Hawaii

One Million Acres of Hawaii Watersheds Protected
(from the Environment News Service) A new partnership of public and private landowners has been created to protect watersheds and natural resources across more than one million acres on Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Hualalai on the island of Hawaii.
 

Agencies Join Forces in Minnesota's Organic Memorandum of Understanding
(from the Minnesota Ag Connection) A group of State and federal agencies including NRCS formalized their commitment to Minnesota's organic agriculture industry with the signing of a memorandum of understanding this week in Saint Paul.  The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will join nine other State and federal agencies and the University of Minnesota in pledging support of this expanding industry.

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Grazing Specialist Finds that “Grass is Greener” as an Earth Team Volunteer 
When Jim Green retired from the North Carolina State University Crop Science Department in 2006, he had 29 years of experience in planning and implementing grazing systems and a wealth of knowledge about forages and grassland.

NRCS Receives Recycling Partnership Award
For its part in providing assistance that led to more than 132 tons of agricultural plastics being recycled during the past two years, NRCS has received the Recycling Partnership Award from the Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA).
 

NRCS Leads Exhibit Production for USDA Council on Sustainable Development
NRCS landscape architect Bob Snieckus developed the USDA Council on Sustainable Development exhibit now on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden’s (USBG) One Planet – Ours! Sustainability for the 21st Century summer exhibition. The exhibition focuses on sustainability - not only how it applies to gardens and the landscape, but also how individuals and communities can live for tomorrow, as well as for today.
 
 

National Farm Bill Coordinator Carole Jett is retiring after 33 years of service with NRCS.  Previously she was Associate Deputy Chief for Programs and the NRCS point for the implementation of the Conservation Title of the 2002 Farm Bill and served on assignment as Congressional Staff with the House Agricultural Committee in 1999.

Carole began her career with the Soil Conservation Service in 1975 as a student trainee.  She has served with distinction within NRCS as State Conservationist in Michigan, State Soil Scientist in California and Soil Survey Party Leader in Nevada.

A native of Reno, Nevada, she received a BS degree in Soil Science from the University of Nevada and completed post-graduate work with a major emphasis in Hydrology and Range Science.

Gayle Norman has been selected as the California NRCS Deputy State Conservationist.  Gayle will assume her new position on July 6, 2008.  Gayle is currently serving as the NRCS Branch Chief for Legislative Affairs.

Eric B. Banks has been selected as the Kansas NRCS State Conservationist effective June 8, 2008.  Mr. Banks is currently the Assistant State Conservationist for Financial Assistance Programs in Phoenix, Arizona.
 

Jeffery B. Burwell has been selected as Idaho NRCS State Conservationist effective June 22, 2008.  Mr. Burwell is currently the State Resource Conservationist for Colorado.

Wayne M. Maresch has been reassigned as Deputy Chief for Soil Survey and Resource Assessment.

Coordination and Extra Effort Helps Preserve 1000 Year-Old Burial Site
After almost nine months of archeological field investigations and consultations between NRCS and the Native American Quapaw Tribe, Arkansas NRCS State Conservationist Kalven Trice and Cultural Resource Specialist John Riggs stood quietly along with the landowner and observed as three members of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma conducted a reburial ceremony.

Front cover of Soil Conservation for May 1948  
Image depicts spring plowing for strip cropping on the Limestone Mountain farm of Shelby Adams in Tucker County, West Virginia, (NRCS image by Hermann Postlethwaite — click to enlarge). 

NRCS This Week features a weekly historical photo and caption.  NHQ, districts, States, RC&D councils, and all other NRCS entities are invited to submit a historical photo of activities or individuals who have worked or are working for the agency along with a caption. 

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