NRCS Conservation Local Work Group Meeting

NRCS Conservation Local Work Group Meeting August 3rd, 2017 at 10:00 a.m

Farmers, Landowners, Organizations, and Agencies Encouraged to Attend

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces 2017 public Local Working Group (LWG) meeting in cooperation with Mercer and Lawrence County Conservation Districts onThursday, August 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. in the conference room of Deerfield Farms, 193 Black Rd, Volant, PA 16156.  This meeting is to gather input and help set priorities for USDA conservation programs under the 2014 Farm Bill for Lawrence, Mercer, Erie, and Crawford Counties.

Local Working Groups were established to provide recommendations to NRCS on local natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs. NRCS works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit the soil, water, air, plants and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Originally, Local Working Group participation was limited to governmental representatives; however, participation is now open to all interested persons. Agricultural producers, owners/operators of nonindustrial private forest land, professionals representing agricultural and natural resources interests, and individuals representing disciplines in soil, water, wetland, plant, forestry, and wildlife sciences who are familiar with agriculture and natural resource issues in the local community are all invited to attend.

Local County Conservation Districts promote responsible land use decisions for the conservation, protection and improvement of soil and water resources by providing information assistance through effective partnering, technical guidance and education.

At the meeting, information will be presented about the current conditions of Lawrence, Mercer, Erie, and Crawford Counties’ natural resources and dominant land uses, and participants will be provided an opportunity to help identify natural resource concerns and goals, examine new conservation opportunities, and prioritize areas where conservation efforts are most needed. All are welcome to attend. Your participation will help plan for the protection and proper management of Lawrence, Mercer, Erie, and Crawford Counties’ natural resources into the next century.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the Conservation District, NRCS, or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in language other than English.

Local Working Group meetings are open to the public.  Anyone interested in participating in LWGs may contact NRCS for more details.  However, RSVP is not required.  Jody Lasko can be reached at 814-336-2127 ext 3 for additional information.

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