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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O.
Box 33124, Casper, WY 82602
Phone (307) 233-6750
Volume 4, Issue 2,
June 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
* State Conservationist's Corner
* Conservation Planning Training
* Olin Sims’ Living Legacy
* Earth Day Activities
*
Northeastern Wyoming RC&D Council and Partners Take On Computer Equipment
Recycling Project
* HR News
We live in uncertain times where change is inevitable. The settling in of our
new administration and the concurrent implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill have
definitely presented some challenges for us. At this time we still await some
final Farm Bill program details. With that said, I want to encourage Wyoming
NRCS employees to keep their focus on the basics. First, and foremost, is the
importance of conservation planning. We know that a conservation plan is a
roadmap for better management of a producer’s natural resources. We know it is
the first step to getting conservation on the ground. Secondly, we need to focus
on the importance of getting conservation practices applied through our
technical and financial assistance. NRCS has a rich history of providing
customers with quality, scientific-based expertise and assistance, which
continues today and will into the future. Regarding financial assistance, we
must help participants understand their contract obligations, cost recovery
impacts, explain and obtain needed documents, and provide them with timely
follow-up to stay on schedule.
NRCS is a service organization, and we need to refocus our efforts on
providing the quality conservation products and services that our agency was
founded upon. We all need to make a concerted effort to promote and deliver
conservation planning and assist with the implementation of those planned
conservation practices that meet both the producer and resource needs. When I
meet with various groups and individuals, I continually hear comments on how our
customers value our assistance. You obviously show you care about them and about
conservation for customers to respond this way. I reiterate what NRCS Chief Dave
White stated, “Though a lot has changed in the past 30 years, the quality,
competence, and dedication of NRCS employees continue to be first-rate.” I hope
that you will all accept the challenge along with my commitment to you to put
CONSERVATION back in the forefront of all that we do.
As you’re undoubtedly aware, our FY2009 budget has presented some challenges.
Last year we received over $14 million dollars in EQIP financial assistance
funds, but in this fiscal year, we received just over $10 million of financial
assistance funds. As an Agency we receive approximately 25 percent
technical assistance funds (used to pay our people) to administer the EQIP
program, so we can readily see that 25 percent of the $4 million reduction
translates to a decrease in our technical assistance funds of approximately $1
million from our FY2008 level. That kind of deficit is only corrected by
lapsing positions, and not by avoiding purchasing toner cartridges or making
other small purchases. We have several critical positions around the state
that we have lapsed in order to balance our budget and ensure that each of our
current employees is paid. The leadership team recently ranked the
importance of our vacant positions, and made some hard decisions on vacancies
that we cannot currently afford to fill. Those positions include the
Assistant State Conservation Engineer, the Resource Specialist on the Programs
Staff, and the engineer for the northern half of the East Area. However,
there are some positions that we must fill to continue operating in a productive
manner. In the near future, we will hopefully be filling both the
Purchasing Agent and the Contracting Officer positions in the State Office.
In addition, we’ve been able to hire several Career Interns to fill critical
field positions, including a planner in both Casper and Sheridan. We will
continue to look at all possible options for filling vacant positions with the
best qualified employees.
Lastly, it is important that we all recognize the severe economic
circumstances that our country is facing. Everyday we hear of more instances of
people losing their jobs, their homes, or their life savings. You, or someone
you know, may also be experiencing some of the impact of this economic downturn.
During these times, we need to be cognizant of how this situation may be
impacting our customers, the community, our coworkers, and the taxpayers that
help support us. We need to realize that with so many private, state, and local
government employees being asked to sacrifice, we in the federal workforce will
be looked at with a higher level of scrutiny. The best thing you can do under
these circumstances is to put forth the absolute best effort possible every day
to ensure that the taxpayers (which includes you and me) are receiving the most
for their investment in the best technical Agency around. I would hope that we
all realize how fortunate we are to not only have stable jobs with excellent
benefits, but to also have jobs and careers that can make a difference to both
the people and the land. When you find yourself being annoyed with a person or a
process, or your day is just not going that well, I encourage you to stop and
reflect on how much we in NRCS have to be THANKFUL for. One of the things I am
most thankful for is having the good fortune to work with so many dedicated
conservationists such as each of you.
I appreciate your commitment to conservation and look forward to the upcoming
field season. As we work hard through this year, let’s not forget our health and
well being, and make sure we take some time off to spend with family and
friends. As always, my door is open, so please don’t hesitate to stop in
and visit or pick up the phone and give me a call.
 Back to Top
Conservation planning is the foundation of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) and, to continue that expertise within the agency, 19
participants attended a Conservation Planning Course, June 8-12, in Casper.
Trainees spent the morning hours in the classroom then traveled to the field
for on-hands/on-the-ground sessions. This session was the second phase for
those working towards becoming certified conservation planners.
A full agenda covered a wide array of situations and planning considerations
to be evaluated when working with a landowner to develop a conservation plan
that is tailored to his/her operation. Participants learned about the
agency’s conservation planning policy and the process involved in meeting that
policy. They heard about a variety of resources and tools that are
available to assist them in their planning efforts, adhering to NRCS standards
and specs, and the value of soils information. The session covered how
planners include cultural resource considerations and meeting NEPA regulations
as part of the overall process. Working with landowners, agencies, and
partners; documentation; and working in Toolkit/PRS/Protracts were also agenda
items.
Attendees will now work towards Phase III -- developing a working
conservation plan.
Instructors include Casey Sheley, Jerry Jasmer, Paul Obert, Rory Becker,
Everet Bainter, Bonda Habets, Astrid Martinez, Steve Jelden, Cheryl Grapes, Lynn
Cornia, Rick Peterson, Don Gaddie, Mary Schrader, Robin Bayley, Nephi Cole, Nick
Biltoft, Chuck Schmitt, Geri Sullivan, and Theresa Bowen.
Participants – 1.Robin Moser, Cody; 2.Amy Anderson, Worland;
3.Kaitlin Farbotnik, Casper; 4.Samantha Teske, Casper; 5.Bailey
Rapp, Buffalo; 6.Nancy Thoman, Worland; 7.Wade Payne, Cokeville;
8.Kevin Fackrell, Lyman; 9.Ryan Mar, Wheatland; 10.Ryan Johnson,
Worland; 11.Eric Watson, Cokeville; 12.Suzanne Mayne, Rock Springs;
13.Erika Peckham, Gillette; 14.Brandon Hoffner (TSP); 15.Mike Evans,
Saratoga; 16.Jason Nehl, Sundance; 17.Johnna Blankenship, Douglas;
18.Louise Sainsbury, Rock Spring; 19.Rory Becker, Casper; 20.Mary Spotten,
Afton.
Back to Top
Fifty friends and family gathered to honor the memory of Olin Sims during a
tree planting ceremony held by the Wyoming Association of Conservation
Districts. On June 8, 2009, a Plains Cottonwood tree was planted at the
Wyoming State Fair Grounds in Douglas in memory of 2007 National Association of
Conservation District (NACD) President and fellow Wyomingite Olin Sims.
Back to Top
Wyoming communities celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day in April through a
variety of special observances to focus collective resources and partnerships on
organized local events dedicated to helping the environment. Following are
some examples of Earth Day/Arbor Day events across the state.
Cody residents prepared for spring with free trees and a variety of educational
material relating to Earth Day and Arbor Day.
Robin Moser, District Conservationist, Cody, teamed up with the Shoshone
National Forest Service Office, the Cody Conservation District, Park County Weed
& Pest, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, and the University of Wyoming Extension
Service to celebrate this special day. Displays and informational
materials were available for those interested in learning more about how they,
as individuals, could contribute to helping the land. Free trees were
given out throughout the day.
“Plastic bags, you are out-of-here!”
Maureen Meagher, Western Wyoming RC&D Coordinator, and Mary Spotten, District
Conservationist, Afton, members of the Lincoln County Leadership Institute,
participated in a partnership effort of the Leadership Institute, Star Valley
Division & Recycling Committee, and Star Valley Disposal that celebrated Earth
Day through a reusable/plastic bag project.
The project challenged students from Cokeville, Etna, LaBarge, and Osmond
schools to compete for which school could collect the most plastic bags per
student. LaBarge won the contest with 105 people collecting 80 pounds of
plastic bags. Runner-ups were Cokeville with 163 people, 50 pounds of
bags; Osmond with 356 people, 90 pounds of bags; and Etna with 289 people, 40
pounds of bags. All were winners as the students helped rid their
communities of 260 pounds of plastic bags.
Students from the four schools received reusable bags and educational
material on the benefits of using reusable bags. In addition, their
committed efforts earned them ice cream treats.
Back to Top
Aaron Waller holds a piece of computer equipment that will go through a process
to ensure it is recycled properly.
Aaron Waller, Northeastern Wyoming RC&D
Coordinator, Buffalo, participated in an unusual project in conjunction with
the Technical Support Division (TSD) MT/WY Group that involved the recycling of
out-of-service computer equipment from the Gillette, Buffalo,
Sheridan, and Casper USDA offices.
The project helped to ensure the equipment was recycled
properly. Many electronics, especially computer monitors, contain toxic
materials such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. Reusing and recycling electronics
keeps the toxic materials out of landfills and also recovers valuable resources.
To derive maximum benefits from the equipment, the United
States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) TSD MT/WY Group continually works to
donate outdated, but working, computers to schools across Montana and Wyoming.
Field office and conservation district staff, Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and TSD MT/WY
personnel helped with inventory, loading, and unloading equipment to make the
project happen. Tina Schmidt, District Coordinator, Weston County Natural
Resource District, and Ron Matthews and Carole Nichols of TSD MT/WY, were
instrumental to the success of the project.
Back to Top
New and returning SCEPs and STEPs:
Sydney Burek, Douglas
Amber Lebsock, Casper SO
Samantha Teske, Casper FO
Oryn Watson, Newcastle
Carman Adams, Casper SO
Caleb Bryant, Worland
Steve Immel, Casper SO
William Tripp, Lyman SSO
Ryan Mar, Wheatland
Nancy Thoman, Worland
Eric Watson, Cokeville
Career Interns:
Gary Blazejewski, Soil Scientist, GS-9, Pinedale, eff.
3/29/09
Amanda Lyon, Soil Scientist, GS-7, Lyman SSO, eff. 3/30/09
Johnna Blankenship, Rangeland Management Specalist, GS-7,
Douglas, eff. 5/10/09
Kaitlin Farbotnik, Soil Conservationist, GS-7, Casper FO,
eff. 5/24/09
Andrew Cassiday, Soil Conservationist, GS-9, Sheridan, eff.
6/21/09
Promotions:
Lorraine Stoops, Budget Analyst, GS-11, Casper SO, eff.
3/29/09
Clay Thompson, Civil Engineering Technician, GS-9, Laramie,
eff. 4/12/09
Andrew Champa, Soil Scientist, GS-7, Rock Springs MLRA, eff.
4/26/09
Reassignments:
Lynn Cornia, Civil Engineer, GS-12, from Riverton to Casper
SO, eff. 4/5/09
Debbra Hawkesworth, Contract Officer, to NRCS, Lakewood,
CO, eff. 5/10/09
Jerome Daugherty, Soil Conservationist, GS-11, from South
Dakota to Baggs, eff. 5/24/09
Retirement:
Ed Rapp, Range Technician, Lusk, eff. 5/2/09
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.
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