MACD Statewide Local Working Group

Purpose
Local Working Groups (LWG) provide essential input to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on the most important natural resource concerns and management strategies in their region. NRCS uses these recommendations to develop conservation solutions and to guide the agency’s technical and financial assistance programs. While LWG meetings were formerly conducted at the county level, NRCS in Massachusetts is now working with MACD to develop a statewide LWG process involving wide-ranging representation at a single annual meeting.

Participation
In general, anyone who can provide input on agricultural and natural resource concerns in their community can participate in the Statewide Local Working Group process. Conservation Districts in particular are well-positioned to recruit representative participants in their region. That may include various types of agricultural producers, nonindustrial private forest landowners, professionals representing relevant agricultural and conservation interests, and others who are familiar with agricultural and natural resource concerns in their community. Special care should be taken to include individuals who represent historically underserved groups in the community, such as limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.

Agenda
The 2023 Statewide Local Working Group meeting will begin with a brief overview of NRCS programming and a summary of the results from last year’s working group. The bulk of the meeting will then be devoted to an open discussion of natural resource concerns among participants. In addition to full group discussion, there will be an opportunity for attendees to split into smaller “breakout” sessions organized by sector – cropland, forestry, livestock, aquaculture, urban ag, etc. – depending on interest and experience.

Outcomes
Understanding which issues are considered most important to local stakeholders helps NRCS identify program funding needs for Massachusetts’ various communities, as well as conservation practices most useful to each region of the state. In addition, by giving a voice to diverse communities, the LWG process ensures that the agency is aware of all resource concerns – including those that may represent new technologies, innovative approaches, or evolving resource concerns. Following the Statewide LWG meeting, all input will be compiled, analyzed, and summarized in a final report to NRCS as well as all participants. (The 2022 summary report can be accessed on the MACD website under “Resources”: www.massacd.org.)

For more information, contact Austin Miles, MACD Outreach Coordinator: [email protected]