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The Natural Resources Conservation Service — Helping People Help the Land.

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Iowa

farmer Doug Seltz and NRCS District Conservationist Denis Schulte examine the injection knives and coulters of a strip-till implement. Seltz recently bought a strip-till system for his Webster County farm. Seltz expects the new conservation tillage system to improve soil quality on his farm and pay for itself in about two yearsFarmers Expect “Unbelievable” Profits from Conservation Tillage System
NRCS district conservationist Denis Schulte in Fort Dodge, Iowa, says strip-till is a conservation tillage system that offers producers reduced input costs, financial incentives, and the potential for increased yields in dry years.
 

 

Nevada

(from left) advisory committee members and guest Joel Douglas, Mike Odegard, Bob Jones and John McLain tour historical buildings at Great Basin PMCNational Committee Visits New Plant Materials Center
The Chief’s advisory committee on plant materials recently visited the Great Basin Plant Materials Center (PMC) in Fallon, Nevada.  The committee toured the brand new office and storage facility and discussed plant materials trials at the PMC.
 

 

New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Agriculture logo for Jersey Grown produceNRCS Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Helps Bring First “Jersey Grown” Sunflower Seed to Market
Thanks to an NRCS CIG, the first black oil sunflower seed for birds ever certified and labeled “Jersey Grown” by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture is now available exclusively at New Jersey Audubon Society nature centers.  In a unique partnership between New Jersey Audubon Society and New Jersey farmers, black oil seed, the uncontested favorite seed of most birds visiting feeders, is now grown for use in the society’s annual birdseed sales.  

 

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NRCS Chief Lancaster presents the NPS, Special Recognition Award to Wayne Duckwitz, Manager of the Bismarck PMCNRCS Plant Materials Centers Awarded Special Recognition
The Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS) awarded NRCS Plant Materials Centers around the nation, the Special Recognition Award for the NPS/NRCS Interagency Plant Materials Program and their assistance to National Parks.
 

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Sheila O'Reilly -- Iowa NRCS Earth Team VolunteerSheila O'Reilly -- Iowa NRCS Earth Team Volunteer
The Adams County Backyard Conservation Team, led by State Secretary Sheila O’Riley, in Corning, Iowa, recently hosted 150 guests and friends at their seventh annual Backyard Conservation Conference held in Lenox. 

 

 

 

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(from left) AWCC Director Pete Heard, NRCS AWCC Biologist Philip Barbour Project Manager Mississippi State University Dr. Wes Burger, and landowner Jimmy Bryan (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)AWCC Director Tours Northern Bobwhite Project
NRCS Agricultural Wildlife Conservation Center Director Pete Heard recently reviewed a project site that has been used to develop technology that will help NRCS improve wildlife habitat when assisting landowners using conservation practices such as field borders, forest riparian buffers, and filter strips in their conservation plans.  A meeting with landowner Jimmy Bryan was arranged by district conservationist Van Williams and project leader Dr. Wes Burger.
 

 

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This 1966 photo taken at the NRCS Bismarck Plant Materials Center depicts seed cleaning using The Clipper. The Clipper
This 1966 photo taken at the NRCS Bismarck Plant Materials Center depicts seed cleaning using a device called The Clipper (NRCS image -- click to enlarge).

Thanks to Leslie Glass, NRCS National Plant Materials Program Webmaster and Secretary, NRCS Bismarck Plant Materials Center for sending this historic photo and caption info!

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. 

Conservation Our Purpose. Our Passion. header bar

Conservation... Our Purpose. Our Passion

The purpose and passion for conservation is shared among many.  It is shared between NRCS employees and partners who help people help the land. And it is shared by the landowners with whom we work. Our passion is manifested through the benefits derived from stewardship of private lands—benefits we all enjoy, such as cleaner water and air, improved soils and abundant wildlife habitat.

Learn about our stories, the stories of conservation made possible through a shared purpose, a shared passion and a shared commitment to conservation.

 

Meet the Featured Customers!

Eight featured customers, chosen to represent diversity of geography, culture, conservation practices and products, represent a cross-section of our landowner-partners nationwide as part of our Conservation... Our Purpose. Our Passion. campaign.

 Featured Customer: Mr. Ho, Hawaii featured customer: Mr. Gwinn, Florida featured customer: Ms. Wahl, Oregon Featured Customer: Mr. Stoller, Ohio Featured Customer: Mr. Brown, North Dakota featured customer: Ms. Garcia, Washington featured customer: Mr. Austin, Oklahoma Featured Customer: Chesmer, Connecticut

 

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