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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. |
![Conservation... Our Purpose. Our Passion. Image: Farm at sunset.](images/Campaign%20Web%20Ad%201.jpg) |
Meet the Featured Customers!
Eight featured customers were chosen to represent diversity of geography,
culture, conservation practices and crops of our
landowner-partners nationwide. Though these customers implement different
conservation practices, grow different crops, and live in different
locations, they share with us a passion for conservation and caring for the
land. Read their stories. |
![Featured Customer: Mr. Ho, Hawaii](images/hi_hoportrait.jpg) |
Meet The Ho Family, Hawaii
The Ho Family has 40 acres to farm Japanese cucumbers, long beans, squash,
tomatoes, and eggplant. They’ve been dedicated land stewards for over 20
years. The conservation plan they hold with NRCS is to address weeds,
insects, and plant disease by following an integrated pest management
system. Read about the Ho family's innovation and commitment to
conservation. |
![Featured Customer: Mr. Stoller, Ohio](images/oh_portrait.jpg) |
Meet the Stoller Family, Wayne County, Ohio
The Stoller Family operates a 250 acre certified organic dairy farm raising
corn, soybeans, wheat, barley and alfalfa. They also have goats, chickens,
and donkeys. They milk 90 Holsteins and market all of their milk through
Organic Valley Co-op. The Stollers are a brilliant example of farming with
nature instead of against it. They strive to pass along the homestead by
leaving the land better than they found it and also are teaching these
important concepts to their children.
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![featured customer: Mr. Austin, Oklahoma](images/ok_austin_sm.jpg) |
Meet the Austins, Oklahoma
Full-time farmer and rancher Frank Austin operates his farm/ranch on a
simple philosophy when it comes conservation. He wants to leave the land in
better shape than when he found it. His 1240 acre operation consists of 140
acres of cropland and 1,100 of grassland. When Austin acquires a farm he has
always gone to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for help in
developing a conservation plan.
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![featured customer: Ms. Garcia, Washington](images/wa_garciaportrait.jpg) |
Meet the Garcias, Washington
The older and younger generations of the Garcia family tend their orchard in
Yakima Valley. When Rene Garcia was a field worker in the orchards more than
30 years ago, he never imagined that one day he would own more than 800
acres of productive orchards; operate his own state-of-the-art packing house
and climate-controlled storage facility; and host the President of Mexico
during an official state visit. Read about this family's love for
conservation and success in business. |
![featured customer: Mr. Gwinn, Florida](images/fl_gwin_sm.jpg) |
Meet the Gwinns, Florida
The Gwinn Brothers are Suwannee County farmers that practice what NRCS
promotes - good conservation! By following the NRCS developed conservation
plan for their 1137 acre farm, the Gwinn Brothers have been able to improve
water quality, enhance water quantity, reduce soil erosion, improve animal
and plant health, and enhance wildlife habitat on their farm.
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![featured customer: Ms. Wahl, Oregon](images/or_portrait.jpg) |
Meet the Wahl Family, Oregon
The Wahls' herd of around 4,000 head of sheep is rotated daily, minimizing the
impact on the landscape and maintaining high quality forage. Due to its coastal
location, a number of aquatic and wildlife species have flourished based on the
significant stream, riparian and wetland habitat restoration. The Wahls fenced
and re-planted over five miles of riparian area and opened up a wetland and
salmon habitat.
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![Featured Customer: Chesmer, Connecticut](images/ct_portraitsm.jpg) |
Meet the Chesmers, Connecticut
The Chesmers have installed practices to protect water quality, keep the soils
healthy and productive, improve air quality and animal health and welfare, as
well as save money and allow them to be good neighbors. Their commitment to
riparian buffers along streams and wetlands, and management of woodlands support
habitat for many species. |
![Featured Customer: Mr. Brown, North Dakota](images/nd_sm_cow.jpg) |
Meet the Browns, North Dakota
The Browns run a purebred cow/calf operation with an open-minded philosophy,
a willingness to try innovative practices and a dedication to being good
land stewards. The Browns have practiced zero-till farming since 1994. This, along with increased
organic matter and litter on the soil surface, improves soil health, water
infiltration and utilization for a positive impact on the environment.
Wildlife species have increased, both in diversity and population. |
There are
hundreds of other conservation farmers featured on this web site,
with many stories to tell and a shared respect for America’s rich farming
heritage, a willingness to embrace innovation and new technologies, and an
understanding that good conservation equals good economics. These stories can be
sorted and searched by crop, state, and conservation practice. |
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