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STC Meeting

Hawaii and Pacific Islands State Technical Committee

The PIA STAC serves in an advisory capacity to the NRCS and other USDA agencies on the implementation of natural resources conservation provisions in Farm Bill legislation for Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) has been and will continue to be a vital part of Farm Bill implementation.  NRCS depends on member local knowledge and expertise to ensure implementation of Farm Bill Programs is relevant and locally-led.  The role of the STAC is to serve primarily as a source of information, analysis and recommendation to the PIA Director.

The Food Security Act of 1985 required the formation of STACs to advise NRCS on a variety of issues.  The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 amends the 1985 Farm Bill to identify additional mandatory members and designate multiple areas where the STAC must be involved during 2018 Farm Bill implementation.

Each STAC is composed of agricultural producers and other professionals that represent a variety of disciplines and include representatives from the following:

  • USDA Agencies - Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Services Agency, Forest Service, etc.
  • Federal and State/Territorial Fish and Wildlife Agencies
  • State Agencies – Forestry, Water Resources, Agriculture, etc.
  • Soil and Water Conservation Districts and their Associations
  • Agricultural producers representing the variety of crops and livestock raised within the State and Territories
  • Owners of nonindustrial private forest land
  • Nonprofit organizations with conservation expertise and experience working with agriculture producers in the PIA
  • Agribusiness
  • Cooperative Extension Service and PIA Universities

STAC meetings are open to anyone, however, membership is by Director approval. 

PIA STAC meetings are held quarterly.  Information is sent to STAC members for review and comment prior to the meeting.  Subcommittees, that meet between quarterly STAC meetings, discuss specific issues at the request of the Director. Subcommittee meetings are coordinated by a subcommittee chairperson.  A technical facilitator is assigned to each subcommittee. STAC meetings consist of presentation of issues, review of subcommittee and other feedback, and summary of next steps whether it be to make a recommendation or to send the issue back to subcommittee. 

Dates for upcoming PIA STAC meetings:

  • December 5, 2023
  • February 13, 2024
  • May 14, 2024
  • August 13, 2024

Meetings are at 1 p.m. HST and are held on MS Teams.

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To receive STAC emails, complete the STAC member info doc below and send it to Nicholas.Saumweber@usda.gov or call Nick at (808) 600-2960.

To view the minutes or recording of past meetings click STAC Minutes

To view STAC Partner Sharing Sessions

More Information
For information on the purpose, responsibilities, membership composition, etc. of the NRCS State Technical Committee.

Questions or comments about the PIA STAC may be directed to Nick Saumweber, Assistant Director for Programs, by calling (808) 600-2960 or emailing Nicholas.Saumweber@usda.gov.