Local work group to set priorities on the different landuses for the 2010 EQIP Program The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) invite the public and any agencies with an interest in conservation issues to participate in a Local Work Group meeting to be held at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 in Kingsville at the USDA Service Center at 401 East King Ave. Ste. 100.

The purpose of this meeting is to receive input from a broad range of local agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals that have an interest in natural resource conditions and needs in Kleberg and Kenedy Counties.

Input received will allow the Local Work Group to make recommendations on resource concerns to be addressed for county-based funding.

These recommendations will be used in implementing the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and other conservation programs offered by NRCS.

The 2008 Farm Bill stipulates that conservation programs must continue to be locally led.

Through stakeholder meetings, the public is given an opportunity to help local conservation leaders set program priorities.

These meetings are open to the public.

“Our local SWCD Board convenes the meeting to gather this input per the 2008 Farm Bill requirements and welcome anyone that has an interest,” says John Prukop, Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD Chairman.

For more information, call the USDA Service Center office in Kingsville at 592-0309 Ext. 3. Program information can be found on the Texas NRCS Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.