NRCS Local Working Group invites participants to discuss resource concerns, plan for the future

(York, Nebraska) – From dam structures to hold back flood waters in the east, to irrigation infrastructure in the arid west, natural resource concerns vary widely across the state of Nebraska. Programs that work in one part of the Cornhusker state might not be effective in other parts of this dynamic landscape. This is one reason why local participation in conservation planning is so essential to effective stewardship of the soil and water on which all Nebraskans depend.

To that end, landowners, community members, and natural resource professionals are encouraged to participate in an annual Local Working Group meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the office of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (319 E 25^th St, York). This event, co-hosted by Nebraska Natural Resource Conservation (NRCS) and the Upper Big Blue NRD, will be an opportunity to discuss top priorities for local conservation needs and set a direction for future action and funding. 
 
Local Working Groups serve as an advisory committee to Nebraska NRCS and are organized on natural resources district boundaries. They meet annually to provide information, analysis, and recommendations to the State Technical Committee of NRCS. This group includes Federal, State, county, Tribal or local government representatives, according to Josh Bowers, district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), whose agency guides the Local Working Group in the area served by the Upper Big Blue NRD. Participants of the Local Working Group might include members of the NRD board or county FSA committee; members of agricultural groups, environmental organizations, and other agencies carrying out conservation; elected officials; and Nebraska Extension educators.

The focus of the meeting will be on broad resource concerns, such as soil erosion and water quality, and how federal dollars could be utilized to address those areas, said Bowers.

Typically, Nebraska NRCS obligates anywhere between $45 million to over $75 million dollars to farmers and ranchers statewide through NRCS conservation programs.  These programs help landowners and operators make natural resource improvements to their land, water, or wildlife areas.  This funding is allocated according to the priorities set by the Local Working Group. The annual meetings of Local Working Groups ensure that conservation programs are developed using community stakeholder input. The ideas and feedback collected through this dialogue will provide direction for program funding in Nebraska for 2026.

For more information about the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs and services they provide, contact your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov. For more information on the Local Working Group meeting in York and to see an agenda, visit www.upperbigblue.org/events.