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Focus on the Field header bar

sage grouse habitat can be established by reclaiming disturbed lands with diverse plant communities that include native forbs, grasses, and shrubsWyoming Ranchers Work to Help Sage Grouse
A community-based project to restore sage grouse habitat in northern Johnson County is drawing statewide attention, offering what some say is an alternative to recommendations that this high-profile bird should receive federal protection.
 

Ashleigh Empey, Kendra Gunnoe, Kaitlyn Hebb, and her mother, Alicia Hebb (right), work together to plant one of the many trees along the Tuolumne River east of Grayson. The four are from Brownie Troop 404 of Modesto (photo by Marty Bicek, Sacramento Bee photographer).Farm to Forest -- Owner Does His Part for River Reclamation Project
The idea was to plant trees, and plant they did — valley oak, red dogwood and Oregon ash — on land adjoining the Tuolumne River where almond trees and rows of melons and pumpkins once had flourished. Stands of cottonwoods and willows already are taking shape on some portions of the 165 acres owned by Tim Venn.
 

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Word from Washington header bar

aerial view of stripcropping Secretary Johanns Announces Nearly $2.7 Billion for Voluntary Conservation Programs on Working Lands
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has announced the release of nearly $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2006 for voluntary conservation programs on working lands. The funds' early release ensures farmers and ranchers in the nation's 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Pacific Basin have more time to make sound decisions regarding their conservation practices. States will receive their allocations much earlier than in the past.

National Cattlemen's Beef Association logoSixteenth Annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is currently distributing updated applications for the 16th annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Any group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual/business who raises or feeds cattle. The deadline for this year’s application is March 16, 2006. The ESAP nomination application is now available online or by contacting Stacey Katseanes in NCBA’s Washington D.C. office at 202-347-0228.

Terraces on the uplands and watershed dams help control erosion and flooding.USDA Authorizes Rehabilitation of Three Virginia Dams
NRCS Chief Bruce Knight has authorized federal assistance for the rehabilitation of three dams in Virginia at an estimated cost of $4.1 million. The work performed on these dams will ensure the projects continue to serve Virginia residents safely for the next 50 years.


Get the details...
NRCS news release: "USDA Authorizes Rehabilitation of Three Virginia Dams" (Dec. 7, 2005)
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
NRCS Virginia

Sutainable Agriculture Research and Education Spotlight Feature header bar

at a workshop in Mulberry, Arkansas, Dr. Joan Burke of Agricultural Research Service and Linda Coffey of NCAT train agents in the FAMACHA technique to assess anemia in goats. This technique helps to diagnose Haemonchus (parasite) infection and enables farmers to medicate only those animals that need treatmentSmall Ruminant Resource Training Manual Available
After fielding numerous calls from producers and educators about goat and sheep production, Linda Coffey, Program Specialist for the National Center for Appropriate Technology  (NCAT), decided it was time address the educational needs of the burgeoning small ruminant industry.
 

tech tip header bar

Soil Survey Laboratory Mineralogy Analysis Capabilities
this emerald is a member of the beryl family found in pegmatites throughout the world The Soil Survey Laboratory (SSL) at the National Soil Survey Center (NSSC) performs many soil property analyses, which can be grouped as chemical analyses (pH, CEC, trace element composition, etc.), physical analyses, (particle size distribution, bulk density, water content, etc.), and mineralogical analyses (clay species (kind of clay) and amounts, and kinds of minerals in the silt and fine sand fractions).

 

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, 1400and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.