Walk a Mile In My Boots

What is “Walk a Mile In My Boots”?

The “Walk a Mile in My Boots” initiative is a work-exchange program between agricultural producers and government employees. NRCS is working with the National Association of Conservation Districts to implement this partnership program that was developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Exchanges will provide opportunities for producers and NRCS employees to learn more about each other’s lifestyles, issues and operations.

Who can participate?

Initial participation will include at least 10 pilot exchanges in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

Producers and NRCS employees interested in applying for participation in the program should contact:

Bonnie Weller, National Volunteer Liaison
USDA-NRCS
5140 Park Avenue, Suite C
Des Moines, IA 50321
Phone: 515-289-0325, extension 102
Fax: 515-289-4561

What will I be doing?

Producers will be signed up as Earth Team Volunteers and will visit NRCS field offices, state offices or NRCS headquarters in Washington, D.C. They may shadow biologists, managers or other specialists; conduct outdoor field activities; attend agricultural meetings and work with USDA officials. Outdoor activities might include water control monitoring or wildlife habitat planting.

Government employees will visit a ranch or farm and shadow producers in their daily operations. Activities might include branding and vaccinating calves, moving and feeding livestock, irrigating cropland, building and maintaining conservation buffers or haying.

How long are the exchanges?

This is flexible, depending on the availability of the rancher and NRCS employee. The average exchange will be 10 days.

Links...

NRCS National Bulletin, INF-“Walk a Mile in My Boots” Program

Walk a Mile in My Boots Program application (Requires Adobe Acrobat.)