USDA National Agroforestry Center NAC's Blog http://www.unl.edu/nac en-us ryandee@fs.fed.us ryandee@fs.fed.us 15 2nd European Congress of Conservation Biology Conservation Biology And Beyond: From Science To Practice. Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, September 01-05, 2009. The ECCB2009 will bring together the full range of conservation professionals not only to report on latest results, but also to explore the role of conservation science in policy formation and effective practice. The congress will provide unique opportunities for exchange and networking. http://www.eccb2009.org/ Agriculture Secretary Vilsack names new Chief for U.S. Forest Service Tom Tidwell brings 32 Years of Experience Working to Protect Our Nation's Forests. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_2_1UH/.ce/7_2_5JM/.p/5_2_4TQ/.d/1/_th/J_2_9D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?PC_7_2_5JM_contentid=2009%2F06%2F0214.xml&PC_7_2_5JM_parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&PC_7_2_5JM_navid=NEWS_RELEASE Alley Cropping An Overview https://www.agronomy.org/story/2009/jun/fri/alley-cropping Upper Mississippi forest lands protected Landmark conservation easement protects waters, habitat and public access. http://www.conservationfund.org/news/upper_mississippi_forest_lands_protected_forever EPA launches Healthy Watersheds Initiative Clean Water Act will "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters." http://www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds/ US Forest Service, NRCS, and partners launch Joint Forestry Team website "Working Together to Improve Forestry and Conservation Assistance." http://jointforestryteam.org/ National Association of Conservation Districts releases Woody Biomass Desk Guide and Toolkit It "provides an overview of woody biomass production and utilization in the U.S., tips of how to provide effective outreach for your clientele, and educational handouts to share with your audiences." http://www.nacdnet.org/resources/guides/biomass/ State Foresters support increased Federal funding for sustainable forestry, wildfire protection "Other critical program areas still suffer from inadequate funding." http://www.stateforesters.org/news_media/press_releases/2010_presidents_budget USDA releases Beginning Farmers and Ranchers publication View publication details. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib53/ Agriculture Census Data Now Available by Congressional District Profiles Provide Snapshot of Local Agriculture http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Newsroom/2009/05_08_2009.asp All Four UNL Organic Farms Now Certified, Research Underway "Researchers can eventually help organic farmers determine what are the best crop rotations, best varieties and cultural practices." http://www.nebraskaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=350&yr=2009 Buffer Width Design Tool A new paper describing an easy-to-use tool for estimating appropriate buffer widths for water quality improvement. http://www.unl.edu/nac/research/2008bufferwidth.pdf Grant programs North Central Region SARE has grant programs for Professional Development and Research & Education. http://www.sare.org/NCRSARE/cfp.htm Smokey's back! "Get your Smokey on!" http://www.smokeybear.com/ Three new Agroforestry Notes are available They focus on landscape assessments and planning. In case you wonder where AF Note #37 is, it has been assigned to a forthcoming Note to be published this fall. http://www.unl.edu/nac/agroforestrynotes.htm