Walk a Mile In My Boots

What is “Walk a Mile In My Boots”?
The “Walk a Mile in My Boots” initiative is a work-exchange program between agricultural producers and government employees. NRCS is working with the National Association of Conservation Districts to implement this partnership program that was developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Exchanges will provide opportunities for producers and NRCS employees to learn more about each other’s lifestyles, issues, and operations.

Who can participate?
This is a national program, so any producer or NRCS employee may apply to participate..

Producers and NRCS employees interested in applying for participation in the program should contact:

Bonnie Alley, National Volunteer Liaison
USDA-NRCS
5140 Park Avenue, Suite C
Des Moines, IA 50321
Phone: 515-289-0325, extension 105
Fax: 515-289-4561

What will I be doing?
Producers will be signed up as Earth Team Volunteers and will visit NRCS field offices, state offices or NRCS headquarters in Washington, D.C. They may shadow biologists, managers or other specialists; conduct outdoor field activities; attend agricultural meetings and work with USDA officials. Outdoor activities might include water control monitoring or wildlife habitat planning.

Government employees will visit a ranch or farm and shadow producers in their daily operations. Activities might include branding and vaccinating calves, moving and feeding livestock, irrigating cropland, building and maintaining conservation buffers or haying.

How long are the exchanges?
This is flexible, depending on the availability of the rancher and NRCS employee. The average exchange will be five to ten days.

Links...
NRCS National Bulletin, INF-“Walk a Mile in My Boots” Program

Walk a Mile in My Boots Program application (Requires Adobe Acrobat.)

NRCS Employee Travels to Arizona to Walk a Mile
The  Utah NRCS soil conservationist Paul Percival traveled from Price, Utah, to Flagstaff, Arizona, recently to spend a week on the Diablo Trust ranches in northern Arizona as part of his participation in the “Walk a Mile in My Boots” program.

Christina Muedeking Walks a Mile in Iowa
Regional Assistant Chief ― Central Christina Muedeking was in Poweshiek County, Iowa, last week to participate in a Walk a Mile in My Boots exchange requested by Mark Kennett on his farm near Grinnell.

Walk-A-Mile Comes to Washington, D.C.
Through a unique partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts the Walk-A-Mile in My Boots program has resulted in a number of exchanges between producers and NRCS staff. One of the most recent provided an opportunity for three ranchers from the western U.S. to visit and work with NRCS West Regional Assistant Chief Sara Braasch at NRCS National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

RC&D Coordinator “Walks-A-Mile” in Yuma Farmer’s Boots
Through the Walk-A-Mile in My Boots program, Yuma farmer John Boelts hosted  NRCS Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) coordinator Danny Markus at the 3,600-acre Coronation Peak Ranches that John helps manage. Both have benefited from the collaboration. “I knew NRCS had rural and community development, but I had no idea how it worked,” said Boelts. “I’ve gotten some ideas, and it’s got me thinking in other areas.”