Feature: NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster Visits Bismarck Plant Materials Center

NRCS had the opportunity to participate in the 81st Annual Outdoor Writer's Association of America (OWAA) conference held in Bismarck, June 20-24, 2008, by hosting a pre-conference tour, Friday, June 20, with Chief Arlen Lancaster as the featured guest.

The afternoon tour included two stops. The first was at Burleigh County producer Gabe Brown's ranch, where approximately 40 tour participants heard about Gabe's conservation efforts dealing with soil health, no-till conservation, cover crops, grazing systems, and wildlife habitat. Gabe Brown is one of the eight-producers featured in our new national campaign, "Conservation...Our Purpose, Our Passion."

The second stop was a tour of the the Bismarck Plant Materials Center and Lincoln-Oakes Nursery and showcased the technical assistance provided for native landscaping, windbreaks, and the many aspects involved in providing solutions to conservation problems. Wayne Duckwitz, PMC Manager, and Greg Morgenson, Lincoln-Oakes Nursery Manager, presented information on the successful conservation efforts and partnership.

After the tour, Chief Lancaster presented the Department of Interior, National Park Service, Special Recognition Award to the Bismarck PMC during the ice cream social, which concluded the tour. The social was hosted by Lincoln-Oakes Nursery. Homemade chokecherry ice cream and rhubarb German kuchen was served by Lincoln-Oakes Nursery and PMC staff.

The Bismarck Plant Materials Center was one of several PMCs recognized for their partnerships with the National Park Service.

For more information: NRCS Plant Materials Centers Awarded Special Recognition

Photo Credits: Arlene Deutscher, PAS, NRCS ND

Wayne Duckwitz, PMC Manager,
discusses sweetgrass and native
grasses grown at the PMC,
with NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster
- Click to enlarge -

J.R. Flores, NRCS ND
State Conservationist and
NRCS Chief, Arlen Lancaster
prepare for the tour
- Click to enlarge. -