State Conservationist’s Corner

December 2004

Making a Difference in Massachusetts

By Cecil B. Currin

The year’s end is always a time for reflection. As we look back on the conservation work that NRCS and our partners have accomplished this year, it is clear that we are making a difference in communities across the Bay State.

When a farm is preserved with Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program funds, when we stabilize an eroding streambank through the Emergency Watershed Program, when we protect air and water quality through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, when we restore habitat through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, when we restore a wetland through the Wetland Reserve Program, or assist a community with an area wide plan, we are making a difference.

NRCS people have special training, special skills and special abilities, all of which were put to use this past year, a huge year for planning and contracting. With a fifty percent increase in Farm Bill funding, NRCS staff worked closer than ever with farmers and communities to rise to meet new conservation challenges. While we plan and contract with new funds, farmers are waiting for field assistance to install practices already under contract.

We face an even tougher challenge this year with additional program management responsibilities, particularly with EQIP. We will all work together and find a way to continue delivering high quality assistance to our customers.

I’d like to thank my staff for their dedication, special abilities and talent for working with a wide range of interests. I’d also like to thank our many partners for the assistance and resources they provided throughout the year. Working together, we are making a difference.

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