Norman Berg Receives Chief Emeritus Award from NRCS

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 1998 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today presented Norman A. Berg with its first Chief Emeritus Award.

"Norm's distinguished service as its Chief has helped make the Natural Resources Conservation Service the premiere natural resource agency that it is today," said Pearlie S. Reed, acting assistant secretary for administration, at the agency's leadership meeting in Washington, D.C. Reed will become the agency's 11th chief on March 1.

"This and future generations owe Norm a debt of gratitude," Reed said. "It is fitting that he receive this unprecedented recognition from NRCS."

Berg served as the agency's chief from September 1979 to April 1982. He began his conservation career in 1943 in Downey, Idaho, and served in Pocatello, Idaho, and Huron, South Dakota, prior to 22 years in the agency's national headquarters as deputy administrator for field services and later as associate administrator. He received USDA's Distinguished Service Award in 1973.

Berg, a native of Burlington, Iowa, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and received a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University.

He has served as senior advisor for the American Farmland Trust since the early 1980s. He has helped develop Federal policy in recent Farm Bills to include a concern for the land.

Berg is a charter member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) and has received its two highest honors: as both a Fellow and recipient of the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, named after the first chief of the agency. In 1992, SWCS established the Norman A. Berg and Ruth A. Berg Fellowship, which each year enables about 15 experts to get together and discuss conservation policy.

Earlier this month, Berg received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Conservation Districts.

He has helped in national conferences that have led to legislation and program improvements in land use, farmland preservation, sediment control, stormwater management, and resource protection in both rural and urbanizing areas.

He chaired the U.S. Section, Great Lakes Land Use Reference Group of the International Joint Commission.

He served on the Secretary of Agriculture's Coordinating Committee for the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act.

In 1980, he was honored by being among the first group of Senior Executives to receive a Presidential Rank Award.

That same year, he also received the National Wildlife Federation's Conservation Award for outstanding contributions to the wise use and management of the nation's natural resources.

Berg lives in Severna Park, Maryland, with his wife Ruth.

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