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The Natural Resources Conservation Service — Helping People Help the Land.

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two of over 100 NRCS Earth Team volunteers who helped with the Community Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Make a Difference Day tree planting project in north Birmingham’s rebounding Norwood communityCommunity Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Make a Difference Day
Thanks to the efforts of the NRCS Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council, the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Norwood Resource Center, over 100 NRCS Earth Team volunteers helped celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Make a Difference Day in Birmingham, Alabama, by planting over 100 trees in a little over five hours to replace those lost to age, pollution, and weather.

 

Danny and Josie Kluthe’s farm is home to a unique renewable energy source. Methane gas created by manure from their hogs is used to generate electricity. This facility is the first of its kind in Nebraska. EQIP dollars were used to help fund some of the practices involved in this project (photo courtesy of Schuyler Sun)EQIP Project Generates Some Real Energy
In northeastern Nebraska, an innovative NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) project is reducing contamination and odors from manure while creating a clean, sustainable source of electricity.
 

Oconee County NRCS district conservationist Heather Stephens coordinated a unique project to highlight local farmers and their produce during Farm City WeekI’m A Farmer – I’m Your Neighbor
I'm a farmer – I'm your neighbor was the slogan for Farm City Week’s Oconee County Conservation Partnership campaign organized by South Carolina NRCS district conservationist Heather Stephens.  After the Oconee Conservation Partnership developed a plan to place photographs of over 40 farmers in five local grocery stores during Farm City Week, Heather pitched the idea to the local stores, interviewed local farmers, and helped create the displays.

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This year's theme of African American History Month, "Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social, and Civic Institutions," recognizes the African-American groups that have worked to confront injustices and expand opportunities.February is National Black History Month
The History and Origins of National Black History Month
Black History Month had its origins in the United States and was the idea of African American Scholar and educator Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson was one of the first Black Americans to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University. In 1922 at the age of 47, he gave up his distinguished career as a university professor to dedicate himself to research and writing on the African American experience.  Among Dr. Woodson's publications are The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861; History of the Negro Church; Negro Makers of History; African Heroes and Heroines; and perhaps his most famous book, The Miseducation of the Negro.

corn in IllinoisUSDA Announces Sign-Up for 2006 Conservation Security Program
USDA has announced that the 2006 sign-up for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) will be February 13 to March 31, 2006 in 60 watersheds nationwide. The sign-up will only include those producers who do not have an existing CSP contract and their operation must fall within the boundaries of a selected watershed.

(from left) Miami/Dade District Conservationist Christine Coffin, State Conservationist Niles Glasgow and Area Conservationist Jeff Schmidt look at damage done to a nursery in the aftermath of Hurricane KatrinaUSDA Announces $2.8 Billion in Hurricane Disaster Assistance
USDA has announced that $2.8 billion will be used to assist victims of the 2005 hurricane season.  Of that amount, $300 in Emergency Watershed Protection Program funds will be used to provide technical and financial assistance to help communities and landowners address public safety and restoration efforts on private lands in six states.

aerial view of contour plantingUSDA Announces Additional $56.8 Million for Conservation Programs in 43 States
USDA has announced that 43 states will receive additional funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program.  A total of $56.8 million will be distributed among the states.

western U.S. wetlandUp to $9.5 Million Available for Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program—Proposals Due March 28, 2006
NRCS has announced the release of up to $9.5 million dollars for the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP). WREP provides opportunities to improve or expand Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) activities including wetland restoration, creation or enhancement, or easement management. The WREP focuses on projects that include significant partnership contributions. Proposals require at least a 50% match from non-NRCS partners.
 

National Association of Conservation Districts 60th annual, national meeting logoNational Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) 60th Annual Meeting
NACD held is 60th annual national meeting this week in Houston, Texas.  The theme of this year's meeting was Living a Legacy Leaving a Legacy.


 

USDA 2006 Agricultural Outlook Forum logoAgricultural Outlook Forum to Feature Conservation
Conservation sessions will be featured at the upcoming Agricultural Outlook Forum on February 16-17, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA. There is no registration fee for USDA employees in the Washington D.C. area. Program details, including NRCS participants, are available at the program website.
 

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Kevin Brown (right), NRCS Area Conservationist, and President, Coastal & Native Plant Specialties, Inc., discuss the cycle of propagating wild sea oats. The sea oats are used for beach erosion control projects around the country. [Great Basin Plant Materials Center in Fallon, Nevada Closer to Reality
A proposed Great Basin Plant Materials Center (PMC), to be located at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Newlands Field Laboratory, is one step closer to reality. A lease agreement and memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the University’s Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station and NRCS that will operate the center, were signed in December. 
 

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.