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Indian Mill State Park in Wyandot County, Ohio (NRCS photo by Doug Deardorff)NRCS This Week mast head

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District of Columbia

Chief White reads with Brent Elementary School first-graders (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)Hands-On Conservation Education
NRCS Chief Dave White and National Association of Conservation Districts CEO Krysta Hardin recently taught a hands-on lesson in conservation to first grade students at Brent Elementary School in Washington, DC. Lesson activities included Chief White and Krysta Hardin reading a book about soil with students and then helping plant flowers and shrubs on the school grounds. The “Soil – Dig It” event, organized by District of Columbia district conservationist Leslie Burks, was held during NACD’s Stewardship Week.
 

 

Iowa

farmer Bill Hammitt and NRCS Soil Conservationist Weston Dittmer examine a no-till planter. Both men credit Hammitt’s use of no-till farming and high field residue practices for helping to improve the organic content and fertility of his soil (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)Conservation Plan Leads to Better Soil Quality
Harrison County farmer Bill Hammitt says his soil looks as good as potting soil purchased at a garden shop. “My soil is real loose, real mellow, and high in organic matter just like potting soil,” said Hammitt. “The only difference is my soil has earthworms in it and potting soil doesn’t.”


 

Missouri

“Cave-in-Rock” switchgrass, a couple of monthsYear of the Flood
Flooding at the Elsberry Plant Materials Center (PMC) has become more common than NRCS employees there would like.  PMC employees had about a week notice that flood waters were almost for sure going to top the levees.  Fortunately, the “Cave-in-Rock” switchgrass planted by PMC staff survived the flood.


 

 

 

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“Outstanding Plant Materials Team” award presented to Aberdeen Plant Materials Center staff. From left to right: Brent Cornforth, Pat Blaker, Loren St. John, State Conservationist Jeff Burwell, Boyd Simonson, Chris Hoag, Charlie Bair, and Dan ThompsenAberdeen PMC Staff Receives “Outstanding Plant Materials Team” Award
The staff at the Plant Materials Center (PMC) in Aberdeen, Idaho, recently received the “Outstanding Plant Materials Team” award this year for their hard work to meet customer and resource needs. They are always among NRCS’s top producers of high quality foundation seed and technical documents; they provide outstanding technical training and assistance to the Intermountain West.
 

 

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this year’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month poster, Leadership to Meet the Challenges of a Changing World (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Thirty years ago, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution declaring the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week as May 4-10, 1979. Eleven years later, in 1990, President George Bush extended the week into a month-long celebration. Two years after that, Public Law 102-450 designated May of each year Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  The theme for this year’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is Leadership to Meet the Challenges of a Changing World.
Links…
Learn more about NRCS civil engineering technician Thomas Share who created this winning poster for the 2009 Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Poster contest.
NRCS Asian Pacific Islander Organization
President's Proclamation for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

 

(above left) NRCS Public Affairs Division's George Couch and Doug Wilson staff the agency booth at Public Service Recognition Week (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)

(above left) NRCS Public Affairs Division's George Couch and Doug Wilson staff the agency booth at Public Service Recognition Week (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)
 

NRCS Exhibits on the National Mall
NRCS recently participated in Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) activities held on the on the National Mall.  More than 60 government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies provided interactive and educational exhibits that showcased the innovation and quality work performed by public employees.

Sponsored by the Partnership for Public Service, PSRW receives the support of the President, members of Congress, and officials from various levels of State and local government. The event, celebrated the first Monday through Sunday in May since 1985, is a yearly opportunity to recognize the good work of public servants and to honor the men and women who serve America as Federal, State, and local government employees.
Your contact is NRCS public affairs specialist Fred Jacobs at 202-720-4772.

 

 

 

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Roy Mills -- Texas Earth Team VolunteerRoy Mills -- Texas Earth Team Volunteer
From his extensive conservation background, longtime rancher, retired agricultural instructor at Nacogdoches High School, and cooperator with the Nacogdoches Soil and Water Conservation District, Roy Mills contributes to NRCS and its conservation programs.
 

 

 

 

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Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and GreenwaysConservation Buffer Design Guide
The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) has released Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways -- their latest research and development conservation planning tool.  The Buffer Guide by NAC Research Landscape Planner Gary Bentrup contains over 80 illustrated guidelines for designing conservation buffers. These guidelines have been condensed from more than 1,400 research publications and are applicable nationwide and across rural and urban landscapes.


 

 

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Snow-Survey Sampling Guide U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Handbook no. 169Snow-Survey Sampling Guide
U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Handbook no. 169 (NRCS image -- click to enlarge).

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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