USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service November 2000

Outreach Message:

The year 2000 is coming to a close. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we

were anxiously gearing up for the big millennium celebration, and here we

are already humming along in fiscal year 2001.

I think this is an appropriate time of year to look back on our outreach

accomplishments here in Illinois. As I’ve said before, our agency has

essentially been doing outreach since our earliest beginnings. But now more

than ever I feel we’ve established a better grasp of what outreach is, and what outreach can

be here at NRCS. You have all done a great job capturing the projects you’ve done and have

made a more earnest effort to reach out, up, down, and across-doing whatever it takes to

make contact and meet the needs of those private landowners that we may have overlooked

in the past.

What does 2001 hold for outreach? What new initiatives and nontraditional natural resource

solutions will unfold in the coming months and years? The answer lies within all of us. There

will always be another untackled issue, a pressing problem, a new “wrinkle,” or a surprising

opportunity that either sneaks up on us or is dropped suddenly in our lap. And there are

always staff members who think “out-of-the-box” and come up with new ways to look at an

old problem or who use our old time-tested ideas on a new crowd.

I look forward to seeing what Illinois’ conservation professionals will dream up this next

year! If I had a wish list for the holidays it would be that NRCS is given the support and the

funding we need to put all your incredible ideas and projects on the ground.

Happy holidays!

William J. Gradle

Illinois State Conservationist

What is Outreach?

Outreach is a way of conducting business that ensures underserved individuals and groups throughout

the United States and its territories are made aware of, understand, and have a working knowledge of

USDA programs and services. Outreach will ensure that these programs and services are equitable and

made accessible to all.

Manual High School Successful

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Prairie Rivers RC&D, and USDA Forest Service

are partnering to provide technical and financial assistance to Manual High School (Peoria, IL) to help

the school realize a long-term dream.

The Peoria Manual High School project started out with an unusable greenhouse attached to the side of

the school. However, through the many partnerships that have been formed, students and teachers at

the high school will eventually have a functional greenhouse. The much needed financial support for the

project came through grants from the U.S. Forest Service, Illinois State Board of Education, Peoria

School District 150, and a host of local community businesses.

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The two primary goals of the project are to initiate a curriculum teaching horticulture, and introduce

students to alternative natural resource career paths in the public and private sectors. In addition, the

school plans to provide a curriculum connection involving other subject areas (including History,

Chemistry, Biology, and English Literature).

Planned activities for students include landscaping the school’s property, propagating native prairie

plants for the Midewin Tall Grass Prairie (Joliet, IL), as well as a field trip to the Midewin Tall Grass

Prairie.

On October 11, 2000 a tour that included the USDA-ARS

greenhouse in Peoria and several local prairies helped five

involved teachers to better understand the project and

helped to develop additional partners for the overall project.

On the tour Hal Gardner, USDA Agriculture Research

Service, explained the various types of plants in the Irene M,

Cull Prairie. Mike Miller, Peoria Park District, helped the

teachers to understand the historical significance of prairies

in Illinois and showed them some of the native prairie areas

in Forest Park. Linda Prescott, Wildlife Prairie Park, shared

information about how to set up a native prairie outdoor

classroom and showed the teachers the native prairie

identification garden in Wildlife Prairie Park.

This effort will undoubtedly open the door of opportunity to

many urban students who would not otherwise consider careers with USDA or in agriculture.

Additionally, it will raise the students’ level of awareness for prairies in rural and urban settings.

Outreach Across State and Agency Lines

Michele Gidcumb, District Conserva-tionist for Gallatin/Hardin Counties was the luncheon speaker at the

Bayou Grill in New Harmony, Indiana, as part of Gray Estates Farm tour on Saturday, September 30.

The Gray family owns thousands of acres in several counties in Illinois and Indiana. Sixty-five family

members extending, geographically, from California to New York, and chronologically, from 18 to 90+

years old attended the tour. The Gray Estates Farm tour was sponsored by the Locust Street Company,

Incorporated of Evansville, IN, which is a farm management firm. Many of the family members only visit

the farm every other year to attend the tour. This was an opportunity to market USDA / Natural

Resources Conservation Service programs to a non-traditional group, as most of the families live in

urban areas. They were very interested in protecting natural resources on the farm, and especially in

soil stewardship and water quality.

Michele worked cooperatively with the Indiana NRCS and SWCD’s to deliver the message of NRCS

conservation programs and Best Management Practices. Thanks to the Illinois Public Affairs staff for

providing printed materials for distribution to the tour participants. After speaking at the luncheon,

Michele and the Indiana staff made themselves available for questions on the various tour stops in

Illinois and Indiana to see conservation tillage and best management practices at work on the farm.

Because the tour was on a Saturday, Michele was working in an unofficial capacity. But this was an

opportunity to market NRCS conservation programs to non-traditional customers and a good example of

outreach across state and agency lines.

Outdoor Stewardship Days Held for Students

On Wednesday, October 4th & Thursday, October 5th, 2000 the Lee & Ogle County Soil & Water

Conservation Districts hosted the Third Annual Outdoor Stewardship Days at Lowell Park in Dixon.

Approximately 1150 third grade students and 100 teachers / chaperones from 23 Lee and Ogle schools

attended. The day was designed to give the students the

opportunity to learn about different aspects of dealing with

our natural resources.

Students attended six of twenty-six sessions throughout the

day. Sessions included, but were not limited to, forestry,

water resources, spiders, wildlife management, and soil

erosion. Every class received an opportunity to attend the

Activity Tent to make a Wood Cookie Necklace, donated by

Lyle Reuter, and participate in natural resource activities.

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Presenters for the day were from various agencies

including, Lee County Health Department, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Lee and Ogle

Extension offices, Lee and Ogle County Soil and Water

Conservation Districts, the Natural Resources

Conservation Service, Dixon Park District and Lee County

Solid Waste Management. There were several volunteers

from Lee County Natural Area Guardians and various Soil

and Water Conservation Districts that assisted with the

festivities.

KSB Hospital was available again this year, and provided

a first aid tent for both days.

Funding for the event was made possible by a grant from

the Illinois Department of Natural Resources through the Conservation 2000 program. The Lee County

Pheasants Forever chapter provided a donation for educational materials. C-2000 grants are awarded

annually to applicants for the promotion of natural resource, education, conservation, protection, and

habitat enhancement. The grant funds were utilized to

purchase a bag and a Track Finder for each student. The

bags were filled with education materials provided by Farm

Service Agency, Illinois Department of Natural Resources,

Pheasants Forever, The University of Illinois Extension, and

Lee County Soil and Water Conservation District.

“This educational activity has proved to be a huge success,”

states Jodie Lahman, Education Coordinator for Lee County

Soil and Water Conservation District. “It provides a great

opportunity to reinforce the importance of conserving our

natural resources and why being good stewards of the

environment is so important, not just to us as humans, but

to our wildlife as well.”

Rave reviews from educators include: “You did an

excellent job offering the students a variety of topics.”

“Thank you for an organized, education activity so close to

home.” “Thank you so much for putting together such a

terrific day of outdoor education.”

The Lee and Ogle County Soil and Water Conservation

Districts would like to express their sincere thanks to all of

those who volunteered their time to present and assist with

the activities. Without your participation the event would

not have been such a great SUCCESS!!! THANKS!!!.

Argentinean Farmers Visit Douglas County

On September 29, Douglas County DC, Ben Mingo, and RC,

Butch Fisher, met with a group of farmers and

businesspersons from Argentina. The group was visiting the

farm of Eric Rund, northeast of Tuscola. Butch and Ben

explained the purpose and function of the cross-slot planter

to the 30 visitors. After leaving the Rund farm, the

Argentineans toured ADM in Decatur, the University of Illinois

farms, the Board of Trade in Chicago and the Farm Progress

Show in Sangamon County.

Fall Vineyard Tour

WIGPAC (Western Illinois Grape Producers Associated

Corporation) held its second vineyard tour on September 9,

2000. Over 125 people attended from Illinois and

surrounding states. The Tour started in Pittsfield and

included three vineyards in Pike County and one in Calhoun

County.

Imid Dami, State Viticulturist (pictured on the left) discussed

some of his test plots at the Rolling Hills Vineyard. WIGPAC

members have been actively researching various varieties,

fertilizers, trellis systems, and other aspects of grape

production. Grapes usually are not harvested until a vine is at least three years old, however, a new

product appears to allow two year old plants to be harvested with no adverse effects on the later life of

the vine.

WIGPAC’s purchasing agent, who operates Bay Creek Vineyard, posted prices on all of the supplies

and materials that he had put in use. They also showed everyone a new batch of homemade wine that

was fermenting.

Belleview Hollow Vineyard featured test plots for Nortrace

and UAP-Richter. Dr. John Pickle spoke about ACA test

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plots. Several vendors were present selling Vineyard

products.

The research being done by some of the WIGPAC members

is being followed and replicated worldwide and next year’s

tour may include representatives from several different

countries.

Another technique being experimented with is the direct

planting of un-rooted cuttings directly into the vineyard. Grow-tubes (shown above), a watering system,

and a fertilization program are being used here. Conventionally, grapes are started in a garden or

greenhouse before being planted in the final location as two-year-old plants.

Dr. James F. Nickell (pictured to the left), WIGPAC

president, from Calhoun County showed tour members part

of the 22 acres he has planted to wine grapes this spring.

Jim is legally blind, but keeps up a pace that few can follow.

The tour was concluded with a wine tasting by Alto

Vineyards from Alto Pass, Illinois.

Two Rivers RC&D at Pittsfield has assisted the cooperative

for a little over two years. “This dedicated group has met at

least monthly during that time,” said RC&D Coordinator

Martha Sheppard. Cooperative Specialist Mike Doherty,

USDA Rural

Development

Agency, has led the seven grape growers through the steps

necessary to form a successful cooperative. Kyle Harfst of

SIU’s Community and Business Services has also assisted

by developing a “fill-in-the-blank” business plan for grape

growers. For more information on WIGPAC and services

available to grape growers in Illinois, contact Martha

Sheppard at Two Rivers RC&D at (217)285-4114 or by

email: martha.sheppard@il.usda.gov

The Second Time Around

Submitted by: Carzella C. Pritchett, Outreach Coordinator, FOD 2

Charles Phillips and his wife had no prior knowledge of the technical assistance available through the

Natural Resource Conservation Service. However, they did possess a desire to own a small farm. Their

first priority was to purchase a residential farm that could later be converted into a retirement farm to

augment their income.

They were eventually fortunate enough to purchased a small farm that straddles the counties of Coles

and Cumberland. The topography is very diverse and picturesque, with a forested setting surrounded by

cropland fields that overlook Hurricane Creek.

After learning of their conservation desires, a neighbor and longtime program (USDA) participant

directed the couple to the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Charleston. Andy

Cerven, District Conservationist, provided the couple resource information and explained methods of

addressing their erosion concerns. In addition, soils data was reviewed for the construction of a house.

A natural spring was also located on the property, which was helpful in deciding placement of the home.

After meeting with the NRCS staff, the couple followed NRCS’ recommendations for a

sediment/retention basin for erosion control.

The Phillips are planning to establish a truck farm business in the near future, which will be called “Grits

& Grocery.” It will include a seasonal farm stand operating on the Charleston town square.

The Phillips’ are one of the many small farm families that are considering the production of specialty

crops as an alternative to the traditional corn and soybean crop rotations. Thanks to the help of the

Charleston Field Office staff, the Phillips now have the support that they need to succeed.

200 Students Participate in Outdoor Education Program

On October 17, 2000 more than 200 Rock Island and Henry

County students in third through sixth grades participated in

an Outdoor Nature Education program held at Loud

Thunder Forest Preserve.

This pilot program is designed to help young students learn

more soils and forestry management in an outdoor setting.

The forestry component consisted of tree identification using

a trail with native species; timber stand improvement, proper

tree planting techniques, forest watch ecosystem

monitoring. The students hiked along a trail to inspect the

variety of leaves and tree species. Each student was also

able to plant a white oak tree seedling and then each class

planted a larger white oak tree. The students were also able to see the process of a tree being cut

down, sawed for lumber and the process of lumber to furniture. The soils component consisted of a

demonstration of a soil sample being taken by a probe truck, and viewing a soil theater to see a soil

profile in a natural setting. Each student built their own soil monolith using a 1”x8” plastic tube to create

3 different horizons of soil. The students really enjoyed this station because they were able to take home

a sample with them. The students also participated in soil

property where they were able to determine the texture,

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color and pH of the soil.

This education program is sponsored by the Illinois

Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Natural

Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Interstate

Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), Rock

Island County Soil and Water Conservation District

(SWCD), University of Illinois Extension of Rock Island

County, Rock Island County Regional Office of Education,

Rock Island County Board’s Forest Preserve Committee

and Bi-State Regional Planning Commission.

Conferences

March 21-23, 2001

“Small Farms – A Renewed Opportunity”

North Central Region SARE –Springfield, IL.

Contact: Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant

(217) 968-5512

March 17, 2001

“Midwest Pasture Poultry Workshop”

Herscher, IL (Kankakee County)

Contact: Merrill D. Marxman

(815) 937-3233 Ext. 2

March 3 – 4, 2001

“Michigan Organic Conference”

MSU, East Lansing, Michigan

Contact: Christine Lietzau,

Michigan Department of Agriculture

Email: lietzauc@state.mi.us or

Phone: (517)-373-9800.

April 3rd and 5th, 2001

“Sustainable Approaches to Aquacuture

Production & Marketing”

Ottawa, IL (3rd) and Effingham, IL (5th)

Contact: John Glover

(309) 452-2492 Ext. 112

Internet Connections

Outreach Website

An Illinois outreach website has been

established to provide resource information.

The site provides general outreach information

on developing an outreach strategy and it has

links to other agencies, possible funding

sources, and other valuable information. The

Illinois NRCS outreach website can be

accessed at:

www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/outreach/Outreach.html

Grant Info On-Line

“Grant News,” a grant listing newsletter produced by

the Illinois State University Applied Social Research

Unit is now available on-line. The newsletter lists

grant opportunities available from various private

and public sources. “Grant News” can be accessed

at:

www.socialresearch.ilstu.edu/asru/publications.htm

Who Do I Call With Outreach Questions?

John Glover, State Outreach Coordinator

309-452-0830 Ext. 112

Bruce Bennett

Asst. State Conservationist (FOD 1)

618-993-5396 Ext. 110

Bob Dean

Asst. State Conservationist (FOD 4)

309-342-5138 x115

Steve Mozley

Asst. State Conservationist (FOD 2)

217-492-5045

Lue Walters

Asst. State Conservationist (Community Assistance)

309-452-0830 x111

Tessa Chadwick

Asst. State Conservationist (FOD 3)

815-937-3233 x114

Jody Rendziak

Community Planner & Sociologist

217-353-6632

If you have an outreach related article, story idea,

or success story to share, please send it to:

John Glover, USDA-NRCS

402 North Kays Drive

Bloomington, IL 61761

Email address: John.Glover@il.usda.gov

Get NRCS products and services into the

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hands of ALL who need them!

Download November 2000 Outreach Newsletter

PDF Format Need version 3.0 or higher

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origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or 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 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

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