EQIP Technical Assistance To Bring Better Bogs to Cranberry Growers - In Massachusetts, cranberry growers in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties who want the benefits of conservation planning will receive $55,000 for technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Affected will be more than 14,000 acres. The assistance will expand a local farm planning program that in 5 years has helped nearly 200 cranberry growers develop conservation plans. Mary and William McCaffrey, growers who participate in the program, praised NRCS personnel for their assistance in improving the quality of irrigation water on their 112-acre operation. A water diversion plan has helped their crop output skyrocket from 50 barrels per acre to 225 barrels per acre. "Without the farm plan, we'd be washed up," said William.

USA Weekend, Wal-Mart Honor First State RC&D Council - For the second time in 3 years, Delaware's First State RC&D Council Emergency Home Repair Project was recognized by USA Weekend magazine for its "Make A Difference Day" activities. Through the project, volunteers construct wheelchair ramps, fix leaky roofs and windows, replace doors, and do other fix-up projects for disabled and low-income homeowners. On a recent "Make A Difference Day," 72 volunteers fixed up 18 homes and a community center. Funding for the project has been received from Wal-Mart, NationsBank, and the Delaware State Housing Authority.

Connecticut Kids "Recycle It Into Music" - NRCS Connecticut's Project Coordinator Carol Donzella and the New Haven Recycling Center set up a hands-on activity called "Recycle It Into Music" at the Mayor's Youth and Family Expo held last Saturday at the New Haven Coliseum. Recyclable items collected from NRCS employees -- paper towel rolls, oatmeal boxes, coffee cans, and so forth -- were turned into drums and maracas by hundreds of kids. Pictures cut from magazines and donated ribbons, buttons, and stickers decorated the instruments. Sunflower seeds were placed inside the instruments to add sound and be used later as bird food. For more information, get shakin' and call Carol on (203) 787-0390.

Iowa Begins Series of Conservation Celebrations - A statewide campaign celebrating conservation achievements on Iowa's private lands kicked off on April 21. The event, held at the vonLackum/Mack Farm near Grundy Center, was the first of a series that celebrates milestones of Iowa's private landowners in protecting and improving soil, water, and other resources. Special recognition was given to the 100,000 acres of conservation buffers that are improving water quality and wildlife habitat. Featured speaker at the kick off was Governor Tom Vilsack who praised landowners for their dedication and leadership in protecting and preserving Iowa's natural resources.

South Carolina First with Completed HUA Map - South Carolina recently became the first State to have a 14-digit hydrologic unit map certified by NRCS' National Cartography and Geospatial Center. The map presents information on drainage, hydrography, and hydrologic boundaries of the water resources regions. The project was a joint effort of NRCS, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

D.C. Turned Earth Team Volunteer Puts Experience, Energy into the Field - Roy Roper, Earth Team Volunteer in the Canon City, Colorado, Field Office, wears many hats as he helps out NRCS, the Fremont Soil Conservation District, and the Fremont County Weed District. A retired District Conservationist for that field office, Roy has donated 626 hours of service, and spends most of his time assisting with reclamation plans, subdivision reviews, and information and education to small-acreage landowners. What drives Roy's volunteer spirit? "A desire to contribute a bit of my energy and experience to the local soil conservation district activity are probably the reasons I continue to serve as a volunteer," he said.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON

NRCS, OSM Sign National Framework for Reclamation of Abandoned Mines - April 26, NRCS and the Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining signed the "National Framework for Cooperation," a document that provides to the agencies guidance as they pursue their goals of more and better reclamation. It provides for the sharing of technology, training, expertise, and experience, and makes commitments for overall improvements in reclamation. Several other organizations are expected to sign the document. For copies and information, contact: Byron Thompson on: (803) 253-3930 or bthompson@sc.nrcs.usda.gov

Recommendations for FOCS Data Conversion Complete, Submitted for Approval - The national Field Office Computing System (FOCS) Data Conversion Advisory Project Team has completed its recommendations on the conversion and formatting of FOCS data to the Customer Service Toolkit environment. All States had opportunities to provide input to the team and comment on the final draft of the report, which has been submitted for management approval. The team consisted of representatives from all NRCS regions, NHQ, and the Information Technology Center.

Transcripts of EQIP Listening Sessions Available on Web - Transcripts of last fall's eight EQIP listening sessions are available as Adobe Acrobat files at: http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/COD/cit/eqiprndt.html This information will soon be available in the "What's New" section of the NRCS home page.

SPECIAL EVENTS

"Restoring Louisiana's Wetland Heritage" Celebration

St. Joseph, Louisiana

May 1

Contact: NRCS State Public Affairs Specialist Herb Bourque at 318-473-7762; or e-mail:

hbourque@laso2.la.nrcs.usda.gov

 

"Asian Pacific American Heritage Month" Celebration

USDA, Jamie Whitten Building

Washington, D.C.

May 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Public Service Recognition Week Mall Exhibits

National Mall (between 3rd and 4th Streets)

Washington, D.C.

May 6-9

"QUOTE OF THE WEEK"

"Be it deep or shallow, red or black, sand or clay, the soil is the link between the rock core of the earth and the living things on its surface. It is the foothold for the plants we grow. Therein lies the main reason for our interest in soils."

-- Roy W. Simonson, USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, 1957

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