March 2008 From The State Conservationist - - Home | NRCS · PDF fileprescribed burning...

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1 Helping People Help the Land F rom The State Conservationist - Gary Kobylski March 2008 Greetings! Congress continues to work on the passage of a new Farm Bill which could revitalize farming and change the face of Alabama‘s agriculture. NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster recently met in Alabama with agricultural leaders to discuss state water resource issues. One important feature of the new Farm Bill is the Regional Water Enhancement Program which could be administered by NRCS under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). If passed by Congress, this would provide drought relief to farmers by awarding funds for on-farm reservoir and irrigation systems. I thank you again for all you do for conservation. I am proud of your efforts. Working together with farmers, ranchers, and our partners has resulted in the continued wise conservation and protection of Alabama's natural resources. We now have an opportunity to celebrate our enthusiasm for conservation across the country as we kick-off of a national campaign: “Conservation— Our Purpose, Our Passion.” The campaign shares our success stories with a world-wide audience as it highlights the success of projects and the “passion” we all have for what we do. While we have all chosen our careers for different reasons, I know we have all had those moments when we are proud of what we do and feel that “passion” for the path we have chosen. We know farmers and ranchers who feel this way about the land they work and love. This campaign is an opportunity to celebrate that. Share your story with others. Contact Public Affairs Specialist Julie Y ates, and let her know how you feel. Share a story about a successful project or what you do that means the most to you. We are posting stories about Alabama NRCS employees and farmers on our website to celebrate our enthusiasm for conservation, and our passion for natural resources. Check out the Alabama NRCS website to read about the current highlighted farmers and employees. Thank you again for being part of the conservation effort in Alabama. I hope you share your story and your passion with others as we celebrate our conservation purpose in what we do on a daily basis. Oakes Receives Engineering Award Alabama State Conservation Engineer Perry Oakes received the USDA-NRCS 2008 Federal Engineer of the Year Award sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Of the 91,000 federally employed engineers, only 34 were nominated, and Perry was one of the top 10 finalists selected to compete for the national award held in Washington, D.C. in February 2008. We are very proud of Perry and congratu- late him on being recog- nized as one of the best in the engineering profession. Perry Oakes (l) receives recognition from Dr. William Puckett, NRCS Deputy Chief for Science and Technology, Washington, DC.

Transcript of March 2008 From The State Conservationist - - Home | NRCS · PDF fileprescribed burning...

1Helping People Help the Land

From The State Conservationist - Gary Kobylski

March 2008

Greetings! Congress continues to work on thepassage of a new Farm Bill which could revitalizefarming and change the face of Alabama‘sagriculture. NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster recentlymet in Alabama with agricultural leaders to discussstate water resource issues. One important feature ofthe new Farm Bill is the Regional WaterEnhancement Program which could be administeredby NRCS under the Environmental Quality IncentivesProgram (EQIP). If passed by Congress, this wouldprovide drought relief to farmers by awarding fundsfor on-farm reservoir and irrigation systems.

I thank you again for all you do for conservation.I am proud of your efforts. Working together withfarmers, ranchers, and our partners has resulted inthe continued wise conservation and protection ofAlabama's natural resources.

We now have an opportunity to celebrate ourenthusiasm for conservation across the country aswe kick-off of a national campaign: “Conservation—Our Purpose, Our Passion.” The campaign sharesour success stories with a world-wide audience as ithighlights the success of projects and the “passion”we all have for what we do.

While we have all chosen our careers fordifferent reasons, I know we have all had thosemoments when we are proud of what we do and feelthat “passion” for the path we have chosen. We knowfarmers and ranchers who feel this way about the landthey work and love. This campaign is an opportunity tocelebrate that.

Share your story with others. Contact PublicAffairs Specialist Julie Yates, and let her know howyou feel. Share a story about a successful project orwhat you do that means the most to you. We areposting stories about Alabama NRCS employees andfarmers on our website to celebrate our enthusiasmfor conservation, and our passion for naturalresources. Check out the Alabama NRCS website toread about the current highlighted farmers andemployees.

Thank you again for being part of theconservation effort in Alabama. I hope you share yourstory and your passion with others as we celebrate ourconservation purpose in what we do on a daily basis.

Oakes ReceivesEngineering Award

Alabama State Conservation Engineer PerryOakes received the USDA-NRCS 2008 FederalEngineer of the Year Award sponsored by theNational Society of Professional Engineers. Of the91,000 federally employed engineers, only 34 werenominated, and Perry was one of the top 10 finalistsselected to compete for the national award held inWashington, D.C. in February 2008.

We are very proudof Perry and congratu-late him on being recog-nized as one of the bestin the engineeringprofession.

Perry Oakes (l) receivesrecognition from Dr.

William Puckett, NRCSDeputy Chief for Science

and Technology,Washington, DC.

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Special Events

l-r: NRCS State Conservationist Gary Kobylski, SenatorJeff Sessions, NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster, Congress-man Terry Everett, and ALFA President Jerry Newby.

Monroe County Celebrates FAWN

By Joyce Nicholas, District Conservationist, NRCS, Monroeville,AL

Several agencies and many volunteers provided5th graders from across Monroe County theopportunity to celebrate FAWN (Facts about Wildlife

Monroe County DCJoyce Nicholas andSoil Scientist AngelaWarden providelessons during theFAWN event.

NRCS Chief Lancaster Visits Alabama

Alabama State Conservationist Gary Kobylskimet with NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster and others inFebruary. The Chief addressed the news media atthe Alabama Farmers Federation headquarters. Themeeting brought together lawmakers, scientists, andleaders of Alabama’s agricultural community topromote better use of the state’s water resources andensure agriculture’s voice is heard as state govern-ment discusses water management policies. A farmreservoir cost-share program, to be administered byNRCS if it passes, was discussed (see front page).

“Our primary mission is helping people help theland,” Lancaster said. “We are trying to find ways tomitigate drought. We must make sure, as we arelooking forward, that we are implementing thoseconservation practices and those techniques so thatthe next drought won’t hit as hard, and so that we willcontinue to have a robust agricultural economy.”

For more information about the Chief’s visit toAlabama, visit: http://www.alfafarmers.org/headlines/headline.phtml?id=5227

and Nature)—a day of learning forestry activities thatprovides awareness lessons.

I love a good partnership, one where each groupcontributes to the accomplishment of a shared goal,especially if it involves conservation education andthe possibility to have fun. This is just what we did inMonroe County.

TSP Work Group

Steve Musser chaired a work group to reviewdistribution of Technical Service Provider funds toSoil and Water Conservation Districts. The firstmeeting was March 12, 2008, in Bessemer, AL.Team members are: (l-r) Richard Collier, J.O. Norris,Ben Malone, Steve Musser, Chair; Anthony Hudson,Bill Hughes, District Supervisor Eric Smith, andJulie Yates (not pictured).

Welcome Back Ben

We welcome Ben Malone (r)back to Alabama asAssistant StateConservationist (FieldOperations) – Central Teamand look forward toworking with him in hisnew position.

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NRCS Holds Prescribed Burn Training

By Tim Albritton, NRCS State Staff Forester, Auburn, AL

Alabama NRCS recently held three, one-dayprescribed burning training sessions across the state.The sessions covered topics such as NRCS policy,fire behavior and effects, fire ecology, Alabamapolicies and laws, and smoke management. Theparticipants reviewed selected burn plans and sawsome of the latest prescribed burning equipment.

This training is required by NRCS for allConservation Planners. The attendees received the16 hours of prescribed burn training needed to writeNRCS conservation plans that include prescribed fireas a component.

In order to get this training without placinghardship on each individual or field office, theattendees were allowed to complete the processthrough several phases of training at their own pace.

The first phase was to watch a CD entitled“Introduction to Prescribed Burning.” Developed byNRCS, it takes about 4.5 hours to view the CD.

The next phase included a meeting with arepresentative of the Alabama Forestry Commissionor any other Certified Prescribed Burn Manager todiscuss a basic overview of what goes into writing aprescribed burning plan. Participants were

Karl Byrd with the Alabama Forestry Commission(AFC) describes some of the various tools used inprescribed burning.

encouraged to ask questions during the prescribedburn training. They also reviewed two prescribedburn plans with a Certified Burn Manager anddiscussed how changing certain elements couldchange the outcome of the burn.

For the last phase, participants attended a one-day training session in December 2007. Eachperson had to pass an exam at the end of thetraining session to be certified.

Over 90 NRCS employees participated andsuccessfully completed the “Introduction toPrescribed Burn” training.

Leadership Team Tours Lumber Company

The Alabama NRCS Leadership Team, along with some DCs, toured the East Alabama Lumber Company in LaFayette,Alabama. l-r: Charles Love, Bill Hughes, Ben Malone, Elijah Moore, Charlie Ramsey, Andrew Williams, Brian Potts,Gary Kobylski, Merry Buford, Tim Albritton, Judy Hill, Eddie Jolley, Perry Oakes, Betty Walker, Richard Collier, GregDansby, Steve Musser, and Jason Gardner.

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Moses Jones – Alabama 2007 Small Farmer

Moses Jones, Jr. (l) on his farm in Hale County with hisfather.

By Fay Garner, Public Affairs Assistant, NRCS, Auburn, Alabama

Amazing is a word that many people use todescribe Mr. Moses Jones, a small scale beefproducer in the Black Belt area of Alabama. At 90years of age, Mr. Jones has successfully managedcattle and hay operations on three separate farmswhile serving as pastor of two churches. When mostpeople his age settle into a sedentary lifestyle,Mr. Jones is up at dawn getting ready for a day ofhard work.

Mr. Jones is the Alabama Lloyd Wright SmallFarmer Award winner for 2007 that is presented bythe Alabama Chapter of the National Organization ofProfessional Black Natural Resources ConservationService Employees (NOPBNRCSE). Mr. Jones alsoreceived the 2007 Outstanding Conservation Work inGrazing Award given by the Marengo County Soil andWater Conservation District for his commitment toconservation and community. He is highly respectedin his community as a cattle producer, a con-servationist, and a spiritual leader.

Mr. Jones has been in the cattle business forover 70 years. He taught Social Studies and Mathduring 30 of those years and pastored a church for 53years, once he pastored three churches at one time.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones own 275 acres in Marengoand Hale Counties. He and his wife have 185 acresin hay and pasture on their homestead where they

raise mostly mixed breed cattle and grow some hay;they have 30 acres in hay in Marengo County; andtransfer young heifers and new mothers to 60 acresthat Mrs. Jones inherited in Hale County. Mr. Jonesalso raises cattle and hay on 200 acres his son ownsin Hale County.

Duane Andrews, Marengo County NRCS SoilConservationist, said, “Mr. Jones is a good steward tothe land, he’s a conservationist. People across thecounty grazing the same acreage as Mr. Jones, try toproduce as many cows as they can, and they usuallyovergraze. Mr. Jones keeps his stocking rate lowerso when there is a lack of rain; he is not under asmuch pressure for feed and water.”

In talking with Mr. Jones, you realize he is also aphilosopher. He uses his wisdom to guide people toconsider life’s lessons. He said, “You should be asclose to the best as you can be. My aim is to do thebest job I can. That is want I want to do.”

As you look across his aesthetically pleasing andenvironmentally sound cattle farm, you can see thatthat is exactly what he has done over the years.Mr. Jones has taken his life-lessons and used them tohelp his family, his community, and his ministry.

The Jones’ cow-calf operation is a shiningexample of what a small farmer can do with limitedresources. The Jones’ are doing what is important —taking care of people and the land!

Moses Joneson his MarengoCountyhomestead.

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The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC)and NRCS entered into an agreement in February2008 to provide increased assistance to forestlandowners in Alabama. This joint partnership willhelp promote forest management, advanceconservation on forestlands, and improve deliveryof technical assistance to private landowners inAlabama.

This is the first formal agreement betweenthe federal and the state agency. Staffs from bothagencies have worked together at the local levelfor many years. This agreement recognizes thiscooperation, and lays the groundwork for moredetailed agreements to share staff and financialresources.

This agreement will strengthen the relation-ship between the two agencies.

Teaming Up to Better Serve Forest Owners

AFC State Forester Linda Casey (seated l) and Alabama NRCSSTC Gary Kobylski sign joint partnership agreement toprovide increased assistance to forest landowners inAlabama. Standing l-r: Steve Musser (NRCS); John Pirtle,Arthur Hitt, and Bill Baisden (AFC), and Tim Albritton (NRCS).

Ed Holley, retired NRCS District Conservationistfrom Clayton was recently honored as the recipient ofthe Jerry L. Johnson Award for excellence in publicservice through family, employment, profession, andcommunity. Holley was selected for his contributionsto community through volunteer work and churchactivities and for his leadership in soil and waterconservation activities in Alabama. The award carriesa stipend of $1,000 which is donated to a charity ofthe recipient’s choice in their honor.

Holley has been active in service to his countryand the community by being involved in the NationalGuard, the Clayton Lions Club and the BarbourCounty Baptist Association. He was instrumental inhelping to establish the Southeast AlabamaRehabilitation Services, an out-patient facility for drugrehabilitation. Ed is actively involved in the ClaytonBaptist Church where he serves as a Deacon andSunday School Teacher. Barbour County recentlyhosted an “Ed Holley Day” to recognize him for hiscontributions to the community.

Holley is a life-long conservationist and truesteward of the land. The landowners and farmers inBarbour County have great respect for his knowledgeand expertise. The fruits of his career are visible

Retired DC Receives Jerry L. Johnson Award

throughout the county in the form of conservation andapplied wildlife and forestry practices.

Much like former State Staff Forester Jerry Johnson,for whom the award is named, Ed Holley is a quiet manof integrity who makes a positive impact on those hecomes in contact with. The Jerry L. Johnson Awardwas established in 2005 and is funded by the Bradley/Murphy Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Trust.

Holley was nominated for the Jerry L. JohnsonAward by co-workers Jimmy Hatcher (l) and CarolThreatt (r) Ed and Ruth Holley (center).

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Students listen to presentations at the Festival.

Cawaco RC&D funds helped build this nature walk overwetlands. Even though the water dried up during thedrought, it will be accessible when it returns to normal.

Cawaco RC&D Grant Helps Build Nature Walk

By Heidi Richards, Cawaco RC&D Coordinator, Birmingham, AL

A new wetlands walkway at Veterans Park inAlabaster offers visitors an up-close look at nature.The Cawaco RC&D provided a grant to help fund the120-foot-long elevated walkway into the wetlands thatgives students and others a chance to enjoy thenatural habitats of the wetlands without having towade into the muck.

The walkway is made from recycled materialsand is designed to be accessible by people withdisabilities. The walkway ends at an amphitheater thatcan be used as an outdoor classroom,

The walkway is only the first phase of theproject. The second phase will involve extending thewalkway and planting native plants. Identifying labelswill be placed on flora and fauna in the surroundinghabitat.

The park already has a bluebird trail and abutterfly/hummingbird garden.

RC&D Council News

Northwest AL RC&D Promotes NativeAmerican Festival

By Charlie Meek, Northwest Alabama RC&D Coordinator,Tuscumbia, AL

They say a picture is worth a thousand words,but imagine the chance to experience a NativeAmerican encampment, a working blowgun, aflintnapper, traditional dancing, music from a hand-made wooden flute, and much more!

Participants were able to do just that inSeptember 2007 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, when theyattended the Oka Kapassa Festival. Over 1,500students from several counties attended the Fridaysession that was focused on cultural exchange forelementary students. The Saturday session wasopen to the general public. An estimated 5,000people attended the two-day festival.

The Festival is a postive event and I am thankfulfor the dedication of the Planning Committee and theamazing community volunteer support. The quality ofthe exhibits and performers was a sight to behold.

Northwest AL RC&D Board Member Bill Taylor,said the Council was proud to show support for theevent and appreciated the public’s participation. TheCouncil increased funding in 2007 to help support thegrowth and success of the Festival.

“Volunteers mark the calendar well in advance togive their time and talents to the Festival,” noted LarryGullet, Planning Committee Member. One volunteerdrives from Maryland each year and is one of the firstto arrive and the last to leave. Larry also noted thatthe conversations of the children in attendance and

the smiles on their faces are “payment in full.”Susan Stanley, a teacher in Lauderdale County,

commented, “ “What a great hands-on and realexperience for the students. Each year our studentsare made aware of the customs and the heritage ofthe Native Americans who lived in the TennesseeValley.”

Mark your calendar for September 5-6, 2008, forthe 5th Annual Oka Kapassa: Return to ColdwaterAmerican Indian Festival.

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From Special Emphasis Program Managers

Black History Month 2008

By Herbert Ross, Black Emphasis Program Manager, Auburn, AL

February is designated as National Black HistoryMonth. The theme for 2008 is, “Carter G. Woodsonand the Origins of Multiculturalism.”

The main effort of this year’s theme is to showthat the multiculturalism of today originated in thestruggles of African Americans to have their culturalcontributions recognized by American society. AfricanAmericans are at the foundation of multiculturalism inAmerica. No one played a greater role in this effortthan Carter G. Woodson. With the acceptance ofblack people and black culture, other cultures found away of gaining acceptance.

A Black History Month observance was held inthe state office with an invitation to all employees.After a welcome from me and Acting ASTC-Administration Bill Hughes, retiree Rev. Clifford Jonesgave an invocation and my daughter-in-law, MicheleMcKenzie, entertained the crowd with two songs.Lawrence McGhee introduced our speaker,Juan E. Gilbert, Ph.D, TSYS Distinguished AssociateProfessor in Computer Science and SoftwareEngineering from Auburn University.

Dr. Gilbert spoke about some of the things thatCarter G. Woodson did to forge an intellectual

movement to educate Americans about culturaldiversity and democracy.

The meeting ended with a luncheon of catfish,slaw, chili, and various other fixin’s that was enjoyedby all.

If you have any questions, concerns, or justwant to share ideas about the Black EmphasisProgram and activities within NRCS in Alabama,contact me at 334-887-4585 [email protected].

Women’s History Month

By Linda McGraw, Federal Women’s Program SpecialEmphasis Program Manager, Bessemer, AL

March is Women’sHistory Month. The 2008theme, “Women’s Art:Women’s Vision,” honors theoriginality, beauty, imagination,and multiple dimensions ofwomen’s lives. The themeprovides us a specialopportunity to discover andcelebrate women’s visual artsin a variety of forms andmediums that help expand ourperceptions of ourselves andeach other. During the month of March, I will sharemore information about the contributions of womenin history.

Jennifer Abbey, NRCS SoilConservationist in Sebring,FL, won the poster contestfor the 2008 Black HistoryMonth’s Poster. Jenniferreceived a $300 spot awardfor her efforts. Her poster willserve as the agency’s officialposter for all 2008 BlackHistory Month activities.

Black Emphasis Program Manager Herbert Ross (l)and Acting ASTC-Admin Bill Hughes (r) presentDr. Gilbert a plaque for his participation in the stateoffice Black History Month program.

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By Renea Dyer, District Conservationist, NRCS, Florence, AL

The Cypress Creek project began in July 2002and continues to achieve great results. The projectwas initiated to help install practices such as riparianforest buffers that would help improve water qualityand control erosion. Along with the buffers, severalstream bank stabilization projects have beencompleted, aiding with erosion control and preventingsediment from entering the creek.

Using riparian forest buffers, the landownersplanted trees along the banks of Cypress Creek.Landowners fenced the areas where livestock hadaccess to the creek to ensure the survival of the treesand to enhance the water quality.

The Lauderdale County NRCS/SWCD, withcooperation from ADEM and Florence Utilities,assisted 18 landowners in planting 538 acres ofriparian forest buffers. Due to the reduction oferosion along its banks, Cypress Creek was removedfrom the state’s 303 D list of impaired waters.

Other major practices performed along CypressCreek were stream bank stabilization projects.Landowners who had eroding property orsurrounding facilities along the creek that haderoded, or had a high possibility of erosion, couldapply for this project. The main goal of the streambank stabilization project was to maintain the flow of

Achieving Results with the Cypress Creek Project

the creek. The secondary goal was to stop creekbank erosion to reduce the amount of sediment in thecreek and, ultimately, to help improve the fish andwildlife habitat.

At the present time, two landowners havecompleted stream bank stabilization projects and twoothers are obtaining the necessary permits.

The stream bank stabilization projects werecompleted by the Lauderdale SWCD/NRCS incooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Fish America, Northwest RC&D Council, LauderdaleCounty Highway Department, FLW Outdoors, andWal-Mart FLW Tournament.

Before and after photos of a stream stabilization project along Cypress Creek.

Before After

A riparian forest buffer planted along Cypress Creek.

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PromotionsJamie Carpenter, Soil Conservationist, Moulton, AL

to District Conservationist, Tuscumbia, ALJohn Curtis, District Conservationist, Phenix City, AL

to Resource Conservationist, Auburn, ALRandall East, Resource Engineer, Grove Hill, ALShane King, Agricultural Engineer, Troy, AL to

Resource Engineer, Troy, ALBen Malone, RC&D Coordinator, Alexandria, LA, to

ASTC (Field Operations), Central Team, Bessemer, ALTrent Mathews, District Conservationist, Mobile, ALEddie May, District Conservationist, Talladega, AL to

RC&D Coordinator, Oxford, ALAnnette Spivey, Soil Conservation Technician,

Alexander City, ALDavid Stewart, Soil Conservation Technician,

Marion, AL

Change of Duty StationReuben Hyde, Soil Conservation Technician,

Monroeville, AL to Evergreen, ALLawrence McGhee, Soil Scientist, Alexander City,

AL to Auburn, ALJames Mason, Soil Scientist, Hayneville, AL to

Auburn, AL

ReassignmentsRobert Beaty, Resource Soil Scientist, Opelika, AL

to Resource Soil Scientist, Auburn, ALZona Beaty, State Resource Conservationist,

Athens, GA to ASTC-Operations, Auburn, ALJohn Burns, Soil Scientist, Alexander City, AL to Soil

Scientist, Auburn, ALJason Gardner, District Conservationist, Opelika, AL

to District Conservationist, Auburn, ALRod Goode, Urban Resource Conservationist,

Vestavia Hills, AL to Urban Resource Conservationist,Bessemer, AL

Amber Johnson, Soil Conservationist, Vestavia Hills,AL to Soil Conservationist, Bessemer, AL

Craig Johnson, Soil Conservationist, Carrollton, ALto Soil Conservationist, Scottsboro, AL

Joseph Koptis, Soil Scientist, Jackson, AL to SoilConservationist, Bay Minette, AL

Shane King, Agricultural Engineer, Ozark, AL toAgricultural Engineer, Troy, AL

Randy Martin, Resource Engineer, Ozark, AL toWiregrass RC&D Coordinator, Ozark, AL

Linda McGraw, Area Administrative Coordinator,Columbiana, AL to Area Administrative Coordinator,Bessemer, AL

PersonnelCharlie Ramsey, Assistant State Conservationist

(Field Operations) Central Team, Columbiana, AL toAssistant State Conservationist (Field Operations) WestTeam, Grove Hill, AL

Lee Stanfield, Procurement Technician, Auburn, ALto Transportation Assistant, Gunter Air Force Base, AL

Julie Yates, Program Analyst, Auburn, AL to PublicAffairs Specialist, Auburn, AL

ResignationAngela Warden, Soil Scientist, Jackson, AL

RetirementsKen Aycock, State Hydraulic Engineer, Auburn, ALRay E. Donaldson, Assistant State Conservationist,

Auburn, ALJames Hinote, Soil Conservationist, Bay Minette, ALRoger Hornsby, Soil Conservation Technician,

Tuskegee, ALDeloris Jones, Office Management Assistant,

Auburn, ALJohn Richburg, Assistant State Conservationist

(Field Operations) West Team, Grove Hill, ALBetty C. Walker, Secretary (Office Automation),

Auburn, AL

DeathDouglas Clendenon, Soil Scientist, Normal, AL

Doug Clendenon, Soil Scientist in the MLRA SoilSurvey Office in Normal, Alabama, passed away onFebruary 3, 2008, with complications from anunexpected illness. He was 46. The address of hisfamily is: Mrs. Darleen Clendenon

49 Hilldale Church RoadFayetteville, TN 37334

Ben Gary, former District Conservationist in theClanton NRCS field office, passed away February 22,2008. Donations in his memory can be made to theUnited Methodist Church in Clanton. The address ofhis wife is: Mrs. Betty Gary

116 Camille CircleClanton, AL 35045

In Sympathy

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in itsprograms on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited basesapply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means forcommunication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contactUSDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W,Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 orcall (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

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Saying Goodbye To Retirees

Betty Walker, Secretary in theState Office, retired in Januaryafter 28 years of federalservice. She was honored witha luncheon on December 11.Betty and her husband, Nelson,are moving to Florida to be withtheir children and grand-children.

Deloris Jones, OfficeManagement Assistant on theResource Conservationist’sstaff in the State Office, retiredNovember 30, 2007, after 40years of service. She washonored with a reception onNovember 28, 2007.

Jim Hinote, Soil Conservationistin Baldwin County, retired inJanuary 2008. He was honoredwith a reception by West TeamEmployees on December 4, andthe Baldwin County Soil andWater Conservation District onDecember 19.

Ken Aycock, Hydrologic Engineer inthe State Office, retired in Januaryafter 39 years of service. Areception was held for him in theState office on February 5.

On December 31, 2007,John S. Richburg, Jr.,ASTC-FO, West, retired after39 years of service. Johnwas honored at receptionsgiven by the USDA-NRCSLeadership Team onNovember 14 and WestTeam employees onDecember 4. John was alsorecognized for hiscontributions to Districts atthe AACD Meeting inNovember.

Not pictured - Ray Donaldson, ASTC-Operations/Administration, retired January 2008.

Roger Hornsby, SoilConservation Technician inMacon County, retired onNovember 11, 2007, afteralmost 32 years of service.

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Employees Participate in National Wear Red Day

National Wear Red Day is an annual event held onthe first Friday in February. On this day, all women andmen across the country wear red to unite in the nationalmovement to give women a personal and urgentwake-up call about their risk of heart disease. Althoughsignificant progress has been made in increasingawareness amoung women from 34 percent in 2000 to57 percent in 2006 - most women fail to make theconnection between risk factors and their personal riskof developing heart disease. Linda McGraw, Federal Women’s Program Manager,encouraged NRCS employees in Alabama to participatein this event by wearing red to work on Friday, February1st. Thanks to all the NRCS employees who participatedin observing National Wear Red Day!

Pickens County Field Office Staff. .

Anniston NRCS/SWCD Field

Office and Service Center.

NRCS employees attending Supervising for

Excellence Training in Perry, GA.

Bessmer Field Office and

Central Team.

NRCS State Office Staff participatein National Wear Red Day.

Pike County FSA, NRCS, SWCDand East Team.

Civil Rights Advisory Committee

wears red at their quarterly meeting.Cawaco RC&D wears red at an AlabamaCooperative Extension System Reception.