USDA SEEKS TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS TO HELP DELIVER CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2002-The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published the interim final rules for certifying third parties to provide conservation technical services for certain conservation programs.

The 2002 Farm Bill expanded the availability of technical assistance to producers by encouraging the use of third parties-called technical service providers-to assist USDA in delivering conservation technical services. The interim final rule for technical service provider assistance was published in the Nov. 21 Federal Register.

"The technical service provider process is a key provision of the Farm Bill," said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "It allows us to provide more resources for technical assistance from the private and nonprofit sectors and state and local government to help farmers and ranchers reach their conservation goals."

The interim final rule sets forth the process the Natural Resources Conservation Service will follow for administering this provision of the Farm Bill and seeks public comments. In addition to establishing the certification process, the interim rule also establishes criteria for evaluating all potential providers of technical assistance; distinguishes between certification of an individual working under his or her own auspices and that of an organization; and sets forth conditions and procedures for NRCS to use to assure that certified technical service providers deliver high quality technical services to producers and to decertify those who fail to meet the quality standards.

NRCS state conservationists will certify technical service providers within their jurisdiction to provide technical assistance on behalf of USDA, including conservation planning and the design, layout, installation and checkout of approved conservation practices. Once certified, their work must meet NRCS standards and specifications, program requirements, and relevant laws and regulations.

"This unique process will allow other groups and individuals to help us do conservation planning and implementation work for producers," said NRCS Chief Bruce I. Knight. "Program participants may still use NRCS for technical assistance or may select a certified technical service provider. This will allow much needed assistance to carry out these new farm bill programs."

Additional information on technical service providers is on the Web at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov .

The 2002 Farm Bill authorized an unprecedented amount of funding for conservation on private working land -- $13 billion over six years. Detailed information on conservation programs authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill and a list of published rules and public notices are available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/ .

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