Ohio NRCS News

	The Father of Soil Conservation Hugh Hammond Bennett (right).

Born from the Dust -

The Dust Bowl refers to a series of dust storms causing damage to American prairie lands from 1930 to 1940. During that time frame, America experienced nearly 50 “black blizzards” a year. A typical dust storm lasted anywhere from hours to days. The Great Plains states were most heavily impacted, but the effects were seen in Ohio when prevailing winds would take giant dust clouds all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

The devastation prompted Congress to create the Soil Conservation Service in 1935, a federal agency dedicated to taking care of our nation’s soil. The agency later changed its name to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and expanded its mission from reducing soil erosion to conserving all natural resources.

Are you from Ohio and have a story to tell about the Dust Bowl?  The NRCS in Ohio would like to hear your story and think others might too.  We plan to  develop a series of Podcasts to share the history of the Dust Bowl era from the Ohio perspective and need your help.  Call or e-mail Chris Coulon, 614-255-2471.  We're looking for Ohio Dust Bowl Era pictures too!

USDA Dustbowl Blog
 

• Ohio News Releases
• National NRCS News Releases
• Public Meeting Schedules
• Articles of Interest
• Conservation Customers
• Ohio Stories on USDA's Blog
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Media Contact:

Christina Coulon
Public Affairs Specialist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
200 N. High Street, Room 522
Columbus, OH  43215
Telephone: (614) 255-2471
FAX: (614) 255-2549