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

California

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San Diego Nurseries, Clean Water Compliance, and NRCS
When the Regional Water Quality Control Board changed its Clean Water Act regulatory paradigm from giving agricultural waivers to holding nurseries accountable for their runoff, San Diego County Agriculture Department inspectors found themselves inundated with producers in need of help to bring them into compliance. Naturally, NRCS helped fill this niche.

Iowa

Bedford farmer Paul Ackley checks cattle watering tanks that are part of a new rotational grazing system NRCS designed for his farm. Ackley says he likes rotational grazing because the system allows him to raise the same number of cattle with one-third less land Rotational Grazing Pays for Bedford Producer
Rotational grazing is paying off for Taylor County farmer Paul Ackley of Bedford who says he can raise the same number of cattle on one-third less land thanks to rotational grazing. NRCS helped design and fund fences, cattle watering tanks, and lines in 2006 so Ackley can now move his 100-head of cattle among 15 paddocks so they always have fresh grass.

Washington

organic orchard operator Adolfo Alvarez EQIP Helps Organic Grower
Ten years ago, Adolfo Alvarez purchased his first 80-acre orchard. Almost immediately he began the process of becoming an organic grower. Through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Mr. Alvarez also improved his water management efficiencies by converting to sprinkler irrigation.

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For the Good of the People Re-Print Now Available
A re-print of the student educational publication, For the Good of the People (PA-1936), is now available from LANDCARE. The 5 ½ X 6 ½-inch, full-color publication is designed to help elementary school-aged youngsters learn about the conservation ethic. For the Good of the People also tells the story of America’s farmers and ranchers; illustrates the importance of agricultural products in our lives; and highlights the need to conserve, sustain, and improve natural resources for future generations. Copies may now be ordered by calling 1-888-LANDCARE.

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NRCS Wisconsin Earth Team volunteer Jon Barten (NRCS image -- click to enlarge) Jon Barten -- Wisconsin NRCS Earth Team Volunteer
Since October 2007, Jon Barten, a Geography Major at the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, has been working as an Earth Team Volunteer at the Onalaska Field Office. Jon came to us to fulfill an internship requirement at UWL and to learn more about Geographic Information Systems as it is used by NRCS in Wisconsin.

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The Importance of Pollinator Conservation
Almost 80 percent of the world’s crop plants require pollination. Pollinators include bees, birds, butterflies, beetles, mosquitoes, and bats. The annual value of insect pollinated crops in the U.S. is estimated at $20 billion. New language in the 2008 Farm Bill makes pollinators and their habitat a priority for every USDA land manager and conservationist.

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Mrs. Ploma Adams (NRCS image click to enlarge)

First Conservation District Plan
The first conservation district plan in the U.S. was approved on February 4, 1938. Mrs. Ploma Adams, assisted by the Upper Savannah Soil Conservation District in Oconee County, South Carolina, initiated the conservation plan (the source for the information and image is the South Carolina Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society -- NRCS image click to enlarge).

Thanks to David Arthur, NRCS Resource Conservation, Development and Outreach Division, NHQ, for sending these images and captions.

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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NRCS Directives for the Week of August 24, 2008

Conservation... Our Purpose. Our Passion

The purpose and passion for conservation is shared among many. It is shared between NRCS employees and partners who help people help the land. And it is shared by the landowners with whom we work. Our passion is manifested through the benefits derived from stewardship of private lands—benefits we all enjoy, such as cleaner water and air, improved soils and abundant wildlife habitat.

Learn about our stories, the stories of conservation made possible through a shared purpose, a shared passion and a shared commitment to conservation.

Meet the Featured Customers!

Eight featured customers, chosen to represent diversity of geography, culture, conservation practices and products, represent a cross-section of our landowner-partners nationwide as part of our Conservation... Our Purpose. Our Passion. campaign.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.