HONOLULU, Aug. 6, 2025 – The Luta Soil & Water Conservation District invites local farmers, ranchers and private landowners to participate in a Local Working Group meeting Aug. 20 to help shape and improve area conservation.

Luta Local Working Group Meeting
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 4:45-6 p.m. 
Rota Mayor’s Office Social Hall, Tatachog, island of Rota

Local conservation districts convene Local Working Group meetings, which are open to the public, with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. They gather input from a diverse group of stakeholders with agricultural and environmental interests. Their feedback helps NRCS guide conservation priorities in the local communities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Representatives of the Luta SWCD, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Department of Lands & Natural Resources, and USDA agencies such as NRCS and the Farm Service Agency will provide information and answer questions about available conservation programs, farm loans, and disaster assistance programs. Together, we provide financial and technical assistance to help farmers, ranchers and private landowners deliver environmental benefits and to invest in, improve and expand agricultural operations.

Attendees with disabilities requiring special accommodations or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact Dana Calvo, Luta SWCD interim chairperson, at chair.lswcd@gmail.com; Myra Ogo at 670-532-9495 or dlnr.lswcd@gmail.com; or Cyrus Ibanez, of CNMI SWCD, at 670-233-3415 ext. 100 or CyrusChristian.Ybanez@usda.gov for assistance or more information.

Agenda

I. Welcome Remarks

II. Overview of NRCS assistance

     A. Includes USDA LWG, responsibilities, conservation district partnerships, conservation 
         delivery system and conservation needs assessment

III. Previous LWG Decisions

IV. Break (10 minutes)

V. Discussion/Breakout Session

     A. Identifying resource concerns and issues

     B. Recommending fund allocation percentages

VI. Summary/ LWG Meeting Report

VII. Public Comments

VIII. DLNR’s Buy Fresh, Buy Local Grant Seed Distribution

     A. Registration

     B. Seed distribution

IX. Adjournment

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

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