On This Page: 

|  Overview  |  What are LWGs?  |  Who can Participate  |  What to Expect  |  Upcoming LWG Meetings  |

OVERVIEW

Local Working Groups assist the USDA in matters relating to the implementation and technical aspects of conservation programs under Title II of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill). The Local Working Group may be composed of the local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), agricultural producers representing the variety of crops and livestock or poultry raised within the local area, nonindustrial private forest land owners, and other professionals representing relevant agricultural and conservation interests and a variety of disciplines in the soil, water, plant, wetland, and wildlife sciences who are familiar with private land agricultural and natural resource issues in the local community.

WHAT IS A LOCAL WORK GROUP (LWG)?

Local Work Groups are subcommittees of the State Technical Committee and provide recommendations to USDA on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs.

LWG input and recommendations may include, but are not limited to:

• Identifying natural resource concerns, priorities, and opportunities
• Local conservation program priorities
• Local program application screening and ranking criteria
• Local conservation practices offered in specific programs to address locally identified resource concerns. 

LWGs are advisory in nature and have no implementation or enforcement authority. NRCS uses the LWG input and recommendations to identify conservation planning needs, to prioritize resource concerns for the state’s programs, and to develop ranking questions and procedures.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN A LOCAL WORK GROUP?

Membership of the LWG includes, but is not limited to Federal, State, county, or local government representatives. 

Examples of members include: 

• Members of the agricultural community
• Members of Natural Resources District (NRD) boards
• Members of the county FSA committee and the county executive director
• Members of agricultural groups, environmental organizations, and other agencies carrying out natural resource conservation programs State or locally elected or appointed officials
• Other Federal and State government representatives

To ensure that LWG recommendations take into account the broad scope of people served by USDA, members will include historically underserved groups, such as women and minorities; persons with disabilities; beginning and limited resource farmers, and socially and economically disadvantaged groups. 

Individuals or groups wanting to become a LWG member may submit a request to their NRCS District Conservationist explaining their interest and credentials for becoming a member.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A LOCAL WORK GROUP MEETING

LWG meetings are open to the public and conducted as an open discussion among members. Discussion will include a review of current fiscal year decisions and focus on identifying local natural resource concerns for the subsequent fiscal year. Individuals attending LWG meetings will be given the opportunity to address the Group. All recommendations will be considered.