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New Hampshire Civil Rights Committee

The NRCS in N.H. is committed to conservation program delivery to all Americans that call the Granite State 'home.' To ensure that we are meeting the needs of our customers we have a Civil Rights Action Committee that advises state leadership on issues of equality and inclusion.

NH NRCS Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity

NRCS, N.H. is committed to the civil rights of our customers and employees. We deliver services equitably and strive for workforce diversity. Our programs are available to all customers, form all backgrounds, and we have established a committee of employees that represent the needs of underserved communities across New Hampshire. These Special Emphasis Program Managers (SEPMs) each focus on a particular community a work to ensure they understand that our programs are open to them.

Meet the Team:

A picture of Tibitha Edwards, Civil Rights Committee Chair for NRCS, New Hampshire.

Committee Chair:
Tabitha Edwards

As the Chair of the NRCS, N.H. Civil Rights Advisory Committee, Tabitha provides leadership, for the committee - ensuring all efforts are adequately in place to meet the needs of the diverse citizens and employees of the Granite State.

A photo of Devon Cunningham, Civil Rights Advisor to NRCS, N.H.

Committee Advisor: 
Devon Cunningham 

As the Assistant State Conservationist, Management and Strategy, for NRCS, N.H. Devon is permanent advisor to the Civil Rights Advisory Committee providing guidance and continuity to the committee when individual SEPM terms expire.

NRCS, N.H. SEPMs

Veteran SEPM, Jeremy Fowler
The United States Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard presented the colors at the LGBT Pride Observance at the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D. C., Thur., Jun. 4, 2015. USDA photo by Bob Nichols.

Jeremy Fowler is the SEPM for military Veterans

Jeremy is the Public Affairs Specialist for NRCS, N.H. and is a veteran of the Iraq War. Jeremy helps represent the interests of our veteran agricultural producers and seeks to recruit more veterans into NRCS, N.H. 

American Indian/Native Alaskan SEPM, Tim Tucker
Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)1994 Land-Grant Tribal College and University (TCU) Land-Grant Research Assistant Kyle Kootswaytewa checks on the health of black tomato in the IAIA Demonstration Garden, in Santa Fe, NM, on Sept. 11, 2019. Some of their cherry tomatoes will be available in the cafeteria salad bar. The garden demonstrates and promotes indigenous agricultural methods for food and medical crop cultivation while serving as an outdoor learning space. It is designed and maintained by the

Tim Tucker is the SEPM for military Veterans

Tim is a Soil Conservationist for NRCS, N.H. in the Epping Field Office. Tim helps represent the interests of our American Indian and Native Alaskan producers and seeks to recruit them to work for NRCS, N.H.

Black SEPM, Jeffrey Painter
Jon Jackson, executive director of Comfort Farms in Milledgeville, Georgia. Jackson has received an outreach grants from FSA, NRCS, as well as an Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) 2501 grant to provide outreach and technical assistance. Although they are not currently enrolled in any FSA or NRCS programs they have utilized the technical assistance afforded to them from NRCS and put on several outreach workshops with FSA focusing on veterans. Photo by Preston Keres

Jeffrey 'Jeff' Painter is the SEPM for Black Americans

Jeff is the State Archaeologist for NRCS, N.H.  Jeff helps represent the interests of our Black producers and seeks to recruit them to work for NRCS, N.H.

Disabled Americans SEPM, Katherine Kasacek
Union Valley Apartments Resident David Pham talks about living and caring for his elderly mother at the Union Valley Apartments who participate in two U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development RD Multifamily Housing programs that assists the property owners and residents, in Finleyville, PA, on Sept. 2, 2021. Mr. Pham mentions excellent maintenance, low-rise showers for his mother to step into and sit down, and the smooth level sidewalks that make it easy for his mother to take a lap with her w

Kimberly 'Kim' Zaleski is the SEPM for Disabled Americans

Kim is the Executive Assistant to the State Conservationist for NRCS, N.H. Kim helps represent the interests of our disabled producers and seeks to recruit them to work for NRCS, N.H.

LGBTQ+ SEPM, Julia Sylvies
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh review the Progress Pride Flag flying at the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 2021. USDA photo by Tom Witham.

Matthew 'Matt' Smetana is the SEPM for LGBTQ+ Americans

Matt is a Soil Conservationist for NRCS, N.H. in the Walpole Field Office.  Matt helps represent the interests of our LGBTQ+ producers and seeks to recruit them to work for NRCS, N.H.

Asian American, Pacific Islander SEPM, Nels Liljedahl
New farmer Leonardo Aguila checks the dragon fruit plants on his 6.3-acre farm in Fallbrook, CA, on Nov. 11, 2018. Leonardo Aguila is extremely proud of his 6.3-acre farm in Fallbrook, Calif. The mature orchard of avocado trees, on its sunny hillside near San Diego, caught the eye of this Navy veteran three years ago, and he knew he had to buy it. Some of the trees showed signs of stress due to lack of irrigation from the high cost of water and regular drought - it just needed some tender loving care. Agui

Nels Liljedahl is the SEPM for Asian American and Pacific Islander Americans

Nels is the State Outreach Coordinator for NRCS, N.H.  Nels helps represent the interests of our Asian American and Pacific Island producers and seeks to recruit them to work for NRCS, N.H.

Woman's SEPM, Ashley Newell
Purple Skies Farm Owner Visar Duane. (NRCS photo by Brooke DeCubellis)

Ashely Newell is the SEPM for Women

Ashley is a Soil Conservationist for NRCS, N.H. in the Lancaster Field Office.  Ashley helps represent the interests of our Women producers and seeks to recruit them to work for NRCS, N.H.

Hispanic SEPM, Jack Doherty
Farm technician Alex Ramirez waters the cattle for Dave Borrowes, a producer with the North-South Institute, in Davie, Florida, February 22, 2021. USDA/FPAC Photo by Preston Keres

Nicholas 'Nick' Jeffries is the SEPM for Hispanic Americans

Jeff Painter is the State Archaeologist for NRCS, N.H.  He helps represent the interests of our Black producers and seeks to recruit them to work for NRCS, N.H.

Nick is an Civil Engineer for NRCS, N.H. in the Concord Field Office.  Nick helps represent the interests of our Hispanic producers and seeks to recruit them to work for NRCS, N.H.