Information Forums for Technical Service Providers

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is holding Information Forums on the Technical Service Provider (TSP) Program across the Nation. The Information Forums are public meetings that will enable NRCS to establish an ongoing dialogue with local Technical Service Providers by listening to and addressing their questions and concerns.

Technical Service Providers are certified professionals outside of USDA that provide technical services and one-on-one technical assistance to help landowners apply conservation practices.

The NRCS Maryland, NRCS Delaware, and NRCS New Jersey offices are hosting an Information Forum on Monday, October 24, 2005 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Delaware Technical College, 400 West Campus Drive, Corporate Training Center Conference Room, Dover, Delaware 19904. Directions.

NRCS Maryland is hosting a second Information Forum on Monday, November 21, 2005 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, 5400 Holiday Drive, Frederick, Maryland 21703. Directions.

You are invited to attend either forum, regardless of where you work as a Technical Service Provider.

Current Technical Service Providers, as well as those interested in becoming a Technical Service Provider, are encouraged to attend and participate in the dialogue at the forum. The forums provide an opportunity for Technical Service Providers to voice concerns or issues related to the TSP Program. The forum is not a training session, but topics raised at the forum will be considered in managing program implementation and training.

If you are unable to attend the Information Forum, you can submit written comments or questions to NRCS, ATTN: Tim Pilkowski, NRCS Maryland TSP Program Manager, at 339 Busch’s Frontage Road, Suite 301, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

NRCS is USDA’s lead conservation agency. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners working to conserve natural resources on private lands. More information about the TSP Program can be found at http://techreg.usda.gov.

Thank you for your interest in the TSP Program and support of NRCS conservation programs. I look forward to your participation in the Information Forums.

Virginia (Ginger) L. Murphy
State Conservationist