NRCS Holding State meetings

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service holds regular meetings in each state to find out what works locally.

"We participate in the state technical advisory committee meetings in both Oklahoma and Texas to keep abreast of wildlife issues, wildlife habitat issues, and to help forge partnerships and collaborate with state and federal and other NGO organizations,"  said Gene Miller with the National Wildlife Turkey Federation.

Bob Turner with Rural Issues Consulting also attended a recent staff meeting.

"I feel like I can actually find out sort of what's going on in USDA's budget as far as our issues are concerned,” Turner said.  “The people I work for depend heavily on some of the government programs, some of the NRCS programs."

"It's equally important to give them feedback on what we see as needs or unmet needs, or maybe refine how they're trying to meet those needs,"  said J.K. Rooter Brite, who represents the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

The NRCS oversees programs like the Working Lands for Wildlife initiative, which has helped producers conserve more than 7.1 million acres of wildlife habitat and has helped many species such as the greater sage-grouse in the West.

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