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Five Conservation Stories from 2015 You Should Read

Posted by Sarah Haymaker, Natural Resources Conservation Service in Conservation
Dec 03, 2015

2015 was a banner year for voluntary conservation efforts in the United States.  Whether protecting the farmlands, grasslands and wetlands with partnership efforts and conservation easements, helping new farmers get started with conservation on smaller scale farms or providing conservation solutions for organic, transitioning-to-organic and conventional farms or ranches across the country, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service celebrates the voluntary, private-lands conservation efforts of the partners, farmers and ranchers. Together they represent some of the strongest stewards of the American landscape. Here are five 2015 stories that highlight a big year for conservation:

1. Unprecedented Collaboration to Save Sage-Grouse is the Largest Wildlife Conservation Effort in U.S.

More than 1,100 ranchers across eleven states partnered with the Department of the Interior, USDA and many western governors in the largest landscape-level conservation effort in U.S. history.

A male greater sage grouse struts at a lek, near Bridgeport, CA to attract a mate. Photo by Jeannie Stafford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
A male greater sage grouse struts at a lek, near Bridgeport, CA to attract a mate. Photo by Jeannie Stafford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

2. New Farmers’ Legacy for the Land

Some people leave a legacy for their children. Cameron Green and Eric Wittenbach plan to leave theirs to Mother Nature in Okanogan, Washington.

Cameron Green standing among the tomatoes in the high tunnel
Cameron Green stands among the tomatoes in the high tunnel she operates with Eric Wittenbach.

3. Montana Soil Conservationist, Organic Farmer Work Together to Reach Goals

Building lasting relationships goes hand-in-hand with getting conservation on the ground. So, when Ben Ferencz and Julie Pavlock of Foothills Farm in St. Ignatius were interested in expanding their farm, they reached out to me about available NRCS programs.

Ben Ferencz and Julie Pavlock of Foothills Farm in St. Ignatius, Montana with their hoop house in background
Ben Ferencz and Julie Pavlock of Foothills Farm in St. Ignatius, Montana discuss working with NRCS. Their hoop house is in the background. Photo credit: Suzanne Pender

4. Powered by Diversity and Healthy Soil, an Organic Iowa Farm Flourishes

In many respects, Ron and Maria Vakulskas Rosmann’s “Farm Sweet Farm” is a typical Iowa farm. The Rosmann’s grow corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs. But that’s where the similarities with traditional farming operations end.

The Rosmann’s have a retail store on the farm where they sell a wide variety of goods to visiting consumers. NRCS photo.
The Rosmann’s have a retail store on the farm where they sell a wide variety of goods to visiting consumers. NRCS photo.

5. A Dream of Farming Becomes a Reality for this Kentucky Farm Mom

Wife, mother and farmer—Emily Diamond and her family own and operate the Diamond Family Farm in LaGrange, supplying meat for her family and the surrounding community through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

Emily Diamond's daughter on the farm
Emily handles the day-to-day operations on the farm, but everyone in the family does their part, which is what makes Diamond Family Farm such a successful family business. Photo courtesy of Emily Diamond, used with permission.
Category/Topic: Conservation
Tags: #HighFive Conservation NRCS