Contacts:
Anita Brown (530) 792-5644
Alan Forkey (530) 792-5653

DAVIS, Calif., October 26, 2009—USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California will host a State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) meeting on Nov. 9, 2009, to discuss 2010 priorities for Farm Bill conservation programs in California. The meeting will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center, 3800 Cornucopia Way, in Modesto, beginning at 10 a.m.

The meeting will begin with a synopsis of the 2009 distribution of funds and conservation results covering water conservation and water quality, drought mitigation, nutrient management on dairies, air quality, transition to organic production, rangeland management, and more. 2009 was the first year of implementation for the 2008 Farm Bill (Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008). The Farm Bill programs provide millions of dollars in technical and financial assistance for California farmers, ranchers, forest managers and organizations to protect natural resources on private lands. Most provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill are in effect for five years.

"The state has a multitude of natural resource needs deserving of conservation planning, technical assistance and Farm Bill-based funding," says Acting State Conservationist Gayle Norman. "We will be seeking input on prioritizing these needs for NRCS to address in 2010."

Specifically, NRCS will ask for input on:

1. Special initiatives that may or may not be continued and at what level.
2. New opportunities for air quality programs in forestry.
3. Ways to refine the application ranking process.
4. Possible topics of focus for wildlife habitat programs.

The meeting will begin with a brief overview of the Farm Bill conservation programs under consideration. NRCS will then open the meeting to discussion on priorities and procedures for administering the programs.

NRCS-administered Farm Bill Programs include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and easement programs such as the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), the Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP), and the Farmland Protection Program (FPP). For more information on conservation planning, Farm Bill conservation programs and more see the agency’s Web site at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov.

-NRCS-

 The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people
conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

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