Overview

No one knows more about a community’s natural resource priorities than the people  who live and work there. That’s why the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) routinely seeks input from local communities throughout Indiana to inform and shape its decisions.

Local Working Groups (LWG) are an important mechanism to give local landowners, Tribes, tribal entities and partners a voice in how to best prioritize and address natural resource concerns in their communities.

LWGs typically are held annually between October and February. They are convened by a Soil and Water Conservation District. NRCS may also convene the LWG if a conservation district is unable to organize a meeting.

Responsibilities

The role of the LWG is advisory in nature, however, NRCS gives strong consideration to the recommendations of the LWG.

The primary responsibility of a LWG is to develop a conservation needs assessment. This is a comprehensive evaluation of natural resource concerns that identifies areas where conservation efforts are needed. It includes recommended activities and programs to address natural resource issues.

Responsibilities may include: 

• Developing a conservation needs assessment.
• Identifying priority resource concerns that can be addressed by USDA programs.
• Recommending USDA conservation program application and funding criteria, eligible practices, and payment rates.
• Assisting NRCS and the conservation district with public outreach and information efforts.
• Recommending program policy to the State Technical Committee based on resource data.

Membership

Local Working Group membership should be diverse and focus on agricultural interests and natural resource issues in the area. Membership of the Local Working Group may include but is not limited to Federal, State, county or local government representatives.

Examples of members include:

• Agricultural producers 
• Tribes, tribal entities and tribal landowners
• Cooperative Extension
• County FSA committee and the county executive director
• Agricultural groups, environmental organizations and other agencies carrying out natural resource conservation programs
• State or locally elected or appointed officials
• Other Federal and State government representatives

LWG Benefits

LWGs are considered sub-committees to the NRCS State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). Information gathered at each LWG is reported to and discussed at a future STAC meeting.

Your participation can:

• Provide input on NRCS business processes such as recommending new interim conservation practices, modifying a payment schedule, adjusting program application ranking criteria, revising or creating new NRCS state or national policy, and more.
• Be a irect connection for landowners and partners to influence and advise NRCS on decisions.
• Provide a voice for local landowners and partners to influence NRCS program and technical delivery in Indiana. 
• Identify priority natural resource concerns in the community that may be addressed with NRCS assistance. 
• Support partnership building across multiple community members, agencies, and organizations. 

Meetings

Local Working Groups are typically conducted once a year. Local Working Group meetings are:

• Open to the public.
• Conducted as an open discussion among members.
• Individuals attending the local working group meetings will be given the opportunity to address the local working group.

How to Join

Contact your local conservation district or NRCS office to inquire about becoming a member of a LWGs in your area. Meetings are open to the public and membership is not required to attend.