NRCS This Week - 06/29/01

Conservationist's Vision Becomes Beautiful Reality - Using techniques from the NRCS Backyard Conservation Campaign, Baldwin County NRCS conservation technician, Carolyn King turned an ordinary piece of lawn at Vaughn Elementary School in Stockton, Alabama, into a colorful children's garden of wildflowers, day lilies, verbena, hibiscus, salvia, and butterfly bushes. Ann Biggs, of the local soil and water conservation district, helped secure funding so the school wouldn't bear the cost of the project. Not only was the appearance of the property improved, but the work served as an outdoor classroom where students, teachers, and volunteers learned how to propagate seeds, use gardening tools, design and lay out a garden, and plant flowers and trees. The students not only liked working on the project for the satisfaction of a job well done, but also because they were able to get dirty and wet without having to ask permission. Your contact is Carolyn King, NRCS conservation technician, at 334-937-3297 ext. 3.

NRCS Range Survey Team Heads for the Aleutians - The NRCS Homer Field Office staff will be working on some of the most remote islands in Alaska's Aleutian chain. The Homer staff has been working with the National Cartographic and Geospatial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, to acquire and classify Landsat 7 imagery for Umnak Island, one of the most remote islands in the Aleutian Islands chain. Imagery of the island's 450,000 acres will assist a range survey team led by NRCS district conservationist Mark Kinney. The data will help the team assess existing reindeer and cattle grazing and develop management plans for island landowners, including the Tanadguisx, Chaluka, and Tanaq Alaska Native corporations. Your contact is Karin Sonnen, NRCS range conservationist, at 907-235-8177.

Delaware Water Festival 2001 - Approximately 1,500 students from across Delaware focused on water activities to celebrate Delaware's watersheds at a 2-day educational festival featuring interactive presentations and hands-on exhibits staffed by experts from NRCS, other government agencies, and corporations. The students were participants in a 7th grade Delaware watershed science program. Development of the program was the outcome of a 2-year collaboration involving watershed scientists, environmental education experts from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, curriculum specialists from the State Department of Education, and selected teams of seventh grade science teachers. NRCS staffed its soil runoff exhibit and global positioning system demonstration at the festival to help students learn how ground cover affects runoff and water quality. Students were also able to use global positioning and hand-held survey grade instruments. Your contact is Paul Petrichenko, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 302-678-4178.

High School Students Build Habitat - With Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program funding, more than 60 Hackettstown High School science students recently were able to help build a fish habitat enhancement project in New Jersey's Musconetcong River. The students, working with NRCS and State conservation agency personnel, placed about 7 tons of stone from the river into two log-frame deflectors. The barriers provide still areas in the river where fish, insects, and other aquatic life can rest without being swept downstream by the current. Over the past few years, the students have been involved in projects at the site that included riparian tree and shrub plantings, streambank erosion control plantings, and in-stream fish habitat improvements. Partners in the project included NRCS, the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, the North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council, the Morris and Warren soil conservation districts, and a local landowner. Your contact is Tim Dunne, NRCS resource conservationist, at 908-735-0733.

"Nutty" Nutrient Management That Works - The Mesilla Valley near Las Cruces, New Mexico, is home to 22 large, manure-producing dairy operations. It is also home to over 25,000 acres of pecan trees and orchard grass that are part of an alley cropping buffer system for dairy waste nutrient management. The alley cropping system buffers excess nitrate leaching into the water table, which in this desert region is only about 7 to 9 feet below the surface. Typically 10 to 15 tons of dairy manure is applied per acre, every 3 to 4 years, on the pecan orchards to improve forage and pecan production. The grass, which is planted between pecan trees, is harvested about two times per year and is sold to local farmers for feed, bedding, or a soil conditioner to improve crop yield and quality. The Bermuda grass provides income for the landowner throughout the summer growing season and the pecans provide additional income in late autumn. Your contact is Rudy Garcia, NRCS soil conservationist, at 505-522-8775 or rudy.garcia@nm.usda.gov.

Troubled Bridge Over Flooded Water - The Brooks Road Bridge over Pond Creek in Waller County, Texas, was unusable after it was damaged several years ago by flooding. Through a cooperative effort between NRCS, Waller County, and the city of Prairie View, Texas, the bridge was recently repaired. As most bridges are constructed of steel or steel reinforced concrete, the new bridge is one of a kind, constructed of barriers of stone set inside a "basket" of wire mesh. This type of construction makes the span more resistant to washouts, therefore increasing its life expectancy. Seventy-five percent of the project was funded with Federal cost-share funds and 25 percent came from Waller County and Prairie View. Raul Villarreal, NRCS natural resource manger in the Bryan, Texas, Field Office, was instrumental in securing Emergency Watershed Protection Program funding for the bridge repair. On hand for the reopening dedication were NRCS State conservationist John P. Burt and soil conservationist Willie Cephas from the Bryan Field Office. Your contact is Raul Villarreal, NRCS natural resource manager, at 979-826-2448.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON

Animal Feeding Operations (AFO) Listening Sessions - NRCS will conduct six listening sessions on the interest and capability of private sector vendors to provide technical assistance related to AFO's. The dates and locations for the sessions are Woodland, California, July 11; Austin, Texas, July 17; Denver, Colorado, July 20; Raleigh, North Carolina, July 24; Frederick, Maryland, July 30; and Indianapolis, Indiana, July 31. The related Federal Register notice should be published this week. Your contact is Dawn Lamb, Office of the NRCS Deputy Chief for Programs, at 202-720-4527.

The Army Joins NRCS - On June 25th, NRCS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers joined forces to propose a joint national assessment of high hazard dams currently in the National Dam Inventory. This critical national infrastructure provides a range of economic and environmental benefits, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial water supply; flood protection; hydroelectric power; wildlife habitat; and recreation. A letter signed by Chief Pearlie Reed and Lieutenant General Robert Flowers states that the two agencies should lead a collaborative effort, in concert with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service, and other agencies, to assess the condition and rehabilitation needs of high hazard dams in the national inventory. According to a recent report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, more than 2,100 dams in the U.S. are unsafe and the number of "high-hazard potential dams" - those whose failure would cause loss of life - increased from 9,281 in 1998 to 9,921 in 2001. Both agencies have the expertise and nationwide organization to address this critical national issue. Your contact is Bill Irwin, NRCS national design engineer, at 202-720-5858 or bill.irwin@usda.gov

NRCS Connects Farmers and Ranchers to Online Drought, Crop, and Plant Data - Farmers and ranchers have new information available online from NRCS to help them prepare for drought, better understand crop nutrition, choose crops for small-scale farming, and select plants for use in conservation practices. "This information will assist them with making informed, science-based decisions on how to keep their operations productive and plan for the future," said NRCS Chief Pearlie S. Reed.

Defending Against Drought (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/highlights/drought.html) presents information about drought conditions across the Nation, animated maps, and ideas on how to prepare for drought conditions and get the most use from low water supplies. NRCS' PLANTS web site (http://plants.usda.gov) now has three new web pages of particular interest to farmers and ranchers. The Crop Nutrient Tool helps farmers estimate how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will be removed from soil when crops are harvested. The Alternative Crop Module features information about crops suitable for small-scale farming and for farms with limited resources. A section with guides and fact sheets about conservation activities, plants of cultural interest to American Indians, livestock forage, and landscaping also is available. NRCS is the primary Federal agency that works with private landowners to help them protect their natural resources. Further information on NRCS can be obtained at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
Your contact is Brad Fisher, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 202-720-4024.

New Soil Education Publication: "Dig In: Hands-on Soil Investigations" - The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and NRCS announce the release of "Dig In Hands-on Soil Investigations," the first product of a 3-year cooperative agreement. This lively, 129-page soft cover book, a bestseller when it debuted at the 2001 NSTA convention in St. Louis, will soon assist educators across the Nation to teach scientifically accurate soil and soil conservation information in an enjoyable way. The book’s target audience is Kindergarten through Grade 4 teachers. "Dig In" provides classroom-tested lesson plans, stories, and activities about soil formation, habitats and land use. The book also discusses animals and plants that depend on soil. In addition to making it easy to teach and learn about soil, the book’s activities meet current National Science Education Standards and each activity cross-references specific standards. NRCS educational relations staff worked with NSTA to develop "Dig In." Each NRCS office will receive a courtesy copy of "Dig In" through a limited distribution to State offices. Regional offices, institutes, and centers will also receive free copies. Please reference the memo distributed on June 18, for details on how to order "Dig In." NSTA is the world’s largest organization promoting science teaching and learning for all. The 53,000-member association publishes four journals, a newspaper, and many books and publications for teachers.
Your contacts are NRCS public affairs specialists, Thomas Levermann at 202-720-2536 or Ted Kupelian at 202-720-5776.

Two USDA Nominations Announced - The President has sent two USDA nominations to the Senate for confirmation. A hearing has not yet been scheduled. James Moseley has been nominated for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. Moseley is a farmer from Indiana who served previously as Assistant Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment under President George H.W. Bush. Mark Rey has been nominated for Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. Mr. Rey is currently a professional staff member for the Senate Forest and Public Land Management Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

NATIONAL/REGIONAL

Wildfire Update - As of June 27, two fires in California have burned over 15,000 acres, two fires in Florida have consumed 1,700 acres, and in New Mexico, three fires have burned another 15,000 acres in that State. For 2001 to date, nearly 940,000 acres nationwide have burned in wildfires. In addition to requesting Emergency Watershed Protection Program funding to help recover from fire-damaged watershed areas, NRCS staff in fire-ravaged States traditionally visit homeowners to recommend measures to restore vegetation, prevent erosion, and control flooding in areas burned. After New Mexico's Casa Grande fire last year, grass seed mix for temporary vegetative cover and a list of native grasses and grass-wildflower and lawn mixes recommended for permanent cover were provided free of charge to homeowners. NRCS prescribed burning training throughout the U.S. is proceeding on schedule. Get connected to fire news and recovery efforts at the National Interagency Fire Center at http://www.nifc.gov/.

TECH TIP

New Technology to Measure Soil Carbon - Recently, NRCS Soil Quality Institute (SQI), National Soil Survey Center and Grazing Land Technology Institute scientists have been working with U.S. Department of Energy scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico on the potential application of laser technology to soil analysis. The development of this technology will allow rapid measurement of soil carbon, which will be increasingly important as interest in carbon sequestration grows. The study of lasers for total elemental analysis of solids, ores, and various precious metals began in the early to mid 1960’s. To date its primary application in the public sector has been with quality control at the industrial level. The LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) technique is the latest of this science and can be made field portable. The technology has already been used by organizations such as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for detecting certain elements in soil, and the goal of this group is to extend the capabilities to the analysis of soil carbon. The laser emits pulses of energy generating temperatures between 7,000 and 10,000 degrees Kelvin, similar to the temperature of the sun’s surface. This causes a solid sample to form into a microplasma. The high temperature and electron density of the plasma result in electronically excited atoms that emit measurable light. This technology will also be included on the next Mars probe for ‘soil’ and rock analysis. It is currently being tested on soil samples from the Soil Quality Institute and the National Soil Survey Lab. The field-testing phase will begin this fall.
Your contact is Lee Norfleet, SQI Acting Director at 334-844-4741 ext. 176, or norfleet@eng.auburn.edu.

ACCOLADES

2001 National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) Soil Scientist Awards - During 1999, the Centennial Year of the Soil Survey Program, the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) established two special yearly awards for soil scientists working in the production phase of the Soil Survey Program. These two awards are NCSS Soil Scientist of the Year and NCSS Soil Scientist Achievement Award.

NCSS Soil Scientist of the Year: Eva M. Muller, NRCS Soil Survey Project Leader, Spokane, Washington, is this year's award recipient. She has provided outstanding leadership for the Spokane County Soil Survey update by developing effective outreach through a marketing initiative targeting traditional and non-traditional soil survey customers. She adopted innovative techniques using mylar digital orthophoto quads as a base for soil survey maps, increasing efficiency in the delivery of completed soil surveys. Eva has achieved effective interaction and coordination among NRCS, local government, and NCSS partners involved in the Spokane County Survey project. This award was presented to Eva this week at the NCSS National conference in Fort Collins, Colorado.

NCSS Soil Scientist Achievement Award: Timothy (Tim) D. Gerber from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Columbus, Ohio, is the 2001 recipient of this award. This is the highest award that can be given to a soil scientist involved in the production phase of the Soil Survey Program. Tim is being honored for his cumulative impact and exceptional management of production soil survey in Ohio by providing direction for the Soil Survey Program and support of other programs that provide quality products to soil survey users in the State. Tim secured funding to enable acceleration of the soil-digitizing program in Ohio and is currently implementing an automated map compilation program for counties being digitized. The award will be presented to Tim in October, during the annual meeting of the Soil Science Society of America. Your contact is Horace Smith, NRCS Director, Soil Survey Division, at 202-720-7848.

NRCS Retiree Takes Top Public Relations Honors - Jim Desautel, retired NRCS Washington State public affairs specialist, of Desautel Hege Communications, recently received the Public Relations Society of America (PSRA)'s highest honor, the Best of Silver Anvil Award. Jim was recognized for his Health Improvement Partnership for "Healthy Kids Now Outreach Campaign!" campaign done for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Medical Assistance Administration Division. PRSA presented the Silver Anvil Awards during the annual awards ceremony held recently in New York City. This awareness campaign helped to enroll uninsured Washington State children in medical programs using grass roots outreach with private-sector marketing tactics. The result has been an increased enrollment of children in medical programs by 40,000 since its launch in February 2000. Winners of the 2001 Bronze Anvil Awards, presented for the best tactical solutions to public relations challenges, were also announced. You can find a complete list of winners at the PRSA Web site at www.prsa.org/sawin01.html. Founded in 1990, the Foundation of the Public Relations Society of America is committed to the development of programs and research to facilitate global dialogue among public relations organizations, support innovative research that advances the value of public relations work in helping to solve the problems facing society, and support the understanding and acceptance of public relations to those outside the industry.
Your contact is Brad Anseth, NRCS Quality Management Specialist, at 402-437-4088.

CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION

June 29, 2001

As a service to NRCS personnel and the agency's partners, "NRCS This Week" offers the following by-subject list of conferences and training sessions. To add an event, please send an e-mail message to fred.jacobs@usda.gov

Date Order By-Subject	Date Order Random Subject Order
Agricultural Economics Agricultural Engineering Agroforestry/Forestry Coastal Zone Management Crop Residue Management Geographic Information Systems Policy Soil Science/Erosion Control Special Emphasis Program Volunteers Water Quality Watersheds Wetlands Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation	July 2001 August 2001 September 2001 October 2001 November 2001 December 2001

Agricultural Economics

American Agricultural Economics Associtaion Annual (AAEA) Meeting

August 5-8

Chicago, Illinois

AAEA seeks submission for posters, papers, organized symposia and free sessions for the 2001 annual meeting in Chicago. For more information, contact Nancy Herselius at 515-233-3202, or nancy@aaea.org or visit the meeting website at http://www.aaea.org/meetings/.