The American Seed Trade Association presented their Distinguished Service Award this morning to NRCS Chief David White, pictured on right with ASTA Chairman Mike Gumina. Mike says the award recognizes people who have gone above and beyond or made some special contribution to the industry. He says that in the area of conservation ASTA has had very good success.
Chief White talking about cost sharing between NRCS and private land owners says, “You can do whatever you want with public lands but the fate of the environment rests in private hands and voluntary incentive-based conservation is where we should be.” He says ASTA members provide 90% of all the seed used in NRCS programs. He ended his comments quoting a question often posed by former Rep. Kika de la Garza, TX, “How long can a nuclear submarine stay under water?” The answer: As long as they have food.
Listen to Chief White’s comments here: NRCS Chief David White Comment