February 2009 Is Black History Month
This year's theme for Black History Month is "The Quest for Citizenship in the Americas."

The 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.

Meet the Artist Who Crafted This Year's NRCS National African American History Month Poster
Devie Perry began her career with NRCS as a Cartographic Technician in 1980.  In 1997, she transferred to the National Production Services Staff in Fort Worth, Texas, that disbanded in 2000. Devie is currently a visual information specialist with the NRCS Public Affairs Division.  In her spare time, Devie enjoys painting with acrylics and writing poetry.  She is also the author of Sifting Through Sundays a collection of her poems published in 2004.  Although designing remains her first love, Devie is currently writing her autobiography and second book of poetry.
 

2009 Soils Planner
The NRCS 2009 Soils Planner Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States have been distributed to State and national technology support centers soils staff.  The planner focuses on NRCS’ interagency efforts to produce a coordinated system of identifying wetland soil features, or hydric soil indicators.  These common indicators enable us to better protect our Nation’s wetland resources.  While supplies last, additional copies can now be ordered from 1-888-LANDCARE after January 1, 2009. 

For the past several years, the NRCS Soils Division has produced educational soils planners that highlight some aspect of the study of soils for use by students, teachers, and soil science professionals.

Methods for Documenting The Quality of Compacted Clay Liners
In the design of a typical NRCS Animal Waste Storage Pond, a designer determines minimal levels of density and water content that will produce acceptable properties for the soils at a site, usually based on laboratory testing. Specifications are then written for compacting soils to the required conditions that will produce the designed clay properties. Field inspections during and after construction then must verify in some manner that the desired degree of compaction and water condition specified were obtained.

Mike Bailey -- Florida NRCS Earth Team Volunteer
Mike Bailey has been an Earth Team Volunteer with NRCS for six years.  Mike enjoys the outdoors and his skills as a conservation aide have been very valuable to Darryl Williams, District Conservationist in Crestview, Florida.

Soil Survey Pioneer
Curtis F. Marbut, who became head of the Soil Survey in 1911, had his first formal association with the Soil Survey as a field agent appointed to map Missouri soils in 1909.  (negative no. 114-G-90702  Records of the NRCS, Record Group 114; National Archives, College Park, Maryland -- 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. 
 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.