To expand technical capacity for customer service and education of farm bill program deliveries to the south east area

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded a $1,382,967.07 Cooperative Agreement to the SE Swcd Technical Support Joint Powers Board, doing business as Soil And Water Conservation District, under the Soil and Water Conservation federal grant program (CFDA 10.902). The award, effective from August 2024 to July 2029, aims to expand the organization's technical capacity for customer service and education of Farm Bill program deliveries in Southeast Minnesota.

As a child organization specializing in soil and water conservation services, SE Swcd Technical Support Joint Powers Board serves as a critical link between federal conservation initiatives and local implementation. The funding will enable the organization to provide a range of services, including conservation technical assistance, education on sustainable practices, and support for the planning and implementation of conservation efforts to benefit private landowners, conservation districts, tribes, and other organizations in the region. This builds upon a prior $275,447 Cooperative Agreement (September 2020 - August 2024) focused on increasing technical assistance to Minnesota private landowners participating in USDA programs authorized by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.