erosion Rates in West Tennessee
- National: New Series on Urban Soil Quality
What's Up In Washington
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
- Alternative Enterprises and Agritourism Tool Kit
- Freedom to E-File
- Use Volunteers to Promote Conservation Buffers
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- USDA/NRCS 'NetNewsLinks:
- Farm Disaster Resource Net
- 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:
- Gifts and Graces of the Land
- 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 Agronomy.
FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Lemongrass Workshop "Spices Up" California Specialty Crops -
Small, limited resource, and minority farmers in California's Central Valley region, searching for profitable alternatives for their small acreage, have turned to a relatively new "boutique" crop - lemongrass. RC&D councils have responded to a growing number of requests from specialty growers for technical assistance by holding information and training workshops on lemongrass, which is experiencing growing popularity throughout the U.S. One such workshop, recently held at Fresno State University, attracted more than 36 specialty growers; along with a group of agricultural experts, local government and non-profit organizations. W. Sam Vang, Southeast Asian Specialty Crop Experimental Project Coordinator (an NRCS agricultural sustainability project) hosted the workshop along with NRCS area engineer Dave Krietemeyer, who covered irrigation, nutrient, herbicide, pesticide, and frost management for lemongrass.
Lemongrass can be traced to its origin in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos where it is a major seasoning additive to foods. Lemongrass oil is also used as fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics. Your contact is Jolene Lau, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 831-754-1595 or jolene.lau@ca.usda.gov.
In Kansas, NRCS Releases Seed for Conservation Legumes -
NRCS' Plant Materials Center in Manhattan just released to commercial seed growers two species of locally adapted legumes useful in conservation planning and land management in the Central Plains. Showy Partridge Pea and Illinois Bundleflower proved effective in rangeland seedings, wildlife habitat improvement, critical area treatment for erosion control, and on roadsides, parks, and recreational areas for stabilization and beautification. To meet expected high demand, seed growers will go into large-scale production. Your contact is Mary Shaffer, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 785-823-4571 or mary.shaffer@ks.nrcs.usda.gov.
Fear of Fire Sparks Interest in Finding Funding for Woodland Fuel Reduction in New Mexico -
Recent wildfires have led citizens in Santa Fe and other urban communities in New Mexico to seek funds that would allow NRCS, Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to reduce fire hazards posed by woodland fuels. Meetings among local congressional representatives, Federal and State agencies, local communities, and others are being held to address the issue. Your contact is Betty Joubert, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 505-761-4406 or betty.joubert@nm.usda.gov.
NRCS, Partners Take on High Cropland Erosion Rates in West Tennessee -
To reduce erosion rates that plague highly productive cropland in West Tennessee, NRCS and a group of concerned individuals, organizations, and agencies formed the Hatchie River Action Team. The team plans to accelerate installation of measures and best management practices to alleviate erosion and siltation problems. Numerous practices have been implemented and designs for two grade control structures on a tributary of the Hatchie River have been completed. Your contact is Lavonne Winters, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 615-277-2535.
New Series on Urban Soil Quality -
The Soil Quality Institute recently released the first titles in a series of urban technical notes "Erosion and Sedimentation on Construction Sites" and "Urban Soil Compaction." They were distributed nationally in August and are available on the Soil Quality Institute's web site at http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/. This new series of technical notes examines the urban activities that cause soil degradation and the management practices that protect the functions urban societies demand from soil. Your contact is Mike Hubbs, Soil Quality Institute, at 334-844-4741, ext. 177 or <mhubbs@eng.auburn.edu>.
WHAT'S UP (AND COMING) IN WASHINGTON
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! -
Hispanic Heritage Month 2000 has arrived! Latino communities nationwide welcome this yearly event, which begins in one month and ends in the next.
The month of celebration begins September 15 and lasts through October 15. It encompasses several historical events: September 15, which marks Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; September 16, or Mexican Independence Day: and El Dia de la Raza, celebrated October 12.
Expanded to a month in 1989, it was initiated by the U. S. Congress as Hispanic Heritage Week more than twenty years ago. The month-long celebration has grown. The intent of Hispanic Heritage Week was to encourage Hispanic awareness among all U. S. citizens. The longer Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated, the more people learn and want to know more. So celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by partaking in events in a Latino community near you.
Alternative Enterprises and Agritourism Tool Kit -
The NRCS Resource Economics and Social Sciences and Resource Conservation and Community Development Divisions, working together to assist the field through the RC&D coordinators and councils, is developing an "Alternative Enterprises and Agritourism: Farming for Profit and Sustainability" tool kit. The kit will contain a list of publications, resource people, books, and videos dealing with alternative enterprise and agritourism opportunities, and instructions on how to obtain these items. The tool kit will also include information on family goal planning, business planning, liability concerns, tourism development, and marketing alternatives, along with success stories, fact sheets, and alternative enterprise natural resource assessment ideas. The tool kit is scheduled for distribution in November to RC&D coordinators for their use in working with field office staff, farmers, ranchers, other entrepreneurs, community based organizations, and rural community leaders.
Your contact is Jim Maetzold at 202-720-0132 or jim.maetzold@usda.gov.
Freedom to E-File -
NRCS is working with the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development to fulfill the requirements of the Freedom to E-File Act. This Act, which was signed on June 18, 2000, requires the three USDA service center agencies to make a number of their forms available electronically by December 18, 2000. Customers will be able to download these forms, fill them out manually, and then mail or fax them to the appropriate office. By June 18, 2002, customers will be able to fill out and submit program application forms electronically. Your contact is Roger Rayburn, NRCS Conservation Operations Division, at 202-720-5742.
Use Volunteers to Promote Conservation Buffers -
Michele Eginoire, National Earth Team Volunteer Coordinator, has eight ways volunteers can promote conservation buffers.
- Serve as "buffer ambassadors" by speaking to agricultural, civic, and other groups about the value of conservation buffers and the programs available to help landowners install buffers.
- Prepare promotional materials directed to landowners for use by NRCS, conservation districts, RC&D councils, farm organizations, and others.
- Staff buffer exhibits at county fairs, agricultural/conservation group meetings and other gatherings.
- Help local conservationists measure and lay out buffer systems on farms and ranches.
- Recruit local public or private sector partners who are willing to help landowners install conservation buffers by providing supplementary funding, free or low-cost seed, planting assistance, and other services.
- Assemble a conservation buffer insert for your local newspaper with details about how buffers work economically and environmentally, and seek out local business firms willing to sponsor publication of the insert.
- Write articles about conservation buffers and take photographs of conservation buffers for use in local newspapers, conservation district newsletters, brochures, and other publications.
- Form a local conservation buffer team, with members from the agricultural and conservation communities, to promote buffers.
CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION
September 15, 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
- Agricultural Economics
- Agroforestry/Forestry
- Agronomy
- Air Quality
- Animal Residuals Management
- Carbon Sequestration
- Coastal Zone Management
- Dam Safety
- Environmental Education
- Farmland Preservation
- GIS
- Grazing Land & Grassland
- Irrigation
- Mining & the Environment
- Partnerships
- Resource Conservation & Development
- Rivers
- Water Quality
- Watersheds
- Wetlands
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Agricultural Economics
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- 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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Agronomy
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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/ or http://www.Agronomy.org or http://www.Crops.org or http://www.Soils.org. 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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Air Quality
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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- Watersheds
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- Seventh National Watershed Conference
- May 20-23, 2001
- Richmond, Virginia
- The theme: "Small Watershed Programs: Past, Present, and Future." This conference will examine our Nation's rich history with upstream small watershed programs and will explore innovative ways of accomplishing watershed project objectives as traditional sources of assistance become harder to get. . For more information contact John W. Peterson, (703) 455-6886, fax (703) 455-6888;e-mail, jwpeterson@erols.com
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- Wetlands
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- 7th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control
- November 11-16
- Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- For more information about the conference, visit the website at http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~conferweb/wpc/
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