2018-03

CTD Newsletter: March 2018

Advanced GIS for Conservation Districts Course - Multiple Dates

Instructor: Andrew Phay, Whatcom CD

Course Description: In this two day class we will go over more advanced subjects in GIS, continuing on what we learned in the basic class last year. Some of the subjects will be Spatial Analytics (working with rasters), Modeling, 3D Analytics, external database connections, Soil Data Viewer, Geocoding, Scripting, ArcGIS Online, and an introduction to ArcGIS Pro. You will get to get your mouse pointer dirty with some hands on exercises, so a laptop with ArcMap on it will be needed for the class.

Prerequisite: Must have understanding of using ArcMap to work with Features and Geodatabases.

3 Course Locations Offered:

March 20-21 Wenatchee, Cascadia CD

April 17-18 Spokane, Spokane CD

April 25-26 Puyallup, Pierce CD

CLICK HERE to register for the course.

Advances in Dryland Farming in the Inland Pacific Northwest Book Now Available

Advances in Dryland Farming in the Inland Pacific Northwest represents a joint effort by a multi-disciplinary group of scientists from across the region over a three-year period. Together they compiled and synthesized recent research advances as well as economic and other practical considerations to support farmers as they make decisions relating to productivity, resilience, and their bottom lines.

Farmers make tough decisions all the time—it comes with the territory. When that territory includes the dryland region of the inland Pacific Northwest, decisions can be even more challenging. Fluctuating weather, varying soils, and changing pest pressures are just a few of the ongoing challenges that farmers in this region face. However, university-driven research in these production areas can provide guidance. Packed with tools, resources, and the most current research, this book supports farmers as they make decisions relating to productivity, resilience, and their bottom lines.

CLICK HERE to download the book as a .pdf or order a hard copy.

Reminder - Required AgLearn ISA Training Course

REMINDER! Have you completed the FY 2018 Information Security Awareness Training?

For those CD employees who have an AgLearn account:

The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance requires all USDA employees, contractors, partners, and volunteers with existing AgLearn accounts to complete annual security awareness training.

The training is required by law and is an essential part of keeping the information systems secure.

FY 2018 Information Security Awareness (ISA) training in AgLearn is due by the end of March 2018.

Click Here for more information on the FY 2018 ISA course.

For help logging into AgLearn, please contact the Client Technology Services Service Desk at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov or call (800) 457-3642.

USDA Unveils Farmers.gov, Interactive Website for Agricultural Producers

The USDA recently unveiled Farmers.gov, the new interactive one-stop website for producers maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Farmers.gov is now live but will have multiple features added over the coming months to allow agricultural producers to make appointments with USDA offices, file forms, and apply for USDA programs. The website, launched at a breakfast hosted by the Michigan Farm Bureau, gathers together the three agencies that comprise USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation mission area: the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Risk Management Agency.

District Highlight

District Name:

North Yakima CD

District Size:

38 sq. mi urban area

489 sq. mi private land

1,411 sq. mi publicly-owned land

Number of Employees:

Three full-time employees;

Also sponsor one Washington Conservation Corp crew and two information/education coordinators

Main Programs:

YTAHP – Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program, a BPA-funded fish recovery program that emphasized fish access and habitat actions, like barrier removal, fish screens, floodplain reconnection, and in-stream and riparian habitat projects.

Agricultural Conservation Easements – working with private landowners to extinguish development rights by purchasing and holding conservation easements.

Key Partners: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dept. of Ecology (DOE), WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), WA Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR), WA State Conservation Commission (WSCC), Yakima County, Yakama Nation, four conservation districts, seven irrigation districts, six non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and four school districts.

Project/Program Most Proud of: Watershed-based programs – past, present, and future. NYCD helped growers in the Moxee watershed convert 7,500 acres of furrow irrigation to state-of-the-art drip irrigations, leaving zero acres of furrow irrigation (probably saving the entire hop industry and facilitating the growth of the micro-brewery craze, to the delight and benefit of all).

Fun Fact: There are currently more than 40 irrigation districts and entities within NYCD.

Featured Photo

'Over the Rainbow' by Dave Houk