NRCS This Week - 11/03/00

News

Friday, November 3, 2000 Washington, DC.

"I feel pain and anger that in your rush toward development, the fabric of this globe has been rent, and what you call the biosphere or ecosphere – but my people more simply call Mother – has been so neglected and hurtOur elders tell us we have to do more than save what is left of traditional homelands. We need to contribute to an overall change of mindso that human kind can begin to initiate strategies which will preserve and sustain the environment that all cultures and nations share."

-- Ruby Dunstan, Lytton Indian Band

Focus on the Field

California: Chinese Delegates Visit Modesto

Kentucky: Louisville Plays Host to National FFA

New Hampshire: A Century in the Making

New Jersey: Secrets of the Soil

North Carolina: Sandy Island Initiative "Digs-In"

Tennessee: Backyard Conservation at Camp Easter Seals

Virginia: Virginia Soil Scientists Team Up With Students

Awards and Accolades

2000 Partnership Awarded by NRCS

What's Up In Washington

November is American Indian Heritage Month

NRCS 2000-2005 Strategic Plan Finalized

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Technical Guidance Briefings Held

FY 2001 Agriculture Appropriations Bill Signed

2001 National Wetlands Awards

Tech Tips

Three New Courses from the Social Sciences Institute (SSI)

USDA/NRCS 'NetNewsLinks:

NEW! Ag Day, syndicated nationally to 200 television stations, aired an NRCS story this week on Dairy Nutrient Management (EQIP Program, NRCS). Although the story is longer on Ag Day's Website, check out the site anyway at www.agday.com.

The Clean Water Action Plan Reinvention Team has posted its final report, Clean Water Action Plan Watershed Reinvention Opportunities at www.cleanwater.gov/reinvent.

NRCS National Water and Climate Center Snow-Precipitation Update for the West

NRCS Legislative Summaries

Also on the 'Net:

Crop Residue Survey application - CropRes - allows users to upload survey transect data, enter county profile data (county crop acres), and adjust tillage percentages. CropRes is now available at http://calais.itc.nrcs.usda.gov/ctic/ (A PMRS user ID and logon are required to enter this site).

Computer Tools Now Available to Field Offices! Field office personnel now have access to better tools to reduce paperwork, improve efficiency, and allow more time to work in the field with customers. Computer tools are available at http://www.info.usda.gov/NRCS/FOWR/

AGRICOLA: USDA's AGRICultural Online Access

e-Notes from NACD: Weekly news briefs from the National Association of Conservation Districts

Conference & Training Connection!

See the alphabetical-by-subject list of upcoming events. See NEW! additions under water quality!

FOCUS ON THE FIELD

Chinese Delegates Visit Modesto - NRCS District Conservationist Mike McElhiney recently put on his hat as "international conservation ambassador" by presenting an overview of soil types found in Modesto, California, to 16 members of the Yunnan, China, Agricultural Economics & Management Delegation. The delegates included Director of Yunnan Institute of Tropical Crops; Senior Agronomist of Agricultural Sciences Research Institute; Associate Professor of Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences; and the President of the Yunnan Machinery Research and Planning Institute. They listened to presentations on agricultural marketing, conservation issues, how American farms operate, and rice growing techniques. Yunan, the eighth largest province in China, is home to 41 million people. Your contact is Jolene Lau, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 831-754-1595.

Louisville Plays Host to National FFA - Once again, Louisville, Kentucky, played host to the national FFA convention. This is the second year of a 6-year commitment where USDA and NRCS share exhibit space at the event. Secretary Glickman made a surprise appearance and addressed the group during the opening summit on Thursday. Over 35,000 people attended. This year marked the 20th year of NRCS participation in the career show exhibit area. Your contacts are Tom Leverman, NRCS Conservation Communications Staff, at 202-720-2536 or Lois Jackson, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 859-224-7372.

A Century in the Making - NRCS in New Hampshire can be proud of the coordination and technical assistance it has contributed to one of the largest salt marsh restoration projects ever. Culverts are being installed and the tidal portion of the Little River widened near the town of North Hampton to restore adequate tidal flow to the marsh and relieve storm water flooding problems.

Restoration of the Little River Salt Marsh has taken almost a century to achieve. In 1994, NRCS began providing technical leadership and during that time has provided more than $400,000 in cost sharing through the Wetlands Reserve Program to North Hampton. NRCS has also provided leadership in ecosystem restoration and engineering to several other New Hampshire towns to restore salt marshes along the coast and around the Great Bay. For more in-depth information on the Little River Marsh restoration project, visit the website at http://www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov/ and click on "Construction is underway on the Little River Salt Marsh" Your contact is Dr. Alan Ammann, NRCS Biologist, at 603-868-7581, ext. 103 or aammann@nh.usda.gov.

Secrets of the Soil - Secrets of the Soil were revealed to Newark Star-Ledger readers in New Jersey. Part of a series for the new gardener, Gardening 101, the soils article was the lead story in a recent Home & Garden section of the State's most widely circulated newspaper. Chris Smith, NRCS New Jersey soil scientist, provided the Star-Ledger reporter with background on the importance of soil and was frequently quoted in the article. Your contact is Irene Lieberman, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 732-246-1171 x 124 or ilieberman@nj.nrcs.usda.gov.

Sandy Island Initiative "Digs-In" - A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently for the Sandy Island Drinking Water and Quality of Life Improvement Initiative. NRCS South Carolina State Conservationist Walt Douglas provided comments and Onetha Elliott, the island's oldest resident, cut the ribbon at the groundbreaking. Approximately 100 participants traveled by boat via the intercoastal waterway to attend the event, which featured a tour and an art show with watercolor paintings by a local artist. NRCS will provide planning, engineering, and technical assistance to develop natural resource plans to reduce shoreline erosion, roadway stabilization, and $40,000 in construction funds for installation practices to protect and conserve soil and water resources on Sandy Island. Your contact is Perdita Belk, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist at 803-765-5402.

Backyard Conservation at Camp Easter Seals - Tennessee NRCS District Conservationist Christy Luna presented a program on backyard conservation recently at NatureLink, a weekend camp for inner city children and their families. The activity is held each year at Camp Easter Seals in Wilson County in middle Tennessee.

Her presentation on backyard conservation included a demonstration on how to make bird feeders from paper towel rolls and 2-liter bottles. Participants were given an opportunity to join in by making their own planters from milk jugs and 2-liter bottles. Approximately 55 children and adults attended the program. Your contact is Lavonne Winters, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 615-277-2535.

Virginia Soil Scientists Team Up With Students - Dr. John Galbraith, professor at Virginia Tech University, and David Kriz, NRCS State Soil Scientist recently led a 3-day trip through Virginia for 40 environmental studies and soil science students from "Tech." The purpose of the tour was to offer the students an opportunity to study different soils and to see what their lives might be like as scientists. The trip featured professional soil scientists from NRCS, Virginia Tech, and private consulting firms who provided opportunities to pair off with teams of students to study soils and talk about careers in conservation. Your contact is David Kriz, NRCS State Soil Scientist, at 804/287-1646.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

2000 Partnership Awarded by NRCS - The NRCS West Region awarded its 2000 Partnership Award to the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts for helping develop and carry out a strategy that resulted in $2 million for a 2-year project for watershed coordinators. They were also recognized for managing a $2.25 million Total Resource Management grant from the Bureau of Reclamation for resource management in five conservation districts, work on the Endangered Species MOU with State and Federal agencies, and outreach activities telling landowners about conservation.

The NRCS West Region's partnership recognition program is in its second year. The purpose of the program is to give visibility to the work that others do in getting conservation onto private lands. Your contact is Rachel Lopez, NRCS Administrative Program Assistant, at 530-792-5606.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON

November is American Indian Heritage Month - During November, the Nation celebrates the important contributions that American Indians have made to this country. Throughout the history of the United States, American Indians have been an integral part of the American character and culture. Tribal traditions have brought values and ideas that have become ingrained in the American spirit: the knowledge that humans can thrive and prosper without destroying the natural environment; the understanding that people from different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and traditions can come together to build a great country; and the awareness that diversity can be a source of strength rather than division. Celebrate American Indian Heritage Month!

NRCS 2000-2005 Strategic Plan Finalized - The NRCS 2000-2005 Strategic Plan, which lays out agency goals and objectives for the next 5 years, has been finalized. The broad resource-based plan is built on a foundation of local input, resource assessment and analysis, consultations and public forums, regional strategic planning and outreach, and extensive review. Data and information from NRCS' Integrated Accountability System were used to identify priorities and develop performance targetsThe plan reflects NRCS' continuing commitment to helping people conserve, maintain, and improve the Nation's natural resources and underscores our dedication to a tradition of service, partnership, community action, and technical excellence. Chief Pearlie Reed sees the planas clearly representing the agency's priorities and providing the foundation for NRCS funding requests over the next 5 years. Your contact is Dan Lawson, Director, NRCS Strategic and Performance Planning Division, at 202-690-0467.

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Technical Guidance Briefings Held - The NRCS Animal Husbandry & Clean Water Programs Division held briefings for NHQ staff and outside groups this week in preparation for the release of the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP) Technical Guide. Last week NRCS staff briefed House Agriculture Committee staffers and will do the same for the Senate Agriculture Committee in November. The purpose of this guide is to provide technical guidance for the development of CNMPs and will be used by NRCS and its conservation partners, local and State field staffs, private consultants, and landowners/operators. Your contact is Tom Christensen, Director, NRCS Animal Husbandry & Clean Water Programs Division, at 301-504-2196.

FY 2001 Agriculture Appropriations Bill Signed - The FY 2001, $78.1 billion agriculture appropriation Conference Report (H.R. 4461) was signed into law on October 28. States and regions have received their allocations this week. A detailed table outlining NRCS funding can be found at http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/LA/October16.pdf.

2001 National Wetlands Awards - The Environmental Law Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2001 National Wetlands Awards. The National Wetlands Awards program honors exceptional individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary effort, innovation, and excellence in wetland conservation through programs or projects at the regional, State, or local level. Outstanding wetlands educators, activists, scientists, and conservationists will be selected as recipients for their exemplary contributions to the conservation and restoration of the Nation's wetlands. Award winners will be honored at a Capitol Hill ceremony in Spring 2001. Completed nomination forms are due by December 15, 2000. Forms can be downloaded from the ELI website at http://www.eli.org/nwa/nomination01.htm. Please note that organizations and Federal employees are not eligible for nomination. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Dorigen Fried at 202-939-3250 or wetlandsawards@eli.org.

TECH TIPS

Three New Courses from the Social Sciences Institute (SSI) - The SSI has announced three new training courses. The Leader in You training seminars can be viewed over satellite transmissions on television and are also available on videotape. The SSI web site below has a list of past and upcoming sessions. Under final review is Consultation with American Indian Governments, that will be available later this fiscal year. Developing Your Skills to Involve Communities in Implementing Locally Led Conservation, one of Science and Technology Consortium's priority courses, will also be available later this fiscal year following a "train-the-trainer" session conducted with State NRCS representatives. This course will be a combination of video, classroom training, exercises, and a web-based real time evaluation of locally led planning activities. For a listing of SSI courses and products, visit SSI website at http://people.nrcs.wisc.edu/SocSciInstitute/socanthrTraining.htm. Your contact is Frank Clearfield, Director, NRCS Social Sciences Institute, at 336-334-7058 or clearf@ncat.edu.

CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION

November 3, 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 fred.jacobs@usda.gov

AFO/CAFO

Agricultural Economics

Agroforestry/Forestry

Agronomy

Air Quality

Animal Residuals Management

Coastal Zone Management

Environmental Education

Farmland Preservation

Grazing Land & Grassland

Irrigation

Locally Led Conservation

Mining & the Environment

Partnerships

Soil Science/Erosion Control

Water Quality

Watersheds

Wetlands

AFO/CAFO

The Innovative Technology for Planning Animal Feeding Operations

December 4-6

Denver, Colorado, Renaissance Denver Hotel

Attendees will be producers, government agencies, businesses, and consultants writing comprehensive nutrient management plans. Topics include land application technologies, alternative manure uses, air quality control strategies, mitigation of impacted sites, filter strips, etc. Exhibitors: $400.00 with two free registrations. Posters: Individuals presenting posters should be registered for the conference. Contact Ron Schierer, at 970-330-0380 or ron.schierer@co.usda.gov or Mike Collins at 307-682-8843, ext. 113, or mike.collins@wy.usda.gov