03/16/06 Walk a mile

Walk a Mile You've all heard the saying, "walk a mile in my shoes". I'm Jeff Keane; I'll tell you something new about that saying right after this. In 2003 the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cooperatively started the "Walk a Mile in My Boots" work-exchange program. For over two years the program has offered Fish and Wildlife employees and cattle producers the chance to experience each other's work routine. Government employees participating in the program work on ranches doing seasonal jobs, while cattle ranchers visit government offices, work on refuges, in labs or possibly visit national headquarters in Washington, D.C. The length of the exchange can run from two to ten days. On February 2, 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to include the National Association of Conservation Districts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service employees. I can see where this program could sure give everyone a lot more common ground when it comes time to discuss issues and problems that can occur between producers and government entities. I think this would be especially true between ranchers and government employees that have office jobs and never have the chance to actually work on the ground. I can also see a whole bunch of cattle ranchers more than ready to get back to the dust, rain, sunshine, and even wind of the open spaces if they've been in an office much over a half day. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Livestock Reporter 2/22/06