From April 17 to the 22, members of the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) of North Carolina (N.C.) attended the 2023 Outreach and Agriculture Expo Conference co-hosted by the National Organization of Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPBNRCSE) and Alcorn State University Policy Center. This was the first time since 2020 that the members were able to meet in person. There were a wide variety of topics that were discussed, ranging from program information to career and leadership management. The conference drew NRCS employees and retirees from across the nation, and urban farmers. The weeklong training and weekend conference provided great opportunities for employees and farmers to connect with and learn from each other.
“Attending the Annual NOPBNRCSE Professional Development Training was more beneficial to me than I could have imagined. NRCS leadership emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships and lifting as we climb throughout the agency. This gave me a new perspective on the way that I will navigate my career,” said Halimah Wynn, Soil Conservationist for Pitt County.
The Organization was chartered under the authority granted by then Chief William Richards of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), on July 14, 1992 to enhance the awareness, knowledge and understanding of NRCS programs and operating procedures and to improve levels of education and professionalism in order to increase participation of Blacks in agriculture, natural resources and related fields. Membership is open to all employees. The organization has chapters in just about every region throughout the country, with the hopes to foster a productive working relationship among employees, management, and the communities to promote an effective program delivery system.
“Over the years the NOPBNRCSE has been incredibly important to the agency, its members, and farmers.” Said Timothy Beard, State Conservationist.
N.C. NRCS provides assistance through voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs, the agency approves contracts to implement conservation practices that addresses natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal, and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. To get started, please visit your local USDA Service Center.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
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