Pearlie S. Reed Named Chief of Natural Resources Conservation Service - On February 12, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman named Pearlie S. Reed, a 28-year USDA conservation professional, as Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, effective March 1.

Reed has served as acting assistant secretary for administration since February 28, 1997. Among his accomplishments in this position, he provided leadership to more than 300 employees who have worked to put 85 of the 92 recommendations of the Civil Rights Action Team in place. Secretary Glickman created that team in December 1996 to advise him on USDA civil rights issues, both inside and outside of the Department.

Reed previously held a variety of positions with NRCS at its local, State, and Federal levels. He served as Associate Chief under previous NRCS Chief Paul Johnson and as State Conservationist in California and Maryland.

In 1996, Reed received the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award--the highest award that can be bestowed upon a career Senior Executive Service member. That same year he received two USDA Honor Awards, one as an individual and the other as a group leader for developing and implementing the most comprehensive reorganization in the agency's history. He also received a USDA Honor Award in 1993 for his commitment and leadership in equal opportunity and civil rights. Reed is a native of Heth, Arkansas.

"Industrialization of Agriculture" Being Reviewed - The report "Industrialization of Agriculture: Implications for Field Level Application" by NRCS is in final review. This report is the second in a series and identifies user concerns, technical assistance needs, barriers, and the institutional constraints that influence decisions and strategies undertaken by NRCS when working with large integrators.

This report is based on case studies on the structure and operations of the poultry and swine industry in four counties in two southeastern States. Interviews were conducted with industry managers, farmers, representatives of producer organizations, and county, State, and Federal agency personnel.

Locally Led Conservation Exhibit Available - States interested in borrowing the Social Science Institute's "Locally Led Conservation and Watershed Reinvention" exhibit can do so for the cost of return shipping. The exhibit was developed by the Institute in cooperation with the Conservation Operations Division and the Watersheds and Wetlands Division. For more information, contact Barbara Wallace with the Social Science Institute at 616-942-1503; e-mail: bwallace@telespec.itc.nrcs.usda.gov.

Correction: Water Quality Training - This item replaces the water quality training item that appeared in the January 23, NRCS This Week.

The National Water and Climate Center, Water Science and Technology Team; the National Employee Development Center (NEDC); and NRCS State technical staffs are working together to complete development of a series of water quality planning and implementation courses. Participants are currently being nominated and locations and dates will be set according to the responses. These workshops are a one-time effort; any subsequent training after this year would be provided by the States using materials provided by NEDC. More details are available on the NEDC web site off the NRCS Homepage.

IN THE FIELD

Riparian Buffer Strips/Field Files - Nancy Mathews, consultant for NRCS, is collecting stories on the good work that's being done in the field with riparian buffer strips. Each week, NRCS This Week will feature one or two of these interesting profiles from around the Nation.

Illinois "I wasn't a die-hard environmentalist, but when University of Illinois scientists measured nitrates in the pipe (drain tile) and then in the stream, I saw I was contributing," says Don Koeberlein. He and his brother farm corn and soybeans on about 1,300 acres near Polono, Illinois, on the Embarras River (which flows via the Wabash and the Ohio into the Mississippi). And when they told him a nearby test had shown that a strip of grass would take 80 percent of nitrates out of the groundwater and that adding trees would raise that to 90 percent, Koeberlein got interested. He has restored 26 acres of wetlands and has rerouted most of his drain tiles into the restored wetlands so they can filter out nitrates and trap sediments, "so I'm diluting, not polluting." Now, Koeberlein is enrolling in CRP 60 acres along both sides of the 1.5 miles of the Embarras for riparian forest buffers where he plans to plant hardwoods – oaks, ashes, walnuts; already he has planted 5,000 (trees) or so. Koeberlein figures the forest filter will also serve for flood water retention for downstream cities, will help surface and ground water quality, and he's pleased that his conservation efforts have been good for wildlife. In fact, he "gave up cattle for birds"; his wife runs a 100-acre preserve on nontillable land where people can hunt quail, pheasant, and chukar. And the family enjoys seeing egrets, herons and other water birds benefiting from increased frog populations in the restored wetlands. For his efforts, Koeberlein won the 1996 National Wetlands Award from the Environmental Law Institute and the U.S. EPA.

Minnesota "Fields are square; wildlife is crooked. So wildlife and edges go together." So says Paul Dorweiler, who rents out farmland in Stevens County, Minnesota. Along one and a half miles of Muddy Creek are grass filter strips and riparian forest buffers, a meandering swath of ground for wildlife and birds, and squared off farm fields that are easy to manage. "Before 1986, this was all farmed road-to-road, fence-to-fence. We had only a 2-foot strip, perhaps, for wind, and we had no birds, no game." But Dorweiler changed that with his edges and buffers. He says the birds appreciate it: "Having edges along cropped fields where corn stalks are left, the birds don't have to go far to eat." Noting that "most farmers like to farm alongside the deer, with the ducks," he recommends greater cooperation in managing private land for wildlife, with outside groups helping: "Conservationists and government make a mistake when they think all this land is operated by farmers with equipment; that just isn't true. So there has to be a partnership, a way to work with folks who don't have tractors...so that all you'd need is the landowner's permission, for example, to install and keep up a food plot."

Southwest Initiative Regional Implementation Team (RIT) to Meet - NRCS, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service RIT members will meet in Phoenix, AZ, February 24-25, to examine the critical issues facing Federal and private land management agencies involved in the Southwest Initiative. A trip to the Verde River is planned to give the RIT a first-hand look at the problems involved with water rights, tribal land issues, endangered species, and other issues in the southwestern U.S.

Certified Crop Advisory Board Meeting - On February 25-27, the NRCS national agronomist, will represent NRCS at the Certified Crop Advisory Board meeting in Phoenix, AZ. The Board, under the American Society of Agronomy, develops policy and directs the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) program. As a third party vendor, individuals who have this certification will have the opportunity to develop nutrient and pest management components of a conservation plan. Currently, there are more than 9,260 CCA program participants, approximately 200 of whom are NRCS employees.

Rita Mueller Named Missouri Ruralist Woman of the Year - Missouri Ruralist Magazine recently named Rita Mueller of Southwest Missouri RC&D at Republic, Missouri, the 1997 Missouri Ruralist Woman of the Year in Missouri Agriculture. Rita is known for her unique ability to write and secure financial grants to fund rural development projects in southwest Missouri. Her personal energy and enthusiasm serve to encourage all those around her to work for a better rural environment.

NRCS New Conservation Programs Manual Out - On February 9, advance copies of Parts 500, 501, 504, and the Table of Contents of the new Conservation Programs Manual were mailed to NRCS State, regional, institute, and center offices. These parts of the manual clarify policies and procedures for locally led conservation, program delivery, State technical committees, and certification of third party vendors who provide conservation assistance. These provisions extend across all program boundaries. This manual is the beginning of an evolutionary process to streamline policies and procedures across program boundaries.

CONSTITUENCY AND PARTNERSHIP NEWS

National Earth Team Award Winner - Mary Campbell, Special Activity Coordinator in the Central Florida RC&D Council office, is the recipient of the Southeast Regional Earth Team Award. Mary has been volunteering in the Lake Wales, Florida office since February 1996. As an activity coordinator, Mary has taken the lead in a partnership the RC&D formed to carry out a mentoring and a self-esteem project for Polk County's Boot Camp. Under this grant, Mary has worked as a volunteer to secure speakers for incarcerated young men on subjects ranging from archeology to anger control. Once a month, Mary, along with other adult volunteers, arranges and supervises a community clean-up or beautification project with these youths in an effort to begin their transition back into society.

National Volunteer Week - April 19-25 will mark National Volunteer Week. The observance provides us with an opportunity to thank our Earth Team volunteers. The National Earth Team Office will be providing States with a packet of ideas on how to "thank" their volunteers.

During FY97, 15,518 Earth Team volunteers provided over 630,000 hours of service to NRCS. Using $13.24 per hour as a benchmark (a figure calculated by the Points of Light Foundation), the value of the work done by these volunteers amounts to $8.3 million. Volunteers can and do make a difference.

Also Note - The 1-800-THE-SOIL phone number has been changed to 1-888-LANDCARE (1-888-526-3227). The National Earth Team Office also has a new number, 515-289-0325. There will be approximately a one-year transition in the change of numbers; so, you can still reach them at the old numbers.

Professional Communicators Form Association - Professional Communicators from soil conservation districts, NRCS, and State conservation agencies around the country have joined together to form the Professional Communicators in Conservation (PCC). Why the group was established? "Communication is an integral part of getting conservation on the ground," explained Ron Nichols, the group's newly elected president.

"Professional communicators add a great deal of value to our country's conservation efforts. Our association's goal is to improve the services of the conservation partnership while enhancing our members' professional development in the fields of communications and conservation," he adds. The PCC also hopes to strengthen efforts for the recruitment, retention, and advancement of professional communicators.

Inquiries about membership in Professional Communicators in Conservation should be directed to Anne Hilliard at 802-951-6327; e-mail: ahilliard@vt.nrcs.usda.gov.

American Museum of Natural History Features NRCS Information - Beginning in May 1998, NRCS and its conservation programs will be featured at New York City's American Museum of Natural History. The permanent exhibit is being designed by the museum's Center for Biodiversity. Included in the exhibit are photographs of conservation buffers and captions noting how NRCS assists on private land through the various Farm Bill programs. The Center for Biodiversity is providing a link to the NRCS Homepage on the public use computer located within the exhibit area. NRCS's New Jersey staff worked with the center to arrange for appropriate display materials.

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

EQIP Hearing - The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and Research (Chairman Larry Combest, TX) has tentatively scheduled an oversight hearing on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for March 5, in Longworth House Office Building.

Hearing On Global Warming Treaty Rescheduled - The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee (Chairman Richard Lugar, IN) has scheduled a hearing on the Kyoto Global Warming Pact, March 5, in Russell Senate Office Building. The pact would require a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse" gases that are believed to contribute to global warming.

UPCOMING

February 21-24 - Winter Meeting of the National Governors' Association, Washington, D.C.

February 22-25 - Southwestern States RC&D Association Meeting, Lafayette Hilton & Towers, Lafayette, LA. For information write to the Imperial Calcasieu RC&D Council, 317 S. State St., Suite 1, Jennings, LA 70546.

February 23-24 - Agricultural Outlook Forum 98, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C. For registration details, call 202-720-3050; e-mail: agforum@oce.usda.gov; or write to Outlook Forum 98, 5143 South Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-3812.

March 21 - Fifth Annual Providing Education Through Agriculture for Students (PEAS) Conference, Memorial School, Natick, MA. For more information, contact Stacia Caplanson 413-245-7402.

March 16-17 - Idaho Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Association Annual Meeting, Boise, Idaho. For more information, contact Harry Lee at 208-885-6900.

March 19-21 - The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment Conference, "Water and Sustainable Development" International Conference. Contact the International Office for Water, 21, rue de Madrid, 75008 Paris, France; fax: 33 (0) 1-40-08-01-45; e-mail: ciedd@oieau.fr. Visit the web site at http://www.eaudd.com/.

March 22-24 - North Central RC&D Association Annual Conference, Park Place Hotel, 300 East State St., Traverse City, MI. For information, call 616-946-6817; fax: 616-947-5441.

March 23-24 - Clearwater RC&D Area workshop for the private forest landowner, "Forest Stewardship Management: New and Unique Opportunities." Best Western University Inn, 1516 Pullman Rd., Moscow, Idaho. Contact Dan Pierce at 208-882-2411.

March 26-28 - 3rd Annual Timber Utilization Conference and Equipment Exposition, Fountainhead Resort, Eufaula, OK. Sponsored by Ouachita Mountains RC&D, Inc. For information, call 918-423-2479 or 580-873-9277; e-mail: omrcandd@icok.net. Visit the web site at http://www.icok.net/~omrcandd/.

April 6-7 - First National Mitigation Banking Conference, J.W. Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. Conference registration is being handled by the Terrene Institute, 4 Herbert St., Alexandria, VA 22305; or call 703-548-5473; fax: 703-548-6299. For more information, contact Gary Wooten, Watersheds and Wetlands Division, National Headquarters, at 202-690-1588; e-mail: gary.wooten@usda.gov.

April 6-7 - An American Wetlands Month Celebration, "Team Wetlands: 101 Ways to Win for Wetlands," Hyatt Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. For information call 703-548-5473; fax: 703-548-6299; or write to Terrene Institute, 4 Herbert St., Alexandria, VA 22305.

April 19-25 - National Volunteer Week.

May 4-10 - Public Service Recognition Week, National Mall Event. For more information, contact Gretchen Hakola at 202-410-4352; fax: 202-401-4433; e-mail permail@patriot.net.

September 28-30 - Wisconsin Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Association Annual Meeting, Manitowoc, WI. Contact Greg Hines at 920-683-5196.

May 23-28, 1999 - 10th International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO) Conference "Sustaining the Global Farm," Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. For information, call 765-494-8683; fax: 765-494-5948 c/o ISCO99; e-mail: isco99@ecn.purdue.edu. Write to ISCO99, Purdue University, 1196 SOIL Building, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1196.

QUOTE

"No nation as rich as ours should have so many people isolated on islands of poverty in such a sea of material wealth."

Andrew Young, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Chair, Southern African Enterprise Development Fund

NRCS This Week is issued weekly by the Conservation Communications Staff, NRCS headquarters, Washington, D.C., and posted on the NRCS Home Page at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov. Please send correspondence and material via e-mail to: fred.jacobs@usda.gov or mail to Editor, "NRCS This Week," NRCS, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013 or FAX to Editor, "NRCS This Week," 202-690-1221.

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