![](media/image1.jpeg){width="3.6694444444444443in"
height="0.5513888888888889in"}

[**South Dakota NRCS
eNews**](http://www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov/news/NRCSUpdates.html)

**August 200****7**

# 

# In this issue: 

[Nominations Deadline for Cooperative Conservation
Award](#_Nominations_Deadline_for)

[Productive Lands -- Healthy Environment -- NRCS Strategic Plan Fast
Fact](#productive-lands-healthy-environment-nrcs-strategic-plan-fast-fact)

[SARE's 20th Anniversary Conference Photo
Competition](#_SARE’s_20th_Anniversary)

[Twilight Grazing Pasture Tour August
16](#twilight-grazing-pasture-tour-august-16)

[Land EKG Workshop being held in Lemmon,
SD](#land-ekg-workshop-being-held-in-lemmon-sd)

[Training News](#training-news)

[Rainfall Simulator in the
Spotlight](#rainfall-simulator-in-the-spotlight)

[SARE Announces New Rangeland
Publication](#sare-announces-new-rangeland-publication)

[August is Your Time to Win!](#august-is-your-time-to-win)

[Notes from the State Office Administrative
Services](#notes-from-the-state-office-administrative-services)

Warm Weather Safety Note

[What is "USDA Zero Tolerance Policy?"](#_What_is_\“USDA)

[Notes from Public Affairs](#notes-from-public-affairs)

News Clippings

SDACD Photography Contest

DakotaFest to Host Rainfall Simulator Demonstration

South Dakota State Fair, August 30 to September 3

[Dates to Note](#dates-to-note)

All issues of the South Dakota monthly eNews are posted at
[*www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov/news/NRCSUpdates.html*](http://www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov/news/NRCSUpdates.html).

### Nominations Deadline for Cooperative Conservation Award

Jeff McGuire, State Public Affairs Specialist, Huron State Office 

We are asking all NRCS employees to take a look at those individuals or
groups that stand out as a shining example through all their hard work
and dedication to natural resources conservation issues. Please forward
nominations to the Public Affairs Office
([[jeffery.mcguire@sd.usda.gov]{.underline}](mailto:jeffery.mcguire@sd.usda.gov))
with a brief description as to why a particular person or group should
be recognized by this award. Anyone other than an NRCS employee may be
nominated.  Please keep write-ups to a maximum of one page; a few
descriptive paragraphs will do.

 

The NRCS Cooperative Conservation Award (previously called the
Partnership Award) is presented each year at the SDACD Annual Convention
to an individual or group that best exemplifies dedication and
leadership to natural resources conservation through cooperative
conservation efforts with NRCS. 

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

### Productive Lands -- Healthy Environment -- *NRCS Strategic Plan Fast Fact* 

Kim Brannen, ASTC-Operations, Huron State Office

The agency's two mission goals outline the benefits that are expected
from our activities and programs.  According to the national Strategic
Plan, the first of the mission goals, our FOUNDATION GOALS, address the
natural resources that have been the major focus of our work from the
beginning.  The second mission goal, our VENTURE GOALS, describe areas
in which we anticipate the need for greatly expanded activity in the
future.

FOUNDATION GOALS are:

-   High Quality, Productive Soils -- A healthy land begins with healthy
    soils.

-   Clean and Abundant Water -- As the single largest user of land and
    water resources, agriculture has a significant role in water
    management.

-   Healthy Plant and Animal Communities -- They provide economic and
    esthetic benefits and are essential to people's quality of life.

VENTURE GOALS are:

-   Clean Air -- The quality of the air affects every component of the
    natural system: soil, water, plants, animals and people

-   Adequate Energy Supply -- Long-term strategies to reduce demand
    through conservation and to develop alternative or renewable energy
    supplies and technologies

-   Working Farm and Ranch Lands -- Accelerate progress toward
    watersheds with well-balanced land uses that meet communities'
    natural resource, economic & social objectives

For further information about each foundation and venture goal, refer to
pages 21 through 65 of the "Productive Lands Healthy Environment"
Strategic Plan for 2005-2010.

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### [[]{#_SARE’s_20th_Anniversary .anchor}SARE's 20th Anniversary Conference Photo Competition](http://www.sare.org/2008Conference/photo_contest.htm)

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.4895833333333335in"
height="1.4791666666666667in"}

Theme: Groundbreaking Innovations, People and Partnerships in
Sustainable Agriculture. In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the
[Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
(SARE)](http://www.sare.org/) program, SARE is announcing the first-ever
national photo competition. The top four photos, one from each of SARE's
regions in the United States, will receive grand prizes of free
attendance and accommodations at [SARE's 20th Anniversary
conference](http://www.sare.org/2008conference), to be held March 25-27,
2008, in Kansas City, Missouri. The competition is open to everyone
except for SARE/SAN staff. They particularly encourage young people,
women and minority farmers and ranchers to enter. The deadline for
entries is October 31, 2007. Judging will be in early December 2007.
Click
[[here]{.underline}](http://www.sare.org/2008Conference/photo_contest.htm)
for official rules.
[<http://www.sare.org/2008Conference/photo_contest.htm>.]{.underline}

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### Twilight Grazing Pasture Tour August 16

The Rod Fortune Ranch is hosting the Twilight Grazing Pasture Tour on
August 16, 2007. Social half hour begins at 4:00 p.m. with the program
starting at 4:30 p.m. Speakers include Cody Wright, SDSU Beef
Specialist; Paul Drayton, District Conservationist in Campbell County
and Ann Price, Hand County Extension Livestock Educator. Directions:
From Highway 26/45 junction north of Miller, go 3 miles east (to the St.
Lawrence road or 363rd Avenue), then 3 miles north, 1 mile east and
another 2 miles north on the gravel. Supper is sponsored by Central
Plains Water District. For more information, contact Ann at (605)
853-2738 or Marvin at (605) 853-2410.

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

### Land EKG Workshop being held in Lemmon, SD

Terry Hall, Coordinator, Tatanka Resource Conservation and Development
Area, Bison

The Grand River Grazing Association is sponsoring a 3-day hands-on
workshop September 5-7, 2007 in Lemmon. Fourth generation Wyoming
rancher Charley Orchard created "Land EKG." His instruction will focus
on grassland monitoring, which ties all land and ecological factors into
a single easy-to-understand picture. Topics covered include: monitoring
myths, site establishment, data collection/analysis, production
calculations, grazing index, annual monitoring, riparian monitoring, and
rapid assessment techniques. Participants will learn how to choose,
establish and maintain monitoring sites that may be beneficial for
future programs. The end result will be the ability to document findings
and interpret rangeland function for short and long-term management
decisions.

This workshop is limited to 30 participants. The cost of this workshop
is \$525 per person plus \$190 for a monitoring kit (optional). The
first 20 who register will receive 70 percent financial support for the
class and 50 percent for the monitoring kit. Registration deadline for
this workshop is August 1, 2007. If interested please contact Ryan Beer
at (605) 244-5222, ext. 3.

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

### Training News

Jason Miller, Conservation Agronomist, Pierre FSO

South James Missouri watershed employees received training on no-till
cropping systems and cover crops on July 9 in the Mitchell area. Craig
Stehly and Wayne Edinger hosted the training sessions on their farms.
Jason comments that the producers did an excellent job. The 19
participants earned Certified Crop Advisor credits.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="3.5555555555555554in"
height="2.3722222222222222in"}
![](media/image4.jpeg){width="3.1729166666666666in"
height="2.3680555555555554in"}

Photos from the Wayne Edinger (left) and Craig Stehly (right) farms.

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

### Rainfall Simulator in the Spotlight

During a touring event at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm in July, NRCS
staff demonstrated the rainfall simulator for staff from South Dakota
State University, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, South Dakota
Board of Regents, local legislators, and several plant science staff.

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="3.7465277777777777in"
height="3.816666666666667in"}

Conservation Agronomist Jason Miller spoke to the group about soil
quality, infiltration, aggregate stability, and runoff. *Photo: (near
right) Jason Miller, Conservation Agronomist, NRCS, Pierre; behind Jason
is Bill Even, Secretary, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Pierre,
Dr. David Chicoine, President, SDSU, Brookings; and Emery Tschetter,
Assistant Director/Planning and Special Projects, College of Ag and Bio,
SDSU, Brookings.*

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

### SARE Announces New Rangeland Publication 

The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), the outreach arm of USDA\'s
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, announces
the release of its newest title, \"Rangeland Management Strategies.\"
When federal environmental regulators cut his herd sizes to protect an
endangered fish, Arizona rancher Rich Collins got busy. With three other
ranchers and armed with a USDA SARE farmer/rancher grant, Collins
installed new irrigation pipe, built fences and developed rotational
grazing plans. Intensive monitoring helped them document improvements to
the rangeland and riparian areas. \"The riparian areas have come back
amazingly, and the uplands have improved,\" Collins says. \"Monitoring
showed we were in compliance\...and helped us make management decisions,
too.\"

\"Rangeland Management Strategies,\" a free 16-page bulletin published
by the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), features innovative
SARE-funded research on creating and sustaining a healthy range.
Throughout, researchers and ranchers like Collins share goals and
successes in winter and multi-species grazing, managing forage and other
vegetation and protecting riparian areas.

\"Rangeland Management Strategies\" is the latest of a series of
publications that feature the most creative research funded by SARE.
Preview or download the entire publication at
[[http://www.sare.org/publications/rangeland.htm]{.underline}](http://www.sare.org/publications/rangeland.htm).
To order print copies, visit
[[www.sare.org/Webstore]{.underline}](../www.sare.org/Webstore), call
(301) 504-5411 or email [san_assoc@sare.org]{.underline}.

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

### August is Your Time to Win!

Heidi Rients, Soil Conservationist/member, Federal Women's Program
Committee, Plankinton FO

As many of you know, the South Dakota Federal Women's Program Committee
members promote awareness and prevention of sexual harassment in the
month of August through some type of contest. So, now is the time to
start brushing up on your facts about prevention and awareness of sexual
harassment in the work place. Previously, three quizzes have randomly
been sent out. However, the presentation of questions may be different
this year. The fastest responses for the three contests will earn that
person a prize! Good luck and be watching for them in August.

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

### Notes from the State Office Administrative Services 

**Warm Weather Safety Note**

Sue A. Jones, Contracting Officer, Huron State Office

For employees reference, attached to this issue of the eNews is a
document with some safety notes for warm weather.

### What is "USDA Zero Tolerance Policy?"

Chuck Johnson, Budget Officer, Huron State Office

To help employees better understand travel regulations, here is
information on the USDA Zero Tolerance Policy. Zero Tolerance strictly
prohibits the following misuses of the government travel card:

a.  Unauthorized charges and charges not associated with official
    travel:

    1.  Personal and family member use of the card is forbidden.

    2.  Additional prohibited procurements with the travel card are:
        book and magazine subscriptions; membership fees; training and
        conference fees; higher education expenses; theme parks;
        management consulting services; automobile purchases; car
        repairs & services; clothing, lingerie, outerwear, shoes &
        furniture; hair services, cosmetics, tattoos & massages;
        emergency medical services; office supplies; computers,
        televisions or digital equipment; any service or product
        obtained for personal, family, or household purposes.

b.  Charges while not in an official travel status: (1) Use of the card
    in the vicinity of the official duty station or residence is
    forbidden, unless used in connection with official travel; (2) Cash
    withdrawals from an automated teller machine are also forbidden
    (when not in travel status).

c.  Shared use of the card with another employee for official travel
    purposes.

d.  Allow account to become delinquent.

e.  Failure to use the card while on travel unless exempted.

f.  Failure to pay accounts with sufficient funds.

g.  Failure to properly use government voucher reimbursements to repay
    travel expenses.

h.  Excessive cash advances or cash advances not commensurate with
    official travel.

If you are wondering why I would mention the above policy, it is because
National Headquarters (NHQ) is helping us by explaining "Zero
Tolerance." NHQ runs reports on delinquent accounts, ATM uses that don't
correlate with travel, ATM uses that appear excessive, etc. Then, NHQ
sends a letter to the state conservationist asking that the matter be
checked and appropriate disciplinary action be taken for the listed
employee and actions reported back to NHQ within 30 days.

*Thank you for your cooperation. Happy traveling!*

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### Notes from Public Affairs

**Conservation News --** Attached to this email are some recent
newspaper clippings that may be of interest to employees.

**Photo Contest Offers Opportunities for Conservation in Action -**
Amateur photographers have the opportunity to win cash and prizes in the
2007 South Dakota Natural Resources Amateur Photo Contest. The contest
is sponsored by the South Dakota Chapter of the Soil and Water
Conservation Society, the South Dakota Association of Conservation
Districts Auxiliary, and the South Dakota Association of Conservation
Districts (SDACD), Inc. Photos reflecting natural resource conservation
in action in South Dakota and taken between September 1, 2005, and
August 1, 2007, are eligible. Three categories are open to entrants -
adult, senior youth (14 through 18), and junior youth (13 and under).
First prize to the adult winner is \$100 cash. Senior and junior youth
first prizes are \$100 savings bonds, while second place senior and
junior youth receive \$50 savings bonds. A "People's Choice" prize of a
\$100 savings bond will be presented by those attending the SDACD annual
convention September 17 at the Watertown Ramkota Convention Center.
**Entries must be postmarked by August 30, 2007.** Contact your local
conservation district for details or visit:
[www.sdconservation.org](http://www.sdconservation.org/).

*Ethics Note: Photographs taken by federal employees on official time
with government cameras are not eligible for the prizes. The employees
could display their images, but not win prizes. Photos taken on your own
time with your own equipment ARE eligible.*

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

**DakotaFest** **to Host** **Rainfall Simulator Demonstration** -- NRCS
will have its rainfall simulator set up for demonstrations at DakotaFest
in Mitchell on August 21-23. The Rainfall Simulator is a visualization
tool designed to provide an audience with "seeing is believing"
information of soil water infiltration rates and runoff on various
tillage systems. It is capable of applying two-to-three inches of rain
on up to five different simulated land treatments. This tool allows NRCS
to demonstrate infiltration and runoff on real samples of soil taken
from fields with different management histories and helps convey the
benefits of conservation practices. Stop by booth 427W to see the
simulator in action.

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

**South Dakota State Fair, August 30 to September 3** -- *NRCS will
participate in the South Dakota State Fair educational program* on
Thursday and Friday, August 30-31, in the Expo Building. SD\'s "Largest
Classroom" was created around the notion that programs brought in for
the two-day event would focus on math, science, reading and/or history.
The Worm Tunnel will be set up to help teach students about soil
science. The worm tunnel will be up for the entire five days of the
fair.\
\
During their trip to the fair, students are able to tour a variety of
educational \"learning centers.\" These \"learning centers\" teach
students about science, agriculture, technology and much more. The most
exciting part is that kids have the opportunity to learn hands-on and
see exhibits that may not always be available to individual school
districts with limited budgets. Specific programs that will be part of
the \"learning centers\" offer follow-up materials for teachers to
incorporate into their everyday curriculums.

*NRCS will have a booth in the Expo Building* demonstrating the new
capabilities of the Web Soil Survey. There will be an interactive
computer display set up to show all the new version 2.0 tools.

Also, for the first time at the State Fair, the *Rainfall Simulator will
be demonstrated*. (See DakotaFest details above.) The simulator will be
set up in the grass area east of the Expo Building. Check with Jeff
McGuire for scheduling details.

[Back to top](#_In_this_issue:)

### Dates to Note

+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| A     | Fertility | Learn how to calibrate your manure spreader and |
| ugust | M         | calculate application rates to maximize crop    |
| 2     | anagement | yield and profitability; see two unique types   |
|       | and       | of bio filters for reducing odor; watch side by |
| 9:30  | Manure    | side comparison of horizontal vs. vertical      |
| a.m.  | Ap        | beaters; see low disturbance injection systems  |
| *     | plication | for no-till, alfalfa, or pasture                |
| Tenta | Field Day |                                                 |
| tive* |           | see global positioning system (GPS) technology  |
|       | Southeast | in action; compare various types of injection   |
|       | South     | equipment in wheat stubble; hear research from  |
|       | Dakota    | SDSU on the effects of manure on crop           |
|       | E         | production; observe odor reduction from         |
|       | xperiment | horizontal and vertical biofilters. Register by |
|       | Farm,     | July 27 by calling (605) 996-1564, ext. 5 or    |
|       | Beresford | email to <john.lentz@sd.usda.gov>.              |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| A     | NOPHNRCSE | 2007 National Organization of Professional      |
| ugust | Annual    | Hispanic NRCS Employees (NOPHNRCSE) Conference. |
| 6-10  | Training  | For more information, visit:                    |
|       | Co        | <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/intranet/hispanic/>.  |
|       | nference, | Or contact Colette Kessler, your South Dakota   |
|       | Blo       | Hispanic Emphasis Program Manager, at (605)     |
|       | omington, | 224-2476, ext 5.                                |
|       | Minnesota |                                                 |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| A     | American  | The American Indian Alaska Native Employee      |
| ugust | Indian    | Association (AIANEA) 10th Annual Training       |
| 27-31 | Alaska    | Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas. The focus  |
|       | Native    | of the training will be career and personal     |
|       | Employee  | development. Questions concerning AIANEA can be |
|       | As        | directed to David Elliott, AIANEA President at  |
|       | sociation | (251) 867-8042, ext. 3, or email at             |
|       | (AIANEA)  | <david.elliott@al.usda.gov>. Or contact [Kari   |
|       | 10th      | Hall,](mailto:kari.hall@sd.usda.gov) your South |
|       | Annual    | Dakota American Indian Alaska Native Emphasis   |
|       | Training  | Program Manager, at (605) 734-5413.             |
|       | C         |                                                 |
|       | onference |                                                 |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| A     | D         | The NRCS Rainfall Simulator will be shown. Show |
| ugust | akotaFest | Hours: Tuesday Aug. 21 -- 9 a.m. -- 5 p.m.;     |
| 21,   | Farm Show | Wednesday Aug. 22 -- 9 a.m.--5 p.m.; Thursday   |
| 22 &  |           | Aug. 23 -- 9 a.m.--4 p.m.                       |
| 23    | S         | <http://www.farmshows.com/farm/dfst/index.po>   |
|       | chlaffman |                                                 |
|       | Farm,     |                                                 |
|       | Mitchell  |                                                 |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| A     | South     | The NRCS Rainfall Simulator will be shown along |
| ugust | Dakota    | with the two soils exhibits in the Expo         |
| 30 -  | State     | Building. <http://www.sdstatefair.com/>         |
| Sept  | Fair      |                                                 |
| ember |           |                                                 |
| 3     | State     |                                                 |
|       | Fai       |                                                 |
|       | rgrounds, |                                                 |
|       | Huron     |                                                 |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Sept  | Harding   | Annual Conservation Tour and supper to follow.  |
| ember | County    | Contact Linda Matthews, Harding County          |
| 12    | Con       | Conservation District at (605) 375-3216, ext.   |
|       | servation | 3.                                              |
| 12:30 | District  |                                                 |
| p.m.  | Tour      |                                                 |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Sept  | Rural     | Contact Linda Matthews, Harding County          |
| ember | Women in  | Conservation District at (605) 375-3216, ext.   |
| 15    | America   | 3.                                              |
|       | -- Women  |                                                 |
| 8:30  | Helping   |                                                 |
| a.m.  | Women     |                                                 |
|       | Co        |                                                 |
|       | nference, |                                                 |
|       | Bowman,   |                                                 |
|       | ND        |                                                 |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Sept  | Society   | Staurolite Inn (1-800-362-1516); Theme:         |
| ember | for Range | Grassland Options and Opportunities             |
| 2     | Managem   |                                                 |
| 0-21, | ent-South | Questions can be directed to the following      |
| 2007  | Dakota    | planning committee members:                     |
|       | Section   |                                                 |
|       | Annual    | John Lentz, Vice President at                   |
|       | Meeting   | [[jhlentz@mitchelltelecom.net]{.u               |
|       |           | nderline}](mailto:jhlentz@mitchelltelecom.net), |
|       | Brookings | (605) 990-2163 or (605) 999-6093, or Rod Voss,  |
|       |           | 2nd Vice President,                             |
|       |           | [[rwvoss@sant                                   |
|       |           | el.net]{.underline}](mailto:rwvoss@santel.net), |
|       |           | (605) 352-5669.                                 |
|       |           |                                                 |
|       |           | Please make checks payable to SD SRM and send   |
|       |           | all registrations to:                           |
|       |           |                                                 |
|       |           | Yvonne Haefner, P.O. Box 481, Murdo, SD 57559   |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Oc    | Joint     | Theme: Advances in Conservation. Reservations:  |
| tober | Annual    | Best Western-Doublewood Inn (701) 258-7000;     |
| 4-5   | Meeting   | Contact: Jason Miller, chair for the SD part of |
|       | of the SD | this joint SWCS meeting, (605) 224-2476, ext.   |
|       | and ND    | 131 or <jason.miller@sd.usda.gov>.              |
|       | Chapters  |                                                 |
|       | of the    |                                                 |
|       | Soil and  |                                                 |
|       | Water     |                                                 |
|       | Con       |                                                 |
|       | servation |                                                 |
|       | Society,  |                                                 |
|       | Pro       |                                                 |
|       | fessional |                                                 |
|       | Soil      |                                                 |
|       | Cl        |                                                 |
|       | assifiers |                                                 |
|       | As        |                                                 |
|       | sociation |                                                 |
|       | of North  |                                                 |
|       | Dakota,   |                                                 |
|       | and       |                                                 |
|       | Pro       |                                                 |
|       | fessional |                                                 |
|       | Soil      |                                                 |
|       | Scientist |                                                 |
|       | As        |                                                 |
|       | sociation |                                                 |
|       | of South  |                                                 |
|       | Dakota    |                                                 |
|       |           |                                                 |
|       | Bismarck, |                                                 |
|       | ND        |                                                 |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
| March | SWCS      | Hosted by South Dakota Chapter Soil and Water   |
| 2008  | Northern  | Conservation Society (SD SWCS). Contact: Chuck  |
|       | Plains    | Lebeda, Madison (605) 256-6674.                 |
|       | Region    |                                                 |
|       | Technical |                                                 |
|       | Meeting   |                                                 |
+-------+-----------+-------------------------------------------------+

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The "[South Dakota NRCS
eNews](http://www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov/news/NRCSUpdates.html)" is intended
as a venue for announcements of timely importance to employees. Material
can be provided to the [Public Affairs
Staff](mailto:colette.kessler@sd.usda.gov) during the month to be
included in the next month's issue. Other news and information can be
included in the quarterly issue of the "[South Dakota NRCS
Update](http://www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov/news/NRCSUpdates.html)" newsletter.
Published materials may be edited for content, clarity, and length. Some
photos may be digitally altered. All issues of the monthly South Dakota
NRCS eNews are posted on our web site at:
<http://www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov/news/NRCSUpdates.html>.

Note: Employees are encouraged to send an email about any activity
supporting affirmative employment plan reports to Mr. [Pat
Crotty](mailto:patrick.crotty@sd.usda.gov), Human Resources Manager. His
phone is (605) 352-1224. [Kim
Brannen](mailto:karen.brannen@sd.usda.gov), ASTC-O, (phone: (605)
352-1243) is the contact for activities supporting outreach and any item
to be included in the annual civil rights report.

### United States Department of Agriculture [**Non-Discrimination Statement**](http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navtype=FT&navid=NON_DISCRIMINATION) 

![](media/image6.png){width="8.333333333333333e-3in"
height="5.0694444444444445e-2in"}

![](media/image6.png){width="5.0694444444444445e-2in"
height="8.333333333333333e-3in"}

\"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.\"