Many landowners across Alabama have heard of, and possibly even worked with Steve Musser through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama. But some of you may not have heard that after 42 years, Musser has officially retired. He started with the NRCS in January of 1979 at the Dale county field office in Ozark, Alabama as a soil conservationist, but at the end of 2021 wrapped up his career as Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in the state office in Auburn.
NRCS ASTC – Programs
Courtesy NRCS/Alabama
Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone talked to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman about Musser’s career with NRCS, and how hard it is to lose such a good member of their staff.
Brandon McCray, assistant state conservationist for partnerships with NRCS in Alabama, worked many years with Musser. He told Weiseman what Steve contributed to conservation in Alabama was immense.
Jeff Thurmond, wildlife biologist with NRCS in Alabama, also worked many years with Musser, and told Weiseman he appreciated the way Steve was open to new ideas and could work outside of the box.
Former Alabama State Conservationist, Dr. William Puckett, who now serves as executive director of the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (SWCC), also worked with Musser and was able to see the many things he did for conservation in Alabama.
As we mentioned, Musser started his career with NRCS in 1979, but then in March of 1980 he became the district conservationist in Monroe County. Then in 1983, he moved to the Coffee County NRCS field office as the district conservationist. After 13 years there he then became the Resource Conservationist with the east team based in Montgomery County. In 2006 he then became the assistant state conservationist with programs and remained in that position until his retirement.
Steve thoroughly enjoyed working with farmers and landowners to help them improve their land and farming practices. He most enjoyed being outside on the land and working face-to-face with people and working with other agencies to improve the quality of the land.
We here at Southeast AgNet worked with Steve for many years and want to thank him for the vast amount of information he passed along for us to use in providing farmers and landowners across Alabama news about the various NRCS programs. We also want to wish him the best in his retirement.