Agricultural News
Natural Resources and Conservation Service Head Announces Retirement
Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:56:15 CST
Dave White, chief of the Natural Resources and Conservation Service for the last four years, announced that he is retiring effective Dec. 3, 2012.
White began with the NRCS 35 years ago in Missouri as a conservationist. He is known for advocating farmer-friendly plans which help expand conservation practices.
He worked for six years in Montana before moving to Washington, D.C., where he helped craft the 2008 Farm Bill with Iowa Senator Tom Harkin.
USDA-NRCS Under Secretary Harris Sherman praised White and said, "Dave has moved with great speed to implement bold ideas and redefine private land conservation to address the challenges and opportunities of this century."
Sherman credited White with advancing landscape conservation initiatives including the Gulf of Mexico, Working Lands for Wildlife, Mississippi River Basin and Mississippi River Migratory Bird initiatives.
Sherman also applauded White's efforts to forge collaborative agreements with landowners and producers, providing incentives allowing them to invest in conservation efforts.
Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy & Forestry, Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., said "Chief White has spent his career helping the nation fulfill its commitment to soil and water resource conservation working tirelessly to improve land management policies and practices."
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) President Gene Schmidt today called Chief White "a tremendous advocate for natural resource conservation."
"He will be missed by the entire conservation district community," Schmidt continued. "He understands the issues, truly cares about the mission, and knows what it takes to get locally-led conservation done on the ground."
White told his staff, "Since January, 2009, it has been my greatest honor to have been able to serve as your Chief. I will admit to being a bit biased, but NRCS is, without question, the best Federal Agency there is.
"From focusing our programs through initiatives to deliver natural resource results-to providing regulatory certainty for our producers-to the vast array of Agency improvements, NRCS is simply the gold standard for Federal agencies," he added. "So, with a severe case of mixed feelings, I realize it's time to turn the page."
White announced that Jason Weller will serve as Acting Chief of NRCS.
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