+----------------------------+-------------+--------------------------+
| **News**                   | United      | Parkade Center, Suite    |
|                            | States      | 250                      |
| *For Immediate Release*    |             |                          |
|                            | Department  | 601 Business Loop 70     |
| October 29, 2003           | of          | West                     |
|                            |             |                          |
|                            | Agriculture | Columbia, MO 65203       |
|                            |             |                          |
|                            | Natural     | Contact: Norm            |
|                            |             | Klopfenstein             |
|                            | Resources   |                          |
|                            |             | \(573\) 876-0911         |
|                            | C           |                          |
|                            | onservation |                          |
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|                            | Service     |                          |
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**Farm Bill Program Benefits Missouri Civil War Site**

SPRINGFIELD, MO -- In August 1861 the first Civil War engagement west of
the Mississippi River was fought at Wilson's Creek, about 12 miles from
the then 25-year-old stagecoach town of Springfield, Missouri. Today,
steady urban growth in the area has created an issue of another nature
for rural landowners who must decide whether to keep their land in
agriculture or make it available for development.

Bill and Colleen Kary raise cattle on their ranch bordering the
1,750-acre Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park. Bill Kary is also a
carpenter and developer in a metropolitan area that has grown to a
population of about 380,000 people.

"I was in the process of subdividing pieces of the farm," Kary says.
"The only reason I was subdividing it was because the value of the land
was getting too high to run cattle on it."

However, before the Karys sold many lots, Bill learned about the Farm
and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). The program, part of the 2002
Farm Bill, is administered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS).

FRPP is a voluntary program that helps landowners keep their land in
agriculture and protects historic sites on agricultural land. It
provides matching funds to purchase conservation easements on prime
agricultural land. Participating landowners agree not to convert their
land to non-agricultural uses and to develop and implement conservation
plans for any highly erodible land covered by an easement.

Conservation easements do not change ownership of the land, only the
development rights. Thus, participating landowners can sell their land,
but all future owners are subject to the development restrictions in the
easement.

An event on November 25 will recognize the Kary farm as the first
conservation easement site in Missouri under FRPP. The easement is for
102 acres. The Karys have another 120-acre tract bordering the
battlefield that NRCS has approved for FRPP. That easement is pending
based upon the availability of other matching funds.

NRCS and other groups interested in preserving open space are hoping
that the Kary easement will show other landowners in the area that
conservation easements are a good way for them to ensure that their land
will remain in agriculture.

"We were real glad when Bill came forward as someone who was interested
in the program," says Terry Whaley, of Ozark Greenways, Inc. Ozark
Greenways, in partnership with private donors, helped purchase the
agricultural easement for the 102-acre tract. NRCS provides half of the
cost. The Karys are donating 25 percent, and Wilson's Creek Battlefield
Foundation is providing part of the remaining 25 percent.

Ted Hillmer, superintendent of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park,
says the easement will help preserve the grassland and trees in the
area, keeping the view similar to August 10, 1861. That day, 5,400 Union
troops battled 12,000 Confederates. Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union
general killed in combat, died there.

Roger Hansen, NRCS state conservationist, says many rural landowners
would like to preserve open space. But he says the financial incentive
of selling land for development often is too enticing.

"With the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, at least landowners
have an option," Hansen says.

Bill Kary says he is glad that option became available to him. He says
urban development is progressing toward the battlefield park and his
ranch from several directions as the Springfield, Republic and
Battlefield communities continue to grow.\
"This has always been agricultural land. I would rather see it stay in
grassland than see more rooftops. There are too many here already," Kary
says.

For more information about the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program
or other agricultural conservation programs, contact the local USDA
service center serving your county. Look in the phone book under U.S.
Government, Department of Agriculture, or on the web at
http://offices.usda.gov.

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W,
Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.,
20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal
employment opportunity provider and employer.