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Florida

participants at 5th Annual Technology Summit for Farm Pilot Project Coordination (image by Florida NRCS visual information specialist Gail Hendricks -- click to enlarge)Sustainable Farms and Resource Utilization Discussed in Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida, was the setting for the recent 5th Annual Technology Summit for Farm Pilot Project Coordination (FPPC).  Sustainable Farms and Resource Utilization was the focus of this year’s meeting attended by producers, educators, researchers, and federal and State agency personnel interested in addressing the growing waste issues associated with animal feeding operations (AFOs).  Renewable energy at the farm level with a focus on the conversion of biomass to useable energy forms was discussed at the symposium.

 
Nevada

tour visits the Corley Ranch, a working cattle and hay ranch that hosts farm festivalsGLCI/Partners Tour Nevada Rangeland
In preparation for the 4th National Conference on Grazing Lands, nearly 80 members of the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) steering committee and Nevada partners recently toured the western part of the State to learn about ranching in that area.  The tour was sponsored by NRCS, the California GLCI Committee, and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.

 

 
Oklahoma

NRCS Conservation Engineering Director Noller Herbert comments on how this project is a prime example of investment and reinvestment.Rehabilitation of Watershed Project Complete -- First In the Nation
More than 200 conservation leaders gathered in Ochelata, Oklahoma, last week to celebrate a milestone in the national watershed program.  The event marked the completion of the Double Creek Watershed Project, the first NRCS-assisted watershed project in the nation to have every flood control dam in a watershed rehabilitated.  Rehabilitation included raising the height of the dams, widening the earthen spillways, and replacing the principal spillways (concrete inlet tower connected to spillway pipes in the dam).
 

 

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H1N1 logoFlu Update
With flu season upon us, USDA’s first priority is the health and well being of our workforce.  To keep everyone healthy, NRCS is encouraging employees to receive seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations when they become available and to follow common-sense hygiene practices -- such as washing hands frequently -- to prevent the spread of germs.  Visit flu.gov to learn more.
 

National Preparedness Month logoSeptember is National Preparedness Month, Plan, Stay Informed
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.

 

 

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Bill Swern -- Indiana Earth Team VolunteerBill Swern -- Indiana Earth Team Volunteer
For more than 15 years Bill has served the conservation effort in Parke County as an Earth Team volunteer at the Sycamore Trails Resource Conservation and Development office.

 

 

 

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Research and Development of a Spatial Decision Support System
NRCS is a recognized leader in resource analysis and interpretation to support conservation planning and sustainable land use. Soil resource information is an important component of the resource analysis and decision making process.

Traditional soil interpretations are derived primarily from soil properties and qualities generated for individual soil map unit components and delivered as static data to the Soil Data Mart.  More and more, users of soil resource survey data and information are asking for interpretative information and decision support based on multiple resource characteristics, geographic relationships, and dynamic, user-specified criteria.

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December 1969 image by Craig Johnson depicts the construction of Millsite Dam in UtahConstruction of Millsite Dam
This December 1969 image by Craig Johnson depicts the construction of Millsite Dam in Utah.  Note ground water coming into upstream drain trench (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 caption and historical photo of activities or individuals who have worked or are working for the agency. 

 

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