WHAT IS A LOCAL WORK GROUP (LWG)?

Local Work Groups are subcommittees of the State Technical Committee and provide recommendations to USDA on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs.

LWG input and recommendations may include, but are not limited to:

• Identifying natural resource concerns, priorities, and opportunities
• Local conservation program priorities
• Local program application screening and ranking criteria
• Local conservation practices offered in specific programs to address locally identified resource concerns. 

LWGs are advisory in nature and have no implementation or enforcement authority. NRCS uses the LWG input and recommendations to identify conservation planning needs, to prioritize resource concerns for the state’s programs, and to develop ranking questions and procedures.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN A LOCAL WORK GROUP?

Membership of the LWG includes, but is not limited to Federal, State, county, or local government representatives. 

Examples of members include: 

• Members of the agricultural community
• Members of Natural Resources District (NRD) boards
• Members of the county FSA committee and the county executive director
• Members of 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

To ensure that LWG recommendations take into account the broad scope of people served by USDA, members will include historically underserved groups, such as women and minorities; persons with disabilities; beginning and limited resource farmers, and socially and economically disadvantaged groups. 

Individuals or groups wanting to become a LWG member may submit a request to their NRCS District Conservationist explaining their interest and credentials for becoming a member.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A LOCAL WORK GROUP MEETING

LWG meetings are open to the public and conducted as an open discussion among members. Discussion will include a review of current fiscal year decisions and focus on identifying local natural resource concerns for the subsequent fiscal year. Individuals attending LWG meetings will be given the opportunity to address the Group. All recommendations will be considered.

LOCAL WORK GROUP MEETING NOTIFICATIONS

Public notice and the meeting agenda will be provided at least 14 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. 

The minimum 14-calendar-day notice requirement may be waived in the case of exceptional conditions, as determined by the Chairperson or NRCS District Conservationist.

To attend one of South Carolina's LWG Meetings, see the meeting schedule below.

2025 LOCAL WORK GROUP MEETINGS FOR FY26 CONSERVATION PRIORTIES

ABBEVILLE COUNTY

DATE:  June 11, 2025

TIME:  9:30 AM

LOCATION:  Abbeville NRCS Office, 394 Hwy 28 Bypass, Abbeville, SC 29620

AIKEN COUNTY

DATE:  June 11, 2025

TIME:  9:30 AM

LOCATION:  Aiken Government Complex, Sandlapper Room, 1st Floor, 1930 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801

ANDERSON COUNTY

DATE:  July 2, 2025

TIME: 10:00 AM

LOCATION: Anderson County Library, Main Branch

BEAUFORT COUNTY

DATE:  August 8, 2025

TIME:  12:00 PM

LOCATION:  Jasper County SWCD Office, Blue Heron Nature Center, 321 Bailey Rd., Ridgeland, SC 29936

CHARLESTON COUNTY

DATE: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: Clemson TEACH Center, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. STE C412, Charleston, SC 29407

Notes:  

1. The Clemson TEACH Center is located near Belk inside the Citadel Mall. Guests may enter via the back door from the parking lot in the "C" loading area behind Target. The backdoor is marked "C412". Look for the large Orange awning.
2. Lunch will be served following the meeting. 
 

DORCHESTER COUNTY

DATE:  June 17, 2025

TIME:  6:00 PM

LOCATION: 5809 W. Jim Bilton Blvd, Saint George, SC 29477
 

EDGEFIELD COUNTY

DATE: March 20, 2025

TIME: 10:00 AM

LOCATION: Edgefield NRCS Office, 304 Gray Street, Edgefield, SC 29824

GEORGETOWN COUNTY

DATE:  May 19, 2025

TIME:  11:00 AM

LOCATION:  1837 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440

GREENVILLE COUNTY

DATE: June 3, 2025

TIME: 3:30 PM

LOCATION: 301 University Ridge, S-4100, Greenville, SC 29601

GREENWOOD COUNTY

DATE: August 12, 2025

TIME: TBD

LOCATION: TBD

HORRY COUNTY

DATE: March 18, 2025

TIME: 8:00 AM

LOCATION: 1949 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526

LAURENS COUNTY

DATE:  May 27, 2025

TIME:  9:00 AM

LOCATION:  104 Ashley Lane, Laurens, SC 29360

LEE COUNTY

DATE: August 05, 2025

TIME: 6:30 PM

LOCATION: USDA Building, 129 Fairview Ave., Bishopville, SC 29010

LEXINGTON COUNTY

DATE:  July 14, 2025

TIME: 6:00 PM

LOCATION: Lexington County Auxiliary Building, Room 113

MCCORMICK COUNTY

DATE:  May 21, 2025

TIME:  1:00 PM

LOCATION:  Talmage Center Cafe,1319 South Main St., McCormick, SC 29835

OCONEE COUNTY

DATE:  June 27th, 2025

TIME:  10:00 AM

LOCATION:  301 W South Broad St., Walhalla, SC 29691
 

ORANGEBURG COUNTY

DATE:  June 6th, 2025

TIME:  5:30 PM

LOCATION:  1550 Henley St Orangeburg, SC 29115
 

PICKENS COUNTY

DATE:  August 13, 2025

TIME:  10:30 AM

LOCATION:  144 McDaniel Ave., Pickens, SC 29671
 

RICHLAND COUNTY

DATE:  July 24, 2025

TIME:   9:00 AM

LOCATION:  Garners Ferry Adult Activity Center, 8620 Garners Ferry Rd., Hopkins, SC 29061
 

NOTE:  Register Here:  https://tinyurl.com/2025RCLocalWorkGroup 

SALUDA COUNTY

DATE:  July 07, 2025

TIME:  10:30 AM

LOCATION:  201 E. Church Street, Saluda, SC 29138

SPARTANBURG COUNTY

DATE:  June 12, 2025

TIME:  12:00 PM

LOCATION:  2255 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307

UNION COUNTY

DATE:  May 13, 2025

TIME:  1:00 PM

LOCATION:  Union County SWCD Office, 200 S. Mountain Street, Union, SC 29379

CONTACT

If you have any questions, please contact your Area Office Staff.