April 14, 2003

 

Technical Service Provider Orientation Course Scheduled for April 29

The North Dakota State University Extension Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will conduct an orientation program for individuals and businesses interested in becoming Technical Service Providers on Tuesday, April 29. The program will be broadcast from 1 to 4 p.m. through the Interactive Video Network.

"The Technical Service Provider (TSP) Program was initiated in the 1996 Farm Bill and expanded by the 2000 Farm Bill," says George Maher, Technical Service Provider Coordinator. "Technical Service Providers will help ease the increased work load that the NRCS will face as a result of landowners’ requests for technical assistance to participate in conservation programs provided in the 2002 Farm Bill."

The TSP Program will last two hours and include information on What is a TSP? Selecting a TSP, TSP Responsibilities, The Role of NDSU Extension Service in the TSP Program, NRCS Technology, Program Criteria, Accomplishment Reporting and the Payment Process.

Interactive Video Network sites to be used include:

• Burleigh County (Bismarck) Extension Office
  3715 E. Bismarck Expressway
  Bismarck
   
• Dickinson State University
  1679 6th Avenue West
  North Campus, Room 104
  Dickinson
   
• Minot Research Center
  Main Meeting Room
  5400 Hwy. 83 South
  Minot
   
• Williams County Extension Office
  14120 Hwy. 2
  Williston
   
• North Dakota State University
  University Campus
  NDSU Loftsgard 260
  Fargo
   
• Grand Forks County Extension Office
  151 South 4th Street, 3rd Floor
  Grand Forks

The TSP Program is offered at no charge or pre-registration. For additional information, contact Maher at (701) 231-8288 or Mark Anderson, North Dakota NRCS, at (701) 530-2039.

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, george.maher@ndsu.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 231-8371, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu