LYLE FREES Water Quality Specialist, NRCS Phone:

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1 Water Issues in Kansas Lyle Frees Water Quality Specialist, NRCS 2007 Insurance Workshop Policy and Structural Changes Affecting Agricultural Risk November 8, 2007 Courtyard by Marriott Salina, Kansas

2 LYLE FREES Water Quality Specialist, NRCS Phone: Lyle Frees is a native Kansan. He was born and raised on a wheat, milo and cattle farm in central Kansas. After graduating from Fort Hays State University, he began working for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS). Lyle has worked at several locations in central and western Kansas as District Conservationist of NRCS. In 1994 he was given the opportunity to assist the local work group for the Cheney Lake Watershed in development and successful implementation of their pollution management plan as project coordinator. He is currently the Water Quality Specialist for NRCS in Salina Kansas.

2007 INSURANCE WORKSHOP Overview POLICY AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL RISK COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT SALINA, KANSAS November 8, 2007 Water Issues in Kansas Lyle Frees, NRCS Short History

3 2007 INSURANCE WORKSHOP Overview POLICY AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL RISK COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT SALINA, KANSAS November 8, 2007 Water Issues in Kansas Lyle Frees, NRCS Short History of Kansas NRCS NRCS Conservation Planning Process Quality Criteria for Ground & Surface Water NRCS Assistance Programs to Address Water Issues Soil Quality and How it Impacts Water Issues History of Conservation Activities in Kansas Kansas is a sea of native and prairie grasses Congress authorizes soil survey program to map tobacco lands and establishes National Cooperation Soil Survey First soil survey completed in Allen County Settlers start moving into Kansas and the Great Plains and begin plowing the land Farmers continue to farm the land without regard to soil conservation. Productive top soil is being lost.

movement, is lecturing on the dangers of soil erosion.

September 19-The Soil Erosion Service begins operation in the U.S.

agency in the USDA with Hugh Hammond Bennett, regarded as the father of

1935, March 25-Limestone Creek erosion-control project is established at

4 1920 s-soil erosion increases. Some farsighted farmers in eastern Kansas build terraces in an attempt to check erosion. Hugh Hammond Bennett, later named father of the soil conservation movement, is lecturing on the dangers of soil erosion A severe and sustained drought period starts followed by huge dust storms and the depression. 1933, April 5-Civilian Conservation Corps established. September 19-The Soil Erosion Service begins operation in the U.S. Department of Interior with Hugh Hammond Bennett as director and first employee. 1934, May 11-First major dust storm originates in the Great Plains followed by several massive storms. 1935, April 27-Congress establishes the Soil Conservation Service as an agency in the USDA with Hugh Hammond Bennett, regarded as the father of soil conservation, as its first chief. 1935, March 25-Limestone Creek erosion-control project is established at Mankato. April 1-Federal government establishes ten erosion research stations to study the erosion problem. Hays is one location selected. April 14-Black Sunday--the worst storm of the Dust Bowl days December 2-Central Great Plains Region office is established with headquarters tentatively designated as Wichita (later made permanent in Salina) Prairie States Forestry Projects (shelterbelt and shrub plantings)

1936-Nursery is established at Manhattan, Kansas, now known as the Plant

June 22-Flood Control Act is enacted to develop measures to retard water flow

1938, June 22-State of Kansas approves Labette County as first conservation

June 29-First Kansas CCC camp opens at Parsons--33 CCC camps were established in

November 16-First SCS employee arrives in Labette County to assist farmers.

County Conservation District and in the state. 1937-Ira K.

February-President Franklin Roosevelt sends letter to all state governors urging

March 25-Governor Huxman signs into law a bill creating conservation districts.

5 1936-Nursery is established at Manhattan, Kansas, now known as the Plant Materials Center (PMC was established as of July 1, 1953). June 22-Flood Control Act is enacted to develop measures to retard water flow and prevent soil erosion in selected watersheds. 1938, June 22-State of Kansas approves Labette County as first conservation district in Kansas. June 29-First Kansas CCC camp opens at Parsons--33 CCC camps were established in Kansas. November 16-First SCS employee arrives in Labette County to assist farmers. December 29-Pete Benson signs up as the first cooperating farmer in Labette County Conservation District and in the state Ira K. Landon, State Coordinator, 1937-June February-President Franklin Roosevelt sends letter to all state governors urging each state to set up soil conservation districts. March 25-Governor Huxman signs into law a bill creating conservation districts. April 10-State Soil Conservation Commission (in 1972 renamed State Conservation Commission) established to protect and enhance Kansas natural resources. 1939, February 28-Salina Regional Office closed. June 20-Northern Great Plains Region established in Lincoln, Nebraska, which covers Kansas. Water Cycle Natural Resources Conservation Service Helping People Help the Land

Evidence of the Kansas Water Cycle Hugh Hammond Bennett - Setting

Incorporate the farmer s willingness to try new practices.

6 Evidence of the Kansas Water Cycle Hugh Hammond Bennett - Setting the Stage Conservation Planning Process Consider the needs and capabilities of each acre. Consider the farmer s abilities, machinery, and economic situation. Incorporate the farmer s willingness to try new practices. Consider the land s relationship to the entire farm, ranch, or watershed. Ensure the conservationist s presence on the land.

7 Conservation Planning is: Natural resources problem solving and management process. A process that provides the framework for plan development based on the integration of social, economic, and ecological considerations. Landowner and resource needs driven, fueled by programs. A three-phase, nine-step process. A process that is dynamic and not necessarily sequential. Planning Process Phase I Collection and Analysis Phase III Application and Evaluation Phase II Decision Support Quality Criteria for Major Resource Concerns Will Rogers Quote "Here is my Farm Relief bill: Every time a Southerner plants nothing on his farm but cotton year after year, and the Northerner nothing but wheat or corn, why, take a hammer and hit him twice right between the eyes. You may dent your hammer, but it will do more real good than all the bills you can pass in a year." Soil Water Air Plant Animal

Leaching Index Ks Phosphorous Site Index Kansas NRCS assistance programs to address

9 Ground and Surface Water quantity and quality assessment tools RUSLE WIN-PST Rangeland Health Assessment Ks Irrigation System and Management Rating Tool Nitrogen Leaching Index Ks Phosphorous Site Index Kansas NRCS assistance programs to address Ks Water Issues Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Conservation Security Program (CSP)

12 Soil Properties and Soil Quality and How They Impact Risk Management for Kansas Water Issues

13 Rain Fall Simulator surface water Will Rogers Quote "People's minds are changed through observation and not through argument." Soil Texture s Impact on Water Infiltration Rate Kansas Agriculture Impacts the Water Cycle? Soil Quality impacts Risk Management?

14 Will Rogers Quote "It rained in the Middle West. Farmers are learning that the relief they get from the sky beats what they get from Washington." The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call (202) (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."

FARM BILL 2002 Colorado Conservation Provisions

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service FARM BILL 2002 Colorado Conservation Provisions Conserving Natural Resources on Colorado s Privately Owned Farmland Farm Bill