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                                    Winter 2009 Issue 

 

As we enter into 2009, change is in the air. We have a new Farm Bill and USDA is currently seeking comments on the rules of the new conservation programs of the 2008 Farm Bill, the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP); the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP); the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP); the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP); and the Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP). There is still nearly a month for the public to provide input to how these programs will eventually be rolled out.

As I look back on 2008, I would like to take this time to say thanks to NRCS Ohio, not only for the employees who have worked many thankless hours to get conservation on the land, but also for those who worked tirelessly to meet the December deadline responding to our Agency’s Financial Audit.

As I look forward into 2009, there are several directives we must implement—the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) which requires us and some of our partners to acquire LincPass identification cards and Section 1619 of the 2008 Farm Bill which provides guidance on how information received from our producers is protected under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Yes, there is change in the air. We will continue to evolve our business processes to ensure accountability and will also continue to evolve our business practices to maintain our unmatched ability to work hand-in-hand with the cooperators of Ohio to conserve, protect, and enhance this great State’s natural resources.

  

Focus on the Field - An Area Update
By:  Tomika Walker, ASTC-FO, Findlay AO

The Maumee Valley RC&D Council is teaming up with the Defiance SWCD . . .
New Faces in Area 1 .  .  .
 

  

Manure to Mega Watts
By:  Scott Miller, Maumee Valley RC&D Coordinator, Defiance

What do you do with the manure generated by about 3,500 head of cattle?

 

Biology Students from Lima Inner City High Schools Learn About Wetlands and Careers in Conservation
By:  Frank Gibbs, Soil Scientist, Findlay AO

 I had the great opportunity to host 80 high school biology students from the Lima inner city school system, many of the students had never been on a farm before this field trip.


 

  

Promoting WRP in Ohio
By: Chris Coulon, Public Affairs Specialist, SO

Be on the lookout for information and promotional items on the Wetlands Reserve Program coming your way soon. Ohio will be working to generate increased interest in WRP this year with new program rules and over $8 million available for enrolling landowners.


 

  

Soil Data Updates and Soil Data Warehouse
By: Jeff Glanville, Soil Scientist, SO

The beginning of the calendar year brought another update to the soil data in the Soil Data Warehouse. Updates to the data this time include new Hydrologic Group symbols, which were revised to match new guidelines.


 

  

South Fork of Licking River, Phase II
By: Bryan Lee, Archaeologist, SO

Archaeology is not only digging in the ground and getting your hands dirty, it can also involve the use of high-tech surveillance equipment known as geophysical survey. During the environmental studies for the South Fork of Licking River Flood Control Project, archaeological work identified three potentially significant prehistoric Indian sites.



 

  

Lancaster Sensory Trail - Phase I Completed
By: Deba Mohler, Heart of Ohio RC&D Coordinator, Delaware

 Forest Rose School in Lancaster, Ohio, is a MRDD facility that provides special needs children with educational and life skills opportunities from birth to age 22.  The Lancaster Sensory Trail extension adds pull off stations designed to stimulate an individual’s senses through the use of a variety of colors, textures, scents, and sounds.

 

2008 Project of the Year
By: Deba Mohler, Heart of Ohio RC&D Coordinator, Delaware

The Sandusky Plains Environmental Education Center (SPEEC) earned the honor of "2008 Project of the Year," from the Ohio Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (OARCD).
 

 

Fantastic Females of NRCS
By: Jennifer Chen, Federal Women’s Program Manager, SO

To say Leisha Billenstein is a soil conservationist in Hancock County is only half correct.  Leisha has assisted in multiple counties in Area 1, including providing an integral contribution to assist with the heavy workload in Paulding County.
 

 

Save the Future
By: Steve Crawford, ET Volunteer, Columbus FO

Ohio NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation District employees have a unique opportunity to preserve a treasured natural resource for future generations.
 

 

A Note from Your SEPMs
By: Jim Maple, Disabled Veterans Special Emphasis Program Manager, Medina AO

Every year each of us have opportunities to recruit future NRCS employees.  You may not realize that as we conduct our daily work with landowners, soil and water conservation districts, and rural communities, including outreach activities, we have occasion to recruit for the agency.
 

 

Ohio Outreach on the Road
By: Shawn Anderson, Outreach Coordinator, SO

 Shawn Anderson, Ohio Outreach Coordinator, attended the Small Limited Resource Minority Farmers Conference, "Coping with the Present to Succeed in the Future," in Frankfork, Kentucky.
 

   

Ohio Personnel Actions
October 24, 2008 - February 9, 2009
 

 


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