This year's main challenge is the drought and how best to adapt grazing practices to the lack of water. During normal seasons, the many streams on the ranch are flowing with water. As buffalo rotate from field to field, they often have to cross one or more streams each day. Mr. Cammack says that first and foremost, using the USDA has financial benefits. This is followed by the utilization of the NRCS support services needed to take on complex projects. NRCS was just what Mr. Cammack needed when he saw the need for a better way for his bison and vehicles to cross from field to field at this high-banked creek. He needed it to be safe and strong enough for the heavy buffalo and protect the stream bed from erosion and the water from sedimentation. The high banks and stream bed were dug through, the crossing was widened and reinforced. He turned to the local U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Service Center in Sturges, where the Natural Resources Conservation Services NRCS State Grazing Land Soil Health Specialist Tanse Hermann began helping him with the application for a stream crossing. Now the buffalo can easily cross back and forth to graze on the field of their choice. Looking back at years of projects with USDA, Mr. Cammack, says NRCS allowed me to start planting more than 10,000 trees. That partnership continued with farm ground-to-pasture conversion, fencing for rotational grazing, water line projects to support even grazing in remote areas that are away from water sources. The partnership continues with today's stream crossing. A self-proclaimed conservationist, John says that starting early on, he was amazed by his grandfather's ability to name the many types of birds and habitats on the ranch. But, simply observing nature on the land was his motivation to do what he could to support their habitat. As a ranch kid, you are always working. Early on, he got thrown into many projects. It's expected that you learn as you go. As I grew up, I worked to maintain that lifestyle out on the ranch in rural America. The NRCS Conservation Practice Standard for Stream Crossing, Code 578, is a stabilized area or structure constructed across a stream to provide controlled access for people, livestock, equipment, or vehicles. This results in improved water quality by reducing sediment, nutrient, or organic loading to a stream; and reduce streambank and streambed erosion. USDA Photo Media by Lance Cheung.