The Natural Resources Conservation Service — Helping People Help the Land.

Subscribe to NRCS This Week | NRCS This Week Articles Index | NRCS This Week Archives | Contact Us | Where to Get Information | eNotes from NACD | Events and Activities | TSP Express (Requires Adobe Acrobat.)

Air Quality Concerns in Hawaii?
When you think of Hawaii, do you think of warm tropical breezes and sunshine?  Do you ever wonder how those breezes relate to air quality concerns? Air quality is a major issue in Hawaii.  So to better understand these concerns and how to address them, USDA recently held an Agricultural Air Quality Task Force meeting in Maui. 

CSP Success Story: Ed Halter, Robinson, Illinois
Ed Halter, an outstanding conservation farmer in Illinois’ Wabash Watershed, is also a Tier II, category A Conservation Security Program (CSP) contract holder putting him close to the top of the heap when it comes to points for outstanding stewardship. Practices found on his 833-acre CSP farm include acres of grasses, filter strips, grassed waterways, buffers, conservation tillage and no-till, a concrete block chute, drop boxes that slow the course of runoff water, and terraces galore.
 

Minnesota Inter-Tribal Conservation Workshop
Close to 60 NRCS employees and Mille Lacs Band tribal members recently attended a first-of-its-kind, Minnesota Inter-Tribal Conservation Workshop — A Consultation with NRCS, organized by NRCS district conservationist Shannon Bengtson, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations Kevin Daw, and tribal liaison David Wise.

Connect to NRCS' State News, Newsroom, and News Releases!

NRCS Conservation Energy Estimators
Use online "energy estimator" tools to make energy-efficient conservation practice decisions. A series of such tools will be available on this web site -- from the simple "three-click" estimator to more detailed tools that may require service center assistance.
 

USDA Invests More Than $10 Million to Assist Limited Resource and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
NRCS will provide more than $10 million in Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds to assist limited resource and beginning farmers and ranchers nationwide to implement conservation practices on their land.

Congratulations 2005 National Earth Team Award Winners!
NRCS has announced the Earth Team award winners for 2005. The NRCS Earth Team volunteer organization had another great year during 2005. With almost 35,000 volunteers logging nearly a million hours, the Earth Team represents $16.4 million (based on an hourly rate of $17.55 established by Points of Light Foundation) worth of conservation-related service to NRCS and the Nation. These individuals and groups can be proud of their contribution to soil and water conservation on the Nation’s private lands.

USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Set For February 16-17, 2006
USDA will hold its Agricultural Outlook Forum on February 16 and 17, 2006, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. USDA holds the forum to provide timely forecasts of farm prospects and insight into developments affecting the farm economy. Speakers include top government officials, industry analysts, farmers, business leaders, and experts. The public is invited to attend. Last year more than 1,400 participants attended. Program details are available on the forum's website. Your contact is Ted Kupelian, NRCS Legislative and Public Affairs Division, at 202-720-5776.

Money Saving Farm Equipment Innovations
Innovation lies at the core of the American spirit and the Aberdeen, Idaho, Plant Materials Center (PMC) is no exception.  So radically different than its predecessors, D. Boyd Simonson's WaterJet Stinger and its powerful spray — used to “dig” out holes in the soil for planting tall cuttings — might actually be considered a discovery. 

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.