2002 Kansas Report

Earth Team Volunteers

For the first time, Earth Team volunteers served in all Kansas NRCS offices. Earth Team volunteers are an important asset to NRCS. Volunteer hours increased by 160 percent. The 30,523 hours of volunteer time are equivalent to 15 people working full time. The NRCS workforce was assisted by 948 volunteers.

Volunteers work in the state, area, and field offices; on the land; and in conservation education programs in schools and communities across the state.

Seventeen of the volunteers served as apprentices through the Kansas Natural Resources Apprentice Initiative. High school and college students can be apprentices through the Earth Team. The initiative provides experience and information for informed career choices; fulfills community service requirements for scholarships, colleges, and technical schools; provides work experience on resumes; and provides a reference to natural resources in making lifetime decision.

The following were recognized for their volunteer efforts in Kansas:

• Outstanding Kansas Earth Team Volunteer - Tara Ala, Oskaloosa
• Outstanding Kansas Earth Team Group - Washington NRCS Group, Washington, Kansas
• Outstanding RC&D/NRCS Earth Team - Lake Region RC&D, Ottawa
• Outstanding Kansas Earth Team NRCS Employee - Lonnie Miller, Salina

In addition, the Washington NRCS Group and Lonnie Miller were recognized by NRCS regionally and nationally for their volunteer efforts.

Kansas Technical Committee (KTC)

Following the passage of the 2002 Farm Bill, the KTC grew from 40 to more than 60 federal and state agencies, local government representatives, organizations, individuals, and Tribes.

The KTC makes recommendations to the State Conservationist about state resource concerns, how NRCS evaluates its applications, and eligible practices to treat resource concerns as pertains to Farm Bill programs.

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