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NRCS Alaska NewsSeptember 11, 2006 
This image is centered 50 miles southeast of Barrow. The lakes occur within
a common periglacial feature known as "low center polygons" and are related to the underlying permafrost. What is unusual about this particular area is the rectangular shape of the lakes – most water features on the North Slope are oriented along the direction of the prevailing summer winds and are typically oval or irregular in shape. Photo by Geoeye for NRCS. In This IssueWith EQIP Assistance, KNA Farm Serves Youth, Region Date, Location Set for State Technical Committee Meeting Native American Congressional Internships for 2007
With EQIP Assistance, KNA Farm Serves Youth, RegionHelen Denniston, State Agronomist
"The Aniak farm is one of the most valuable projects supported by the KNA and has become an essential and important part of the community” states Lehman. Lehman says the farm is in a state of rejuvenation. Historically the farm has produced potatoes, lettuce, cabbage and other produce. Potatoes from each year’s crop are not only used for consumption but also to produce seed potatoes for the next year. Potatoes harvested are given to elders. The farm’s greenhouse is used to provide vegetable starts for the farm and for community gardens located in the villages. With village food costs for a family of four well over $200 a week, any contribution the farm can make to local food budgets is very important. Excess fresh produce would be placed in the local marketplace for sale along the river. Lehman has worked hard to get the farm’s equipment up and working and the fields back into production. An Environmental Quality Incentives Program contract has increased irrigation on the farm and helped to improve soil quality. Bethel District Conservationist Andy Oxford has been providing technical assistance to the farm and has seen improvements in the operation. “Working with Diana on the farm has been very rewarding and has really given me a chance to get to know the Aniak community” said Oxford. Lehman is also exploring the possibility of harvesting native grass seed from the farm to supply seed for reclamation projects in the area. Recent mineral exploration may spur commercial mining and the availability of local seed sources would be crucial for any reclamation efforts. “The potential to expand and diversify the farm’s mission is very exciting” says Lehman.
Date, Location Set for State Technical Committee MeetingThe next meeting of the State Technical Committee will take place October 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel. The preliminary agenda includes discussions of FY07 WHIP and EQIP programs. Complete meeting packets will be mailed to all committee members in advance of the meeting. Questions should be directed to State Resource Conservationist Gene Schock at 761-7715.
Year-End Earth Team ReportsPlease update all records for Earth Team volunteers, including all hours volunteered, by September 25. They will be pulled from the database for the annual report at that time. If you do not know how to enter your volunteer hours into the Earth Team database or if you’ve forgotten your password, please call Cassandra Stalzer, Earth Team coordinator, at 761-7749.
Volunteer Background ChecksIf you are working with an Earth Team volunteer who requires access to the computer system or to any federal facility for six months or more, they must undergo a background investigation similar to all new employees. Also like new employees, volunteers are required to be fingerprinted at their own cost. If you have questions, please call Cassandra Stalzer, Earth Team coordinator, at 761-7749.
Native American Congressional Internships for 2007The Morris K. Udall Foundation Native American Congressional Internship Program provides Native Americans and Alaska Natives with an insider's view of the federal government. The ten-week internship in Washington, D.C., places students in Senate and House offices, committees, Cabinet departments and the White House, where they are able to observe government decision-making processes first-hand. In 2007, the Foundation expects to award 12 Internships on the basis of merit to Native Americans and Alaska Natives who:
The 2007 Internship materials are now available. Applications are due by Jan 31, 2007. Check the following website for details: http://www.udall.gov/udall.asp?link=300
Personnel ActionsTransfer/Promotion
Job Postings
Spot Awards(Extra Effort and Performance Awards to follow in later newsletters)
Group Spot Award – Matanuska River Acquisition Project
Group Spot Award – Kodiak Functional Review
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After
spending a day touring the Kuskokwim Native Association (KNA) farm with Manager
Diana Lehman, it was easy to share her enthusiasm. The KNA farm serves ten
Yupik villages in the central Kuskokwim River valley and was developed to
address youth workforce development and the production of fresh vegetables that
could be sold and used locally. 
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