Local Work Group (LWG) meeting set for next Tuesday February 14

The Osborne, Rooks, and Graham County Conservation Districts will host a Local Working Group (LWG) meeting on February 14th at 2:00 p.m. at Stockton City Hall, 115 S Walnut, in Stockton, Kansas. The purpose of this meeting is to make recommendations to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist related to addressing natural resource concerns at the local level.

“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.

It is critical that the ‘boots on the ground’ have a voice in the process,” said Dan Meyerhoff, Executive Director for the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts.

According to Meyerhoff, the LWG should be diverse and focus on the community’s agricultural interests and natural resource issues. 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.

For more information about LWGs, contact the Rooks CCD or NRCS staff by calling 785-425-6302 Extension 3. Individuals can also request information to participate virtually in the meeting.

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