South Korean News Organization Visits State Office

COLUMBIA, MO, July 6, 2005 – A news organization from South Korea spent the week of June 27 in Missouri to gather information for a one-hour Korean TV documentary on precision agriculture and the importance of soils in maintaining a strong agricultural economy. Missouri was chosen because of its strong background in the use of precision agriculture, plus a history of effective working relations between the University of Missouri and the Korean government.

The delegation learned about the early history of precision agriculture in Missouri, the relationship of variable rate technology to specific NRCS standards and specifications, and how agricultural producers are receiving financial incentives for applying various "enhancements" through USDA's Conservation Security Program. The delegation was particularly interested in how the U.S. is providing enhancement payments to producers within eligible CSP watersheds who have demonstrated acceptance of precision agriculture.

In an effort to illustrate how NRCS further supports precision agriculture, the group had the opportunity to hear about and see the soil survey geographic (SSURGO) database. Examples of information that can be queried from the database are available water capacity, soil reaction, electrical conductivity, and flooding; building site development and engineering uses; cropland, woodland, rangeland, pastureland, and wildlife; and recreational development. The visitors also received an overview of how agricultural producers use soil survey information to improve their farm management which eventually can lead to qualifying for financial incentives from USDA.

The group was hosted by the Agricultural Research Service.

Pictured, above, during a meeting in Columbia with Missouri NRCS officials are (from left) Sun-OK Chung, a former University of Missouri student serving as translator, Sang-Cheol Jung, videographer, and Jin-Soo Choi, senior reporter with MBC News (Mokpo Munhwa Broadcasting Corp.).

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