United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Maryland Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity

Last Modified: 05/13/2008

The Maryland Civil Rights Advisory Committee is an advisory body to the State Conservationist (STC) which promotes and assists in meaningful and effective affirmative action consistent with the goals and objectives set forth by management.  The Committee:

  • provides feedback on the performance of the civil rights program.
  • makes recommendations for improvement.
  • identifies emerging areas needing special attention by the STC and Management Team.
  • makes recommendations to the STC regarding policy, practices, and procedures as they affect civil rights state-wide.

Maryland Conservation Partnership Civil Rights Advisory Committee

Maryland Civil Rights Action Committee
Standing: Jon Hall, Tony Harvey, Herman Purnell, Elmer Dengler
Front: Annette Ensor, Joe Kraft, Jim Myers

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Maryland Civil Rights Advisory Committee By-laws (PDF; 74KB)


Special Emphasis Program Managers (SEPM)

Special Emphasis activities and support are an integral part of the Civil Rights Program at the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Within their respective programs, Special Emphasis Program Managers  insure that equal opportunity is present in all aspects of NRCS programs and services. This includes assisting the State Conservationist to identify under representation and ensure positive actions are being taken to address any such problem areas. Special Emphasis Program Managers provide advice and assistance to management officials in order to help them meet civil rights program goals and objectives. They also assist the State Conservationist  to insure effective communications among all persons and areas dealing with, or affected by, agency civil rights responsibilities.

Below are links to the national special emphasis programs websites and our Maryland contacts.

Program Name Photo Program Manager
Federal Women's Program Valerie Cohen
Black Emphasis Program Eugene Jones, Black Special Emphasis  Program Manager Eugene Jones
National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees
(NOPHNRCSE)
Oliver Miranda
American Indian/Alaskan Native Employees Annette Ensor, American Indian/Alaskan Native Special Emphasis Program Manager Annette Ensor
Association for Persons with Disabilities in Agriculture (APDA) Herman Purnell, Disability Employment Special Emphasis Program Manager Herman L. Purnell, IV
Asian Pacific Islander Organization   Tony Harvey (acting)

Other Information

Required Posters and Information