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Our District Conservationist, Pat Larr, retired December 3, 2009, after 35 years of service. We wish Pat good luck in her future endeavors, and we will be maintaining the articles she wrote here. Contained in them are answers to questions Pat received repeatedly on conservation and natural resources topics. We hope they provide you with a better understanding of our natural resources and what can be done to conserve them.

 

Pat's Archive

I'm glad you asked that question because I am the Coordinator for Earth Team volunteers in this area!

Volunteers have assisted the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in getting conservation on the land since the 1930s. However, it wasn't until 1981 that legislation was passed giving NRCS the authority to use volunteers on a regular basis - the National Volunteer Program was created.

With the passage of the 1985 Farm Bill, NRCS's workload increased, use of volunteers was encouraged to all states in order to achieve the agency's mission. And, in 1985, the National Volunteer Program officially became the Earth Team - the volunteer arm of NRCS.

Today, as the federal workforce continues to decline, NRCS is dependent on volunteers to successfully serve its customers and carry out its mission. The Earth Team is continually looking for volunteers who want to conserve natural resources.

Are you ready to volunteer? Before you do, let me tell you a few things you should know:

  • You won't get paid (you're volunteering), but you can be reimbursed by NRCS for incidental expenses you incur in your work. Travel expenses are also reimbursed if you are asked authorized to do so.
  • You must be at least 14 years old.
  • You do not have to be a United States citizen; citizens of allied countries are also eligible.
  • Friends and relatives of NRCS employees may volunteer, as well as employees of other federal agencies and departments. NRCS employees may volunteer if they are performing services unrelated to their positions.
  • Groups of volunteers are welcome! A group application should be completed by the group leader, which will list the individual members.
  • You are not a federal employee, but you are protected under the Worker's Compensation Program and Tort Claims Act.

Although you won't be paid, you'll still need to keep track of your time. The hours you work will be determined upon meeting with your NRCS supervisor, but will be based on your availability and the needs of the agency office. Hours are turned in on a monthly basis.

Once you've determined your hours, you'll be off and running (working!)! Based on your discussions with your NRCS supervisor, you'll be given a work assignment and be responsible for completing it. If you don't have the skills or knowledge to complete the work effectively, mention that to your supervisor. Volunteers have the same training opportunities as federal employees; your supervisor can request it.

Your safety is of utmost concern to NRCS, so you will be expected to follow the same safety precautions and use the same safety equipment as NRCS employees. All on-the-job injuries are reported to your supervisor, no matter how minor. This protects you in case complications develop later, and in order for you to receive Workman's Compensation benefits, if eligible.

Depending on the type of work you'll be doing, you may be issued government owned tools, equipment, or vehicles, to perform it. You are responsible for the care and return of all assigned items. If equipment is lost or damaged due to your negligence you may be required to pay for it.

Since NRCS is a service-oriented agency that depends on public support and acceptance of its programs, you'll be expected to dress appropriately and conduct yourself in a way that will reflect well on the agency.

 

Best of all, your volunteer efforts won't go unnoticed. Earth Team volunteers receive credit for their work if they wish to apply for NRCS job openings if the work represents qualifying experience for the NRCS position. Or, you can list your volunteer experience when applying for non-government positions. A case file is established for each volunteer, which documents their duties and any training they received. (One note here: any products such as printed materials or photographs, that you create or produce while on the Earth Team become the property of the United States government. As such, they cannot be sold or copyrighted.)

Now, after taking in all this information, I can ask you again, are you ready to volunteer?

If so, contact your local NRCS service center. If you have difficulty locating the center in your area, visit NRCS's Earth Team web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/. This site has an option for finding your service center as well as a wealth of information about Earth Team.

If you live in Clark County, contact me! I may be reached at (812) 256-2330, ext. 108, or via email at pat.larr@in.usda.gov.

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