Landowner Assistance Public Meetings Announced

Landowner Assistance Public Meetings Announced

MORGANTOWN, WV, November 30, 2010—The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with local, state, and federal government agencies, is planning a series of public meetings concerning the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the USDA Organic Initiative. These meetings will showcase assistance and activities provided by local, state, and federal government agencies available to landowners.

CSP encourages land stewards to improve their conservation performance by installing or adopting enhancements to their current systems while improving, maintaining, and managing existing practices on agricultural land and non-industrial private forest land. Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship.

NRCS program specialists will be available to provide information, answer questions, and sign-up applicants. Please plan to attend one of the following meetings to find out what you can do to help improve environmental quality on your land. The participating agencies have a variety of programs—for agricultural producers, urban landowners, or just concerned citizens.

Date	Location	Time
December 7, 2010	John Marshall High School 1300 Wheeling Avenue Glen Dale, WV	6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
December 9, 2010	Jacksons Mill 160 WVU Jacksons Mill Weston, WV	6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
December 13, 2010	USDA Service Center 201 Scott Avenue Morgantown, WV	6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
December 14, 2010	USDA Service Center/US Forest Service 241 Mercer Springs Road Princeton, WV	6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
December 15, 2010	Philip Barbour High School 99 Horseshoe Drive Philippi, WV	6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
December 17, 2010	Lincoln County Public Library 7999 Lynn Avenue Hamlin, WV	6:00 – 8:00 P.M.

The 2008 Farm Bill provides Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with authority to provide organic growers an opportunity to compete for funds through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative. The program is directed to growers certified as organic according to the National Organic Program (NOP) and those transitioning to organic production.

For additional information about West Virginia landowner assistance public meetings, please contact Charlotte Elliott-Friend, Assistant State Conservationist–Civil Rights/Outreach, at 304-284-4247, or Charlotte.Elliott-Friend@wv.usda.gov, or contact your local NRCS office.

USDA-NRCS: Philippi Field Office USDA-NRCS: Elkins Field Office

(304) 457-4516 x 3 (304) 636-6703 x 3

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Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations and/or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) associated with this meeting should contact Charlotte Elliott-Friend at 304-284-4247 at least one weeks prior to the meeting with his/her specific request.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202-720-6382 (TDD).