Meeting to provide input into Federal Conservation Programs

A local working group charged with identifying local priority resource concerns and providing input about program criteria to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 7, in Smith’s Restaurant in Collins.

The working group is comprised primarily of representatives of various local, state and federal agencies with knowledge of natural resource concerns. Specifically, the group will help prioritize selection criteria for NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications in Dade, Cedar, Hickory and St. Clair counties. The meeting is open to the public and will include time for comments from residents of the represented counties.

While final decisions will be made by NRCS leadership, local input is requested.  Anyone needing information or accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact Drexel Atkisson at (417) 637-5993 seven days prior to the meeting.