|
| |
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O.
Box 33124, Casper, WY 82602
Phone (307) 233-6750
Volume 4, Issue 3,
August 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
* State Conservationist's Corner
* NRCS Goes to the Fair
* EWP Keeps Fremont County Residents Safe
* National RC&D Council Convention Highlights Wyoming Councils
* Foy Ranch Honored
for Outstanding Stewardship
* Meet our new
Purchasing Agent
*
HELP! I'm Fa-a-alling!
* HR News
I want to start by apologizing to all of you. Last summer I asked each of the
Leadership Team members to go out and visit each field office to ask eight
simple questions to help us identify barriers to efficiency and look for ways to
improve our performance. We received close to 500 comments and were attempting
to assign them to the appropriate staff members on the Leadership Team (LT).
During this time we lost some key staff members and the effort sat silent for a
few months. I want to let you all know that I have not forgotten this effort nor
all the great comments we received from the field. While we have been completing
the LT Staff Assessments, I have asked the LT to look at the comments from last
summer and see how we can incorporate many of those comments into our Staff
Assessments and the following business plans so that those great comments are
not lost. I will also be taking a closer look at the information and paring it
down to some key concepts that we can add to our 2010 State Business Plan.
Having a budget year like this has taught us all many lessons and has forced
us to take a very hard look at ourselves and where we needed to focus our
resources and people and I know that it has been very difficult with the amount
of work we all have to complete. Your workloads are heavy and you often face
extremely tight timeframes. It is our job at the State Office to help remove
obstacles, not add them. So during the upcoming year, and beyond, we will be
working hard at fixing the barriers and working carefully to avoid creating new
ones.
I want to say thank you for helping us finally get our budget into the black.
As you know, everyone's hard work in delivering Farm Bill programs is largely
responsible for successfully meeting this year's budget challenge. I also want
you to know that as additional funds become available, I will do everything in my
power to put money into our awards budget to allow us to reward those people who
have worked so hard this year.
I am cautiously optimistic about our 2010 budget. Both the House and Senate
version of the Agriculture Appropriations bills contain significant increases
for our discretionary funding. Budget permitting, I will be filling some
critical vacancies, including additional engineering assistance.
I have had the opportunity over the last few months to meet with new
leadership of some of our partners and sister agencies. Jason Fearneyhough is
the new director of WDA and a great partner. I also look forward to working
closely with Gregor Goertz the State Executive Director for FSA and Derrel
Carruth the new State Director for RD.
I just returned from a two-week vacation with my family. It was great to see
the countryside from the ground-level rather than 30,000 feet. As we drove from
Wyoming through the Midwest on our way to Indiana, and later Ohio, the scope of
private-land stewardship and conservation was remarkable. It was also fun to
see signs such as “Entering Lancaster Conservation District” or “Leaving Clay
County Soil and Water Conservation District” and “This conservation easement
assisted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.”
Folks, please take a break from your busy work schedules and do something
with your family; share time with them, have fun, and gather memories.
Finally, we are getting ready to close out another FY. Wow, how time flies.
Let me say that I am extremely proud of you all and the commitment you have
shown to getting conservation on the land, and the pride and dedication you have
shown for the Agency and what we stand for. You all make me proud to be your
state conservationist and to work with such dedicated folks.
 Back to Top
NRCS was pleased to be an exhibitor at the
2009 Wyoming State Fair in Douglas, August 10 through 15. The booth, which has
previously been located in the Commercial Exhibit Hall, moved to the adjoining
Ag and Natural Resource Center to exhibit with WACD, the Converse County
Conservation District, University of Wyoming, and the Wyoming Business Council.
Participating at the State Fair is a great opportunity to reach out to a wide
variety of Wyoming residents and also to tourists that are attending the Fair.
Fair goers that stopped by the booth were from all walks of Wyoming life
including our usual customers, farmers and ranchers, to those interested in our
landscaping publications, e.g., Creating
Native Landscapes and Backyard Conservation.
The Fair is a great venue to recognize
Wyoming’s best of the best. This includes members of the state’s agricultural
community. This year, Rob and Leslie Hendry of Lost Cabin, and George Salisbury
of Savery, were inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. The list of
hard work, accomplishments, commitment to and love of the land, and
contributions to the state of Wyoming was extensive. It has been a privilege
for Wyoming NRCS to have had the opportunity to work with both of these families
over the past several years to help them help the land.
Back to Top
Spring moisture brought welcome relief from the drought that has gripped the
state for the past several years. However, the rains, when combined with high
spring runoff, proved to be a challenge for many Wyoming waterways, including
the Wind River in Fremont County.
The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program provided assistance to
families affected by the out-of-control Wind River near Riverton. A call to the
Riverton field office requesting help to stabilize a dike, only hours from
breaching, brought assistance to several Fremont County residents.
Nick Biltoft, District Conservationist, and Dan Murdock, Area Engineer; from
the Riverton office, were on site in less than two hours from the initial call.
After assessing the overall situation and potential hazards, it was clear that
the EWP program could provide the needed assistance for this emergency. The
application process began, with the Lower Wind River Conservation District
acting as a sponsor, and funding was approved to purchase materials necessary to
repair and reinforce the dike that protected the residents and homes in the
area.
With no time to lose, the landowner having access to dump trucks, a bull
dozer, and other heavy equipment was a definite help to this situation. Local
trucks were hired to haul the large rock that would stabilize the dike.
Time is critical in these emergencies. The EWP program
provides emergency assistance within 24 hours. For these Fremont County
landowners, a rapid response protected the homes and lives of those in harm’s
way.
Back to Top
The National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils
highlighted three projects from Wyoming Resource Conservation & Development
(RC&D) Councils during the Tri-Annual Convention held in New Mexico this past
June. This opportunity brought special attention to the efforts of Wyoming RC&D
Councils and all the partners involved. There are 375 RC&Ds in the nation; it
was an honor to be among those selected.
Roger Bower, Chair of the Big Horn Basin RC&D Council, presented the Wyoming
Highway Support Project (WHSP) on behalf of the Wyoming Association of RC&D
Councils. The purpose of the project was to seek additional funding for the
Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) for priority highway improvement
projects. The Wyoming Association of RC&D Councils partnered with WDOT, the
Wyoming Highway Commission, and the Wyoming Contractors’ Association on the
project. The Wyoming Highway Support Project resulted in the Wyoming State
Legislature (in 2006 and in 2007) providing an additional $175 million dollars
to WYDOT for priority highway projects. This helped retain more than 6,000
construction and service jobs in Wyoming.
A wind energy development model, currently being adopted by numerous western
states, was featured by Jack Pugsley, Chair of the Southeastern Wyoming RC&D
Council. The Council developed and used the model to successfully create 12
landowner wind associations encompassing over 700,000 acres and involving
approximately 300 landowners in southeastern Wyoming. The potential wind power
to be developed on those acres is estimated at over 6,500 Megawatts (MW). This
locally-led model provides a strategy for willing landowners to form a Limited
Liability Corporation (LLC) and then take steps to learn more about how to
develop their wind energy resources to include collecting wind quality data,
identifying transmission access and capacity, exploring energy markets,
evaluating environmental impacts, and determining landowner and community
impacts in their local area. By working together and educating themselves,
landowner wind associations have positioned themselves to successfully market
their wind energy resource and are currently providing a leadership role on how
wind will be developed in their local communities. The Southeastern Wyoming RC&D
Council has been instrumental in developing an effective model that will
promote, facilitate, and implement wind energy development nationwide.
The Historic Trails RC&D Council presented a poster paper on the Central
Wyoming Fairgrounds Animal Waste Project. The Central Wyoming Fairgrounds
Animal Waste Project was selected because of the positive partnerships
established to accomplish project goals. Partners included the city of Casper,
Natrona County Commissioners, Central Wyoming Fairgrounds Board and Staff,
Casper College, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, the Environmental
Protection Agency, NRCS, Historic Trails RC&D and the lead organization, Natrona
County Conservation District. The Fairgrounds will remain open to provide a
tremendous event venue to Casper and Natrona County due to the success of these
partnerships and their accomplishments in updating the Fairgrounds and educating
the staff and Fairground participants.
Submitted by Maureen Meagher, RC&D Coordinator, Western Wyoming RC&D, Afton,
and
Grant Stumbough, RC&D Coordinator, Southeastern RC&D, Wheatland
Back to Top
Tim Becket, DC, Wheatland Field Office, discusses
conservation planning efforts and the use of a multi-pasture watering hub in a
rotational grazing system on the Foy Ranch.
Over 200 family, friends, and fellow natural resource conservationists
converged on the Rocky and Nancy Foy ranch northwest of Glendo on July 2. Well
wishers joined in the celebration as the Foy family was honored as recipients of
the 2009 Wyoming Stock Growers Environmental Stewardship Award and Aldo Leopold
Award for conservation.
As Xavier Montoya, Wyoming State Conservationist, presented the family with a
framed NRCS map of the Foy Ranch, he said, “Congratulations. It is people like
you that make it so easy to do our job because you are dedicated to
conservation; dedicated to making your place better. We talk about our
partnerships within the state, but being partners does nothing unless the
producers want us to be out there, on their ranch, providing assistance at their
request. So to you I say ‘Thank You’ for being an agent of change – to know
that every plan that we have out here can change at any moment depending on what
the resources are and what’s going on at that particular time with you and your
family.
The Environmental Stewardship Award Program nomination was submitted by the
Platte County Partners. That partnership consists of the SE Wyoming RC&D
Council, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wheatland Field
Office, Platte County Resource District (PCRD), Wyoming Game and Fish Department
– Ryan Amundson, University of Wyoming Extension Service – Platte County, and
the Platte County Commissioners.
Working with NRCS and the PCRD since 1990, the Foy family works toward
meeting their conservation goals using a variety of tools that include NRCS
technical assistance and financial incentives. A prescribed grazing management
plan, installation of livestock watering systems, cross fencing, brush
management, spring development, big gun sprinklers, and no-till and interseeding
practices are components of the Foy’s natural resource conservation toolbox.
During one of the opening presentations Rocky noted, “When I had an idea
about something that I thought would be a good change, I would go in and talk to
the NRCS field office staff. When they came up with a plan, we would sit down
and figure out how we were going to implement it. They have been a big help.”
As a person who is determined and enjoys challenges, Rocky shared one of his
secrets of success. He told tour participants that when he tries something new
and it doesn’t work out as well as he had hoped, he just keeps working with it
and tweaking it until he gets what he wants. Rocky said that when you go
through that process, you learn as you go and know every step along the way.
Back to Top
Administrative Services welcomes Craig Bastian to our staff!
"I grew up in Hot Springs, SD, and graduated from Chadron State College
with a degree in Industrial Technology and Business. My 24 years of
federal service doing several different things began in 1985 with the Bureau of
Reclamation in Duchesne, UT. From there, I spent 4 years in Cody, WY, 8 years in Newell, SD,
and back to WY where I have been in Casper for 11 years. With my recent transfer
to the NRCS I am looking forward to the new challenges and getting to know NRCS
coworkers.
My interests include but are not limited to spending time with my wife and
five pets along with the outdoors, camping, woodworking, building and flying
radio control airplanes, cycling, and watching many forms of stock car racing."
Back to Top
 |
I'm
|
Just bought one of those electronic exercise consoles. Had lots of fun
creating my mini-Mii (the character that represents me on the screen). First
thing it made me do was the balance test. Failed miserably. “Do you find yourself tripping
a lot?” it asks Mii. “Yes! Yes, I do!” I answered. But I blame it on sticky
soles or invisible objects on the floor.
So far I haven’t actually fallen (over those invisible objects yet), but this
leads me to ask, “What if I DID start to fall flat on my face? Ya know, winter's
coming. Lots of falling opportunities: ice, snow, invisible objects in the
snow. Is there a good way to fall? Should I go all floppy like a rag doll
or brace myself?
Lucky for us, I came across an article on falling in a recent copy of
Wyoming AgrAbility, a newspaper insert produced by the University of
Wyoming, Cooperative Extension Service. Randy Weigel, project director of
Wyoming AgrAbility and a professor in the UW College of Agriculture’s
Department of Family and Consumer Services, shared the following two tips:
- Tuck your chin in, turn your head, and throw an arm up. It is better to
land on your arm than on your head. While falling, twist or roll your body
to the side. It is better to land on your buttocks and side than on your
back.
- Do not try to break the fall with your hands or elbows. When falling,
the objective is to have as many square inches of your body contact the
surface as possible. This helps spread the impact of the fall.
To avoid falls, be aware of your surroundings. If you notice a possible
tripping hazard, please don’t ignore it. Move it out of the way. If you spill
something on the floor, clean it up so you or someone after you doesn’t slip.
Oh, and for goodness sake, tie your shoelaces!
Well, got to get back to my balance practice. Wonder if that will help me
with not walking into walls...
Next issue: Avoiding walking into walls, plate-glass windows, non-automatic
doors, and such.
Back to Top
Transfer:
Craig Bastian, Purchasing Agent, GS-8, from Bureau of Reclamation,
Casper, to Casper SO,
eff. 8/2
Promotion:
Shelly Thomas, Accounting Technician, GS-8, Casper SO, ef.
7/19
Reassignments:
Steve Jelden, to Colorado NRCS SO as soil scientist,
eff. 8/17
Randy Snow, to Georgia NRCS as Soil Conservation Techncian,
eff. 8/2
Teresa Koper, to Montana NRCS as RC&D Coordinator, eff. 8/2
Retirement:
Tom Gustafson, Soil Scientist, Riverton, eff. 7/31
Back to Top
-END-
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.
< Back to Wyoming News Page...
| |
|
About Us
