NRCS Announces State Technical Committee Meeting for July 22, 2009

Maryland Media Liaison:

Carol Hollingsworth, 443-482-2902

Annapolis, MD ---July 7, 2009 --- Jon Hall, Maryland State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), announced that NRCS will hold a meeting of the Maryland State Technical Committee on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, from 9:00 am - Noon. The meeting will be held at the NRCS State Office in the downstairs conference room (suite 205), 339 Busch’s Frontage Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21409.

The State Technical Committee is meeting to provide information on the status of NRCS fiscal year 2009 conservation programs. Time will also be spent discussing the new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and changes to eligibility requirements for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP).

The primary role of the Maryland State Technical Committee, an advisory group, is to assist in the development of program guidelines necessary to implement the conservation provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill. The NRCS Maryland State Conservationist chairs the committee.

The 2008 Farm Bill increased the agricultural and forestry involvement in the State Technical Committee, expanded the responsibilities of Local Working Groups, and created standardized operations for committees nationwide.

If you plan to participate in the July 22nd meeting or future meetings, please RSVP to Linda Elben-Adams at linda.adams@md.usda.gov  or at (443) 482-2936.

NRCS is USDA’s lead conservation agency and has worked hand-in-hand with farmers and landowners for more than 70 years to conserve natural resources on private lands.

The public is invited to attend the meeting.

Directions to Maryland State Office.