Local Workgroups are subcommittees of the State Technical Committee (STC) and provide recommendations to USDA on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs. This process can be valuable to local and state leaders in the development of priorities, programs and policies.

• The STC is an advisory group to the State Conservationist, Travis Thomason (Vermont)
• The State Conservationist is the ultimate decision maker for the state’s USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service practices.

Who makes up a Local Work Group?

• You!! Community Members: Agricultural Producers, Land owners, Land stewards, Non-profits
• Local Partners : Municipalities, Extension
• State Partners: Forest Service, Wildlife Resource Commission, Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets (VAAFM), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
• Federal: Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA),United States Forest Service (USFA), Army Corp of Engineers

How do you join our Local Workgroup? 

• Email Heather Blunk, blunk.wcnrcd@gmail.com, with a letter of interest and your qualifications (e.g you'r a local farmer, you own a home in Windham County, you are stewarding a forest!).