Location: Antigo Public Library – Mcginley Room, 617 Clermont Street, Antigo, Wi  54409

Time: 1-3pm

Farmers, Landowners, Organizations, and Agencies Encouraged to Attend

Antigo, Wis. – In July 2018, The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin announced the schedule for 2018 Local Working Group (LWG) meetings. In total, eighteen meetings will be held across Wisconsin in August to gather input and help set priorities for U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs under the Farm Bill.

“Local Working Groups offer a seat at the table for interested individuals and groups to advise NRCS on how best to set priorities and locally implement conservation programs,” said Peggy Winter, District Conservationist for Langlade and Lincoln Counties. “Members are diverse, with an interest and focus on local agriculture and various natural resource issues,” added Winter. Farmers representing a variety of crops and livestock raised within the local area, private woodland owners, representatives of agricultural and environmental organizations, and representatives of other agriculture and natural resource agencies are welcome and should be represented.

Wisconsin LWGs represent two or more counties grouped together by geography, similar land use, resources, and type of agriculture. See a map of Local Working Groups. This will allow greater flexibility and access to funding for the groups.

One of the main programs discussed at the meetings will be the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a federal conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. EQIP offers technical and financial assistance to help landowners with needed conservation practices for water quality, soil health, wildlife and other natural resources. The program was re-authorized through 2018 in the federal Farm Bill, which was passed in February 2014.

Local Working Group meetings are open to the public. Anyone interested in becoming a member in LWGs should contact the Antigo USDA Service Center at 715-623-6716 extension 100.  Contact your local NRCS District Conservationist if you are interested in participating. For detailed information on local work groups, see What are Local Working Groups and see the Schedule of Meetings.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in these meetings should contact Nga Watts, acting ASTC-Management and Strategy, at 352-338-9577, [email protected], or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

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