Juan A. Saenz Hello my name is Juan “John” A. Saenz and I am a 21-year-old junior here at Texas A&M University- Kingsville. Currently I am studying plant and soil science with an emphasis on soils with a minor in range and wildlife and I need about 1 ½ to 2 years to finish with my bachelor’s degree.

I am also currently a summer intern with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). I am here to help as much as I can and learn as much as possible from this experience, and possibly continue in the same field.

As my internship comes to an end I will be a full-time student, until summer comes around again, then I will either stay here or continue my internship in a neighboring county, or back home in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). I then plan to return back to Kingsville for the fall and spring semesters until I graduate with my bachelors and possibly a Masters should I decide to keep going on with my education.

I have met with the farmers around the area that I am working in, and they all seem to be very nice and helpful in giving me the best information to help me in my future working with the government.

“We are pleased to have John on board to learn and at the same time assist in selling conservation to the farmers and ranchers in Kleberg and Kenedy counties,” says Robert W. Schmidt of the Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Kingsville.

John is employed under the student career experience program (SCEP) for college students.

“The program gives the NRCS a chance to train an employee in all facets of conservation including the planning and application of best management practices to solve resource problems out on the land,” Schmidt added. “He will learn the job by observing and taking part in the daily activities and at the same time, he can decide whether it is a career opportunity for him.”

John Prukop, Chairman of The Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation Board also spoke highly of the program.

“The Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation Board is pleased to have someone to help assist the producers in Kleberg and Kenedy counties with conservation assistance through the various programs,” Prukop said. “It will be a good learning experience and several have gone through the Kingsville office in the past and became career employees with the NRCS.”

For more information concerning conservation technical assistance and any of the other programs, contact the NRCS office in Kingsville at 401 East King Avenue, Ste. 100 or call at 361-592-0309 Ext. 3.