Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

Summer/Fall 2004

The Inside Scoop

New Hampshire

Meet New Hampshire’s 9th State Conservationist

Theresa “Tessa” Chadwick comes to New Hampshire

from Illinois where she held the position of Assistant State

Conservationist.

In 1986, Tessa received a BS degree from Illinois

State University in Agronomy with a concentrated study in

Plant Science. Her career began as a Soil Conservationist

Trainee and quickly followed the path of Soil Conservationist

to a District Conservationist before becoming a State Resource Conservationist for North Carolina. Tessa then returned to Illinois to serve as an Assistant State Conservationist where she has been until coming to us.

Since Tessa arrived she has been sending “Weekly Updates” to all NH NRCS employees and Conservation District personnel. These updates have included information

and action items relevent to all.

Before Tessa arrived in New Hampshire, we were privileged to have Terry

Cosby, Deputy State Conservationist from

Idaho, as our Acting State Conservationist

to guide us after Dick Babcock retired.

Terry Cosby, Acting State Conservationist

presents Rick Ellsmore with an award for

his work while in the Acting Assistant

State Conservationist position.

What’s Inside...

FRPP Dedication Ceremonies... 2

NRCS Soil Data Mart................. 3

Where’s the Water?................... 4

2004 Envirothon........................ 5

SCCD Success Story................ 7

Volunteers Recognized............ 8

Personnel Happenings............ 11

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

This summer the Longridge Farm in

Meredith and the Flag Hill Winery in Lee

celebrated the protection of their farmland

through conservation easements utilizing

FRPP. At both ceremonies, Stephen Taylor,

Commissioner of the NH Department of

Agriculture, Food & Markets gave a welcoming address to more than 100 citizens who

gathered to celebrate.

Longridge Farm, owned by the same

family since 1801, will keep its colonial

farmscape and scenic vistas through this

conservation easement. A partnership

between NRCS, the Land and Community

Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), the

Town of Meredith and the owner, John

Hodsdon have all contributed to the purchase of this prime farmland.

Flag Hill Winery has been permanently protected through a unique partnership involving the Rockingham Land Trust,

Lamprey River Advisory Committee,

Strafford Rivers Conservancy, the Land and

Community Heritage Investment Program

(LCHIP), the Otto Fund of the Greater

Piscataqua Community Foundation, the

Town of Lee and NRCS. This 106 acre

farm, with nearly a mile of forested shoreline

on the Lamprey and North Rivers, boasts

prime agricultural soils, beautiful scenic

views, and an active relationship with the

local community.

During fiscal year 2004, New Hampshire NRCS Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) awarded $2,822,627

to assist in acquiring 13 easements to protect 1,775.9 acres of farmland in the state.

Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)

 Dedication Ceremonies

Longridge Farm - Meredith

Flag Hill Winery - Lee

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

NRCS Participates in UNH Career

and Internship Fairs

During the past year Hollie Umphrey,

Rebecca Wessling, Roy Thompson, Sandy

Sears, Brian Linvill and Lynn Howell have all

taken turns talking to UNH students about

career possibilities with NRCS at job fairs

held at the University of New Hampshire.

Cocheco River Buffer Zone to

Provide Wildlife Corridor

In an effort to help preserve wildlife,

Strafford County Commissioners recently

unveiled a new buffer zone that extends

along the Cocheco River and stretches for

3,200 feet on county land. Bambi Miller,

Strafford County

Conservation District Manager and

Rick Ellsmore,

Acting State Conservationist for

NRCS attended the

dedication along

with County Commissioners and

representatives from

UNH Cooperative

Extension.

NRCS Soil Data Mart

All New Hampshire soil survey information will soon be available on the internet

for use by the general public. NRCS has

already posted the soil data for Cheshire

County and expects to have all of the state

on line by the end of this year.

The new system, called the Soil Data

Mart (SDM), is capable of generating a wide

range of reports in various formats. The

SDM will become the delivery point for all

official soil survey information generated by

NRCS, replacing bulky manuals and paper

maps.

SDM doesn’t physically store prepackaged datasets. Datasets are generated

in real time as a request is made from a

user. The address to access SDM is:

www.soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov . If you

have any questions please contact Peter

Whitcomb, Soil Database Manager.

NRCS will continue to attend job fairs

at UNH and other colleges in the state in

hopes of recruiting students for internships

and careers with the agency.

Rebecca “talks NRCS” with a student.

Bambi Miller looking

for wildlife!

National Hispanic

Heritage Month

October

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

Where’s the Water?

NH Fire Departments are getting much needed assistance in their efforts to improve fire

fighting capability.

Submitted by Pat Tarpey

Over the last several years the New Hampshire Rural Fire Protection Initiative

(NHRFPI) has been working with fire departments throughout the state to improve the water

supply capability for firefighting in rural communities. Through the NHRFPI, a project directed by the North Country and Southern NH Resource Conservation and Development

(RC&D) Area Councils, communities are able to receive free technical assistance and some

financial assistance to improve their firefighting capability.

The Town of Effingham recently benefited from this project through the development

of a water supply plan. Up-to-date rural water supply plans are an extremely useful tool for

planning emergency responses to rural fire situations, and also provide a framework for

community planners to identify priority areas for future installations of water drafting facilities such as dry hydrants and cisterns. Effingham’s water supply plan provides the town

with a detailed map of the town’s current water drafting sites, potential sites for future development, and sites improved with dry hydrants or cisterns. A detailed description of each

site is included in the plan along with

water supply literature to assist the

town in formulating a long term plan for

development of their rural water supplies.

To date the NHRFPI has worked

with 58 towns and completed 39 water

supply plans. The project is currently

funded through the end of 2004,

through a grant from the US Forest

Service through the New Hampshire

State Forester’s Office.

Pat Tarpey with members of the Effingham Fire Department.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

New Hampshire proudly nominated Janet C.

Boduch for the Unsung Hero Award. Janet served

tirelessly as the NH Federal

Women’s Program Manager for six

years. Unfamiliar with the Federal

Women’s Program at first, Janet

learned all that she could about the

program and it’s potential. She

spent the next few years carving

out a prominent spot for the FWP

within NH NRCS. As she networked with other FWPMs from

around the country and at conferences, Janet then ensured that the

relevant information was presented

to all of her fellow NH employees.

The work Janet performed during

her six year tenure has elevated

the role and expectations of the

FWP in NH.

As FWPM, Janet dutifully noted and took

great personal pride in every single accomplishment

by the women of NRCS in New Hampshire. It has

been two years since Janet passed the baton to a

new FWPM, yet her network continues and she

remains a source of information and inspiration. She

continues to provide invaluable continued support to

the current program managers and to the program in

general. Janet recognizes opportunities to promote

the health and well being of women, recruit new

women to the agency and to honor achievements of

co-workers.

Janet is a person who always thinks of

others first and offers her assistance to everyone.

She quietly encourages each NRCS woman to take

on new challenges, to further their education, and

cheers them on in their work. She is the first to

congratulate women for their achievements no matter

how big or small. She will often send a written note

of appreciation or gratitude to a co-worker for personal or professional occasions. Janet goes out of

her way to extend a compliment or to publicly sing

the praises of others. Janet continually thinks of

opportunities to showcase NRCS to potential future

women employees.

Janet Boduch Nominated for “Unsung Hero Award”

2004 Federal Women’s Program (FWP)

At work, Janet sees when injustices are

done and works to correct them. As an advocate for

all the women in NH

NRCS, she is diplomatic and respectful of

procedures and authority. She makes sure all

women employees

know about the support

available to them

through NRCS and how

to get it. In addition,

she works within the

system to point out

when the work place

has been unequal

because of gender or if

there has been an

appearance of inequality because of gender.

Janet’s enthusiasm and support of other

women is unsurpassed. Away from the office, Janet

is just as tireless in her actions to make other

people’s lives better. She works quietly behind the

scenes supporting many people in her family and

community. She is the first person to recognize

when a person is in need of help and she either

provides the help herself or arranges for help to be

provided. She always goes the extra mile.

Janet set a standard of excellence for the

FWP in NH, and her continued guidance and support will guarantee the future success of the program. The women of NH owe her a debt of gratitude

for her work toward their success.

Thank you Sandy Sears, Co-Chair of the

FWP, Dawn Genes and Priscilla Johnston for

nominating Janet Boduch for the “Unsung Hero

Award.” Although Janet did not receive the national

award, she certainly receives New Hampshire’s

vote!

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

This spring twenty-one high school teams throughout the state competed in the 13th

annual Envirothon at St. Anslem College in Goffstown. This unique environmental competition, sponsored yearly by the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Districts, tests

student’s knowledge on soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and this year’s current issue—

Natural Resource Management in Urban Areas.

Souhegan High School from Amherst took first place honors for the second year in a

row. Keene High School received the second place award and Hanover High School came

in third place in the competition. Awards based on school size were presented to: Conant

High School Class “M,” Souhegan High School Class “I,” Holderness School Class “S,” and

Keene High School Class “L.”

The Envirothon builds an awareness of environmental issues while stressing wise

use and science-based management of natural resources. Volunteers from local conservation districts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Forest Service, UNH

Cooperative Extension, US Fish and Wildlife Service, NH Fish and Game Department,

Department of Environmental Services and others help make the program a success.

Souhegan High School represented New Hampshire at the Canon International

Envirothon at Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia July 26th through August 1.

Unfortunately, our New Hampshire team did not place this year in the National competition.

Florida, Virginia and New Jersey took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Let’s see if we can place

next year!

Souhegan High School Represents New Hampshire

at the 2004 National Canon Envirothon

NH Envirothon Winners for 2004: Souhegan High School

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

New Hampshire’s Assistant State

Conservationist for Operations, Gary

Domian is currently detailed to Afghanistan

and will soon be returning to NH. He joined

a Provincial

Reconstruction Team

(PRT) which

is a joint civil

military unit

in late April.

The purpose

of the PRT is

to provide a

secure and

stable environment in

rural provinces so that

development

and reconstruction activities can take place.

This USDA initiative is contributing to

Operation Enduring Freedom. Some of the

activities that Gary has been involved with

include soil and water conservation projects

throughout the province. He is assessing

the needs of rural farmers and has provided

technical and operational guidance to help

them increase the production and marketing

of agricultural products to increase family

incomes.

Gary is missed here in New Hampshire by his NRCS and Conservation District

colleagues. We all wish him a safe stay

and return.

Gary Domian Accepts Detail

to Afghansitan

Sullivan County Conservation

District Shares Success Story

Submitted by Jan Heighes,

District Manager

This spring Charles Whitehead contacted

the Sullivan County Conservation District

looking for assistance in stabilizing a very

serious erosion problem on his property. He

had contracted a logger to cut timber on his

property and because the logger did not

implement the best management practices,

a very serious erosion problem occurred.

He explained he was an absentee landowner and hired the logger in good faith and

now, due to the poor logging operations, he

was facing a possible fine of $40,000 by NH

Department of Environmental Services

(DES).

SCCD turned to District Conservationist,

Scott Heckman for his expertise and technical assistance. Scott after visiting the site

suggested to the landowner that the Environmental Quality Incentives Program

(EQIP) might be the answer to his problem.

The landowner applied for EQIP funds and

the application was approved. A rock lined

waterway was designed and the stabilization

project will begin in August.

The district has kept in touch with DES to

keep them informed of how the landowner

has worked through their office to rectify the

problem. It is possible that DES may forgive

the landowner’s fines when the project is

completed.

It’s this kind of assistance that makes the

work we do so gratifying and why our partnership with NRCS is so important. Thanks

for your continued support!

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

Earth Team Volunteers

Recognized

Priscilla

Johnston

Earth Team

Coordinator

honors State

Office

Volunteers

during

National

Volunteer

Week.

Solange Knowles sits in her Earth Team

canvas chair while reading her Certificate

of Appreciation that acknowledges her

volunteer efforts.

Lisa Morin receives a Certificate of Appreciation for her participation in the Earth

Team and Community Tree Stewards

Training program from Acting Assistant

State Conservationist, Rick Ellsmore. Bette Babock receives an Earth Team

award and certificate from Priscilla.

Nels Liljedahl, District Conservationist in Conway with Earth

Team volunteers. The group

planted trees along the Saco

River.

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

School to Farm at UNH Dairy Barns

Strafford County Conservation District, NH Farm Bureau, NH Agriculture in the

Classroom, NH Beekeepers, the University of New Hampshire and NRCS greeted 1300

fourth graders at the annual School to Farm Days in June. This event is held at the UNH

Dairy Facility in Durham. Earth Team volunteers from Strafford County Conservation

District and NRCS employees, Brian Linvill and Leo Smock-Randall helped staff the “Soil

Erosion Model” and “Soil Tunnel Tent.” The volunteers answered many questions from the

curious students.

Soil Erosion Model

Brian fielding questions.

“Soil Tunnel Tent”

Landfill area inside the “Soil

Tunnel Tent.”

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

Snapshots from Recent NH NRCS Retirement Parties

John O’Neill, New England Interdisciplinary

Resource Team (IRT) Economist receives

retirement plaque for 32 years of federal

service from Gerry Lang, Acting State

Conservationist at an office gathering.

Dick Babcock, State Conservationist celebrated his

retirement with family, friends and colleagues at the

Flag Hill Winery in Lee. Terry Cosby, Acting State

Conservationist congratulates Dick for his 37 years

of federal service.

Gerry Lang, Assistant State Conservationist for

Technology accepts retirement plaque from

Terry Cosby. Gerry retired on July 1 with 35 1/2

years of service.

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

Personnel Happenings

Retirements:

John L. O’Neill, Economist, NE Interdisciplinary Resource Technical Team (IRT),

32 years of service - May 3, 2004

Richard D. Babcock, State Conservationist, 37 years of service - June 3, 2004

Gerald J. Lang, Assistant State Conservationist for Technology, 35 1/2 years of service -

June 30, 2004

Don Haley, Hydraulic Engineer, NE IRT, 39+ years of service - September 3, 2004

Dawn Genes, Natural Resource Manager, 25+ years of service - September 3, 2004

Greg Smead, Planning Engineer, NE IRT, 37 years of service - October 1, 2004

Promotions:

Theresa “Tessa” Chadwick, State Conservationist

Transfers:

Rebecca Lee, Information Technology Specialist, from FSA in Concord to Durham

Susan Wood, Management Analyst for Connecticut, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire

New Hires:

Carrie Walia, WAE Conway Field office

Leo Smock-Randall, Student Trainee - Durham

Graduation:

Rebecca Lee received her BS degree at the 134th Commencement Ceremony at the

University of New Hampshire on May 22, 2004.

Wedding Bells:

Heidi Smith married David Konesko high up in the Colorado mountains with elk grazing in

the valley and a redtail hawk soaring overhead.

Brian Linvill married Maria Kanters on July 4, 2004 in Lee.

Rebecca Lee became Rebecca Wessling after her marriage to Mike on July 10, 2004 in

Portsmouth.

Congratulations!

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Inside Scoop Summer/Fall 2004

Master Calendar

September 16 State Conservation Committee Meeting, Concord

October 15 NH Soil Judging Contest - Kingman Farm, Durham

October 20 National Leadership Team Meeting

October 26 Quarterly Principal Staff & Field Management Team Meeting, Concord

October 28-30 New England RC&D Annual Conference, Portsmouth

November 3-4 Employee Appreciation Day, North Conway

November 9 Cultural Resources Training, Concord

November 9-10 East Region State Conservationists Meeting, Beltsville

November 16-17 NHACD Annual Meeting (Tentative) Location TBD

November 18 QSAT Meeting, Concord

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New England Association of RC&D Area Councils

Fall Conference

RC&D: Bringing People, Ideas, and Resources

Together

Best Western Wynwood Suites

Portsmouth, NH

October 28 - 30, 2004

USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.

Visit us at www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov

USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS)

2 Madbury Road

Durham, NH 03824