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

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California

Dave Smith (right), State Soil Scientist and MLRA Team Leader, makes a point during a discussion on a fi eld trip at Joshua Tree National ark in Southern California in November (NRCS photo by Anita Brown)Surveying Soils in California's National Parks
Some of our Nation’s most beautiful National Parks have never had soil surveys.  But that is changing. “We are about midway through a decade of intense effort by the National Park Service to have soil surveys on all of the national parks in California,” says Dave Smith, California NRCS State Soil Scientist.

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Iowa

Van Wyhe, owner of Valley View FeedSioux County, Iowa, Feedlot Owner 'Pumping It Up'
Instead of tearing out pens and downsizing his 4,500-head cattle operation to make room for a new waste storage lagoon, Kevin Van Wyhe installed a pump system to move water from two sediment basins to a large lagoon at the top of the hill above the feedlot.
 
Texas

Dr. Larry D. Butler, NRCS State Conservationist in Texas,NRCS Texas State Conservationist Announces Retirement
Dr. Larry D. Butler, NRCS State Conservationist in Texas, has announced his retirement effective March 2, 2007.  “As an NRCS employee for almost 33 years and as a native Texan, I can think of no higher honor than to have served as State Conservationist for Texas,” Butler said.  “Texas is a leader in conservation, and I am proud to have had the privilege of working with many conservation landowners that made that happen.”

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buffer stripsNew Data on Soil Erosion, Land Cover and Use Released
State-by-state results on soil erosion and land cover/use are available for the first time through the NRCS National Resources Inventory (NRI).  The NRI provides comprehensive and statistically reliable information on various natural resource conditions and trends on nonfederal lands. NRCS conducts the NRI in cooperation with Iowa State University’s Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology.

 

 ag outlook forum 2007 logo “Agriculture at the Crossroads: Energy, Farm & Rural Policy
 NRCS staff will participate at the upcoming Agricultural Outlook Forum on March 1 and 2, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.  There is no registration fee for USDA employees in the Washington, D.C. area, however, there will be a $15 onsite registration fee for anyone who does not register by February 3.  This includes all USDA employees. Program details and registration information is available on the forum’s website.

 

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(left to right) Virginia Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Executive Director, Ann Jennings with 2007 CBF Conservationist of the Year, M. Denise Doetzer and CBF Vice-Chairman Jim Rogers (NRCS photo -- click to enlarge)Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Denise Doetzer Virginia Conservationist Of The Year
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation recently presented its Virginia Conservationist of the Year Award to Virginia NRCS State Conservationist M. Denise Doetzer who is retiring after more than 25 years of service.
 

 

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the first conservation district plan developed by a Soil and Water Conservation District in the U.S. was approved on February 4, 1938. Mrs. Ploma Adams assisted by the Upper Savannah Soil Conservation District in Oconee County, South Carolina, initiated the conservation plan. (NRCS images — click to enlarge)

 Mrs. Ploma

 Mrs. Ploma Adams

First Conservation District Plan
The first conservation district plan in the U.S. was approved on February 4, 1938. Mrs. Ploma Adams, assisted by the Upper Savannah Soil Conservation District in Oconee County, South Carolina, initiated the conservation plan.  (information and image source: South Carolina Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society — click to enlarge).

Thanks to Arthur David, NRCS RC&D and Rural Lands Division, NHQ, for sending these images and captions.

NRCS This Week features a weekly historical photo and caption.  NHQ, districts, States, RC&D councils, and all other NRCS entities are invited to submit a historical photo of activities or individuals who have worked or are working for the agency along with a caption. 

 

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