California NRCS New Employee Orientation
by Debra Denhart|Public Affairs Specialist, Davis, Calif.
From the classroom to the fields, the NRCS California New Employee Orientation Class gained knowledge on the history of NRCS, the mission and more during the weeklong orientation. California new employees along with new NRCS staff from Arizona, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Arkansas, Nevada, and Massachusetts also attended.
There were two class field trips a day scheduled on the three field trip days during the weeklong orientation. Planned visits to Durst Ranch, Hedgerow Farms, Center for Land Based Learning, Ulysses Mendoza Dairy, New Hope Dairy, and the Plant Materials Center along with classroom instruction were part of the schedule.
It was such a beautiful field of woolly sunflowers on Hedgerow Farms. The benefits of the sunflower providing pollen and nectar to many insects and supporting up to seven moths or butterflies was incredible.
As mentioned previously, field trips to Ulysses Mendoza Dairy and New Hope Dairy were also done during the orientation. During these field trips the class learned the processes of maintaining healthy dairy cows as well as some NRCS practices used to practice conservation on a dairy farm.
Owners shared the healthy feeding regimens of their dairy cows and their journey into establishing a dairy farm. They took great care and concern in their livestock’s overall health and well-being in order to provide the best milk for their customers.
A trip to Durst Ranch in Yolo County showing the vast rangeland of California was very impressive. The landowner was grateful to have the partnership and assistance of NRCS in their conservation practices. They could not say enough great things about their Yolo County NRCS team.
The orientation brought many states together to share their experiences, gain knowledge, and develop friendships. The class was fortunate enough to have two special speakers during in class days at the NRCS California State Office in Davis, California State Resource Conservationist Jon Gustafson and California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. Suarez joined the class on his day off to share his NRCS journey, challenges, and passions. He also provided an open forum for any questions. The class was able to gain insight and be inspired by his experiences. It was an honor to have two great speakers take the time to attend the class during the orientation.
A special thanks also to the California State Training Officer Marcos Perez for his time and contribution in planning the weeklong orientation training for new employees and to the instructors.
The training was put into action by instructors from across the country and included Texas Urban Conservationist Michael Brooks, North Carolina Supervisory Soil Conservationist Randy Blackwood, and Oklahoma Civil Engineering Technician Nick Owen who guided the lessons and field trips. The training was a great first step of many exciting journeys new employees will have in their NRCS careers.
