NRCS in Texas has received its initial allocation of EQIP funding for 2013 and will begin ranking and obligating EQIP contracts after February 15. All agriculture producers interested in submitting an EQIP contract application for 2013 should do so before this ranking deadline.

EQIP is a voluntary, continuous sign-up program that allows landowners or operators to apply for financial and technical assistance for the application of specific conservation practices; but the deadline for the first 2013 funding is February 15, 2013. Contracts are offered periodically depending on budgetary allocations. Applications made after the deadline will be considered in the next funding cycle. Higher priority will be given to those applications that address national, state and local priorities and provide higher cost efficiency.

NRCS encourages any person interested in participating in their programs to contact their local field office, usually located at the county seat.

EQIP offers technical and financial help to install or implement structural, vegetative, and management practices that can benefit the soil, water, air, plants, livestock, and wildlife. Each county in the state is funded yearly to assist producers financially with these land management practices.

Last year, NRCS in Texas funded over 4,000 EQIP contracts with $76 million to accomplish conservation practices such as irrigation efficiency, minimum tillage, brush management and more on 2.1 million acres across the entire state. In addition to helping our environment, Farm Bill conservation program funds support rural communities. In Texas, it is estimated that each dollar of NRCS and private matching expenditures on NRCS conservation programs generates an additional $2.54 in sales of goods and services.

For more information, including eligibility requirements, call the USDA Service Center office serving the county where your land is located. Service center locations and program information can be found on the Texas NRCS Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov

For information specific to this press release, contact: Dee Ann Littlefield, 254-742-9800, deeann.littlefield@tx.usda.gov or Mark Habiger, 254-742-9881, mark.habiger@tx.usda.gov.

NRCS and USDA support the efforts of the Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. This blog post was posted in the spirit of working together to meet the goals and objectives of both organizations.

The 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum recently convened at the El Tropicano Riverwalk hotel in San Antonio, Texas, October 17-19, 2012. The Leaders Forum brought together representatives from industry, government, and education to continue the dialog about how to capitalize on the potential Hispanic/Latino talent has in the future of Agriculture. In total, 115 registered attendees from 14 states in addition to several Latin American countries were represented. New at this year’s national forum was the introduction of more than 40 college students who were able to participate, and benefit from the networking opportunities with national agricultural leaders, thanks to the generous support from sponsors who provided scholarships for students to attend the event.

The Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum included a packed agenda with passionate and skilled presenters taking center stage throughout the 3-day meeting. Highlights of the 2nd Annual Leaders Forum included the keynote address by Mr. Edward Avalos, United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs kicking off the event, the celebration of the “150-years of the USDA”, a social networking opportunity in a historic venue where attendees rode riverboats through downtown San Antonio, and were given an opportunity to participate in a drawing for several door prizes generously sponsored by Iowa State University. Students were able to network with industry, government, and university representatives to explore employment opportunities while students interested in pursuing graduate degrees, were able to speak to college deans in attendance. Additionally, there was a “leaving a legacy” symbolic gesture, where planning committee members and attendees planted a tree on the grounds of the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel to signify the importance of the groundbreaking work Latinos in Agriculture is doing to bring awareness to Hispanic students about the opportunities in Agriculture.

The “150-Years of the USDA” celebration brought together dignitaries and VIPs such as: Mr. Eligio “Kika” de la Garza, Former U.S. Congressman; Mr. Juan M. Garcia, Administrator, Farm Service Agency, USDA, Washington, D.C.; Ms. Carolyn Parker, Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, USDA, Washington, D.C., Mr. Salvador Salinas, Texas State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA, Mr. Paco Valentin, State Director of Rural, Development, USDA; and Councilman, Mr. Rey Saldaña, City Council District 4, San Antonio.

Of special note was when Councilman Saldaña read a City of San Antonio Proclamation signed by Mayor, Julian Castro, officially designating October 17-19, 2012 as “Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum Days”.

In addition to celebrating USDA’s 150-years of existence, both Mr. “Kika” and Mrs. Lucille de la Garza were recognized for their leadership and long time contributions in support of agriculture. Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, and Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum’s Media Affiliate, was Master of Ceremonies for the “150-Years of the USDA” celebration.

The 3-Day agenda also included a series of presentations and discussion panels related to changing the perceptions of Agriculture and increasing the educational pipeline of Hispanic students for the transformation of the agriculture workforce of the future.

Some of the topics discussed were best practices for recruitment and retention, proven methods of recruiting Hispanic students into Agriculture, the role college advisors play in building an educational pipeline as well as strategies in promoting Ag Literacy to impact the talent pipeline of the future. In addition, there were presentations related to career opportunities for Hispanics in higher education, as well as utilizing social media to recruit and retain Latino students.

The last day of the forum culminated with former Hallmark’s chief brand advocate, author of the branding book, Brand Aid, and one of the world’s foremost experts on brand management and marketing, Mr. Brad VanAuken, talking about “Branding Careers in Agriculture for Future Generations: Changing perceptions of Agriculture”, and an inspiring student panel whose topic was, “What Will it Take to Recruit Me? Hispanic Students Sharing their Perspective”. Students on the panel shared their personal stories about how they became involved in agriculture and what strategies can be considered when recruiting Hispanic students into Agriculture. The panel included students from Colorado, Minnesota, and Texas who are attending a community college, a university, and graduate school.

The 3-day event, packed with useful information for all in attendance would not have been possible, if not for the support of the generous sponsors and supporters of this year’s event. Forum hosts included AgForLife, LLC and TCTS Global, LLC. The Media Affiliate was About Harvest, LLC.

Sponsors included: Platinum level sponsor, Farm Credit; Bronze Level Sponsors: Elanco, CHS Foundation, and Capital Farm Credit; Friends Level Sponsors: USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Texas Pork Producers, Iowa State University, and USDA – Hispanic Serving Institutions National Program; Support Level Sponsors: Texas Farm Bureau, Iowa Select Farms, USDA – Farm Service Agency, Truffle Media, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, St. Edward’s University, and Monsanto.

The 2012 Leaders Forum was organized by a group of diverse volunteers and the planning committee from a cross section of industry, government, and education. Members of the committee were Ms. Lili Alonzo, Iowa Select Farms, Mr. Randy Breitling, Capital Farm Credit, Mr. Aurelio Curbelo, Iowa State University, Ms. Ruby de la Garza, USDA – Hispanic Serving Institutions National Program, Mr. Ruben Flores, Colorado State University, Dr. Maria Gutierrez, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, Mr. Joe MacDonald, Elanco, and Dr. Adalberto Perez de Leon, USDA – Agricultural Research Service. Rounding out the committee included co-founders, Dr. Edward Romero, AgForLife, LLC and Mr. Orlando Gil, TCTS Global, LLC.

Plans are underway for next year’s forum to be held in San Antonio, Texas. Dates for the 3rd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum are being considered for October 2013. Specific dates will be forthcoming.

For a complete list of speakers, topics, and specifics related to the 2nd Annual 3-day event, please visit the Latinos in Agriculture website

If you or your organization are interested in learning more about the opportunities available in attending and supporting the 3rd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum, please access the Contact Information page on the website and let us know more about you.

The panel will address the “Significance of the 2012 Farm Bill in Increasing the Number of Young Hispanic Leaders into Agriculture”.

Recently, Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, had the opportunity to interview Administrator Garcia as he explained his responsibilities as Administrator of the agency and the role of the Farm Service Agency in creating a safety net for farmers and ranchers as well as ensuring a food supply for all Americans. To listen to the podcast interview, click here.

Mr. Garcia will also be present at the 150 Year USDA Celebration Reception as dignitaries and VIPs celebrate the impact Latinos have had on American Agriculture in the past 150 years of the USDA.

Registration is still open for the 2nd annual event. To register for the Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum and network with national leaders attending the Leaders Forum, click here.

Come join us in San Antonio and meet Administrator Garcia and other national leaders and be a part of the discussion as we all work towards “growing a better future for Agriculture”.

The podcast embedded in this blog is the 11th in a series of interviews of the presenters who will be speaking at the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. The interviews are all conducted by Ms. Nancy O’Mallon from About Harvest. To become a subscriber of frequent updates and postings, please make sure and enter your email in the “Subscribe to LIA Updates” field on the LIA website (upper right-side column).

Mr. Gil will also be participating in, and moderating, the discussion panel Best Practices for Talent Recruitment and Retention in Government, Industry and Education, at the upcoming event.

In the recent podcast interview by Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, Mr. Gil shared the need for this much-needed talent pipeline that will ensure the future of Agriculture and the urgency in tapping into the emerging Hispanic segment of the population, as it provides a window of opportunity that can potentially transform the agricultural workforce of the future.

In his interview, Mr. Gil, President of TCTS Global, LLC, talks about the beginnings of the organization, the impact of the aging population on available talent, and the need for investing in future leadership. You can listen to the podcast interview, and Mr. Gil’s comments, leading to his participation in the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum, here.

To register for the 2nd annual event and to meet Mr. Gil and other Latino leaders as they discuss solutions for future talent needs in Agriculture, click here.

We look forward to meeting you in San Antonio as we all work towards “growing a better future for Agriculture”.

The podcast embedded in this blog is the 10th in a series of interviews of the presenters who will be speaking at the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. The interviews are all conducted by Ms. Nancy O’Mallon from About Harvest. To become a subscriber of frequent updates and postings, please make sure and enter your email in the “Subscribe to LIA Updates” field on the LIA website (upper right-side column).

Mr. VanAuken’s presentation, “Branding Careers in Agriculture for Future Generations: Changing perceptions of Agriculture”, will address ways on how agriculturalists can brand Agriculture and make it enticing for future generations to consider it as a career.

Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, had the opportunity to interview Mr. VanAuken recently to discuss his participation in the event and the importance of the Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum to the future of Agriculture. You can listen to Mr. VanAuken’s podcast interview by clicking, here.

The 2nd annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum is again bringing together leaders from industry, government and education as they explore ways and deliberate approaches to build a much needed pipeline of future leadership for Agriculture.

Interested in attending? registration is still open for the 2nd annual event. To register for the Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum and network with professionals from around the nation attending the Leaders Forum, click here.

We hope to see you in San Antonio and look forward to meet you and other national leaders that will be a part of the discussion as we all work towards “growing a better future for Agriculture”.

The podcast embedded in this blog is the 9th in a series of interviews of the presenters who will be speaking at the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. The interviews are all conducted by Ms. Nancy O’Mallon from About Harvest. To become a subscriber of frequent updates and postings, please make sure and enter your email in the “Subscribe to LIA Updates” field on the LIA website (upper right-side column).

In a podcast interview conducted by Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, Mr. Curbelo talked about the important role the Latinos in Agriculture organization has in promoting Agriculture and in providing a place where industry, government and education can explore ways of capitalizing Hispanic talent.

Mr. Curbelo, along with Dr. Aury Curbelo from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, will discuss “Utilizing Safe Social Networks Services to Recruit and Retain Latino students in the Agricultural Sciences”.

To register for the 2nd annual event and network with national leaders attending the Leaders Forum, click here.

Come join us in San Antonio and be a part of the discussion as we all work towards “growing a better future for Agriculture”.

The podcast embedded in this blog is the 8th in a series of interviews of the presenters who will be speaking at the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. The interviews are all conducted by Ms. Nancy O’Mallon from About Harvest. To become a subscriber of frequent updates and postings, please make sure and enter your email in the “Subscribe to LIA Updates” field on the LIA website (upper right-side column).

Mr. Avalos’ keynote address, “Can Latinos provide a Talent Safety Net for the future of the USDA and the future of Agriculture in America?” will kick off the activities and discussion for the three-day event.

Recently, Mr. Avalos was interviewed by Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, to discuss his participation in the event and the importance of the Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum to the future of Agriculture. You can listen to the Under Secretary’s podcast interview. In the podcast, Mr. Avalos discusses his role as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs as well as the scope and responsibilities of his department.

Mr. Avalos will also be present at the 150 Year USDA Celebration Reception as dignitaries and VIPs celebrate the impact Latinos have had on American Agriculture in the past 150 years of the USDA.

The 2nd annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum is bringing together leaders from industry, government and education to continue the discussion started last year in exploring ways and deliberate approaches to build a much-needed pipeline of future leadership for Agriculture.

Registration is still open for the three-day event. To register for the Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum and network with professionals from around the nation, click here.

We look forward to meeting you in San Antonio as national leaders convene for this national three-day forum as we all work towards “growing a better future for Agriculture”.

The podcast embedded in this blog is the 7th in a series of interviews of the presenters who will be speaking at the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. The interviews are all conducted by Ms. Nancy O’Mallon from About Harvest. To become a subscriber of frequent updates and postings, please make sure and enter your email in the “Subscribe to LIA Updates” field on the LIA website (upper right-side column).

The student panel, composed of Hispanic students, will focus on what works and does not work from the students’ view. The panel discussion is titled “What Will it Take to Recruit Me? Hispanic Students Sharing Their Perspectives”.

Mr. Gordillo was recently interviewed by Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, as he took a break from his responsibilities as an intern in Washington D.C. Mr. Gordillo is serving as an intern for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, working under Ranking Member, Collin Peterson from Minnesota.

Listen to Mr. Gordillo’s podcast interview. In the podcast, Mr. Gordillo discusses his experience as a student in Agriculture, as an intern in Washington D.C. and his role in the student panel.

The 2nd annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum is bringing together leaders from industry, government and education to continue the discussion started last year in exploring ways and deliberate approaches to capitalize on Hispanic talent. This year’s event features the student component as they join the discussion on how to build a pipeline of future leaders in Agriculture.

Registration is still open for the three-day event. To register for the Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum and network with professionals and students from around the nation, click here.

We look forward to meeting you in San Antonio as national leaders convene for this national three-day forum as we all work towards “growing a better future for Agriculture”.

The podcast embedded in this blog is the 6th in a series of interviews of the presenters who will be speaking at the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. The interviews are all conducted by Ms. Nancy O’Mallon from About Harvest. To become a subscriber of frequent updates and postings, please make sure and enter your email in the “Subscribe to LIA Updates” field on the LIA website (upper right-side column).

Dr Hill’s presentation will address the “Changes and Perceptions in Agriculture: Changing company culture, issues, challenges and success…”

In a recent podcast interview by Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, Dr. Hill talked about the need to be resilient, setting goals, and the importance of role models to have success in one’s career. You can access the podcast interview and listen to Dr. Hill’s comments leading to his participation in the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum, here.

To register for the 2nd annual event and to meet Dr. Hill as he discusses the opportunities available for Latinos in the Pork industry, click here.

We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio as we all work towards “growing a better future for Agriculture”.

The podcast embedded in this blog is the 5th in a series of interviews of the presenters who will be speaking at the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. The interviews are all conducted by Ms. Nancy O’Mallon from About Harvest. To become a subscriber of frequent updates and postings, please make sure and enter your email in the “Subscribe to LIA Updates” field on the LIA website (upper right-side column).

Mr. Breitling will be participating and sharing his vast human resources experience in the discussion panel “Best Practices for Talent Recruitment and Retention in Government, Industry and Education”.

In a recent podcast interview by Nancy O’Mallon, CEO of About Harvest, LLC, Mr. Breitling talked about the need for qualified talent as baby boomers exit the workforce and the gap that will exist in the next five to 10 years. Mr. Breitling also discusses his role as Vice President of Human Resources and how his association with Latinos in Agriculture is helping Capital Farm Credit meet the talent gap. You can access the podcast interview and listen to Mr. Breitling’s comments leading to his participation in the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum, here.

To register for the 2nd annual event and to meet Mr. Breitling as he discusses the opportunities available for Latinos in the Farm Credit industry, click here.

We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio as we all work towards “growing a better future for Agriculture”.

The podcast embedded in this blog is the 4th in a series of interviews of the presenters who will be speaking at the 2nd Annual Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Forum. The interviews are all conducted by Ms. Nancy O’Mallon from About Harvest. To become a subscriber of frequent updates and postings, please make sure and enter your email in the “Subscribe to LIA Updates” field on the LIA website (upper right-side column).