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May 5, 2009
NACD, Conservation Districts Observe Stewardship Week
Last week, conservation districts and state associations
observed 2009 NACD Stewardship Week in schools, churches
and communities across the country. The theme of this
year’s event was “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil.” On Friday,
NACD participated in an observance of Stewardship Week with
NRCS Chief Dave White at Washington, D.C.’s Brent Elementary
School.
NACD CEO Krysta Harden and NRCS Chief White helped a room
of excited first graders understand the importance of soil
in their daily lives. Students learned how soil is important
for many things, including food, clothes, clean water and
wildlife and why it is important to care for our nation’s
natural resources. Harden and White then helped the
students plant shrubs and vines as part of an effort to
create more green spaces on the school’s campus.
Did your conservation district participate in Stewardship
Week activities? Be sure to share your 2009 Stewardship
Week success stories by downloading and completing our
success story form.
Thank you to all conservation districts and state
associations that participated in this year’s record-setting
observance!
FSA Announces CRP Contract Extensions
On Friday, Secretary Vilsack announced the potential for
three- to five-year contract extensions on expiring
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres. Contract holders
will be sent letters beginning tomorrow, May 6, 2009,
informing them of the option to extend their contracts. Due
to budget constraints, contracts on all expiring acres
cannot be extended, and FSA will prioritize those acres
with the highest environmental benefit or highest potential
for soil loss. Of the 3.9 million acres expiring on
September 30, 2009, only 1.5 million acres will be covered
by contract extensions. The extension sign-up period will
run from May 18 – June 30, 2009.
Additional information can be found at your local FSA
office or on the FSA website.
Senate Committee to Review Nominees
The Senate Agriculture Committee will review the nomination
of NACD’s CEO Krysta Harden to become the USDA Assistant
Secretary of Congressional Relations on Thursday. President
Obama nominated Harden last month, and the position
requires a Senate confirmation vote of approval. Last week
over 70 organizations expressed their support for Krysta’s
nomination to the Assistant Secretary post. To review the
letter of support, please click here.
The Agriculture Committee will also be reviewing the
nominations of Pearlie Reed to be USDA Assistant Secretary
for Administration; Rajiv Shah, M.D. to be USDA Under
Secretary of Research, Education and Economics; and Dallas
Tonsager to be USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development.
Additional information on Thursday’s hearing can be found
at http://agriculture.senate.gov/.
If confirmed, Harden will leave her position at NACD and
the Association will undergo a formal search for her
replacement.
Budget Passes Congress, Clears Way for Appropriations
Work
Last week, the House of Representatives and the Senate both
passed the $3.5 trillion fiscal year 2010 (FY10) budget
conference report. Passage of the FY10 federal budget
means Congressional appropriations committees can now begin
work on FY10 spending legislation. Appropriations
subcommittees will soon receive budget allocations, the
amount they are authorized to spend for FY10, before making
spending decisions in areas such as agriculture, interior
and the environment.
NACD has been working to ensure conservation districts
priorities—Conservation Technical Assistance, State and
Private Forestry, and 319 Nonpoint Source Grants—are met in
FY10 appropriations. More information on FY10
appropriations is available on the NACD website.
Joint Forestry Team Reports Progress
Yesterday, NACD President Steve Robinson and NACD Board
Member Johnny Sundstrom (OR) participated in a meeting of
the Joint Forestry Team (Team) in Washington, D.C. NACD is
a member of the joint initiative, whose mission is improve
the coordination of interagency delivery of forestry and
conservation assistance for working forests, farms and
ranches. Other Team members include the National
Association of State Foresters (NASF), the USDA-Forest
Service (USFS) and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS).
Robinson joined other organization executives to review
the Team’s activities and progress on actions outlined in
the Team’s memorandum of understanding (MOU). Team members
reported on progress toward the integration of planning
processes to improve assistance to landowners, Farm Bill
webinars and workshops and the soon-to-be launched Joint
Forestry Team website. In conjunction with the meeting, the
Team also hosted a public webinar in which state, regional
and local partners reported on activities toward local
implementation of the national MOU.
EPA Launches "Healthy Watersheds" Initiative and Website
EPA has launched a new initiative called "Healthy
Watersheds" that emphasizes protection and conservation of
aquatic ecosystems. The Initiative augments the watershed
approach with proactive, holistic aquatic ecosystem
conservation and protection. It includes both assessment
and management approaches that encourage states, local
governments, watershed organizations and others to
strategically conserve healthy components of watersheds
and avoid additional water quality impairments in the
future.
The Initiative is being introduced through a new website
filled with tools and resources. Districts interested in
this additional resource can check out the website at
http://www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds.
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