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

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(l to r) Loland J. Broussard, civil engineer; Karl J. Barry, agricultural engineer; Jean D. Romero, area soil conservation technician; Quin J. Kinler, resource conservationist; Larry J. Trahan, resource conservationist; Chief Bruce I. Knight; Melvin E. Rodrigue, civil engineering technician; Troy J. Mallach, wildlife biologist; Randolph Joseph, Jr., area conservationist; Ronald G. Boustany, nNatural resources specialist; Dale J. Garber, supervisory civil engineer; and Alton James, RC&D coordinator (not shown)Louisiana NRCS Employees Receive Chief's Circle of Excellence Award
Eleven Louisiana NRCS employees received the Chief's Circle of Excellence award recently for their heroic search and rescue efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In December 2005, the Chief inaugurated the new award to honor the best-of-the-best.

NRCS State Conservationist Denise Doetzer (left) and Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries Biologist, Dave Whitehurst witness firsthand the beginning of the eradication process. Pest Eradicated Through WHIP
NRCS in Virginia is providing $300,000 in Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) funds to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to eradicate a colony of zebra mussels, a non-native invasive species. The only known colony of zebra mussels is located in a quarry in Northern Virginia.
 

Iowa CSP Tier III farmer Jim AndrewFirst Iowa Tier III CSP Participant a True Believer
The banner hanging in Jim Andrew’s machine shed has a lot in common with the rusty disk that resting outside on Red Top farm here.  In its own way, each signifies the dedication to conservation Andrew and his family have.  It’s a dedication that led directly to Andrew becoming one of Iowa’s first Tier-Three recipients for the Conservation Security Program (CSP).

 

Montana State Conservationist Sees NRCS Role for the Local Economy 
During 2005, NRCS spent more than $68 million on conservation programs in Montana. This investment in Montana's economy and environment is projected to generate a total of $128 million in economic activity and create or maintain 1,052 jobs. This investment represents conservation practices installed this past year as well as contracts signed by producers for future practice installations.

NRCS Arizona assistant public affairs specialist George Couch poses with the Scottsdale Water Drop at the Arizona Water Expo held last monthNRCS Arizona assistant public affairs specialist George Couch poses with the Scottsdale Water Drop at the Arizona Water Expo held last month.
 

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drawing of a tv (NRCS image by Fred Jacobs)NRCS Plant Materials Specialist on TV
The History Channel featured Mark Stannard, manager of the Pullman, Washington, Plant Materials Center on their popular Modern Marvels show this January the 26th. The segment entitled "More Earth Movers" had several scenes of Mark talking about the history of agricultural and the evolution of large earth-moving equipment.
 

 

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.
 

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How to Direct Market Your BeefNew Book Details Methods for Marketing Grass — Fed Beef
As more beef producers nationwide raise their cattle on well-managed pasture and rangeland rather than in feedlots, many want to know more about selling their beef to direct markets.  To respond to growing demand for meat raised with environmentally sensitive methods and/or humane handling practices, those ranchers want tried-and-true marketing strategies.
 

 

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.