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February 26, 2004 What You Need To Know About Becoming A Technical Service Provider An orientation workshop for those considering becoming Technical Service Providers (TSP) is scheduled for March 3. Anyone who is interested in such a position, as described in the 2002 Farm Bill, should plan on attending this session. There is no charge. The Technical Service Provider (TSP) Program was initiated in the 1996 Farm Bill and expanded by the 2000 Farm Bill. The 2002 Farm Bill authorized USDA to use Technical Service Providers to provide technical assistance on behalf of USDA. Technical assistance includes conservation planning and design, layout, installation and checkout of approved conservation practices. The North Dakota Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the North Dakota State University Extension Service will present the orientation course. It will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. Workshop locations include:
All three sites will be connected by interactive video, allowing comments and questions to be shared by everyone. Speakers will be presenting from the Fargo and Bismarck sites. Presenters at this workshop include North Dakota NRCS and NDSU Extension Service staff. Topics include: the role of the NDSU Extension Service in the TSP program; TSP policies; NRCS electronic field office technical guide; identifying and documenting environmental concerns; tools for planning and designing practices such as erosion predictions, nutrient management and engineering tools; progress reporting; procedures for payment/not to exceed rates; USDA cost-shared programs; activities requiring professional soil classifier licenses and ongoing professional development opportunities. Technical Service Providers will help ease the increased workload that the NRCS will face as a result of landowner requests to participate in conservation programs provided in the 2002 Farm Bill. NRCS will reimburse program participants if they select TSP’s from an approved list and if the technical services provided meet all legal and program requirements. For additional information contact George Maher, NDSU Extension Service TSP program coordinator, at (701) 231-8288 or Mark Anderson, North Dakota NRCS, at (701) 530-2039. ### Source:
George Maher, (701) 231-8288, george.maher@ndsu.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
