The Wyoming Way June

Volume 3 Issue 3 June 2008 The Wyoming Way U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O. Box 33124, Casper, WY 82602 (307) 233-6750 NRCS returns to Coalbed Methane Fair By Tim Kellogg, District Conservationist, Gillette The Coalbed Methane (CBM) Education Fair, held in Gillette June 4 and 5, drew a record crowd with vendors occupying every booth space in the Camplex facility. This event was an excellent opportunity for NRCS to reach a diverse audience to provide information concerning the agency’s conservation technical assistance, services, and programs that enable good stewardship of natural resources on private land and how that stewardship benefits everyone. NRCS attended the first CBM Fair in Gillette in 1999. At that time the fair was held on Campbell County High School’s south campus with 15 exhibitors and 300 attendees. In 2008, there were over 300 exhibitors and 5400 people attending. Tim Kellogg, District Conservationist, Gillette field office, discusses available NRCS programs, services, and the benefits of natural resource conservation with a private landowner. Sharing Our Purpose, Our Passion with future leaders What better way to share our passion for conservation than to work with students through the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) or the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP). With a large percentage of the NRCS population eligible to retire within the next five years, who will be the next generation to continue our purpose of helping put conservation on the ground? Hiring SCEP’s and STEP’s is one way to bring to our workforce talented and enthusiastic future leaders. One such future leader is Destiny Pierce. Destiny is a conservationist aid (STEP) in the Wheatland field office and a top student at Wheatland High School. Destiny writes in her bio: “One of my favorite classes is Agriculture because that is what I am most interested in. I am involved with FFA and 4-H; I show pigs and horses in 4-H and I judge horses for FFA. I plan to start judging livestock next year. Horse judging is a lot of fun because I get to go to different states to bigger horse shows and judge nicer horses and get to meet a lot of people. “My favorite things to do include riding horses, camping, fishing, swimming, and just anything that has to do with the outdoors. I also enjoy running track and playing basketball for school because I like to stay in shape and it’s a lot of fun. When I am not too busy and have a little free time, I watch movies because that is another thing I love to do. I like to keep everything simple and fun!” 2 The Wyoming Way Corner State Con’s As you know, Title II— Conservation, has become law under the new Farm Bill. The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is now Public Law (P.L.) 110-234. The Conservation Title Summary, which was provided to DCs and RC&D coordinators, has been shared with partners as well. The allocation process for the new Farm Bill is being developed at national headquarters. Now that the new Farm Bill has become law, we will work aggressively to implement the programs. To prepare for implementation of the new Farm Bill, we have conducted several listening sessions for partnership input on how Wyoming NRCS should prioritize resource concerns to be addressed with new Farm Bill dollars. We appreciate the help of the State Technical Committee, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) Board of Directors and the Wyoming Stock Growers Association as we work through our strategic planning process. I am grateful for the opportunity to visit with you during the recent area meetings. These forums give me a chance to share information about my vision for the state, the budget, position management, the Farm Bill, conservation planning, conservation district issues and any other emerging concerns that we need to address. We will keep you posted as the rollout of the new Farm Bill continues. A 90-day comment period, the rule and policy making process, revised allocation formulas, working tools, information and education pieces and all the other steps that must take place when legislation is enacted will be ongoing and will take time. I appreciate your continued dedication in helping people help the land. Our June conservation program sign-up is well underway. We received additional financial assistance dollars for Ground and Surface Water Conservation (GSWC), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). We anticipate additional financial assistance dollars in other programs as well. The sign-up may generate interest among producers and encourage them to submit applications now. This will provide field staff a head start in preparing for the funds that will have to be obligated yet this year. You’re Invited “Dig it! Uncover the Secret World of Soil” National Museum of Natural History Washington, D.C. Opens July 19, 2008 https://www.soils.org/smithsonian/ index.html “How can I live my life stepping on this stuff and not wonder at all?” — William Bryant Partners Help NRCS in Strategic Planning Process Members of the State Technical Committee, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Board of Directors, and the Wyoming Stock Growers Association have provided input to assist NRCS in maximizing limited resources to address Wyoming’s conservation concerns. Their input was much appreciated. Comments are being compiled and will be State Technical Committee members prioritize used to help direct resource concerns that were identified by the implementation of the group during a meeting held in Casper on new Farm Bill programs. April 29. The Wyoming Way 3 Soil Survey — The times they are a-changin’ Submitted by Teresa Koper, Soil Scientist, Rock Springs; Contributors: Steve Jelden, Soil Specialist, Casper; Tom Gustafson, Soil Scientist, Riverton; and Don Gaddie, Area Resource Consvst., Riverton Soil survey is alive and well in Wyoming! Soil survey provides an orderly on-the-ground inventory of the soil resources, which includes maps and soil descriptions of physical and chemical properties. We’ve come a long way since 1903 when the first soil survey was completed on a portion of Laramie County. With the advancement of technology comes new ways to produce and access soil surveys. Instead of sometimes cumbersome hard copies, most are now available on the Internet at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. The times they are a-changin’.* Put faces and names together of some of those involved with the survey — both past and present! Photo (provided by Steve Jelden) taken in 1984 in South Pass City, Wyoming. This was the Last Acre Ceremony for Fremont County, Eastern and Dubois areas. (Not all soil scientists in Wyoming were present in this photo.) Left to right: Don Gaddie, SCS District Conservationist, Lander; Greg Bautz, BLM Soil Scientist, Lander; Frank Neal, SCS Area Conservationist, Worland; Steve Jelden, SCS Soil Scientist, Lander; Terry Everard, SCS District Conservationist, Dubois; Jack Kelly, BLM District Manager, Lander; Bill Crane, BLM State Soil Scientist, Cheyenne; Hal Ravenholt, SCS Soil Scientist, Rock Springs; Jack Iiams, SCS Soil Scientist Project Leader, Lander; Charlie Dillahunty, SCS Soil Scientist, Lander; Frank Dickson, SCS State Conservationist, Casper; Roy Buchmeier, Popo Agie Conservation District and former DC, Lander; and George Hartman, SCS State Soil Scientist, Casper From left to right (Title: Soil Scientist, unless otherwise noted. County of offices where each individual is based out of are listed. Certain individuals cover more than their listed county.) Back Row: Nathan Jones (Big Horn Co.), Greg Snell - MLRA Leader (Big Horn Co.), Cameron Clark (Carbon Co.), Jon Hawthorn (Big Horn Co.), Steve Jelden – Assistant State Soil Scientist (Casper State Office), Tom Gustafson - Resource Soil Scientist (Fremont Co.) Second Row: Cory Cole - Supervisor (Sublette Co. ), Mike Leno - MLRA Leader (Johnson Co.), Meghan Euliano (Big Horn Co.), Janét Moore (Carbon Co.), Suzanne Mayne - Range Management Specialist (Sweetwater Co.), Astrid Martinez - State Soil Scientist (Casper State Office), Marty Rosek - MLRA Leader (Sweetwater, Co.), Jack Robertson - Supervisor (Uinta Co.), Nathan Roth (Uinta Co.) Front row: Tim White - Supervisor (Carbon Co.), Drew Mather (Sweetwater Co.), Jason Martin (Carbon Co.), Laura Weingartner (Sublette Co.), Teresa Koper (Sweetwater Co.), Shawn Nield - GIS Specialist (Casper State Office), Dan Mattke (Sublette Co.) Photo taken 6/2/2008 at the West Area Meeting in Lander, Wyoming. * Bob Dylan, 1964 4 The Wyoming Way ltimate Assistance Last year Wyoming NRCS hired two administrative assistants through a consulting firm called Ultima Services. This year we renewed the contract to include three more assistants. Their time is shared between two or more offices. We are happy to have them on board! Kathy Fales, Wheatland/ Torrington... I grew up on a farm in Western Nebraska and love farming communities. I have been a Wheatland resident for the last 16 years. My husband Gary of 29 years works at the Laramie River Power Station as an electrician. We have three girls: Trisha, husband Tony and grandson Jackson; Linsay, husband Kyle and granddaughter Haiden; and Jamie, with one more year of dental hygiene school in Sheridan. I love to be outside working in the yard, gardening and riding the motorcycle with Gary. Our grandchildren are the joy of our lives and we love spending lots of time with them. Shirley Mitich, Newcastle/ Sundance... Shirley was born and raised in Weston County. She attended High School in Upton, WY. She has two siblings both older than her. Her parents are alive and well and reside in Osage, WY. She has two children. Mike is 18 and is Casper College bound this fall. He is active in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and is a SCEP student at the BLM in Newcastle. He is also a student member of the Chamber of Commerce. Her daughter Paige is 16 and just beginning her medical career this year by taking a CNA (Certified Nurses Assistant) class with our local Community Education, and having a full schedule her Junior year. Shirley enjoys working with the Newcastle and Sundance field offices. Her hobbies include being outdoors, painting, and reading. She has two dogs: Riley, a Pomeranian, and Poochie, a Toy Poodle. Cindy Stewart, Douglas/ Casper... I was born and raised in a small town in South Texas and moved here to Douglas in 1986 and have loved Douglas ever since. I raised two children, Monica and Tim. Monica is an RN at Wyoming Medical Center and Tim is a diesel mechanic for Wyoming Machinery. My husband and I have a little 40-acre place where we enjoy irrigating and haying and also have a few chickens, peacocks, ducks, and pheasants. I worked for FSA a few years ago as a temp and really enjoyed getting to know the local producers. I also worked for the Converse County Conservation District for about a year and learned a lot about growing trees in our area. One of the wind breaks that I helped plant is near the Glenrock sale barn. Every time I drive by there, I remember the very cold and wet day that it was and then I can see how much those trees have grown. I enjoy cooking and baking in the fall/winter. But when spring and summer are here, I am outdoors. I enjoy fishing, camping, working in my yard and spending time with family and friends. Continued next page Sheryll Fabrizius, Riverton/Dubois/Ft. Washakie/ Lander... Sheryll is a 2003 graduate of Wind River High School in Pavillion. She attended Central Wyoming College and enjoys camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends. She was born and raised in Fremont County and greatly enjoys living here in the great state of Wyoming. She grew up on a farm west of Riverton where we raised a herd of cattle during the winter months, and farmed alfalfa and corn fields in the summer. She understands all the hard work that goes into having a successful farm and ranch operation and values her agricultural background greatly. The Wyoming Way 5 Ultimate Assistance (continued from page 4) What to do this summer If you are planning to travel this summer, include some civil rights history at the same time. Or should I say: If you can afford to travel this summer (with gas prices surpassing $4.00/gallon), why not plan some civil rights history along the way! Whether you stay close to home or not, On the Road to Freedom—A Guided Tour of the Civil Rights Trail is both a travel guide and a history book written by Charles E. Cobb, Jr. (2008). Cob compiled well-known and lesserknown places along with addresses, descriptions, and stories. Packed with pictures and information, it’s not a book you need to read cover to cover, but can open up any page and start reading. If high prices delay your plans, go on a virtual vacation to one of these three popular places: Can’t get to Yellowstone National Park for Old Faithful Geyser’s faithful spouting? Visit http:// www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm. Old Faithful goes off about every 90 minutes give or take 10. One camera has the estimated next performance time; the other is a constant live action web cam. You’ll know it’s getting close when lots of people start milling around. As you wait, listen to a lesson on geysers and other elements of the park. How about visiting the world-renowned San Diego Zoo? No waiting in line. Watch live web cams of polar bears, apes, elephants, and pandas at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/index.html. Those pandas are just too cute! NASA is just a click away and has so much information you could get lost in space! Visit http:// www.nasa.gov/home and have a look around. Click on the “For Students” at the top of the page for some fun kids’ activities to do right at home or scroll down the home page to explore “NASA Kids’ Club.” Then get outside and play some hoops or ride a bike. You can’t be laying around reading or sitting in front of the computer all day! Have a great summer! “When I sing, I don’t want them to see that my face is black. I don’t want them to see that my face is white. I want them to see my soul. And that is colorless.” — Marian Anderson, American contralto, 1897-1993 The Marian Anderson Museum is in Philadelphia. Beverly Lane, Worland/ Thermopolis/Greybull...I have lived in Worland for almost 34 years. I raised my four children, Joy, Ryan, Amber, and Erin, in the house where I still live. I have four grandchildren, twin grandsons who live in Sheridan and two granddaughters who live in Austin, Texas. I enjoy working in my yard, walking, visiting with my wonderful friends and especially reading. I have worked with NRCS for almost a year now and just love it. Of all the jobs that I have had, mostly in banking, this has been the most interesting. I have learned about weeds (who knew there were so many kinds) about invasive species (Russian Olive), pivots (could just call them sprinklers) and feedlots (who knew cows pooped so much). The people that I work with have been wonderful and so patient with me since I didn't even know what a pivot was when I started. They have taken me on some of their "as builts" so I could see what it is that they do when they go out and do "as builts." I usually go to Greybull on Wednesday's to work in that office and to Thermopolis on Thursday's to work there. So you can say that I get around. I really enjoy this job and am very happy to work with NRCS and for Ultima Services. I don't have a picture; the last good picture I took I was still in diapers! 6 Welcome New Employees: Astrid Martinez, State Soil Scientist, Casper SO Astrid was born and raised in San German, Puerto Rico, the oldest of three siblings. In May 1996, she graduated Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus with a major in Agronomy and Soils. She earned a Masters degree in Soils with Honors from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Campus, in May 2005. Having been with NRCS since March 1997, Astrid has worked as a soil scientist in Greenfield, MA, and Oconto, WI. In August of 2004, she moved to Grand Island, NE, and later to Scottsbluff, NE, both locations as an MLRA project leader. Astrid belongs to numerous professional organizations and associations. She has held several special assignments during her career. She enjoys photography, biking, hiking, reading, baseball (huge fan of the Red Sox), and outdoor activities with her 11-year-old daughter Rosario. The Wyoming Way HR NEWS New Hires Chris Carlsen, Geologist, GS-12, Casper SO, eff. 5/11 Louise Sainsbury, RMS, GS-9, Rock Springs SSO (temp), eff. 6/16 Eric Watson, SCEP Soil Consv, GS-4, Riverton, eff. 5/25 Nancy Thoman, SCEP Civil Eng, GS-4, Riverton, eff. 5/25 Ryan Mar, SCEP Soil Consv, GS-4, Douglas, eff. 5/25 Sandra Leotta, STEP Soils Aid, GS-4, Casper SO, eff. 6/4 Steven Immel, STEP Soils Aid, GS-3, Casper SO, eff. 6/4 Promotions Janét Moore, Soil Sci., GS-9, Saratoga SSO, eff. 5/25 Cameron Clark, Soil Sci., GS-9, Saratoga SSO, eff. 5/25 Mike Leno, Soil Sci., GS-12, Buffalo SSO, eff. 6/8 Jenny Castagno, Area Program Specialist, GS-12, Riverton, eff. 8/17 Conv to Career-Conditional Teresa Koper, Soil Sci., GS-9, Rock Springs SSO, eff. 5/25 Reassignments George Gamblin, RMS, GS-11, to Wheatland, eff. 6/8 Ryan Murray, RMS, GS-11, to Buffalo AO, eff. 6/8 Transfer Ray Mowery, DC, Cheyenne, to Greeley, CO, eff. 5/11 Retirement Mike Cranston, SCT, GS-7, Gillette, eff. 5/2 Resignation Laura Weingartner, Soil Sci., GS-9, Pinedale, eff. 6/3 Christian (Chris) Carlsen, Engineering Geologist, Casper SO I am a native New Mexican. I attended New Mexico State University, North Carolina State University, Northern Arizona University, and Mackey School of Mines. I am a licensed professional geologist. I have worked in the past for the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Lockheed Engineering and Science Co., Pima County (Arizona), New Mexico State government, and Wyoming State government. I have held the positions of geologist, hydrologist and hydrogeologist. Much of my work has been in the field, which I like. I have several publications with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, EPA, and Pima County. My favorite hobbies are mountain biking, snow skiing (downhill and cross country), riding motorcycles, and rock climbing. I am married to a teacher who likes the same stuff, lucky I guess. I have one son and two granddaughters. My son is an industrial engineer for Caterpillar and lives in Phoenix, Arizona. The Wyoming Way 7 Interns and Outreach Submitted by Shelly Anderson, Historic Trails RC&D Coordinator, Casper; Contributor: Nancy Atkinson, Public Affairs Specialist, Casper Once again, Wyoming’s small acreage owners will benefit from the outreach efforts of four Small Acreage Issue Team (SAIT) summer interns. Emily Eschbacher is from Missouri and Amanda Preddice headed west from New York. Both are under the auspices of the Historic Trails Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program in Casper. Natalie Macsalka, formerly from Colorado but now living in Laramie, and Andy Kaiser, a Wyomingite from Worland, are working as SAIT interns with the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service in Laramie. Both teams provide a variety of outreach activities. Duties include holding workshops to increase knowledge of natural resource issues and responsibilities of living on small acreages. In addition, they provide awareness of conservation practices and services available from a variety of agencies. A small acreage landowner reference manual and articles for the popular Barnyards and Backyards magazine are also in the works. The Casper interns, Emily and Nataline, recently held two workshops. Fifty-nine landowners attended the weed, water-wise plants and windbreak workshop in March. Mountain Pine Beetle was the topic of the second workshop held in June with 77 landowners attending. The Casper Mountain Forest Stewardship Association and Natrona County Bridge and Parks Department partnered with the Historic Trails RC&D on Pine Beetle workshop. Grants from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 319 funds, through the Department of Environmental Quality, fund the workshops and interns. The Small Acreage Issue Team (SAIT) is a cooperative effort of the University of Wyoming— Cooperative Extension Service, Wyoming conservation districts, Resource Conservation and Development councils, NRCS, Wyoming State Forestry, and many other agencies. SAIT organizes and conducts workshops for small acreage landowners around Wyoming. The team also publishes the Barnyards and Backyards quarterly magazine. The interns are a key to our success. We hope they make many new friends and enjoy their Wyoming experience. Left: Tree spraying demonstration at Mountain Pine Beetle Workshop in Casper. Below: Solar technique to treat Mountain Pine Beetle infestations. Amanda Preddice Andy Kaiser Natalie Macsalka Emily Eschbacher 8 The Wyoming Way The Yashiro Family and Heart Mountain Submitted by Teresa Koper, Asian/Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Program Manager and Soil Scientist, Rock Springs As part of the recent Asian American and Pacific Islander special observance month (May) we wanted to commemorate those Japanese Americans and immigrants who were sent to internment camps in the early 1940s. One of 10 internment camps in the US, the Heart Mountain Relocation CenYashiro Family Grocery in Watsonville, CA, ter, is located in Wyoming prior to being sent to the interment camp. The 12 miles west of Powell. As discussed in the May 2006 newsletter, one of our colleague’s, (Doug Miyamoto’s) grandmother, Yoshiko “Connie” Yashiro, was sent with her parents from their home and businesses in California to Heart Mountain in 1942. Connie lived at Heart Mountain for a year before receiving a work permit in Denver where she eventually marHeart Mountain winter. ried and started a family. She was active in the redress Redress was finally granted by movement, writing letters to President Bush in October 1990. representatives. Each surviving internee received The Heart Mountain Relocation Center became a National Historic Landmark in June of 2007 with an eight-station self-guided tour. The Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation is preparing to build an on-site interpretive learning center beginning this August. For more information see: http://www.heartmountain.net/ $20,000 and an official, signed apology from the President. Connie used her money for her grandchildren’s milestones, most importantly graduations. She said she wanted the money to go to the future and not the past. She was never bitter about the experience she had, but always said the apology was too late for her parents who had lost everything. She knew the experience was much harder on them than on her. young girl is Connie several years before her family was forced to leave everything behind. Facts about Heart Mountain • • Heart Mountain opened on August 12, 1942. 3rd largest community in Wyoming at the time with 12,000 internees. 120,000 total Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans were relocated to 16 assembly centers and eventually to 10 internment camps after Executive Order # 9066 was signed on February 19, 1942 by President Roosevelt. Two-thirds of the internees were American citizens. Heart Mountain was 20,000 acres, 12 miles west of Powell. There were 30 blocks with 24 barracks each. Each barrack had six single-room apartments around central toilet/laundry facilities and a central mess. Most families were forced to share a single room. Sheets were hung for privacy. The winter of 1942-43 was severe and many residents fell ill and some died. There was inadequate heat and a food shortage in the camp. Efforts were made in the spring to start a farm and more insultation was added to the barracks. Workers made an average of $16 per month to work in and around the camp. • • • • • The Wyoming Way 9 ASK IRMA Dear IRMA: When I make a Word document with Internet links, they work. When I print the same document to Adobe to make a .pdf file, the links look good but don’t go anywhere. Signed: Lookin’ good with no place to go Dear Lookin’ Good: If they’re looking good, we surely want them to go someplace. Problem is there’s many versions of Adobe. I’m guessing your’s is 6.0 or earlier. If you update to 7.0 or later Adobe will convert the hyperlinks automatically. You can also link pictures or other graphics too. These instructions are using Adobe 6.0 Standard version. With the Adobe document open: • • • • • • Go to the Tools menu, Advanced Editing. Click on the Link tool. You’ll get a crosshair icon. Draw (click and hold as you drag) a box around the link (or picture) you want to make active. On the Create Link screen that pops up, choose “Open a web page,” type in the address or cut/ paste, and then OK. Right click on the box that appears around the link. Choose Properties, Link Type: Invisible Rectangle, and Close. A box will still be there, but when you get out and reopen, it will be gone and a hand will show up when you run the cursor over the link. Remember: There are also good instructions under Help, How to…, More Topics, Create a Link. Dear IRMA: The C: drive files I delete go into the Recycle Bin; I can also “Undo Delete.” Why don’t my H: drive files go to a Recycle Bin and why can’t I “Undo Delete” them? Is there a way I can change that? Signed: Where’s the bin?! Dear Bin: Sorry, there’s no way to change that. The recycle bin resides on the hard drive of your computer. Your H: files are stored on a plain, old server separate from your computer. It doesn’t have the capability for a fancy recycle bin. Natural Resources Conservation Service … Helping People Help the Land 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."