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Jul

USDA NRCS Local Working Group: Thurs, July 16

The Yolo County Resource Conservation District and the USDA NRCS Woodland Field Office are hosting the annual Local Working Group (LWG) meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 5:05 pm during the RCD’s Board of Directors meeting.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Yolo County RCD often partner together to provide technical assistance, project planning and funding to implement conservation practices on the working lands of Yolo County. To help inform that work, Yolo County farmers and ranchers who have used the USDA NRCS programs such as EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) are particularly encouraged to attend to provide feedback on program improvements and opportunities to better serve growers and conservation partners in Yolo County.   

The Local Working Group will be part of the RCD’s regular monthly board meeting, which begins at 5:05 pm. If you are attending in person, please arrive between 4:45 pm and 5 pm; light refreshments will be provided. To attend virtually, please visit the Zoom link at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81088924024?pwd=OVUBzHLnu1N0hXhPA97eADvZzjJVKw.1. 

Sara Lipschutz, NRCS Soil Conservationist, will be facilitating the LWG to gain input from growers and agencies on their programs:

  1. Any general feedback on local NRCS conservation program application and funding criteria from FY26.
  2. Any feedback on Payment Rate percentages or other payment related items.
  3. Do eligible practice lists address the resource concerns priorities in the Local Working Group area (Sacramento Valley Counties including Yolo, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Tehama, Glenn, and Shasta)?
  4. Are the current ranking criteria addressing the resource concerns that exist locally?
  5. What are the most effective ways to communicate with producers about program sign up, etc.?
  6. Are there any high priority areas needing assistance?
  7. Are there any impaired waterbodies? Has a conservation action plan or needs assessment identified the need for watershed projects to address impairments?
  8. Are there any recommendations for prioritizing projects through screening?
  9. Other recommendations or issues brought forth by the Local Working Group.