April 2003

675 U. S. Courthouse

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Telephone: 615/277-2531

FAX: 615/277-2577

USDA Natural Resources 

Conservation Service 

NRCS Current 

Developments 

Current 

Developments 

From the 

Office of the Tennessee 

State Conservationist 

Upcoming Events

Spring has arrived in Tennessee, and we

as NRCS Employees and Tennesseans

have much to celebrate...

We can celebrate our beautiful State and

our abundant natural resources that

sustain life for everyone —and especially

during Earth Week and on Earth Day...

We can celebrate our Earth Team

Volunteers who contribute not only their

time, but also their expertise, ideas, and

enthusiasm. National Volunteer Week has

been designated this year on April 27-May

3. Please be sure to recognize and do

something special for your volunteers.

We can celebrate our Agency and its employees. In Tennessee, NRCS will

soon be recognizing Certified Conservation Planners across the State. Our

employees, already widely known for their professionalism and expertise

“went the extra mile” to receive additional training to become certified...

Although this is a very exciting time and a time to celebrate, it is also a

time that is very stressful and trying for some of our employees. External

forces over which we have no control, such as competitive sourcing,

potential field office closures, and budget uncertainties are management

issues with which we are currently dealing. It is in times like this that we

need to remain confident in our own expertise and abilities. Continue to

do the best job you can possibly do, and try not to be concerned too much

with these issues. Realize, too, that the management team in Tennessee

and others are dealing with these issues in a thorough and caring manner.

I would like to personally thank each of you for your hard work and extra

efforts. Let’s continue to carry out our jobs with professionalism and

commitment as we assist Tennessee landowners and other customers.

JAMES W. FORD

State Conservationist

•April 27-May 3, 2003 - 

National Volunteer Week 

•April 30-May 1, 2003 - State 

Envirothon, Cedars of Lebanon 

State Park, Lebanon, TN 

•May 5-9, 2003 - Give A Hoot 

For Kids Week, Ooltewah, TN 

(near Chattanooga) 

•May 9, 2003 - Public Service 

Recognition Day 

•May 2003 - National 

Wetlands Month 

•May 30-June 1 , 2003 - 

Ducks Unlimited 

Great Outdoors Festival, 

Memphis, TN 
 2

Current

Developments

Front row sitting - (l to r) Dr. Jack Britt and NRCS Chief Bruce Knight. Back row standing (l

to r) Dr. Gary Cunningham, Associate Administrator, CSREES; James Ford, NRCS State

Conservationist, Tennessee; Dr. Charles Norman, dean, UT Agricultural Extension Service;

and Dr. Robert Burns, designated technical leader, UT Comprehensive Nutrient Management

Planning Certification Program.

NRCS Signs Technical Service Provider Agreement with The University of

Tennessee...At a ceremony held on April 9, 2003 in Washington D.C, NRCS 

Chief Bruce Knight signed a TSP memorandum of understanding with The 

University of Tennessee. Those present from UT included: Dr. Jack Britt, vice 

president, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture; Dr. Charles 

Norman, dean, University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service; Dr. 

Gary Cunningham, Associate Administrator, CSREES; and Dr. Robert T. 

Burns, designated technical leader, University of Tennessee’s Comprehensive 

Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Certification Program. 

Also, attending were Congressman Jim Duncan, from the Second Congressional District in Tennessee; representatives of Senators Bill Frist and Lamar 

Alexander, and others. Tennessee NRCS State Conservationist James W. Ford 

served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. 

The three-year agreement allows the UT Agricultural Extension Service to 

recommend certified nutrient management specialists in manure and wastewater handling and storage, nutrient management and land treatment practices as 

USDA-NRCS technical service providers. These providers must perform work 

that meets USDA-NRCS standards and specifications for effective nutrient 

management. 

Southeast Region Conservation

Partnership Hall of Fame

Established...“Over the past 70 

years people have made many 

contributions to conservation in the 

Southeast Region. Some have spent a 

lifetime in conservation and have 

made major contributions. These 

individuals should be recognized for 

their contributions.” says 

Charles Adams, NRCS Southeast 

Regional Conservationist. 

The Conservation Hall of Fame 

recognizes and honors conservation 

partnership employees, retirees, and 

other individuals in the Southeast 

Region who have devoted much of 

their life and have made major 

contributions to conservation at the 

state, region or national level. 

The deadline for nominations is May 

9. Nomination packets are available 

from the following: 

•Natural Resources Conservation 

Service 

•Soil and Water Conservation 

Districts 

•Resource Conservation and 

Development Counils, and 

•State Soil and Water Conservation 

Commissions 

The first induction ceremony is being 

planned for June 30, 2003, in Point 

Clear, Alabama during the Southeast 

Regional NACD (National 

Association of Conservation 

Districts) Meeting. 
 3

Current

Developments

USDA Secretary Veneman

Announces CRP Signup

Dates...Speaking on Earth Day 2003 

from a farm in Maryland Secretary of 

Agriculture Ann Veneman said, “The 

CRP general sign-up will be held 

from May 5 through May 30. Producers can sign up at local USDA service 

centers across the nation. The 2002 

Farm Bill authorized USDA to 

maintain CRP enrollment up to 39.2 

million acres. Aside from the general 

sign-up, CRP’s continuous sign-up 

program will be ongoing. 

USDA has reserved two million acres 

for the continuous sign-up program, 

which represents the most environmentally desirable and sensitive land. 

USDA is making a special effort to 

help enhance wildlife habitats and air 

quality by setting aside 500,000 acres 

for bottomland hardwood tree planting. Continuous sign-up for hardwood planting will start after the 

general sign-up. 

Current participants with contracts 

expiring this fall, about 1.5 million, 

can make new contract offers. Contracts awarded under this sign-up will 

become effective either at the beginning of the next fiscal year, Oct. 1, 

2003, or the following year, Oct. 1, 

2004, whichever the producer 

chooses. One other general sign-up 

will be offered through 2007.” 

For additional information visit the 

following website:”http:// 

www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/ 

04/0132.htm. 

NRCS Soil Scientists Discover New

Soils in the Smokies...Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil 

Scientists from Tennessee and North 

Carolina are currently surveying all 

soils in the Great Smoky Mountains 

National Park and have discovered 

types of soil not previously known to 

science! 

The project’s goal is to generate 

detailed, digital maps of the soils in 

the park as they relate to various 

landscapes. Teams of soil scientists 

working with the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service and based in 

Sevierville and Waynesville, N.C., 

have been working on the survey for 

four years and expect to be finished 

by 2007. The soil survey is at about 

the halfway point, having mapped 

260,000 acres in the park. 

In addition to the soil survey, there 

are other scientists surveying all life 

forms in the park, officially called an 

All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory 

(ATBI). 

And just as the ATBI already has 

uncovered dozens of species new to 

science, the soil survey so far has 

identified 21 soil types, some of 

which probably occur in the park and 

nowhere else. 

Focus on Soils

“Each soil has had its

own history. Like a

river, a mountain, a

forest, or any natural

thing, its present

condition is due to the

influences of many

things and events of

the past.” --from The

Soils That Support Us

by Charles E. Kellogg

(1902-1980) soil

scientist, leader, and

administrator.

Join us in Nashville for the

Second National Grazing

Lands Conference

December 7-10, 2003.

For additional information,

visit the GLCI website at:

www.glci.org/

“This is the most comprehensive soil 

survey we’ve done,” says Anthony 

Kheil, NRCS Soil Scientist, 

Sevierville, Tennessee, “Nowhere do 

you get the range of soils you find in 

the Park, and that comes from the 

combination of elevation, geology and 

climate you only get in the Smokies.” 

For additional information, read full 

story that appeared in the Knoxville 

News-Sentinel... 

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/ 

gs_news/article/ 

0,1406,KNS_392_1869364,00.html 
 4

Current Focus on RC&D Developments

Arts Trail MiniGrants Merge Local 

Arts and Nature 

Based Recreation 

The Appalachian 

RC&D Council is 

offering Mini-Grant 

funding for Arts 

groups again in 2003. 

In 2002 8 projects 

were funded in the 

region, ranging from 

Classical Music to Reggae to Bluegrass as well as nature crafts, fine art and 

pioneer cooking and tradecraft. Projects funded for 2003 include wildlife 

viewing and painting, sheep poetry, art shows, family art classes, story telling, 

music and much more. A special “Take a Walk on the Arts Trail” logo was 

commissioned and used on posters, websites, news articles, and 15,000 rack 

cards to publicize all events. 

The Arts Trail Mini-Grant program is designed to enhance public knowledge, 

understanding and appreciation by providing access to the arts in a natural 

setting, while promoting tourism. Both arts and tourism are among America’s 

fastest growing industries. The mini-grants offered under this program require 

the grant recipient to host their event in an outdoor venue that is primarily 

green space and trees, such as a Greenways, Trails, Local or State Parks or 

National Forest. The events considered for these mini-grants include Visual 

Arts, Performance Arts, Classes or Workshops and Heritage Arts. Grants are 

offered to organizations in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi 

and Washington Counties in Northeast Tennessee. The Johnson City Area Arts 

Council provides technical assistance to ensure artistic content and quality to 

the effort. The USDA-Forest Service in collaboration with the National 

Endowment for the Arts along with the Harris Fund for Washington County— 

East Tennessee Foundation, provides funding for this effort. 

Tennessee’s Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D Council Hosts Roadbank

Maintenance Workshop...The Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D Council area 

recently hosted a Roadbank Maintenance workshop. Working in cooperation 

with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Hardin County Road Department and the 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, sixty-five erosion control specialists 

were presented with an alternative means to erosion control. The seminar 

focused on spot treating problem areas while leaving existing vegetation 

intact. Traditional means of treatment required the entire site to be graded 

before treatment could begin. By leaving existing vegetation and only spot 

treating problem areas, success rates are greatly enhanced. 

Gearing Up Emergency Services in

Clinch-Powell RC&D Area...

Clinch-Powell Resource Conservation 

and Development (RC&D) and 

Enterprise Community joined 

together to improve the capabilities of 

Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD’s) 

across the five-county RC&D area. 

In direct response to needs expressed 

in a broad-based public participation 

process, the RC&D and EC 

developed a strategy for how to best 

help the numerous VFD’s in the 

region with very limited dollars. 

After much research and discussion 

with firefighters, a strategy was 

developed to offer a challenge costshare program with VFD’s for the 

purchase of full sets of Bunker (Turn 

Out) Gear. VFD’s have volunteer 

firefighters willing to serve but have 

no safety gear to equip the 

firefighters. On average, there are 

fewer than three sets of approved 

Bunker Gear per department. 

Offering a challenge cost-share 

program to departments allowed use 

of bulk purchasing to obtain a 

discount price per set of gear that 

would not have been possible for 

departments purchasing on an 

individual basis. Each department 

received a per set cost of $1,200 for 

only $400 after the bulk discount and 

EC cost share. 

RC&D also provided direct assistance 

to 25 VFD’s in accessing FEMA grant 

funds. In FY 2001 we wrote 20 

grants on behalf of VFD’s in the 

region. In 2002, we provided hands 

on training to aid VFD’s write their 

own grants as required on-line. This 

direct assistance produced 10 grants 

to 9 VFD’s in the region including 1 

(Continued on Page 6)
 5

Current Focus on the Field - Area 1 Developments

Lauderdale County, Tennessee -- Tennessee NRCS Employees Richard 

Cooke, Paul McQuade and Dwaine Johnston met with the Mississippi Band of 

Choctaw Indians on Tribal Land to discuss services offered by USDA NRCS. 

Details of programs and services available were presented to the group. Information was also provided concerning employment through the STAR Program, the Volunteer Program, and the Student Trainee Program. 

Weakley County, Tennessee -- In 2002, NRCS contacted minority landowner 

Hoover Nunley informing him that a cost-share program was available. 

Nunley decided to participate in the State Agricultural Resources Cost-Share 

Program in the spring of 2002. A grade control structure was constructed that 

benefited 13 acres on his farm. This structure also eliminated sheet erosion in 

a neighbor’s field. In addition, this grade control structure has a permanent 

pool for livestock watering. 

Mark Carroll, NRCS District Conservationist, discussed the possibilities 

available to Nunley during the planning interview and while walking over the 

farm with him. Carroll discussed the availability of cost share that the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) had to offer. Nunley decided to 

convert two crop fields to pastureland in the fall of 2003 with the cost share 

available through the program. 

The cropland conversion of 16.1 acres will result in approximately 189 tons of 

soil saved. Nunley will have 29.1 acres of land benefited by the end of 2003. 

These benefited acres do not count his neighbor’s bottomland crop field that is 

also being protected. 

Gearing Up (continued)...

of only 200 fire truck grants in the 

country. Total FEMA grant awards to 

date in the area is $424,767. 

Because of the increased focus on 

emergency services in the region, the 

newly formed United Way in 

Grainger County designated 

emergency services as one of their 

areas of giving. Because VFD’s did 

not have 501C3 status, RC&D serves 

as the pass-thru agency for those 

departments. These first year funds 

have already resulted in $10,300 in 

badly needed new operating funds for 

VFD’s. 

At the request of VFD’s, RC&D is 

now working on an effort to 

determine the feasibility of group 

insurance, equipment swaps, bulk 

purchasing, region-wide training, etc. 

The increased dialogue among the 

departments as a result of RC&D 

efforts is encouraging. The increased 

cooperation across county boundaries 

is exciting. 

This has been a highly gratifying 

project. While we began our work in 

this project pre-9/11, the value has 

certainly been elevated post-9/11. 

More than 200 firefighters now have 

safety gear thanks to our efforts. It is 

the least we could do for those 

volunteers who put their lives on the 

line for the public’s safety. 

The total project value is $591,163. 

Benefits include: 

25 Volunteer Fire Departments trained 

in FEMA grant writing, 

9 Volunteer Fire Departments receive 

FEMA grants, 

17 Volunteer Fire Departments 

receive EC grants 

200+ new sets of Bunker Gear 

purchased 

1 new pumper truck 

6 Volunteer Departments receive 

United Way donations for operating 

funds. 

Hardeman County, Tennessee -- Vernon Henderson recently constructed a 

livestock pond on his farm near Middleton, Tennessee in Hardeman County as 

a part of his Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contract. 

Mr. Henderson had wanted to do rotational grazing, but had only one pond for 

his livestock. Through EQIP, Mr. Henderson was able to cross fence his farm 

and add another pond so that he can begin intensive, rotational grazing. The 

cost sharing on the fencing and pond made it possible for him to do something 

he had wanted to do for a long time, but was not able to do on his own. 

Fayette County, Tennessee -- Billy Montague, of Fayette County, Tennessee 

is both a cotton farmer and avid rabbit hunter. He decided to combine his two 

passions, by planting filter strips on his home farm. Mr. Montague signed a 

contract for Conservation Reserve Program filter strips along two main 

drainage ditches. A mixture of five native warm season grasses were 

established in early April of this year. He received an incentive payment from 

the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for planting this mixture. Mr. 

Montague says that besides noticing more rabbits in the area, the development 

of wildlife habitat, improvement of water quality, and his annual income rental 

payments, that this program fit his farming operation perfectly. 

NRCS Busy Assisting Landowners in West Tennessee...
 6

Current

Developments

Neal Brothers of Wilson County

Landowners use Common Sense

Conservation Approach...The Neal 

Brothers of Wilson County have 

been farming all their lives. The 

operation includes an extensive cow/ 

calf operation and tobacco. The 

Neal’s are practical producers. 

Perry Neal stated, “We run as many 

animals as we can, but we rest our 

grass to get the most production from 

both our grass and cattle.” Five 

years ago the Neal’s began a project 

with NRCS to improve the 

profitability of their operation using 

low input common sense techniques. 

A “Pasture Walk” was held recently 

at the Neal Farm to give other 

landowners an opportunity to see 

these techniques and hear discussions 

on rotational grazing, alternative 

water systems and other practices. 

The event was hosted by the Neal 

Family, along with NRCS, Wilson 

County SCD, and others.. Over 100 

people attended the event. 

Stones River National Battlefield

Interagency Agreement To

Increase Native Plants...Recently, 

Larry Robeson, NRCS District 

Conservationist and Cory Hodge, 

Soil Conservationist of the NRCS 

Field Office in Murfreesboro met 

with Terri Hogan, Ecologist with the 

National Park Service along with 

John Vandevender, Manager, Warren 

Haynes, Technician, and Dan 

Pinkham, Technician from the 

Alderson Plant Material Center in 

West Virginia. The meeting was held 

at the Stones River National 

Battlefield to start up a five-year 

interagency agreement between the 

National Park Service and the 

Alderson Plant Material Center. Over 

the next five years the (PMC) staff 

will collect, evaluate, grow, and 

increase native plant materials to 

revegetate disturbed areas on the 

Battlefield. 

Jackson County Landowner Wins

Progressive Farmer Wildlife Habitat Contest! Jackson County Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program 

(WHIP) contract participant Edward 

Clark was chosen as 1 of 4 winners 

in the Progressive Farmer Magazine 

wildlife habitat contest. The magazine flew Mr. Clark to Fort Worth, 

Texas for the awards ceremony and 

presented him with a $1300 Benilla 

Shotgun. Progressive farmer magazine came to Jackson County and 

took pictures of his WHIP practices, 

as well as his other practices. He 

gave them details of his WHIP 

contract and the WHIP Program and 

related to them the technical assistance he received from Phillip Dixon, 

NRCS District Conservationist. 

NRCS/Soil Conservation District

Assists With Senior Day on the

Trail for Cheatham County

Citizens...Cheatham County Natural 

Resources Conservation Service and 

Soil Conservation District recently 

joined the Cheatham County Friends 

of the Trail group to sponsor Senior 

Day on the Trail. The participants 

enjoyed a hayride and picnic at the 

native garden and comfort station, 

Approximately 75 senior citizens 

attended. 

Focus on the Field - Area 2

The University School of Nashville

Receives Assistance with Wetland

for Wastewater Treatment...

Cheatham County’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and 

Soil Conservation District personnel 

partnered with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation recently to assist The University 

School of Nashville. The cooperative 

effort was to select and plant wetland 

plants for a wetland that has been 

established at the school for wastewater treatment. 

NRCS Assists Native American Landowner...Greg Taylor, NRCS District 

Conservationist, Centerville, TN recently assisted Ms. Venus Tyler with 

information about building a pond on her property for fish and wildlife 

benefits. She works hard to conserve and protect the resources on her land. 

Tyler is a Native American who has recorded music and makes jewelry and 

pottery. She is proud of her ancestry and gladly makes presentations to 

various groups and students in Lewis, Perry and Hickman Counties. 
 7

Current Focus on the Field - Area 3 Developments

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) Provides Assistance to

Landowners With Tornado Damage...Numerous Cumberland County farms 

were intensively damaged from a tornado that swept through the county on 

November 10, 2002. There were a total of four (4) fatalities from the deadly 

storm. Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency 

personnel toured the damaged areas and surveyed the damages. They 

submitted a request to FSA for Emergency Conservation Program funds to 

assist landowners with debris removal and fence replacement. Cumberland 

County was approved for a total of $129,000 in ECP funding to assist 

landowners repair damages. 

Status of ECP cleanup work at the present time is as follows: A total of 70 

applications have been received. NRCS personnel have made site visits and 

completed cost estimates for the landowners. There were 58 applications 

approved for funding. Landowners are currently working to remove debris 

from farmland and replace fencing. 

The Morristown NRCS Field Office 

has been working with the City of 

Morristown to help form a “Tree 

Board” to improve the use, care, and 

maintenance of the trees located in 

city. Through this effort, people with 

a wide variety of expertise have come 

together to develop plans for the 

effort. So far, several projects have 

been accomplished including planting 

trees along the stream banks in Fred 

Miller Park, the development of a 

greenway trail to connect two city 

parks, the approval of a grant to 

finance an arboretum, and the development of a pamphlet describing the 

25 types of trees recommended for 

planting in the area. Also, the Smoky 

Mountain Resource Conservation and 

Development Council working in 

partnership with NRCS has purchased a tree cooler to store seedlings 

for projects. All of these things are 

helping improve the quality of life in 

the Morristown area. 

Firewise Controlled Burn Held at Yuchi Wildlife Management Area...

Southeast Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) 

Council and the Rhea County Soil Conservation District recently sponsored a 

Firewise Prescribed Burning Workshop with an actual controlled burn demonstration. The workshop was held March 4, 2003 at the Yuchi Wildlife Management Area in Rhea County. The event was made possible by a Firewise 

grant administered through the Southeast Tennessee RC&D Council. Approximately 70 persons attended the workshop that included speakers from the 

Tennessee Division of Forestry, Rhea County Soil Conservation District, 

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Southeast Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development Council, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

and the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. 

NRCS Assists City of Morristown

To Form “Tree Board”
 8

Current

Developments

7

Second Annual Watershed Roundtable

“Working Together for Measurable

Water Quality Results” was the 

theme of the Second Annual Tennessee Watershed Roundtable held 

March 27-28, 2003, in Nashville, 

Tennessee. State Conservationist 

James Ford served on a“Leadership 

Panel” along with the heads of other 

state and Federal agencies. Assistant 

State Conservationist Donald Dotson 

served on an “Assistance Panel” and 

discussed the 2002 Farm Bill. 

Watershed success stories were 

presented in three concurrent sessions 

entitled Land Trusts and Local Watershed Initiatives, Farmland Protection 

and the Farm Bill, and Impaired 

Waters Recovery. Breakout sessions 

were held to discuss Tennessee 

watersheds where success and restoration can occur and to begin a dialogue and cooperative strategies and 

actions to restore Tennessee watersheds. 

Leadership Panel - (left to right) Betsy Child,

Commissioner, TN Dept. of Environment and

Conservation; Terry Oliver, Deputy Commissioner,

TN Department of Agriculture; James Ford, State

Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Christine Olsenius, Executive

Director, Southeast Watershed Forum; Ed Cole,

Chief, Environment/Planning, Tennessee Department of Transportation; Louis Buck, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency; and Doug

Goddard, Exec. Dir. , TN Co. Commissioners Assn.

Charles Roberts, Assistant State

Conservationist, USDA Natural

Resources Conservation Service, is

shown serving as Moderator.

(At the Podium) John McClurkan, Administrator, Water Resources, Tennessee

Department of Agriculture and Chairperson of Tennessee Watershed

Roundtable Planning Committee.

Todd Reed,

USDA

Natural

Resources

Conservation Service,

is shown

sharing

successful

activities in

the Bullrun

Creek

Restoration

Project.

“We can regulate until the cows come home, but

that will not get us to where we want to be.”

--Betsy Child, Commissioner

TN Department of Environment

and Conservation
 9

Current Civil Rights Committee Update Developments

The Tennessee NRCS Civil Rights 

Committee Advisory Meeting was 

held on February 18-19, 2003 in 

Nashville, Tennessee. Those present 

on Day One included: Gloria York, 

Mark Roberts, Kandace Dye, Christy 

Luna, Mike Hart, James Brown, Jr., 

Carol Chandler, Paul McQuade, 

Langston Wood, Terron Hillsman, and 

Susan Hopkins. Those present on 

Day Two were: Gloria York, Mark 

Roberts, Kandace Dye, Christy Luna, 

James Brown, Jr., Carol Chandler, 

Paul McQuade, Langson Wood, 

Terron Hillsman, Dwight Bell, Susan 

Hopkins, James Ford, and Will Nesby 

Highlights of the meeting and actions 

agreed upon are as follows: 

1. Monitor the Mentoring Program 

this year. CR Committee will request 

evaluation reports from mentors & 

mentees about the program and draft 

a summary report that highlights the 

success of the program based on 

evaluations. Contact mentors/ 

mentees by July 1, and give them a 

deadline to submit evaluations back 

to committee by August 1. Mike Hart 

volunteered to perform this task for 

the committee. 

2. Committee discussed the importance of follow-up on employee 

responses to Mr. Ford’s recent survey. 

Committee will ask Mr. Ford to make 

certain employees are informed 

regarding the survey results and 

corrective actions to be taken. 

3. Post highlights of CR meetings & 

Chairman’s Comments to NRCS-TN 

website, and include in Current 

Developments publication. Kandace 

Dye volunteered to perform this task 

for committee. 

4. Committee discussed the possibility of writing a report of the issues 

raised and resolutions reached 

regarding employee concerns addressed by Committee during CR 

meeting. Send copy of report to all 

employees. 

5. At the request of the State Conservationist, CR Committee will develop a Management Development 

Program for the state. Include Job 

Shadowing in the program. Subcommittee was formed: Terron 

Hillsman, Gloria York, James 

Brown, Jr. and Christy Luna. Subcommittee will develop criteria and 

selection process for project. Committee will report on project at the 

May CR meeting 

6. CR Committee by-laws were 

reviewed by all members and advisors. 

7. Draft APO for FY-2003 was 

reviewed and revised. 

8. Diversity video was reviewed for 

the first time. Committee agreed 

that the video did not have to be 

limited to fifteen minutes as 

orginally suggested; it is more 

important to ensure that it included a 

good variety of customers, employees, and partnerships. 

9. Committee discussed employees’ 

concerns regarding freedom of speech 

to speak out about the budget, management decisions, and other subjects. 

10. Committee discussed low employee morale caused by increasing 

concern for job security, management 

policies, budget talks, and new concepts such as outsourcing and technical service providers. 

11. Committee has concerns about 

lack of visibility of CR committee in 

the state and how few employees 

contact committee members regarding their issues and/or concerns. CR 

committee needs to do a better job of 

tracking and monitoring employee 

comments, and following up with Mr. 

Ford to seek possible resolution to 

issues. 

Tennessee Farm

Numbers Decline...

According to the

Tennessee Agricultural

Statistics Service, the

number of farms for

2002 was 90,000, a

decrease of 1,000 from

the previous year. A

farm is defined as “any

place from which

$1,000 or more of

agricultural products

were produced and

sold, or normally would

have been sold, during

the year.”
 10

Current Human Resources Update Developments

Coming Soon - Flexible Spending Accounts For Health Care...Later this 

fiscal year OPM is expected to announce the availability of “flexible spending 

accounts” (FSA) through which employees can use pre-tax allotments to pay 

for certain health care expenses that are not reimbursed by any other source 

and not claimed on the participant’s income tax return. The maximum amount 

an employee may set aside is yet to be determined, but will probably be in the 

range of $2000 - $3000 per year. The employer will deduct these contributions from the employee’s pay throughout the year and deposit them into the 

employee’s FSA account. The employee can then draw upon the FSA account 

for reimbursement as he incurs eligible expenses. As more information becomes available, we will share it with you. 

Compensatory Time (in lieu of paid overtime)...Employees who have 

elected (or been directed) to earn compensatory time in lieu of paid overtime 

should keep track of the time earned and use it before you lose it! Comp time 

must be used no later than the year following the year in which it was earned, 

and comp time should be used before annual leave. 

Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus

Information Available...Langston 

Wood, Disability Program Manager, 

has information about multiple 

sclerosis (MS) and Lupus that may be 

helpful to some employees and their 

families. The MS information packets contain a list of publications from 

the National MS Society, and information about how the disease affects 

the body, drugs used to treat the 

disease, and work place accommodations for people with MS. The 

information on Lupus is a Quiz and 

Answer Sheet. Anyone interested in 

getting a copy of any of this information should contact Langston by email at langston.wood@tn.usda.gov. 

Public Service Recognition Week (May 5-11, 2003), celebrated the first Monday through Sunday in May since 1985, is 

a time set aside each year to honor the men and women who serve America as federal, state and local government 

employees. Throughout the nation and around the world, public employees use the week to educate citizens about the 

many ways in which government serves the people and how government services make life better for all of us. The 

theme for the 2003 PSRW celebration is “Celebrating Government Workers Nationwide.” 

In Tennessee, participating agencies select one employee who sets an example of an outstanding public servant. In the 

Middle Tennessee area District Conservationist James G. Brown, Jr., Springfield Field Office, was selected for the 

“2003 Public Service Recognition Week Employee of the Year.” Following are highlights of his accomplishments: 

During James’ years of federal service his awards and accomplishments have included: 

Four Exceptional Performance Awards, two Superior Performance Awards, two Outstanding Awards, 1989 NRCS 

Employee of Month and he served as the first Black Emphasis Program Manager in Tennessee. Other accomplishments 

have included: Civil Rights Counselor for NRCS Tennessee, completion of the NRCS Tennessee Managerial Development Program, Certificate of Commendation from the Middle Tennessee Executive Association 1989 and 1995, Certificate of Achievement 1999 from Tennessee State University’s Department of Agriculture as an Outstanding Alumnus, a 

member of International and National Who’s Who in Executive and Professionals, and he currently serves on the NRCS 

Civil Rights Advisory Committee in Tennessee. 

Community service work has included: former chairman of the Robertson County United Way Board of Directors, 

former chairman of the Robertson County YMCA, and 2001 Robertson County YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award. 

He graduated and serves on the Robertson County Leadership Committee and currently serves as secretary of the 

Robertson County Scholarship and Community Foundation. He serves as vice president of I Care, Inc. of Robertson 

County, and is vice chairman of the Robertson County Senior Center Board of Directors. He serves as a Mason, Deacon at First Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield. He and his wife, Jurine, have two children, Trinika, Anthony, 

and one grandson, Desmond. 

NRCS District Conservationist James Brown Selected 2003 Public Service

Recognition Week Employee of the Year!
 11

Current Focus on the Earth Team Developments

In the photo above, Rita Smith,

District Secretary, Henderson County

Soil Conservation District, is shown

accepting the TACD/NRCS Earth

Team of the Year award for the

Henderson County Earth Team. The

award is presented annually at the

TACD Convention to the Earth Team

who contributes significantly to the

natural resources program in the

county.

Henderson County Soil Conservation District was the TACD/NRCS 

Earth Team Award winner for FY02. The award was presented by State 

Conservationist James Ford and TACD President Roy Gillis at the Tennessee 

Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting on February 25 in 

Johnson City, Tennessee. 

The Annual Farm Fest is an example of a successful Earth Team activity in 

Henderson County. The Henderson County SCD supervisors, NRCS 

employees, District Secretary Rita Smith, and Earth Team volunteers devote 

many hours in carrying out the annual event. Approximately 500 children 

attend Farm Fest that is held each year in May. Demonstrations on erosion 

control, water quality, Backyard Conservation, and many other activities help 

to teach children about the importance of agriculture and conservation. 

Without the dedication of the Henderson County Earth Team, activities and 

events such as this would not be possible. The Earth Team includes NRCS 

employees, District Employees and District Supervisors, and Earth Team 

Volunteers. This event and others including Tree Day, help to teach many 

people in the community about the importance of conservation of our natural 

resources. 

Henderson County Wins Earth Team of the Year!

Earth Team Volunteers perform a 

wide array of jobs to help carry 

out natural resource goals and 

objectives. Following are just a 

few activities on which Earth 

Team volunteers can provide 

assistance: 

-Assist with implementation of 

conservation practices, 

-Make natural resource 

inventories. 

-Assist with conservation tours 

and exhibits, 

-Take photographs, 

-Write articles and success stories, 

-Speak to community groups, 

What Volunteers Can Do...

-Produce artwork and publications. 

-Assist with office support services including computer data 

entry, typing, filing, computer 

programming, and conservation 

information, and many other 

activities. They also contribute 

enthusiasm and ideas and help get 

projects started. 

If you need assistance in recruiting volunteers, contact your Area 

Volunteer Coordinator, or State 

Volunteer Coordinator Jane 

Counts. 

National Volunteer Week

April 27 - May 3, 2003
 12

Current

Developments

The U.S. Department of

Agriculture (USDA) prohibits

discrimination in all its programs

and activities on the basis of

race, color, national 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 326W, Whitten Building,

14th and Independence Avenue,

SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410

or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and

TDD). USDA is an equal

opportunity provider and

employer.

Several members of our NRCS family

have lost loved ones this year. We

would like to remember each one and

express our deepest sympathy.

In Remembrance...

Students at Camden Junior High School in Benton County celebrated Earth 

Day last week by planting two White Dogwood trees. Mrs. Kee’s sixth grade 

class “got their hands dirty” when they helped set two dogwood trees in the 

school’s recess area, just outside their classroom window. The Benton County 

Soil Conservation District sponsored the tree planting. James Woodall and 

Curt McDaniel, NRCS conservationists in Benton County, provided assistance 

in setting the trees. “They were really excited about being involved and 

helping plant the dogwoods,” commented Curt McDaniel, Soil Conservationist, on the eagerness of the students to participate. Mrs. Kee’s class has reported that the trees “are growing good and getting tall.” 

Camden, TN 6th Graders Celebrate Earth Day!

“The President has said many times that if you are an

owner of the land, every day is Earth Day.” --Secretary of

Agriculture Ann Veneman

USDA Natural Resources 

Conservation Service 

675 U. S. Courthouse

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Telephone: 615/277-2531

FAX: 615/277-2577