Reminder: Technical Service Provider webinar

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Becoming a Technical Service Provider for NRCS November webinar is first in series on duties and eligibility requirements Organic farming goes hand in hand with environmental protection and enhancement of our natural resources. Those with a passion for these ideals can add another way of providing services to farmers by becoming approved to be a Technical Service Provider (TSP) to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Technical Service Providers (TSPs) are individuals or businesses with technical expertise in conservation planning and design for a variety of conservation activities. TSPs are hired by farmers, ranchers, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies to provide these services on behalf of the NRCS. Each certified TSP is listed on an NRCS online registry, TechReg. The TSP registration and approval process involves required training as well as verification of essential education, knowledge, skills, and abilities. As part of a NRCS national Conservation Innovation Project, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)  and 10 other partners on November 1 will be offering the first of four webinars on how to become a TSP and what it takes to write conservation plans.   Organic inspectors, crop advisors, organic farmers, and personnel from nongovernment organizations who work with organic and sustainable farmers are good candidates to perform this interesting and rewarding work and receive monetary compensation for writing Conservation Activity Plans for farmers transitioning to organic production. In the webinar, “Becoming a Technical Service Provider for NRCS: An Introduction,” Harriet Behar with the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) will begin this series with an introduction  that will help you navigate the TSP approval process, receive payment for your work, as well as give you a basic understanding of what is required in this plan. Harriet is approved as a TSP to write Conservation Activity Plans. After the presentation, Dana Larsen, National TSP Team Leader for NRCS will join Harriet in answering question regarding the presentation and the TSP program generally. The webinars will be recorded and archived on the ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website at www.attra.ncat.org. Date: November 1, 2012 Time: 1 p.m. EST Title: Becoming a Technical Service Provider for NRCS: An Introduction To register: Visit  https://attra.ncat.org/tech_service About the presenter: Harriet Behar, an Organic Specialist with the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), has 16 years experience as an organic inspector of crops, livestock, and processing facilities in addition to more than 30 years of experience in the growing and marketing of organic crops, vegetables and livestock products. She and her husband have a biodynamic farm near Gays Mills, Wisc. Coming up The other webinars in the series include the following. Watch for further details and links for registration at www.attra.ncat.org. Date: November 15, 2012 Time: 1 p.m. EST Title: “Doing NRCS Conservation Activity Planning for Organic Farmers and Ranchers” Presenter: Katy Green of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). To register: Visit https://attra.ncat.org/nrcs_conservation Date: January 31, 2013 Time: 1 p.m. EST Title: Virtual Tour of Organic Farm Conservation Activity Planning – Examples from Wisconsin Presenter: Harriet Behar of Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). Date: TBA Time: TBA Title: How NRCS Technical Service Providers Can Support Biodiversity Conservation in Organic Systems Presenter: Jo Ann Baumgartner of Wild Farm Alliance, Harriet Behar, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service.                                                                     The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - ATTRA - was developed and is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The project is funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Visit the NCAT website for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects. © 2012 NCAT