"Wisdom does not belong to one person. We need to act in accord with wisdom, but it does not belong to anyone. It is the illumination of old a proven ideas through generation after generation discovering natural law."

-- Hunbatz Men, Daykeeper, Maya Nation

Focus on the Field

Arizona: Historic Plant Materials Center (PMC) Dedicated in Arizona

California: NRCS, California Train Limited Resource Farmers

Connecticut: Connecticut Takes on Invasive Plants

Nebraska: NRCS Partners for Surge Valve Loaner Program

Tennessee: NRCS in Tennessee Participates in Small Farms Field Day

Texas: 2000 State Fair of Texas Concludes Successful Run

Awards and Accolades

NRCS'er Receives Year 2000 Community Service Award

NRCS PLANTS Wins "Best Feds" Recognition

Three State Outreach Managers Recognized

What's Up In Washington

November is American Indian Heritage Month

NRCS 2000-2005 Strategic Plan

Tech Tips

Conservation Buffers Reporting

New Technical Reports from the Social Sciences Institute (SSI)

 

USDA/NRCS 'NetNewsLinks:

Ag Day, syndicated nationally to 200 television stations. Check out the site anyway at www.agday.com.

The Clean Water Action Plan Reinvention Team has posted its final report, Clean Water Action Plan Watershed Reinvention Opportunities at www.cleanwater.gov/reinvent.

NRCS National Water and Climate Center Snow-Precipitation Update for the West

NRCS Legislative Summaries

Also on the 'Net:

Crop Residue Survey application - CropRes - allows users to upload survey transect data, enter county profile data (county crop acres), and adjust tillage percentages. CropRes is now available at http://calais.itc.nrcs.usda.gov/ctic/ (A PMRS user ID and logon are required to enter this site).

Computer Tools Now Available to Field Offices! Field office personnel now have access to better tools to reduce paperwork, improve efficiency, and allow more time to work in the field with customers. Computer tools are available at http://www.info.usda.gov/NRCS/FOWR/

AGRICOLA: USDA's AGRICultural Online Access

e-Notes from NACD: Weekly news briefs from the National Association of Conservation Districts

 

Conference & Training Connection!

See the alphabetical-by-subject list of upcoming events. See NEW! additions under Range Land & Grassland and Range!

Historic Plant Materials Center (PMC) Dedicated in Arizona - Larry Clark, NRCS Deputy Chief for Programs, along with State and local officials, helped dedicate the Tucson Plant Materials Center last week. It was the first PMC in the Nation to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center was constructed in 1934 as an erosion experiment station by the Bureau of Plant Industry (a bureau of the Department of Agriculture that no longer exists). Several such facilities were built across the Nation in response to the devastation of the "Dust Bowl"in the early 1930's. Your contact is Mary Ann McQuinn, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 602-280-8778.

NRCS, California Train Limited Resource Farmers - NRCS and other USDA agencies, along with California Polytechnic State University, University of California, and Modesto Junior College, recently sponsored "Markets, Tools, and Opportunities for Limited Resource Farmers" to help them expand their resources and become more profitable. More than 300 individuals, including NRCS employees, participated in this outreach conference, which included breakout sessions, an industry trade show, and tours to Modesto. Participating in the event were Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger, Deputy Under Secretary Glenda Humiston, California Department of Food and Agriculture's Secretary Bill Lyons, and NRCS California State Conservationist Jeff Vonk. Sessions were held on marketing information to determine current conditions and price trends and how to explore alternative crops and livestock in order to compete in niche markets. Your contact is Jolene Lau, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 831-754-1595.

Connecticut Takes on Invasive Plants - Seventy people recently attended the first of a three-part training series organized by NRCS in Connecticut to increase public knowledge and understanding of non-native invasive plants - a hot issue in Connecticut. The forum, held in Litchfield, was co-sponsored by a number of conservation partners and brought together a diverse group to discuss the issues of invasive plant control. Speakers included NRCS Landscape Ecologist Dr. Charlotte Pyle, landscaping specialists, environmentalists, researchers, and representatives from the nursery industry. The remaining parts of the training series will feature experts on control strategies, alternatives to planting invasives, and a field identification course scheduled for next spring. Your contact is Kathleen Johnson, NRCS Project Coordinator, at 860-626-8258.

NRCS Partners for Surge Valve Loaner Program - Through the surge valve loaner program, Nebraska resource conservation districts are getting assistance in irrigation water management. The program is a partnership between NRCS, Bureau of Reclamation, and local conservation districts to provide surge valves free of cost to producers for one irrigation season. NRCS will provide landowners with technical assistance and training on how to use the surge valves in order to improve water conservation. The Bureau of Reclamation purchased all the surge valves used in the program and once an irrigator has learned how to use them, the landowner may buy the surge valve at cost. Submitted by: Jim Miller, NRCS District Conservationist, at 308-928-2089, ext. 3.

NRCS in Tennessee Participates in Small Farms Field Day - Tennessee NRCS recently participated in the Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Service Small Farms Field Day in Chattanooga. The Field Day was designed to provide an opportunity for agencies, organizations, businesses, and farmers to share information on economically feasible alternative agriculture enterprises. The training, targeted toward small landowners, shows how to make farms more profitable. Tours and training were given on e-marketing, agroforestry opportunities, greenhouse ornamentals, vegetable plots, medicinal herbs, and beef cattle management. Your contact is Lavonne Winters, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 615-277-2535.

2000 State Fair of Texas Concludes Successful Run - This year's 2000 State Fair of Texas drew over 3.3 million visitors. Approximately 300,000 people entered the Food and Fiber pavilion, where an article in the Dallas Morning News mentioning the NRCS Soil Tunnel exhibit drew thousands to the display, which features a black-lit, walk-through tunnel depicting the living soil beneath the ground. The glow-in-the-dark animals and insects on the tunnel walls delighted thousands of children who saw the exhibit. Your contact is H. Harold Bryant, NRCS State Public Affairs Specialist, at 254-742-9800 or harold.bryant@tx.usda.gov.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

NRCS'er Receives Year 2000 Community Service Award - Leroy Stokes, NRCS Operations Partnership Liaison in the Northern Plains Regional Office in Lincoln, Nebraska, was recently given a Year 2000 Community Service Award by the Lincoln Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The award recognized Stokes' involvement in the community, which included serving on the City of Lincoln's Human Rights Commission, chairing a multicultural committee for the Lincoln High School, and facilitating a series of community meetings to identify barriers to fair housing. Stokes also chairs the NAACP Lincoln Chapter Education Committee. Your contact is Brad Anseth, NRCS Quality Management Specialist, at 402-437-4088.

NRCS PLANTS Wins "Best Feds" Recognition - The NRCS PLANTS web site http://plants.usda.gov was selected as one of 10 winners chosen from 55 nominations for this year's "Best Feds on the Web" by Government Executive magazine. The PLANTS site and the other winners of the third annual "Best Feds on the Web" competition were profiled in a Government Executive magazine story featured on November 2; http://www.govexec.com/bestfeds/00bestfeds.htm.

Three State Outreach Managers Recognized - NRCS Southeast Regional Conservationist Charles R. Adams recently recognized James Williams from South Carolina, Carlos Hernandez of the Caribbean Area, and Art Greenberg from Georgia for their work supporting and promoting the region's outreach process through new and innovative ways of reaching traditional and non-traditional customers. The winners were also recognized for informing customers about NRCS programs and services that support sustainable communities, capacity building, and strong partnerships for soil and water conservation. Your contacts are Lesia Young, Southeast Region Outreach Coordinator at 404-347-6157, or Suzanne Pugh, Regional Communications Specialist at 601-366-2143.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON

November is American Indian Heritage Month - During November, the Nation celebrates the important contributions that American Indians have made to this country. Throughout the history of the United States, American Indians have been an integral part of the American character and culture. Tribal traditions have brought values and ideas that have become ingrained in the American spirit: the knowledge that humans can thrive and prosper without destroying the natural environment; the understanding that people from different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and traditions can come together to build a great country; and the awareness that diversity can be a source of strength rather than division.

NRCS South Central Region has assembled a set of American Indian heritage facts from each State.

Arkansas

Texas

Your contact is H. Harold Bryant, NRCS State Public Affairs Specialist, at 254-742-9800 or harold.bryant@tx.usda.gov.

NRCS 2000-2005 Strategic Plan - Beginning with this issue, NRCS This Week will highlight one of the four goals of the NRCS 2000-2005 Strategic Plan. This week features Goal 1: Enhance natural resource productivity to enable a strong agricultural and natural resource sector.

This goal describes four agency objectives to help maintain, enhance, and improve the productivity of the Nation's cropland, irrigated land, grazing land, and forestland. These privately owned lands form the foundation of a vibrant and substantial agricultural economy that provides food and fiber for the Nation and contributes to global food security. Products from the land are an important component of the national trade balance. Data provided by the field and partners through the 2001 National PartnershipWorkload Analysis identified an extensive conservation challenge on these lands. An estimated 232 million acres of cropland, 41 million acres of irrigated land, 280 million acres of rangeland, 75 million acres of pastureland, and 222 million acres of forestland need conservation treatment. Each objective under this goal details means and strategies for working toward aggressive performance targets and key challenges ahead. High quality, technically sound conservation planning is at the core of our ability to meet these performance targets and help landowners and managers ensure that their lands remain productive over the long term. Your contact is Dan Lawson, Director, NRCS Strategic and Performance Planning Division, at 202-690-0467.

TECH TIPS

Conservation Buffers Reporting - Effective immediately, the only data to be reported on conservation buffers in PRMS are the 12 specific practices identified on the conservation buffer data entry screen. Each entry will reflect that the specific buffer practice is installed on the landscape and documented in field office case files. These buffer accomplishments are to be reported for all programs - this includes the installation of approved buffer practices under General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), which were previously estimated at the national level at a flat 4 percent of General CRP and 20 percent of WRP enrollments. For more information, visit the NRCS Information Technology Center Help Desk at http://helpdesk.itc.nrcs.usda.gov/newsflash/.

New Technical Reports from the Social Sciences Institute (SSI) - The SSI recently published Environmental Justice: Perceptions of Issues, Awareness, and Assistance, which has been distributed in paper copy and is on their web site at http://people.nrcs.wisc.edu/socsciinstitute under "What's New." Another publication, soon to be available on SSI's web site, sums up evidence that points to the desired use of voluntary conservation programs, but also cites instances in which regulation may be needed. For a listing of SSI courses and products, visit the SSI website at http://people.nrcs.wisc.edu/SocSciInstitute/socanthrTraining.htm. Your contact is Frank Clearfield, Director, NRCS Social Sciences Institute, at 336-334-7058 or clearf@ncat.edu.

November 10, 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

AFO/CAFO

Agricultural Economics

Agroforestry/Forestry

Agronomy

Air Quality

Animal Residuals Management

Coastal Zone Management

Farmland Preservation

NEW! Grazing Land & Grassland

Irrigation

Locally Led Conservation

Mining & the Environment

Partnerships

NEW! Range Management

Soil Science/Erosion Control

Water Quality

Watersheds

Wetlands

 

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AFO/CAFO

 

The Innovative Technology for Planning Animal Feeding Operations

December 4-6

Denver, Colorado, Renaissance Denver Hotel

Attendees will be producers, government agencies, businesses, and consultants writing comprehensive nutrient management plans. Topics include land application technologies, alternative manure uses, air quality control strategies, mitigation of impacted sites, filter strips, etc. Exhibitors: $400.00 with two free registrations. Posters: Individuals presenting posters should be registered for the conference. Contact Ron Schierer, at 970-330-0380 or ron.schierer@co.usda.gov or Mike Collins at 307-682-8843, ext. 113, or mike.collins@wy.usda.gov

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Agricultural Economics

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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. For details, contact: Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314-1994 at 703-684-2438.

 

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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Coastal Zone Management

 

Coastal Zone 01

July 15-19, 2001

Cleveland, Ohio

Coastal Zone 01 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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Farmland Preservation

 

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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Grazing Land & Grassland

 

First National Conference on Grazing Lands

December 5-8

Las Vegas, Nevada

Economic and environmental effects of proper grazing land management. Sponsored by NACD, Grazing Lands and Public Lands Committee, the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), and others. Contact John W. Peterson at 703-455-4387 or fax at 703-455-6886 or jwpeterson@erols.com or visit the conference website at http://www.glci.org/Call.htm#National Conference.

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NEW! Grassland Ecosystems: An Outlook into the 21st. Century

February 10-21, 2001

São Pedro State of Sao Paulo Brazil

The International Grassland Congress will be focusing on grassland ecosystems, and the program has been designed to bring an updated broad view on current knowledge and available technology to improve different animal production systems under pasture conditions. For more information, write to the XIX International Grassland Congress; ESALQ; Av.; Padua Dias; 11; 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP Brasil or e-mail igc2001@esalq.usp.br or visit the conference website at http://www.igc2001-brazil.org.br/segunda2.htm.

 

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Irrigation

 

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.

 

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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Locally Led Conservation

 

National Conference on Locally Led Conservation Efforts

June 3-5, 2001

Nebraska City, Nebraska, Lied Conference Center on the Arbor Day Farm

NRCS, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and the National Association of Conservation Districts will sponsor a national forum for individuals and groups to share lessons learned about locally led or locally driven conservation efforts and to stimulate the advances of this "bottom up" approach to natural resource management.

 

Program focus: Locally led or locally driven conservation is an effort to empower citizens a community to work effectively to assess the health of their land and to address collectively their conservation priorities using the programmatic tools and resources available from Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private sources.

 

How to submit a presentation proposal: E-mail a 250-word proposal or executive summary with the name, title, organization name, mail address, voice and fax numbers, and e-mail address of each presenter to jparsons@arborday.org. In your proposal include what the listener will gain, the format of the presentation (lecture, case study, panel, etc.), and the presentation time desired with Q&A. Attach a biographical sketch with relevant education and experience, including speaking experiences. E-mail submissions due by October 31, 2000. Notification will be given by mid-December. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.arborday.org/programs/conferences.html

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Mining & the Environment

 

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

 

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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Range Management

 

NEW! The Society for Range Management 54th Annual Meeting - 2001: A Range Odyssey

February 17-23, 2001

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Land managers, scientists, educators, students, producers and conservationists are invited to particpate in a professional program of posters, trade show, technical presentations, and six symposia. Symposia topics which have been accepted include: the role of fire in ecological restoration; ecosystem simplification (or why a patchwork quilt is more valuable than a burlap sack); noxious weeds - a global rangeland crisis; land restoration sucess and sustainability; the ecology and management of sage grouse populations; and many more. For more infomration, visit the conference website at http://www.casrm.org/Hawaii.shtml.

 

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Soil Science/Erosion Control

 

Soil Erosion Research for the 21st Century - An International Symposium

January 3-5, 2001

Honolulu, Hawaii, Ala Moana Hotel

World-renowned soil erosion scientists will participate as keynote speakers, as well as moderators of discussion panels, to provide their viewpoints on the current status of soil erosion research and directions needed in the future. Additionally, discussion groups composed of all participants at the conference will also address these same issues. The symposium will prepare and publish a document summarizing recommendations from these discussions, and provide it to all of the co-sponsoring organizations. For more information, contact Dr. Dennis Flanagan, Symposium Chair, at 765-494-7748 or flanagan@purdue.edu or visit the symposium website at http://horizon.nserl.purdue.edu/~flanagan/erosymp/.

International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) 32nd Annual Conference and Expo

February 5-9, 2001

Las Vegas, Nevada, Rio Suite Hotel and Convention Center

IECA's Annual Conference and Expo is open to all erosion and sediment control professionals and suppliers. This event features five days of learning, including day-long training courses, half-day workshops, field tours and technical paper presentations. Topics of interest will appeal to contractors, landscape architects, civil engineers, public works and regulatory professionals, consultants, developers, mining and ski industry representatives. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.ieca.org/index_conference.html.

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Water Quality

 

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

Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) 2001 Annual Conference

August 4-8, 2001

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kingston Plantation

For more information visit the confernce website at http://www.swcs.org/f_what_calendar.htm

The deadline for Call for Papers is December 1, 2000. For more information visit the conference website or contact Charlie Persinger, Director of Member Services, SWCS, at 515-289-2331, ext 12 or charliep@swcs.org.

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Watersheds

 

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

 

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/

 

Izaak Walton League of America National Conference

May 16-18, 2001

Orlando, Florida

Topics include: wetland education, restoration, conservation, and international issues. To get on the mailing list for the conference, contact: awm@iwla.org or call (800) BUG-IWLA (284-4952)

 

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Please send correspondence and material for "NRCS This Week" to the editor by: e-mail to: fred.jacobs@usda.gov; or by fax to: Editor, "NRCS This Week," 202-720-1564; or by mail to: Editor, "NRCS This Week," NRCS, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013

If you are not a NRCS employee, you can receive NRCSTW on an e-mail by contacting: listproc@nrcs.usda.gov (NHQ personnel should send their e-mail to: GW:"listproc@nrcs.usda.gov@i"). Do not use a subject line and put the following in the body of the message: subscribe NRCS-THIS-WEEK Firstname Lastname (example: subscribe NRCS-THIS-WEEK John Muir). To get help with other commands that are available at the "listproc@nrcs.usda.gov" address, send a message with no subject and the word HELP on a line by itself in the body of the message. "NRCS This Week" will continue to be posted on the NRCS Homepage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Addresses and telephone numbers for NRCS' Civil Rights Staff are: NRCS Civil Rights Program Compliance Division, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5471, Beltsville, MD 20705-5471; phone: (301) 504-2287. NRCS Civil Rights Employment Division, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5472, Beltsville, MD 20705-5472; phone: (301) 504-2181.

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