The Confusion Continues 2
There’s a very nice thought behind a program that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Division is trying to achieve. Basically, it’s designed to financially reward farmers who are trying to go greener…protecting against soil erosion, preserving water, all that kind of stuff. No one can argue with that concept for two reasons…it’s just common sense, but the second reason is that apparently nobody understands the program. A recent press release was written, I did a story trying to clarify, and then got an e-mail from the State Public Affairs Specialist, who I’m not going to name because I’m not trying to get anyone in trouble. The e-mail said, in essence, that the NRCS isn’t (and I quote) “getting a whole lot of producers signing up. The first cutoff date for ranking applications is Sept 30 so we'd like to do an interview before that to whomp up some excitement.” I did tell this person that I found all the language confusing and here’s her response: “You know what would help me is if you can help me write a press release that’s not so governmental. You know I’ve been trying to think about how can I make it a little more personal.”
