October 4, 2002

“To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.”

Helen Keller (1880-1968) author and advocate for Americans with disabilities

Accolades

Core4 Demonstration Project Wins National Award
The CF Industries National Watershed Award was recently awarded to the Indiana Core4 Demonstration Project. This project, a Section 319 grant project in southwest Indiana, was chosen for its outstanding efforts in using the Core4 Conservation approach to improve watershed health and the community’s quality of life. By working directly with land users to provide technical assistance for implementing best management practices (BMPs), participants have prevented nearly 12,000 tons of sediment, 20,000 lbs. of nitrogen, and 15,000 lbs. of phosphorous per year from entering the streams in these watersheds. The project involved partnering with NRCS, 17 soil and water conservation districts, 3 resource conservation and development councils, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the Conservation Technology Information Center, the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Your contact is Jim Dunaway, NRCS soil conservationist, at 317-233-8490 or jim.dunaway@in.usda.gov.

 

Focus on the Field

Students Gather Acorns to Help Restore Oaks
As part of a joint NRCS Modesto Resource Conservation and Development District (RC&D) and Tuolumne River Trust Fourth conservation project, fourth grade students from Salida Elementary School gathered acorns and potted them for re-planting along the Tuolumne River in Modesto, California to enhance future oak growth there. The oak-planting project is part of efforts to protect the community from future flood damage and enhance wildlife habitat by increasing the oak tree population along the river. The Big Bend kickoff was the setting for speakers from partnering agencies to celebrate the acquisition of 250 acres – acquired through the Floodplain Easement Program and California Proposition 13 funds – for oak tree planting. Participants included the California Resources Agency, East Stanislaus RC&D, California Department of Water Resources, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NRCS district conservationist Mike McElhiney made remarks on floodplain easement program goals and the project’s link to other easements in Stanislaus County, California.
Your contact is Jolene Lau, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 831-754-1595, or jolene.lau@ca.usda.gov.


NRCS and Forest Service Partnership Encouraged
At a recent NRCS and Forest Service regional office employees’ meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Mark Rey, underscored the opportunity for the two agencies to jointly address natural resource issues. “With the new Farm Bill, more opportunities exist than ever before,” Rey said. He was specifically referring to the roles that the Environmental Quality Incentives Program plays in working with the Forest Service’s State and private forests program and the Grassland Reserve Program in coordinating easement purchases with Forest Service grassland management efforts. Rey also referred to the Emergency Watershed Protection Program’s role working with the Forest Service during fire recovery efforts. Rey also provided national perspectives on balancing long-time conservation efforts with the new Farm Bill workload and the impacts of outsourcing on NRCS and Forest Service activities. Also sharing their perspectives on the Farm Bill with the Undersecretary were NRCS Southeast Regional Conservationist Charles R. Adams and Forest Service Southern Regional Forester Robert T. Jacobs.
Your contact is John Dondero, NRCS strategic planner, at 404-347-6157, or john.dondero@se.nrcs.usda.gov.


NRCS Golden Oldie
Who’s the oldest permanent full-time employee in the NRCS? It’s Idaho’s Fred Manwaring, soil conservation technician, working at the USDA Service Center in Blackfoot, Idaho. At a young 79, Fred says he feels very honored by the distinction and is thankful for his continued good health. "I appreciate being able to work for NRCS," he said. Fred Manwaring started his NRCS career 37 years ago on March 3, 1965, as a soil technician at Blackfoot, Idaho – where he was born and raised. Fred remembers setting a State record for completing 11 nutrient management plans in one year as one of the most memorable moments in his career. He was recognized for his accomplishment, receiving an award and recognition for his productivity. His greatest challenge on the job is “Trying to keep up with new technology. But I enjoy every day on the job. There's always a new conservation challenge. It's never the same."

So why is Fred still working? He says, “When you enjoy your work, it's like you're always on vacation.” Fred claims that milking 40 cows twice a day also helps keep his energy level up. Additionally, he credits the hearty breakfast his wife, Delores, prepares for them every morning.
Your contact is Sharon Norris, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 208-378-5725, ext. 2, or snorris@id.nrcs.usda.gov.


Conservation Tree Planting Breaks State Record
With the help of NRCS technical assistance in the design and planning of windbreaks and shelterbelts, South Dakota’s 69 local conservation districts and landowners broke the State record for conservation tree plantings this year. “Because of incentives in the continuous CRP and general CRP sign ups, the record tree planting acres posted in 2001 was surpassed by a wide margin,” said NRCS resource conservationist Gregory Yapp. Conservation districts first began keeping
tree-planting statistics in 1944. This year’s numbers broke a record that had stood since 1967, with conservation districts reporting 3,523 acres planted for field windbreaks; 3,476 acres for farmstead shelterbelts; and 1,695 acres providing wildlife habitat. Since 1944, a total of almost 200 million trees and shrubs have been planted by South Dakota’s conservation districts and landowners to prevent wind erosion, provide windbreaks for livestock, and develop habitat for wildlife.
Your contact is David Keith, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 605-352-1228, or david.keith@sd.nrcs.usda.gov.

 

Word from Washington

Call for Papers, Posters, Special Sessions, and Workshops
The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) invites interested individuals to submit proposals for oral and poster presentations or to organize special concurrent sessions or workshops for presentation at the SWCS 2003 annual conference, July 26-30, in Spokane, Washington, at the Spokane Convention Center. Submissions may be submitted via the SWCS website at http://www.swcs.org/t_what_callforpapers03.htm, which also provides deadline information, options for submitting, instructions, and additional information on the program topics. The conference theme, "The Columbia, Conserving a Legacy of Life," will focus on four key topics:
• integrated watershed and basin management;
• water supplies for ecology and economy;
• grassland health for sustainable production and biological diversity; and
• air quality for public health and economic vitality.

SWCS conferences bring together researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and a broad cross section of other interest groups, to explore current opportunities in natural resource management and planning. For questions about the call for papers, e-mail memberservices@swcs.org. General information about SWCS is available at http://www.swcs.org.
Your contact is: Deb Happe, Soil and Water Conservation Society Communications Director, at 515-289-2331, or deb@swcs.org.


Bulletin Targets Needs of Limited-Resource Producers
A new 16-page bulletin titled, "Meeting the Diverse Needs of Limited-Resource Producers," is intended as a resource for agricultural educators, heads of community development, and agricultural organizations, and government agency staff who want to help improve the lives of underserved farmers and ranchers. Published by USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, the bulletin – that is now available – features nine success stories from around the country. It also provides "how-to" ideas for educators, socio-economic characteristics/barriers to working with varied audiences, proven teaching methods, and successful connection strategies. To view the bulletin on-line, visit the SARE website at http://www.sare.org/bulletin/limited-resource or call 301-504-5236 for print copies.

Through an innovative grants program, SARE works to advance farming systems that are more profitable, environmentally sound, and beneficial to communities. For more information, visit the SARE website at http://www.sare.org.
Your contact is Valerie Berton, SARE communications specialist, at 301-504-5230.



October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The national theme for this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month is “New Freedom in the 21st Century.” President George W. Bush stated, “Our Nation's annual observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month allows us to reflect upon, and consider the potential possessed by, the millions of Americans with disabilities who currently serve in our workforce, as well as those who are ready and willing to join the workforce.” To read White House Executive Order 13078 on Increasing Employment of Adults With Disabilities, go to http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/cap/13078.htm.

In 1988, Congress expanded the national disability employment awareness observance to a month-long kick-off for year-round programs that highlight the abilities and skills of Americans with disabilities and changed its name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Your contact is Terry Kirby, NRCS National Headquarters Disability Employment Program Manager, at 202-720-8758, or terry.kirby@usda.gov.


Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
The theme for this year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15, is Strength in Unity, Faith, and Diversity. The month encompasses several historical events, including Mexican Independence Day on September 16, and El Dia de la Raza, celebrated October 12. Expanded to a month in 1989, the Hispanic heritage observance was initiated by the U.S. Congress as Hispanic Heritage Week to encourage Hispanic awareness among all U.S. citizens. The event has grown to a month-long opportunity for all Americans to learn more about Hispanic Americans’ contributions to our society, as well as to pay tribute to America's distinctive diversity.
Your contact is J. Xavier Montoya, NRCS National Hispanic Emphasis Program Manager, at 301-504-2187.


 

Tech Tip

Standard Data Format Facilitates Use of Soil Survey Data
Soil survey data exported from the National Soil Information System (NASIS), in the new Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) Version 2 format, is the standard data delivery format for users of soil survey data. Since its introduction more than a year ago, the new data format has been integrated into the Customer Service Toolkit and Soil Data Viewer. RUSLE2 (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) and the Windows© Pesticide Screening Tool use it. Data exported from NASIS can be imported into Microsoft Access© using a database template available on the NASIS web site at http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov/, and a full set of documentation for the SSURGO Version 2 format is available at http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov/documents/metadata/ssurgo2_0.

All of this is good news for users of soil survey data. For example, application specialists at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are working closely with scientists at the National Soil Survey Center to acquire soil survey data needed for the next Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup. Although much of their discussion is focused on the scientifically sound application of soil survey data, simply acquiring the appropriate data is an important consideration as well. Acquiring the data is no small task, given FSA’s requirements – automate the ranking process as much as possible and use contemporary soil survey data that is consistent with the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. The task is greatly facilitated by making soil survey data available in the same standard format used by Customer Service Toolkit.

The next step in development of this process is for the models using soils data in the SSURGO Version 2 format to access the data directly, as opposed to creating a subset with the model. Soil scientists have been working with model developers to help achieve this next important step. Once it is achieved, users of models can be assured that the soils data they are using is of the same vintage in all the models they run.
Your contact is Russ Kelsea, NRCS National Leader for Soil Survey Technical Services, at 402-437-5878, or russ.kelsea@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov.

 

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.

You can receive NRCSTW via e-mail by sending an e-mail to: 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 Rachel Carson). 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" is 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, or 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.

The NRCS Mission: The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

< NRCS This Week Archives