June 2006
AGROFORESTRY NEWSLINE >>> June 2006
News of the science and practice of temperate agroforestry in North America, brought to you by the Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA).
IN THIS EDITION:
- USDA Releases Conservation Program Analysis Paper
- New Hemlock Regulations in Canada
- Statistical Survey Shows Large Decline in Cropland Erosion
- New Report on Eradication Efforts of Three Forest Pests
- NRCS Strategic Plan
USDA Releases Conservation Program Analysis Paper
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the release of the second in a series of white papers intended to provide factual information about specific topics and continue the national discussion about policy alternatives in preparation for the 2007 Farm Bill. This paper is a conservation program analysis paper authored by USDA economists. The paper discusses natural resource issues, current USDA conservation programs administered by FSA and NRCS and policy alternatives. The alternatives represent possible approaches to addressing conservation and environmental issues on agricultural lands. The paper and an executive summary are available for download on the Farm Bill Forums website: http://www.usda.gov/farmbill.
New Hemlock Regulations In Canada
The provincial government of Prince Edward Island has introduced new regulations that require everyone involved in hemlock harvesting and imports/exports, to be licensed as well as complete courses on harvest practices. The only exception to this will be the landowners who harvest hemlock on their own property. As it is used to produce paclitaxel, a powerful anti-cancer drug, the value of hemlock has been steadily increasing over the past years. The regulations are intended to provide a measure of protection for landowners from the large number of people who trespass onto private property to harvest the plant. The new regulations also include an annual season for harvesting, which will run from Aug. 16 to April 30.
Statistical Survey Shows Large Decline in Cropland Erosion
USDA Press Release
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently announced that, according to USDA's National Resources Inventory (NRI), a statistical survey of natural resource conditions and trends on non-federal land, that total soil erosion on cultivated and non-cultivated cropland in the U.S. decreased 43 percent between 1982 and 2003, sheet and rill erosion decreased 42 percent, and wind erosion decreased 44 percent.
"This remarkable decrease in soil erosion can be attributed to the extraordinary efforts by America's private landowners to conserve and protect agricultural lands," said Johanns. "This report underscores the value of cooperative conservation through partnerships with our farmers and ranchers, who are among the best stewards of the land."
The NRI is an assessment of soil erosion, land cover and use, prime farmland soils, wetlands, habitat diversity, selected conservation practices and related resources. Data is gathered from 800,000 sample sites on non-federal land in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and some Pacific Basin locations. The NRI is used by natural resource managers, policymakers, analysts, consultants, federal agencies, state governments, universities, environmental, commodity, farm groups, and the public to address agricultural and environmental issues at national, regional and state levels.
For more information on the results of the cropland erosion study, read the full USDA Press Release or visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI. For soils information, visit http://soils.usda.gov/.
"This remarkable decrease in soil erosion can be attributed to the extraordinary efforts by America's private landowners to conserve and protect agricultural lands," said Johanns. "This report underscores the value of cooperative conservation through partnerships with our farmers and ranchers, who are among the best stewards of the land."
The NRI is an assessment of soil erosion, land cover and use, prime farmland soils, wetlands, habitat diversity, selected conservation practices and related resources. Data is gathered from 800,000 sample sites on non-federal land in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and some Pacific Basin locations. The NRI is used by natural resource managers, policymakers, analysts, consultants, federal agencies, state governments, universities, environmental, commodity, farm groups, and the public to address agricultural and environmental issues at national, regional and state levels.
For more information on the results of the cropland erosion study, read the full USDA Press Release or visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI. For soils information, visit http://soils.usda.gov/.
New Report on Eradication Efforts of Three Forest Pests
Yesterday, the Government Accountability Office released a new report detailing Federal eradication efforts of three invasive forest pests—the asian longhorned beetle, the emerald ash borer, and Phytophthora ramorum (the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death). The GAO found “that the Asian longhorned beetle will be eradicated in the three states that have infestations…[however] the emerald ash borer and P. ramorum are likely to continue to infest and damage forest ecosystems in the Midwest and West Coast, respectively.” The 125 page report can be viewed at http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-353.
NRCS Strategic Plan
This Strategic Plan sets the direction for NRCS and describes our conservation priorities and goals. Bold, forward-looking, and far-reaching, this plan challenges us to reformulate some past approaches and develop and adopt new approaches. This plan will guide NRCS in implementing key overarching strategies, managing agency business lines, meeting customer needs, and developing and strengthening capacity to achieve our mission goals. Requests for hard copies of the Strategic Plan may be made at http://landcare.sc.egov.usda.gov/ or by calling 1-888-LANDCARE.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to the following correspondents and sources for the information they contributed this month: NRCS, CBC, GAO, USDA.
Thanks to the following correspondents and sources for the information they contributed this month: NRCS, CBC, GAO, USDA.
YOU CAN HELP
Please tell us about agroforestry-related news from your area or institution. We welcome your contributions of photos and/or news about useful information sources (in print and online), education and training opportunities, research or demonstration projects, success stories, etc. For submission guidelines, please contact the Newsline editor by e-mailing infonews@aftaweb.org.
Please tell us about agroforestry-related news from your area or institution. We welcome your contributions of photos and/or news about useful information sources (in print and online), education and training opportunities, research or demonstration projects, success stories, etc. For submission guidelines, please contact the Newsline editor by e-mailing infonews@aftaweb.org.