The Northern Panhandle Conservation District in cooperation with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold two local work group (LWG) meetings to discuss conservation programs for 2023-2024 and provide guidance for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Two meetings have been scheduled in an effort to increase participation. The first meeting will be held Wednesday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Valley Grove Community Center. The second meeting will be held Thursday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the New Manchester Fire Department, 193 High Street. Refreshments will be served. Please call 304-238-5648 to RSVP.

The local work group includes representatives from cooperating federal, state, and local conservation organizations and is open to all farmers, agricultural producers, and forest owners/managers. If you have thought about applying for one of the programs NRCS has to offer or have questions about what might be available to you, this meeting is a great opportunity for you to learn more. As part of NRCS’s locally led process of administering programs, public comments will be sought from attendees on how to best prioritize USDA dollars for your local area.

The Northern Panhandle Conservation District covers Brooke, Hancock, Marshall and Ohio Counties. NRCS District Conservationist, Katie Fitzsimmons and her staff work from the NRCS field office in McMechen to cover these counties.

If you need an accommodation to participate in this activity or event, please contact Nan Kimble at 304-284-7546, or by e-mail at NRCS.WVStateOffice@usda.gov. For more information contact Katie Fitzsimmons at 304-238-5648.