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Florida

Michele Laur discussing EWP project with DeBary mayor Bob Garcia (NRCS image by Gayle Hendricks -- click to enlarge)Florida’s "Acting" Tours EWP Project
Florida NRCS Acting State Conservationist Michele Laur has traveled over half the State contributing to area meetings, viewing conservation projects, and meeting with Florida partners.

 

 
Texas

Texas farmer Buddy Alders traveled to Germany, to tour biogas plants -- he and partner George King used this information to develop the Mustang Creek Biofuel Plant in Leona, Texas (NRCS image)Growing Energy Independence for America
NRCS and Post Oak Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), located in Bryan, Texas, are helping two farmers respond to America’s growing need for renewable energy sources.   Midway, Texas farmer Buddy Alders and his power engineering partner George King recently broke ground to build the first cellulose biogas plant in the U.S.  The plant will use hybrid forage sorghum, a dryland crop grown on fallow farmland, as its fuel source.  Located near Leona, Texas, the Mustang Creek Biofuel Plant, is expected to be completed by early 2010.

 

Washington

Omak Creek (NRCS image)American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds Open Miles of Salmon Spawning Habitat in Washington
(from the Indian Country Today) NRCS has completed about 98 percent of a watershed plan to remove fish passage barriers from the Omak Creek.  The return of the steelhead and Chinook spring salmon is having a restorative effect on the Confederated Colville Tribes.

 

 

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(from left) Robert Perry presents the 2008 Outstanding Coordinator of the Year Award to Eric Decker (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)Wyoming RC&D Program Honored by Western Association
The Western Association of Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Councils recently presented Big Horn Basin RC&D Coordinator Eric Decker with an Outstanding Coordinator award for his technical assistance to Wyoming's five RC&D Councils at the association's annual meeting in Spearfish, South Dakota.  Additionally, he was recognized for his work with the Wyoming Contractor's Association on the Wyoming Highway Support Project -- Wyoming's first statewide RC&D project that resulted in the Wyoming State Legislature appropriating a total of $175 million to priority highway projects thus creating 2,400 construction and service-related jobs. This effort was attributed directly to the statewide RC&D effort. 

 

 

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Mississippi Volunteers Glean Food for Non-Profits
(from the Rankin Ledger) NRCS Earth Team volunteers have helped glean on five farms and they plan to continue helping.

 

 

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Vermont grassland bird nest (NRCS image)Technology from AWCC Project Transferred to the Field
Thanks to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the NRCS Agricultural Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) has developed an innovative NRCS Grassland Bird Management project. University of Vermont professor Dr. Allan Strong and his graduate assistant Dr. Noah Perlut determined nesting timelines for two declining grassland birds, the bobolink and savannah sparrow and then offered management recommendations that would allow for high nesting success while maintaining productive hay lands.

 

 

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This July 22, 1947, image depicts farm pasture renovation project demonstration in east Polk County, Minnesota (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)Pasture Renovation Project Demonstration
This July 22, 1947 image depicts a farm pasture renovation project demonstration in east Polk County, Minnesota (NRCS image -- click to enlarge).

Thanks to Minnesota NRCS State Public Affairs Specialist Julie MacSwain for sending in this historic photo!

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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