“LWGs are important, because they provide recommendations on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation activities and programs to the NRCS Delaware State Technical Advisory Committee (DE STAC),” said Robert L. Emerson, Chairperson of New Castle Conservation District.

Responsibilities of LWGs

The responsibilities of the LWGs are identified in the USDA Conservation Program Delivery Manual.  The LWGs recommendations will be reviewed by the DE STAC to elevate to the applicable USDA agencies.

• Ensure that a conservation needs assessment to identify priority resource concerns is developed using community stakeholder input and use the conservation needs assessment to help identify program funding needs and conservation practices (CPs).
• Recommend the USDA conservation program application and funding criteria, eligible CPs (including limits on practice payments or units), and payment rates.
• Assist the NRCS and conservation districts with public outreach and information efforts and identify educational and producers' training needs.

According to Mr. Emerson, the LWG should be diverse and focus on agricultural interests and natural resource issues existing in the community. Membership should include agricultural producers representing the variety of crops, livestock, and poultry raised within the local area; owners of nonindustrial private forest land, representatives of agricultural and environmental organizations; and governmental agencies carrying out agricultural and natural resource conservation and activities. LWGs also take into account concerns of particular historically underserved groups and individuals including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, socially disadvantaged, and limited resource groups.