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Friday, March 17, 2000 Washington, DC.
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"Harmony with land is like harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his right hand and chop off his left." – Aldo Leopold, American conservationist
- Focus on the Field
- Nationwide: Small Farms on the Increase, Newspaper Credits USDA
- North Carolina: NC Watershed Projects Bring $28M in Benefits During Hurricanes
- Montana: Montana Wetlands Pub Released, Landowners the Focus
- Nationwide: New Wildlife Leaflets Target Conservation Planners, Landowners
- Southeast Region: SE Region NRI Data Now Available, Features Land Use/Cover Graphics
- Kentucky: "Fast Five" Educates "Captive Audience" About Buffers
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- Partnerships
- Peterson Again IECA President, Continues Tradition of Service
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- Aging Dams
- Condition of Dams Gets National Press
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- Tech Tip
- Social Sciences Institute Operates in the "Digital World"
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- WebWorld
- River Cleanup Week Site Flows with Information
FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Small Farms on the Increase, Newspaper Credits USDA -
America had more farms operating in 1999 than in the previous year. There were 2.19 million farms last year, an increase of 2,710 from 1998. The growth was fueled by the smallest of the Nation's farms, those with sales under $10,000. The number of mid-sized farms (sales between $10,000 and $99,999) and large farms ($100,000 or more) declined. A recent newspaper article in California's "Modesto Bee" says that Secretary Glickman and the Department deserve some of the credit for the growing number of small farms. To read the Bee's story, click http://www.modbee.com/business/story/0,1157,140327,00.html Submitted by Glenda Humiston, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.
NC Watershed Projects Bring $28M in Benefits During Hurricanes -
Recent field reviews of three PL-566 watershed projects in Pitt County, North Carolina, show that those projects produced more than $28 million in benefits during Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd. The Chicod, Grindle, and Swift creek watershed projects hold more than 200 miles of well-maintained flood prevention and drainage channels. This maintenance was key to the functioning of the channels during Dennis and Floyd. Here is a summary of the projects' successes:
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| Homes benefited |
1,600 |
| Farms benefited |
400 |
| Businesses benefited |
25 |
| Total acres benefited |
55,000 |
| Roads protected |
150 miles |
| Bridges and crossings protected |
300 |
| Flood prevention benefits |
$13.6 million |
| Cropland protection |
$14.8 million |
Your contact is Russ Collett, Watershed Program Leader, NHQ, Watersheds and Wetlands Division, on (202) 720-8770.
Montana Wetlands Pub Released, Landowners the Focus -
Now available in print and on the Web is the eagerly anticipated publication "A Landowners' Guide to Montana Wetlands." Easy to use and beautifully illustrated, the guide features information about the nature of wetlands, methods of wetlands management, wetland programs and services, legislation and regulations, plus a selection of success stories from landowners who have worked with NRCS. The agency and a variety of partners developed the publication. You can get into a PDF version at http://nris.state.mt.us/wis/MWICedit.html or by visiting the NRCS Montana Web site at http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov Congratulations and thank you to NRCS Montana for developing a good guide, sharing your success stories, and, of course, your outstanding assistance to landowners. Your contact is David Heilig, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist, at (406) 587-6789.
New Wildlife Leaflets Target Conservation Planners, Landowners -
Conservation planners, NRCS' Wildlife Habitat Management Institute and the Wildlife Habitat Council have some great information for you and landowners, too. Click http://www.ms.nrcs.usda.gov/whmi/technotes.htm to get into a series of fish and wildlife planning leaflets (in PDF) that will help you address the habitat needs of wood ducks, eastern bluebirds, American kestrels, eastern cottontails, northern bobwhites, and bats. More leaflets will soon be available, including guides for the lesser prairie chicken, long-billed curlew, ring-necked pheasant, American elk, wild turkey, rainbow trout, ruby-throated hummingbird, as well as grassland birds, wading birds, and butterflies. Your contact is Charlie Rewa on (301) 497-5657 or at charlie_rewa@usgs.gov
SE Region NRI Data Now Available, Features Land Use/Cover Graphics -
Graphics supporting Southeast Regional National Resources Inventory (NRI) data are now available. Regional Conservationist Charles R. Adams reports that Acting Southeast Region Geographic Information System Specialist Javier Ruiz has developed Land Use/Land Cover (LU/LC) illustrations for the region. Using 1997 NRI data, a graphic has been developed to show the proportion of different LU/LC in the Southeast Region. One visual in the series compares the Southeast Region's LU/LC figures to national figures. Other graphics show LU/LC changes between 1982 and 1997. Other visuals compare LU/LC changes in 1982, 1987, 1992, and 1997 NRI. Your contact is Javier Ruiz at (817) 509-3297. Submitted by Suzanne Pugh, Southeast Regional Communication Specialist.
"Fast Five" Educates "Captive Audience" About Buffers -
Realtors believe in it, and now NRCS Kentucky knows why. The expression "location, location, location" was the thought for the day for agency folks at the national conservation buffer display at the National Farm Machinery Show in Lexington. The display was perfectly situated between a tractor pull venue and public restrooms. While people waited in line outside the restrooms, five NRCS staffers told them about the benefits of conservation buffers! State Conservationist David Sawyer praised the five (State Agronomist David Stipes, District Conservationists Roy Toney and Randall Rock, Soil Conservationist Terry Brown, and State Volunteer Coordinator Winnie Breeding) for their "fast talk to their captive audience." The group handed out NRCS publications, along with cards featuring the address of the agency's Web page. Submitted by Lois Jackson, State Public Affairs Specialist, Kentucky, and Suzanne Pugh, Southeast Region Communications Specialist.
PARTNERSHIPS
Peterson Again IECA President, Continues Tradition of Service -
The votes were counted, and the results are in- John W. Peterson will again serve as President of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA). John served as the association's president from 1996-98. During his nearly 40 years with the former SCS, John directed the agency's Small Watershed Programs, and served as Deputy Chief for Administration and as Assistant Chief, directing agency activities in the Midwest. Since then, he has formed a water resources, erosion, and sediment control firm, and serves as watershed expert for the National Watershed Coalition. John was elected at the 31st Annual IECA Conference and Trade Exposition recently held in Palm Springs, California. Your contact is Ben Northcutt, IECA Executive Director, on (800) 455-4322.
AGING DAMS
Condition of Dams Gets National Press -
The March 13th issue of Stateline.org (http://www.stateline.org) featured an outstanding article on the conditions of the Nation's aging small watershed dams. Quoted were Chief Reed and NRCS' National Policy Coordinator Bruce Julian. The article highlighted the dams' roles in public safety, as well as their environmental and economic benefits. Also discussed were the demographic stresses that are taking a toll on the structures.
Positive press was given to bills sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas and Sen. Paul Coverdell that would authorize $600 million over the next 10 years for watershed dam rehabilitation, as well as support from the National Governors' Association for Federal legislation that would authorize NRCS to support State and local sponsors on the rehabilitation of NRCS watershed dams.
Stateline.org is a publication of the Pew Center on the States, a research project administered by the University of Richmond, and funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts. Your contact is Bruce Julian, Natural Resource Manager, Watersheds and Wetlands Division, NHQ, on (202) 720-3042.
TECH TIP
From Frank Clearfield, Director, NRCS Social Sciences Institute
Social Sciences Institute Operates in the "Digital World" -
The Social Sciences Institute, like some of NRCS' other Institutes and Centers, makes uses the Internet to offer products, processes, and applications. Our main Web site, http://people.nrcs.wisc.edu/socsciinstitute/, has about 80 products, three-quarters of which can be downloaded by the user. Once accessed, the user has the option to view, operate, customize, and print these products. Many of these materials are "how-to" documents that are designed to assist in the locally led process by providing tips and processes on how to effectively interact with customers and partners.
The "Demographic Data Access" site enables users to select any combination of State or county variables from the agriculture or population census, and download these customized results to their computer in a format that they select. This site can be accessed through the main site by going through the software/data section or directly at http://people.nrcs.wisc.edu/customdata/Welcome.asp
The new "Applied Environmental Psychology" site can be accessed through the Institute's main site or directly at http://people.nrcs.wisc.edu/SSIEnvPsy/nrcs/index.shtml This site contains information on tools that can prioritize community issues, an applied research section, links to other Web sites, as well as a section on measuring environmental attitudes.
In April 2000, we will posting an economic Web application called "Profits and Costs" (ProCost), which will enable users to quickly and easily carry out on-line profit and cost estimates for conservation planning. We will provide information on how to access this new site when it is launched.
We have also just released an updated version of the "Social Sciences Institute Product Catalog," which provides an overview of our products and services. This catalog is available on the Social Sciences Institute's main Web site under "What's New" or in hard copy. For more information, please send me an e-mail message at <clearf@ncat.edu> If you would like to request hard copies of any of the products listed in our catalog, please contact the Social Sciences Institute at (616) 942-1503 or e-mail us at ssinter2@po.nrcs.usda.gov
WEB WORLD
River Cleanup Week Site Flows with Information -
National River Cleanup Week is June 3-10! You'll find the particulars at http://www.americaoutdoors.org More than 30,000 volunteers took part in last year's cleanup experience that brightened blighted areas and helped entire communities focus on improving neglected waterways. The event's mailing address is National River Cleanup Week, P.O. Box 10847, Knoxville, Tennessee 37939. Phone (865) 558-3595, fax (865) 558-3598, and e-mail amoutdoors@aol.com USDA cosponsors.
CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION
March 17, 2000
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 brad.fisher@usda.gov
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agroforestry/Forestry
- Animal Agriculture
- Buffers
- Carbon Sequestration
- Core 4
- Economics
- Employee Organizations
- Environmental Education
- Executive Women in Government
- Farming & Ranching
- Flood Control
- Grazing Land & Grassland
- Land Use
- Minorities
- Partners & Partnerships
- Resource Conservation & Development
- Rivers
- Soils & Soil Science
- Sustainability
- Water Quality
- Watersheds
- Wetlands
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Agricultural Engineering
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- NEW!
- American Society of Agricultural Engineers 2000 Annual International Meeting
- July 9-12
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- The theme for this year's meeting is "Engineering Solutions for a New Century." Interact with engineering professionals worldwide; share your ideas, techniques, and research with your peers; and promote the profession of agriculture, food, and engineering. For additional information, contact ASAE at http://www.asae.org, or William Hughey at (202)-720-5023 and william.hughey@usda.gov
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Agroforestry/Forestry
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- New Income Opportunities from Specialty Products: Agroforestry in the Northeast
- March 23-25
- Portland, Maine
- A regional conference to help shape the future and success of agroforestry in the Northeast. Sponsored by NRCS, the Maine and New England associations of RC&D's, and USDA's National Agroforestry Center. Visit the Web site at
- http://www.thresholdtomaine.org/agroforestry/, or contact Velma Orcutt, Down East RC&D, at (207) 546-2368 or Velma.Orcutt@me.usda.gov
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- Summit 2000--Private Forest Forum: A Policy-Oriented Look at Private
- Forests in Washington State
- March 29-30
- Capitol Lake, Olympia, Washington
- Summit objectives are to understand and protect the economic, social, and biological viability of private forests in the State and devise a plan for sustaining future prosperity. The symposium is designed for forestland owners, managers, policy makers, and others interested in management and policies governing forestlands. Summit 2000 is designed to be participatory, technical and philosophical. For more information, please contact Dr. Donald Hanley, Forester, Program Chairman, on (206) 685-4960, or at dhanley@u.washington.edu
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- Opportunities in Agroforestry
- April 1
- Viroqua, Wisconsin
- Features agroforestry professionals from the upper Midwest. Topics covered include: Chestnut and Hazelnut Production, Growing and Selling Medicinals, Tree Pollen Collection, Windbreaks for Profit, Making the Most of Your Woodlot, Food Production & Carbon Sequestration Through Woody Crops, and Incorporating Agroforestry into a Sustainable Agriculture System. Sponsored by the Southwest Badger RC&D Council. Contact Steven Bertjens on (608) 348-3235, or at steve.bertjens@wi.usda.gov
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- Forest Utilization Conference & Equipment Expo
- April 26-28
- Western Hills Resort, Sequoyah State Park, Wagoner, Oklahoma
- Contact Ouachita Mountains RC&D on (918) 423-2479, or at omrcandd@icok.net
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- Fragmentation 2000-A Conference on Sustaining Private Forests in the 21st Century
- September 18-20
- Annapolis, Maryland
- For details, please contact: Terri Bates at 3325 Rose Lane, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. Her telephone number: (703) 538-1134; e-mail: Bates-Stasny@erols.com or William G. Hubbard, Southern Regional Extension Forester, 4-402 Forest Resources Building, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602. Phone: (706) 542-7813; fax: (706) 542-3342; and e-mail: hubbard@smokey.forestry.uga.edu
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- International Poplar Commission 2000 Conference
- Sept. 24-30
- Portland, Oregon
- Will include scientists and practitioners from more than 32 countries. The theme: "Poplar and Willow Culture: Meeting the Needs of Society and the Environment." Papers will be presented in working group sessions, including Poplar and Willow Breeding, Diseases, Insects and Other Animal Pests, Production and Environmental Systems, and Logging and Utilization. The Web site is http://www.ncfes.umn.edu/IPC2000/
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Animal Agriculture
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- Managing Nutrients and Pathogens from Animal Agriculture
- March 28-30
- Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
- A forum to present recent research, field experiences, and government responses regarding interactions of animal agriculture and the environment in the Eastern U.S. Topics include: Nutrients and Water Quality, NRCS and EPA Goals in Nutrient Management, Feed Management To Reduce Excess Nutrients, Manure Management Practices, and Nutrient and Pathogen Transport in Watersheds. USDA's Water Quality Working Group provided seed money for the conference. For more information, contact the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service on (607) 255-7654, or by fax on (607) 254-8770.
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Buffers
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- Buffers: Commonsense Conservation for Urbanizing Landscapes
- May 9-11
- Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City, Nebraska
- For more information, please check the National Arbor Day Foundation's web site on http://www.arborday.org
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Carbon Sequestration
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- Carbon: Exploring the Benefits to Farmers and Society
- August 29-31
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Ag perspectives on emerging policies and technologies involving carbon management and sequestration and other greenhouse gases. Focus on the impacts and benefits of carbon sequestration affecting ag producers, society and the environment. Hear ideas from a cross-section of policy, science, and industry perspectives. Poster abstracts due March 13. Contact Alice Vinsand, conference coordinator, at (515) 225-1051 or email
- avinsand@aol.com Complete abstract details and other conference information are available at http://www.cvrcd.org/carbon.htm
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Core 4
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- Core 4 Field Day
- June 15
- Eminence, Kentucky (near Louisville)
- Sponsored by the Shelby and Henry County Conservation Districts on Worth and Dee Ellis Farms. See Core 4 on the job on an award-winning family farm and presentations by USDA and University of Kentucky conservation specialists. For more information, contact Mike Ellis on (502) 845-4740 or by e-mail at wdemike@iglou.com
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Economics
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- Valuation 2000
- July 10-13
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- A business, education, and networking conference sponsored by the American Society of Appraisers, American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and the Appraisal Institute. Will focus on environmental concerns and their impact on valuation, technology in valuation and its use, employment, regulatory concerns, trends, and other unique valuation problems. May be the largest gathering of NRCS' resource information customers, especially regarding soil survey. For more information, see http://www.val2000.org/
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- 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Agricultural Economists
- July 30-August 2
- Tampa, Florida
- For meeting information, see http://www.aaea.org/meetings/m2000
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Employee Organizations
National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees
- (NOPHNRCSE) 8th Annual Training Conference
- June 26-29
- Washington, D.C.
- Theme: "Hispanics-The New Dynamic." In conjunction with the Hispanic Emphasis Program Managers (HEPM) and Federal Women Program Managers (FWPM) training sessions. For more information call Gerry Gonzalez (NOPHNRCSE) on (602) 280-8777, Rafael Salazar (HEPM) on (706) 554-5183, or Sheila Greene (FWPM) on (301) 504-2178.
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- Environmental Education
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- 22nd Annual Natural Resource Societies Science Day
- June 7
- Washington, D.C.
- The event will address projected demographic, technology, and economic trends and their effects on natural resource science and practice.
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- North American Association for Environmental Education National Conference
- October 17-21
- South Padre Island, Texas
- The conference theme is "Spanning Cultural and Ecological Diversity through Environmental Education." Learn more about the conference, at http://www.naaee.org
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Executive Women in Government
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- Reaching Beyond: Governance in the 21st Century
- May 24
- Washington, D.C.
- A futurist's view, CEO best practices, community-based solutions, New High-Tech Tools and more! Prepare yourself for new job opportunities in the next administration with this exciting training conference. Sponsored by Executive Women in Government. Call (703) 941-0023 for details.
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- Farming & Ranching
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- The Culture, Economics, and Ecology of Ranching West of the 100th Meridian
- May 4-6
- Colorado State University at Fort Collins
- Will bring together people who practice and help change the culture, ecology, and economics of ranching. Sponsored by NRCS, American Farmland Trust, the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management, The Nature Conservancy, and others. Contact CSU's Office of Conference Services on (970) 491-6222. E-mail messages to Wendell Gilgert at wgilgert@cnr.colostate.edu
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- Flood Control
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- Nation's First Upland Flood Control Rehabilitation Project Celebration
- April 14
- Cheyenne, Oklahoma
- Site 2 Sergeant Major Creek will be rededicated after complete rehabilitation of the 50-year dam, which will extend its life for another 100 years. For more information, contact Nena Wells, Upper Washita Conservation District, Cheyenne, Oklahoma, on (580) 497-3413.
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- Association of State Floodplain Managers' 24th Annual Conference
- June 16-23
- Austin, Texas
- "Floodplain Management 2000 and Beyond: A New Beginning in a New Millenium." For reservations, call (512) 477-1234.
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- Grazing Land & Grassland
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- Central Maine Grazing Conference
- April 8
- Oakland, Maine
- Keynote speakers and presenters include Nate Leonard, Ed Rayburn, and Heidi Smith along
- with producer presentations. For more information, contact Paul Hughes at (207) 990-9100 or paul.hughes@me.usda.gov, or Ron Desrosiers at (207) 947-6622 or e-mail at ron.desrosiers@me.usda.gov This conference is paid for in part through EQIP educational assistance funds. Conference fee: $20.
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- 1ST Annual Mid-America Grassland Evaluation Contest
- June 5-7
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Open to FFA and 4-H teams, nationwide. Contest includes soil interpretation, plant identification, forage and livestock management, and wildlife habitat management. Sponsored by the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council, in cooperation with NRCS, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and University of Missouri Outreach and Extension. Contact Melodie Marshall on (800) 364-8732x3, or Mark Kennedy on (417) 967-2028.
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- First National Conference on Grazing Lands
- December 5-8
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Economic and environmental effects of proper grazing lands management. Sponsored by NACD, Grazing Lands and Public Lands Committee, the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), and others. Abstracts for oral and poster papers accepted until April 1. Contact John W. Peterson, NCGL Program Manager, by phone on (703) 455-4387, or fax at (703) 455-6886, or by e-mail on jwpeterson@erols.com
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- Land Use
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- Land Conservation Summit 2000
- July 28-29
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- The conference will advance the debate about private land conservation and the use of conservation easements in the new millennium.
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- Minorities
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- MANRRS 2000: Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences 15th Annual Career Fair and Training Conference
- March 30-April 1
- Lexington, Kentucky
- Sponsored by National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences. For registration: Conferences & Institutes, University of Kentucky, 218 Peterson Service Building, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0005. Phone: (606) 257-3929. Fax: (606) 323-8522.
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- Partners & Partnerships
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- SWCS Annual Conference: Gateway to the Future-Conserving Private Land
- July 8-12
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Information is available on the Soil and Water Conservation Society's Web page at http://www.swcs.org Your contact is Charlie Persinger, SWCS, Director of Member Services, 7515 NE Ankeny Road, Ankeny, Iowa 50021-9764. Voice: (515) 289-2331, ext. 12. Fax: (515) 289-1227. Email: charliep@swcs.org
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- Third Biennial Conference on Understanding Each Other and Working Together for a Better Future
- October 24-25
- Eugene, Oregon
- Forum for agricultural interests, government, and environmentalists to discuss issues relevant to agriculture and water quality. Perspectives presented in a non-confrontational forum and others see and understand other points of view. For more information, see the conference's Web site at http://www.agwaterqualitynw.org
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- Resource Conservation & Development
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- North Central Region RC&D Annual Conference
- March 22-24
- Oneida Indian Nation near Green Bay, Wisconsin
- The conference will focus on diversity, outreach, sustainability, and partnerships. The Glacierland RC&D (though not federally designated) and the Wisconsin State RC&D Association will host this conference. To receive an agenda, please contact Gwen Klay at gwen.klay@wi.usda.gov
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- National Association of RC&D Councils Conference
- June 18-21
- Ogden, Utah
- Your contacts are the National Association of RC&D Councils on (202) 434-4780, and David Spann, Coordinator, Bonneville RC&D Office, 1030 West 5370 South, Murray, Utah 84123. Phone: (801) 262-6838. Fax: (801) 263-3667. E-mail: mpatten@ditell.com
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- NEW!
- England Association of RC&D Areas Annual Conference
- October 26-29
- Newport, Rhode Island
- For more information call, please call Susan Arrants at (401) 949-4418.
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- Rivers
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- NEW!
- National River Cleanup Week
- June 3-10
- Check out the Web site at http://www.americaoutdoors.org/ or contact National River Cleanup Week, P.O. Box 10847, Knoxville, Tennessee 37939. Phone: (865) 558-3595, or fax (865) 558-3598. E-mail amoutdoors@aol.com
- International Conference on Wood in World Rivers
- October 23-27
- Corvallis, Oregon
- Sessions on primary research of fluvial processes, synthesis of policies and science to guide management options for rivers, applied research, and conservation perspectives. Co-sponsored by the Wildlife Habitat Management Institute. For more information, see the conference's Web site at http://riverwood.orst.edu or contact the Institute's Kathryn Staley at Kathryn.Staley@orst.edu
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- Sustainability
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- Global Sustainability Conference
- March 28-29
- Springfield, Illinois
- Carbon sequestration and ecological practices in agriculture and forestry, global warming, water quality, bio-energy, soil health, world food security, production agriculture, and ecological economics. Sponsored by the Gallatin County SWCD and the Shawnee RC&D Council. E-mail: Michele.Gidcumb@ilridgway.fsc.usda.gov See the conference agenda on the NRCS Illinois web site at: www.il.nrcs.usda.gov
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