2023 Wisconsin NRCS Public Conservation Virtual Meeting Announced
Farmers, Landowners, Organizations, and Agencies are encouraged to attend this Local Work Group Meeting to provide recommendations on local natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs.
MADISON, Wis., April 27, 2023 − The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin has announced one statewide virtual Local Working Group (LWG) meeting to include a statewide presentation and four breakout sessions by NRCS administrative areas for further feedback to follow. The virtual meeting will be held June 7, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Participants will be able to call into a teleconference line or join audio and video through an internet browser using a Microsoft Teams meeting link. Input gathered will help set priorities for U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs under the 2018 Farm Bill.
“Local Working Groups offer an opportunity for interested individuals and groups to advise NRCS on how best to set priorities and locally implement conservation programs,” said Jeremy Bennett, Acting State Conservationist in Wisconsin. “Members are diverse, with an interest and focus on local agriculture, non-industrial private forestry, and various natural resource issues,” added Bennett. Farmers representing a variety of crops and livestock raised within the local area, private woodland owners, representatives of agricultural and environmental organizations, and representatives of other agriculture and natural resource agencies are welcome and should be represented.
Wisconsin LWGs represent two or more counties grouped together by geography, similar land use, resources, and type of agriculture or forestry (click here to see the map of Wisconsin Local Working Groups). This allows greater flexibility and access to funding for the groups. For detailed information on LWGs, visit our Local Working Groups - Wisconsin webpage.
One of the main programs discussed at the meeting will be the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a federal conservation program that helps agricultural producers and landowners in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. EQIP offers technical and financial assistance to help landowners with needed conservation practices for water quality, soil health, wildlife and other natural resources.
To join the Statewide Meeting portion (10:00‒10:45 a.m.) choose one of the following options:
- Teleconference: Call 1-202-650-0123, then type code 612287672# when prompted.
- Video/audio through Microsoft Teams: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/wisconsin/local-working-group-public-notice
then click on the WI Statewide Meeting link.
After the statewide presentation, participants will join smaller breakout sessions (10:45 a.m. ‒ noon) where we are looking for your direct feedback! The state will be split into 4 areas. Please confirm which area your county is in by viewing the map at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/wis…, then join your county’s area meeting by choosing one of the following options:
Northwest Wisconsin Breakout (10:45 a.m. ‒ noon)
- Call 1-202-650-0123, then type code 417252471# when prompted.
- Video/audio through Microsoft Teams: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/wisconsin/local-working-group-public-notice
then click on the Northwest Area Meeting link.
Northeast Wisconsin Breakout (10:45 a.m. ‒ noon)
- Call 1-202-650-0123, then type code 670129163# when prompted.
- Video/audio through Microsoft Teams: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/wisconsin/local-working-group-public-notice
then click on the Northeast Area Meeting link.
Southwest Wisconsin Breakout (10:45 a.m. ‒ noon)
- Call 1-202-650-0123, then type code 446645552# when prompted.
- Video/audio through Microsoft Teams: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/wisconsin/local-working-group-public-notice
then click on the Southwest Area Meeting link.
Southeast Wisconsin Breakout (10:45 a.m. ‒ noon)
- Call 1-202-650-0123, then type code 82331758# when prompted.
- Video/audio through Microsoft Teams: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/wisconsin/local-working-group-public-notice
then click on the Southeast Area Meeting link.
Local Working Group meetings are open to the public. Anyone interested in participating in LWG meetings should contact their local NRCS District Conservationist at their local NRCS Service Center.
For more information on how to connect via desktop, laptop or mobile device, download these step-by-step instructions.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in these meetings should contact Philip Rivara, ASTC-Management and Strategy, at 608-662-4422, philip.rivara2@usda.gov, or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 by June 2, 2023 for the June 7th meeting. Teams Live Events offer closed captioning. To turn on closed captions in the Microsoft Teams virtual meeting, click the event menu ellipses and then click “Turn on live captions (preview).” Note that this feature is still in preview/development, and the live captions may not be 100% accurate.
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