State Conservationist's Corner

Conservation: Our Purpose. Our Passion.

by Christine S. Clarke

I’m proud to introduce NRCS’s new national public information campaign called “Conservation…Our Purpose, Our Passion.” here in the Bay State. The campaign is designed to tell the conservation story through grassroots experiences of our customers and employees. It will remind NRCS partners, existing and potential customers and the public that being a part of a conservation alliance is more important now than it ever has been.

In the publications, exhibits and web pages that are being created as part of the campaign, you’ll read stories about Massachusetts customers, partners and employees along with information on NRCS programs and the Commonwealth’s agriculture.

As new opportunities for Massachusetts farmers emerge, it’s vital that we share success stories and observations of how those opportunities came about. A strong commitment to conservation by many partners is one reason why Massachusetts farms are remaining economically and environmentally viable. The stories we will tell in this campaign capture how their work and conservation goals are achieved through the support of the more than 60 Massachusetts NRCS employees who helped them protect soil, water, air, plants and animal habitats.

NRCS is honored to have the support and commitment of all our partners, particularly Massachusetts 14 conservation districts. As we anticipate a new Farm Bill and the changes it will bring, we are working to strengthen those partnerships. I encourage anyone who shares our purpose and passion for conservation to get involved in a local conservation district, resource conservation and development council, or become an Earth Team volunteer.

In regard to the Farm Bill, I'd like to thank all our employees who worked hard work to obligate the interim allocations that we’ve received to date and their diligence on contract review. While we must continue to be fiscally conservative, the allocations that we’ve received with the Farm Bill extensions have provided sufficient resources so that we do not anticipate having to send staff on out-of-state details, can fill critical positions, focus on providing needed training, find ways to support our conservation district partners, and can continue to address critical natural resource needs of the commonwealth.

And as we continue our work addressing the commonwealth's natural resource needs, we'll convey the stories of the customers, employees, volunteers and partners who share our our purpose and passion for conservation.

CHRISTINE S. CLARKE
State Conservationist

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