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

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

**November 200****7**

# 

# In this issue: 

[Conservation Activities Producer
Survey](#conservation-activities-producer-survey)

[Provenza Animal Grazing Behavior Workshop December
4](#provenza-animal-grazing-behavior-workshop-december-4)

[Soil Facts](#soil-facts)

[NRCS New Watershed Assessments Prove
Popular](#nrcs-new-watershed-assessments-prove-popular)

[American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
Observed](#american-indianalaska-native-heritage-month-observed)

[Notes from Civil Rights
Committee](#american-indianalaska-native-heritage-month-observed)

Veteran's Day

Article: One in Five Students a Minority

Article: [Population Dynamics Are Changing the Profile of Rural
Areas](#_Population_Dynamics_Are)

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

[Dakota Farm Talk -- Latest Stories...](#_Dakota_Farm_Talk)

Online Natural Resources News Links

[NRCS Volunteer Voice](#nrcs-volunteer-voice)

[Photography Tips -- Making Better
Images](#photography-tips-making-better-images)

[Notes from Human Resources](#notes-from-human-resources)

Employee Surveys

[Open Season 2008](#_Open_Season_2008)

[What is a Flexible Spending
Account?](#what-is-a-flexible-spending-account)

[Labor: Dakota Roots Celebrates First Year Bringing South Dakotans
Home](#_Labor%3A_Dakota_Roots)

[2008 Pay Period Calendar](#pay-period-calendar)

[Dates to Note](#_Scholarship_Announcements)

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).

![](media/image2.png){width="7.735416666666667in"
height="0.3020833333333333in"}

### Conservation Activities Producer Survey

Conservation Technology Information Center and the Fertilizer Institute
Survey Farmers' Conservation Activities

Survey of Thousands of Farmers to Identify Current Environmental
Management Practices and Obstacles to Adoption

 

Washington, D.C. -- The Conservation Technology Information Center
(CTIC) and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) are distributing a
conservation practices survey to thousands of producers.  The
collaborative effort aims to gain a better understanding of
environmental management measures on U.S. farms and barriers to
adoption, as well as provide information on the best way to distribute
educational materials regarding best management practices and
environmental stewardship.  The results of the survey will be compiled
this fall.

 

The survey is designed to collect data on conservation practices
producers are using and what reasons producers may have for not
implementing additional conservation practices in their operations. 
Topics include conservation tillage, soil tests and nutrient management.
"Proper fertilizer application is an essential component of nutrient
management plans.  Our products are best utilized when the right product
is applied at the right rate, right time and right place," said TFI
President Ford B. West.  "The results of this survey will provide us
with knowledge of producer practices that will help us best identify how
we can achieve documented nutrient use efficiency."

 

U.S. farmers are using fertilizer nutrients with the greatest efficiency
in history.  Between 1980 and 2005, U.S. corn production increased by a
whopping 74 percent.  Meanwhile, farmers' use of nitrogen on corn over
this period increased only 3 percent, while use of phosphate and potash
fell 20 and 24 percent, respectively.

 

CTIC and TFI worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Foundation for
Agronomic Research and the Certified Crop Adviser Program in developing
the survey questions.

  

Conservation Technology Information Center, a not-for-profit
organization located in West Lafayette, Ind., is the reliable source of
information and technology for environmentally responsible and
economically viable agricultural conservation. To learn more, visit
[www.conservationinformation.org](http://www.ne16.com/t/3337250/39521281/17879503/0/)
or call 765-494-9555.

The Fertilizer Institute represents the nation's fertilizer industry. 
Producers, importers, retailers, wholesalers and companies that provide
services to the fertilizer industry which comprise its membership are
served by a full time Washington, D.C., staff in various legislative,
educational and technical areas as well as with information and public
relations programs.\
Contact:  Harriet Wegmeyer (202) 515-2720 or <hwegmeyer@tfi.org>.

[Back to top](#section)

### Provenza Animal Grazing Behavior Workshop December 4

**Brule Buffalo Lyman Bootstraps and South Dakota Grassland Coalition
Sponsor Workshop for Producers**

Mark December 4, 2007 on your calendar for a day's training at Cedar
Shore Resort with Professor Fred Provenza from Utah State University. 
Fred is internationally known for his studies on animal grazing
behavior.

 

Originally from Colorado, Fred received his B.S. in Wildlife Biology
from CSU in 1973.  He worked on a ranch for seven years and as a
research assistant and technician at USU, earned an M.S. and PhD in
Range Science.  He joined the faculty there in 1982 and is currently a
professor in the Department of Forest, Range and Wildlife Sciences.

 

Provenza's research and teaching focus on understanding behavioral
processes and using that understanding to better livestock management. 
For the last 20 years he has studied how learning affects food and
habitat selections by herbivores.  He has authored and co-authored over
200 publications in journals and books and continues to be a keynote
speaker at national and international meetings, recently from South
Africa and Egypt.

 

His topic for the December 4, day-long meeting centers around \"Using
Animal Behavior to Manage Grazing.\"  Registration is from 8-9 a.m. 
Lecture starts at 9 a.m.; lunch at noon, and the afternoon session will
close at 5 p.m.  Registration fee includes a handout and CDRom per
family/unit, lunch, and breaks.  Pre-register and pay by November 20 and
meeting cost is \$50 for SDGLC members (\$65 for non-members).  Join
SDGLC now and pay the member fee.  Registration from November 21 to
December 4 is \$75 for SD Grassland Coalition's members (\$90 for
non-members).  Call Dr. Julie at home to leave a message (605) 894-4363,
at the office during the day at (605) 234-6562, or e-mail at
[[wagner@midstatesd.net]{.underline}](mailto:wagner@midstatesd.net). 
She will be happy to discuss any details.

[Back to top](#section)

### Soil Facts

Among other topics, the recent 2007 Earth Science Week in October
campaign featured soil facts:

-   Soil is living.

-   There are more than 70,000 types of soil in the United States.

-   One tablespoon of soil has more organisms in it than people on
    earth.

-   The very best China dishes are made from soil.

-   It takes more than 500 years to form one inch of topsoil.

-   Nearly all antibiotics used to fight our infections are obtained
    from soil organisms.

-   In one gram of soil, there are over 5,000 different types of
    bacteria.

Learn more at: [<https://www.soils.org/lessons/>]{.underline} and
[[https://www.soils.org/lessons/files/2007_earth_science_week_activity.pdf]{.underline}](https://www.soils.org/lessons/files/2007_earth_science_week_activity.pdf)

[<http://www.earthsciweek.org/forteachers/2006/testsoil_cont.html>.]{.underline}

[Back to top](#section)

### NRCS New Watershed Assessments Prove Popular

Colorado NRCS recently published seven Rapid Watershed Assessments. The
assessments were developed to help facilitate key land use decisions as
they provide initial estimates of where conservation investments would
best address the concerns of landowners, conservation districts, and
other community organizations and stakeholders. A total of 94 Colorado
assessments are slated for completion by 2010. For more information,
visit:
[<http://www.hpj.com/archives/2007/oct07/oct22/NRCSnewwatershedassessments.cfm>.]{.underline}

[Back to top](#section)

### American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month Observed 

**November 1 through November 30, 2007 **

The new 2007 American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month poster is
entitled, \"We are One Family Dedicated to Protecting Mother Earth." 
The artist captures the image of a caretaker who represents American
Indians and all populations as the stewards of the land.  The message is
clear; we are all caretakers who are in charge of protecting and
preserving the gifts of Mother Earth:  water, air, wildlife, and land. 
The artist is LaDon Smith, a member of the Choctaw Nation, Boswell,
Oklahoma.

American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month is celebrated to recognize
the intertribal cultures and to educate the public about the heritage,
history, art, and traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives. 
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month enhances our efforts to
honor tribal sovereignty by working on a government-to-government basis
with American Indians and Alaska Natives.  We honor the rights of Indian
tribes and work to protect and enhance tribal resources.

If you would like further information, please contact Kari Jo Hall,
South Dakota American Indian/Alaska Native Emphasis Program Manager,
Kennebec, at (605) 869-2216 ext. 3.  *Note: Kari is serving a detail and
can be reached in Dupree at (605) 365-5134, ext. 3.*

**Native American Alaska Native Poster** **Distribution** -- For cost
efficiencies, the new poster is being distributed through field support
offices. Each field office will receive one poster. If there is need for
additional posters, contact [Jeff
McGuire](mailto:jeffery.mcguire@sd.usda.gov) at (605) 352-1228.

[Back to top](#section)

### Notes from Civil Rights Committee

**Veteran's Day is November 11, 2007**.

Veterans Day is an
[[American]{.underline}](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States)
holiday honoring military
[[veterans]{.underline}](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans). Both a
[federal holiday](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_holiday) and a
[state holiday](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_holiday) in all
states, it is celebrated on the same day as [[Armistice
Day]{.underline}](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day) or
[[Remembrance
Day]{.underline}](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day) in other
parts of the world, falling on [[November
11]{.underline}](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_11), the
anniversary of the signing of the
[[Armistice]{.underline}](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice) that
ended [[World War
I]{.underline}](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I).

***Did you know\...***

-   Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day. It was originally
    meant to honor World War I veterans. Armistice Day officially
    received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional
    resolution and became a national holiday 12 years later. Realizing
    that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea,
    Congress decided to honor those who have served America in all wars.
    In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11
    as Veterans Day. *(Source: Veterans of Foreign Wars)*

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   There are actually more than 19 million war veterans in the United
    States, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This
    includes veterans from World Wars I and II, as well as the Korean
    Conflict, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. Imagine 380
    football stadiums full of people and you\'ve got the picture.
    That\'s a lot of veterans!

-   What is the best way to show support on Veterans Day? The best way
    to honor veterans is to fly the American flag. The flag is flown to
    show respect for American veterans, and is a symbol of their service
    to the country. Some people celebrate the holiday by attending
    ceremonial flag raisings and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
    Visit the following links for flag display information: [Veteran's
    Administration Flag
    Page](http://www.va.gov/kids/k-5/multicontent.asp?intPageId=8),
    [American Flag
    Etiquette](http://www.americanflagstore.com/etiquette/etiquette.htm),
    or [U.S. Flag
    Etiquette](http://www.heritage-flag.com/heritage_etiquette.htm).

-   Why is Veterans Day on November 11? November 11 marks the end of
    World War I. To be more precise, fighting officially ended at 11 AM,
    November 11, 1918\--the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
    with the German signing of the Armistice.  Also, On November 11,
    1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in
    Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking
    the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point
    of reverence for America\'s veterans.

Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their
service, to acknowledge that their contributions to United States
national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all
those who served, not only those who died, have sacrificed and done
their duty. *(Source:
[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States]{.underline}](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States).)*

[Back to top](#section)

[**One in Five Students a
Minority**](http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2c15747365027f771079&ls=fe251c747063077d731075&m=ff041670776304&l=febe11747c6c037d&s=fde91576726d047570177973&jb=ffcf14&t=)
**\
***Argus Leader, Oct. 8, 2007,*
[http://www.argusleader.com](http://www.argusleader.com/)

Sioux Falls has set a mark for diversity this fall. For the first time,
more than 20 percent of its public school students are from racial
minorities. News of the milestone came Monday in a report to the school
board, along with word that the district officially hit a record 20,000
in total enrollment. The growth in diversity means that one in five
children in grades K-12 - more than 4,000 total - are black, Hispanic,
Native American, or Asian. Sioux Falls children now speak 56 languages,
and many arrive at the school door without any prior formal education.
[*Read the
story...*](http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071009/NEWS/710090307/1001/NLETTER04&theme=)

### [[]{#_Population_Dynamics_Are .anchor}Population Dynamics Are Changing the Profile of Rural Areas](http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April07/Features/Population.htm)

Carol A. Jones, William Kandel, and Timothy Parker, USDA Economic
Research Service

*An influx of retirees and ethnic populations brings both challenges and
benefits to small-town America.*

[[http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April07/Features/Population.htm]{.underline}](http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April07/Features/Population.htm)

<http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April07/PDF/Population.pdf>\
[Back to top](#section)

### Notes from Public Affairs

[]{#_Dakota_Farm_Talk .anchor}**Dakota Farm Talk -- Latest Stories --**
South Dakota NRCS currently contracts with Dakota Farm Talk for
bi-weekly, two-minute stories that air on radio stations covering most
of South Dakota. The mp3 and MS Word files are posted on our SD NRCS web
site. Click the links for more...

-   [WRP Infrastructure
    Policy](ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/SD/www/News/DakotaFarmTalk/October_17_07-Thompson.mp3),
    Sara Thompson (2.77 MB) [WRP Infrastructure
    Policy](ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/SD/www/News/DakotaFarmTalk/October_17_07-Thompson.doc).doc
    (27.5 KB)

-   [Cover
    Crops](ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/SD/www/News/DakotaFarmTalk/October-3-07_Millar.mp3),
    Jim Millar (2.86 MB) [Cover
    Crops](ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/SD/www/News/DakotaFarmTalk/October-3-07_Millar.doc).doc
    (25 KB)

[Back to top](#section)

 

**Online Natural Resources News --** Along with these hyperlinks,
attached to this e-mail are some recent materials that may be of
interest.

-   **[Feature Story: Manure, What's it
    Worth?](http://www.conservationinformation.org/partners/090107/default.asp)
    Partners Magazine**, October 2007

-   [**NRCS: More than 1.9 million trees planted across South
    Dakota**](http://www.kxmb.com/News/172986.asp)

    -   [**Reiten Television
        KXMB**](http://www.kxmb.com/News/172986.asp), Bismarck, ND - Oct
        20, 2007. The information is in the South Dakota NRCS Tree
        Planting Report, an annual document that includes work by
        conservation groups. It says landowners put trees\...

    -   **KELO-TV**, Sioux Falls, October 20, 2007. The USDA NRCS says
        more than 1.9 million trees were planted for conservation
        purposes across South Dakota during the 2007 budget year.
        [[http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=0,62221]{.underline}](http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=0,62221)

    -   [[SD Plants 535 Miles of Trees in
        2007]{.underline}](http://www.dakotafarmer.com/index.aspx?ascxid=fpStory&fpsid=30594&fpstid=2),
        **Dakota Farmer Magazine**, October 26, 2007\
        Approximately 1.9 million trees cover 4,600 acres....

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **[[Farmer Evaluates Manure Application
    Methods](http://www.agweekly.com/articles/2007/10/15/commodities/dairy/dairy02.txt),
    Ag Weekly]{.underline}**, October 16, 2007\
    Dave Roper received a \$395,000 Conservation Innovation Grant
    in 2006. That grant allowed him to purchase manure-injection
    equipment and partner with the USDA Agricultural Research Service
    in\... [Click to read
    more...](http://www.agweekly.com/articles/2007/10/15/commodities/dairy/dairy02.txt.)

-   **[[Wetlands Restoration Helps Greeley
    Farmer](http://www.theindependent.com/stories/10072007/new_aglines107_001.xml.shtml),
    Grand Island Independent]{.underline}, October 7, 2007\
    **Late in 2001, Meyer visited the Greeley County NRCS office with
    his problems. After much discussion, Meyer\'s solution was to enroll
    his wetland into the Wetland Reserves Program (WPA)\... [Click to
    read
    more...](http://www.theindependent.com/stories/10072007/new_aglines107_001.xml.shtml)

[Back to top](#section)

### NRCS Volunteer Voice

The Fiscal Year 2007 Fall Issue of the Volunteer Voice newsletter is
posted on the NRCS web site under Earth Team volunteers.  If you would
like additional copies printed by LANDCARE, please email your request to
[[landcare@usda.gov]{.underline}](mailto:landcare@usda.gov).

[Back to top](#section)

### Photography Tips -- *Making Better Images*![](media/image3.wmf){width="2.173611111111111in" height="2.696527777777778in"}

**MicroSoft Photo Manager** is a quick and easy program on USDA network
computers for making simple edits on images.

> **How to Open Microsoft Office Picture Manager**

1.  Start → All Programs → Microsoft Office → Microsoft Office Tools →
    Microsoft Office Picture Manager

2.  Or, double-click on the photo file (.jpg) and MS Photo Manager
    should open by default.

> **Improve Photo Appearance** -- In particular, the Picture menu on the
> menu bar has good tools to greatly improve the appearance of photos.
> "Crop" helps better frame images. The "Resizing" and "Brightness and
> Contrast" tools are also found under "Picture" on the main menu. Use
> the "Adjust Mid tones" option under Brightness and Contract to lighten
> dark images.
>
> **Resizing** is an important consideration when sharing images. High
> resolution is necessary for quality prints or enlargements. However,
> low resolution is best for e-mail, web or PowerPoint since they take
> up a whole lot less space.
>
> With photo open in Microsoft Office Picture Manager...

1.  Click on "Picture" in the menu toolbar.

2.  Click Resize on the drop down menu.

3.  Use mouse to click on the buttons to choose size suitable for the
    image's destination, i.e., high resolution for printing or
    enlargements; low resolution for Web, email, or presentations.

4.  Click "OK" when done.

5.  Click "Save as..."

6.  IMPORTANT -- be sure to save with a new name so you don't overwrite
    your original higher resolution image.

[Back to top](#section)

### Notes from Human Resources

Employee Surveys - Congress established a requirement for agencies to
conduct an annual survey of employees to assess employee satisfaction as
well as leadership and management practices that contribute to agency
performance.  USDA is planning to administer the annual employee survey
in November 2007.  Employees will be notified as additional information
is available. Employee surveys and other solicitations have increased
due to the relative ease and low cost of distributing information by
e-mail to a wide audience.  NRCS employees are encouraged not to respond
to requests for survey participation unless you are certain of the
legitimacy of the survey or you have received advance notice from NRCS
or the Department of Agriculture.  If you are uncertain of the
legitimacy of a survey, contact your local Human Resources Office. 
Additional information on surveys can be found at:
[[http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewDirective.aspx?id=3509]{.underline}](http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewDirective.aspx?id=3509).

[Back to top](#section)

[]{#_Open_Season_2008 .anchor}

**Open Season 2008 -** The Federal Benefits Open Season for 2008 is
almost here!  Don\'t miss out on this opportunity.  You can enroll or
make changes to your enrollment in Federal Employees Health Benefits
(FEHB) and Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program
(FEDVIP).  Flexible Spending Account for Federal Employees (FSAFEDS) is
your opportunity to enroll to save money on your everyday medical
expenses.

Please visit the following web sites on a regular basis as they are
being updated with valuable information daily:

-   Information: 
    [[http://www.opm.gov/insure/index.asp]{.underline}](http://www.opm.gov/insure/index.asp).

-   2008 HMO Premium Rates:
    [[http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/08rates/2008non_postal.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/08rates/2008non_postal.pdf).

-   2008 Fees for Service Premium Rates: 
    [[http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/08rates/2008non_postal_ffs.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/08rates/2008non_postal_ffs.pdf).

-   Flexible Spending Account: 
    [[https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp]{.underline}](https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp).\
    *(You will notice that your SSN will no longer work on this site. 
    Follow the directions to receive your new USER ID.)*

-   Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
    [[http://www.opm.gov/insure/dentalvision/07openseason.asp]{.underline}](http://www.opm.gov/insure/dentalvision/07openseason.asp).

[Back to top](#section)

### What is a Flexible Spending Account?

A Flexible Spending Account, or FSA, is an employee benefit program that
allows you to set aside money, on a pre-tax basis, for certain health
care and dependent care expenses. That means YOU keep MORE of your
MONEY. FSAFEDS offers three types of accounts. Check it out at:
[https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp]{.underline}.

[[]{#_Labor%3A_Dakota_Roots .anchor}Back to top](#section)

**SD Department of Labor: Dakota Roots Celebrates First Year Bringing
South Dakotans Home** -- Governor Mike Rounds workforce development
initiative, Dakota Roots, was launched a year ago to give former South
Dakotans the opportunity to come home. [*[Read more at this
link.]{.underline}*](http://www.state.sd.us/news/showDoc.aspx?i=8946)

[Back to top](#section)

### 2008 Pay Period Calendar

The 2008 Pay Period Calendar is now available for printing on the
National Finance site by going to:

> 1. 
> [[http://dab.nfc.usda.gov/forms/na-formsmain.html]{.underline}](http://dab.nfc.usda.gov/forms/na-formsmain.html).
>
> 2.  Clicking on Pay Period Calendars (Found on left of screen); and
>
> 3.  Finally, in Form \# column clicking on NFC-1217 Pay Period
> Calendar 2008.

By doing the above steps, you will be able to view the 2008 calendar and
also have the option to print it.  Feel free to contact the Human
Resources staff with any questions.

[Back to top](#section)

### Dates to Note

+-----------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| November 12     | **Federal Benefits Open Season for 2008**          |
| -December 10    |                                                    |
|                 | Current participants must re-enroll to participate |
|                 | in 2008.                                           |
+-----------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| December 10-14, | **Indian National Conservation Alliance (INCA) and |
| Las Vegas       | the Inter-Tribal Agriculture Council (IAC) Alaska  |
|                 | Village Initiatives (AVI) National Conference**.   |
|                 | INCA and IAC are hosting the "Native Americans     |
|                 | Coming Together Caring for Mother Earth"           |
|                 | Conference in Las Vegas. The focus of the training |
|                 | will be career and professional development and to |
|                 | strengthen partnerships among Tribal governments,  |
|                 | conservation districts, and the U. S. Department   |
|                 | of Agriculture. For more information, go to        |
|                 | <http://www.                                       |
|                 | indianaglink.com/2007/symposium_announce_2007.htm> |
|                 | or the INCA website at                             |
|                 | <http://inca-tcd.org/conference.htm>.              |
+-----------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| March 2008      | **SWCS Northern Plains Region Technical            |
|                 | Meeting** - Hosted by SD Chapter Soil and Water    |
|                 | Conservation Society (SD SWCS). Contact: Chuck     |
|                 | Lebeda, Madison (605) 256-6674.                    |
+-----------------+----------------------------------------------------+

[Back to top](#section)

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>.

### 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/image4.png){width="8.333333333333333e-3in"
height="5.0694444444444445e-2in"}

![](media/image4.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.\"