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  • This forum has 185 topics, 684 replies, and was last updated 1 week, 2 days ago by Jay Nelson.
Viewing 20 topics – 1 through 20 (of 186 total)
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    • RCPP projects to supplement SCS programs? Have any states utilized RCPP to fund or enhance funding for their existing state cost share programs? Funding for our state cost share program has declined for years. With all of the federal dollars now available, it seems like a natural fit. If you have, I would love to hear any experiences with it. Thank you.

      Started by: Jay Nelson

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    • 1 week, 2 days ago

      Jay Nelson

    • State Cost Share Programs and NEPA/NHPA Curious to know if any other state that has a state-funded cost share program that cooperates with NRCS for CTA has been told that CTA is the trigger (federal undertaking) for the National Historic Preservation Act rules to attach to state funded conservation projects. Any feedback would be welcomed. Thanks in advance!

      Started by: John McClurkan

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    • 1 week, 2 days ago

      Jay Nelson

    • BMP Evaluation Tools – Water Quality For North Carolina’s state Agriculture Cost Share Program, district staff are required to use specific approved tools to calculate water quality outcomes associated with practice implementation (soil saved, N and P reduced, etc.). We are exploring potential tool switches or upgrades to our approved program tools for water quality outcome reporting to enhance tool functionality, improve tool access and usability, and overall streamline the process of water quality outcome calculation reporting for district staff. We would like to learn more about the tools other states are using for best management practice water quality outcome reporting for state agriculture cost share programs. Can you share publicly available links to the tools you use? Can you share published information (reports, fact sheets, etc.) about the tool(s) you use? Any information on this topic welcomed. Thanks!

      Started by: Allie Dinwiddie

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    • 1 month, 1 week ago

      Allie Dinwiddie

    • Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Programs Hi all, In Kansas we are considering making some changes to our current Sediment and Nutrient Reduction program.  It is currently an incentive based system tied to CRP contracts/practices.  We would like to change it a state cost share only incentive based program that does not require CRP participation. Are there other states out there who are doing something similar?  If so, I’d like to hear from you. Thank you, Kristin Kloft

      Started by: Kristin Kloft

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    • 1
    • 1 month, 2 weeks ago

      Kristin Kloft

    • District Employee Salaries Do any of your state’s agencies maintain any type of database of district employee salaries/benefit packages or is anyone aware of a national resource with that type of information? We are trying to get an idea of what is competitive regionally and nationally.

      Started by: Jake Wilson

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    • 6
    • 2 months, 1 week ago

      Kathy Bircket

    • Vehicle Management Kansas is exploring options related to its management of vehicles. Does your state have a central motor pool? Or does each agency manage its own vehicles? Respectively submitted by Shelly Bartron, Special Assistant to Adam Proffitt, Kansas Secretary of Administration.

      Started by: Samir Arif, Chief of Staff, Kansas Secretary of Administration

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    • 1
    • 2 months, 2 weeks ago

      Samir Arif, Chief of Staff, Kansas Secretary of Administration

    • Federal Procurement Requirements Hello NASCA members, In CT, all 5 Districts were awarded LISFF grants, almost $3MM in total. As they will be engaging subcontractors to do the work, they need to comply with the federal procurement requirements as stipulated here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d Do any of us members have a toolkit with templates for these required documents (such as the procurement policy, statement of conflict of interest, etc.)? I think this would be extremely helpful.  Please let me know if we have these in house.

      Started by: Lilian Ruiz

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    • 3 months, 3 weeks ago

      Lilian Ruiz

    • District Manager Position Description Vermont is looking to provide better guidance to our conservation districts around position descriptions. Does anyone have sample job descriptions for the district manager position that you’d be willing to share? I’m looking for either actual position descriptions in use by districts currently or sample template position descriptions you provide to districts. Thank you!   Clare

      Started by: Clare Ireland

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    • 4 months, 2 weeks ago

      Clare Ireland

    • Updating Our Supervisor Handbook At our recent association meeting we were asked by several supervisors for guidance on personnel management.  The information is currently in our Conservation District Handbook, but not in the Supervisor Handbook.  We plan to update the Supervisor book to include some information, but not be overwhelming.  For example, we will probably include sample performance evaluations, steps of probation and/or termination, supporting documentation, etc.   If your state does this, would you share your Supervisor Handbook?  Looking for content ideas.

      Started by: Marsha Setzkorn-Meyer

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    • 4 months, 3 weeks ago

      Marsha Setzkorn-Meyer

    • District Accounting Software Programs The Kansas Division of Conservation does not require districts to use a particular accounting software. Most of our districts use QuickBooks for accounting and reports. However, QB has had several changes recently. It is becoming very costly to use the program as well as internet based. Some of our districts don’t have reliable internet or prefer not to have their finances on internet based software.  Those who have not upgraded are being advised (by other districts) not to make upgrade because of cost and all the problems encountered. To assist, we are looking at alternative accounting software for districts to consider. What is the primary accounting software districts in your state use?

      Started by: Marsha Setzkorn-Meyer

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    • 7 months ago

      Jake Wilson

    • Riparian Easement Programs I am interested in learning more about any states that run or participate in some way in a conservation easement program specifically around protecting riparian areas. Please feel free to reach out directly to me at sjoy@scc.wa.gov or 360-480-2078. Thanks!

      Started by: Shana Joy

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    • 1
    • 7 months, 4 weeks ago

      Shana Joy

    • Supervisor appointment terms for new Board Maryland is currently holding a referendum to merge 2 SCDs – first in our history. For states that have completed mergers, did you stagger the initial terms of the newly created Board so all members don’t expire in the same year? If yes, I’d love to connect and discuss.

      Started by: Alisha Mulkey

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    • 2
    • 7 months, 4 weeks ago

      Frank Minch

    • Regulations for Equipment Loan Program We are writing regulations for our equipment loan program and would love some info from other states. Does your agency have a program where districts can purchase equipment for shared use? Is that program open to individuals or only for districts to purchase equipment? Is there a specific list of equipment they can purchase? If yes, can you provide a link to the list? What happens if they don’t make payments or otherwise breach the contract requirements? Does your agency repossess the equipment? What reporting do you require?

      Started by: Paulette Akers

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    • 2
    • 1 year ago

      Brad Shedd

    • Types of Conservation Plans Accepted In MO, conservation plans are defined in our state regulations, but that definition does not mention NRCS or their official Conservation Planning process. Some local districts have interpreted this to mean as long as the plan meets the very generalized definition in our regulation that it does not have to meet all NRCS requirements. My questions for you are, A: do you define what a conservation plan is anywhere in law, regulation or policy, and B: Are there any other “versions” of plans being used in your state to implement cost-share practices, and if so, what standards do those plans adhere to?

      Started by: Jake Wilson

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    • 2
    • 1 year, 1 month ago

      Delwyne Trefz

    • Annual Reports required from Conservation Districts Does your state require specific end of year reports from your districts to be submitted to your division to show accountability for the funds they have received during the year? The type of report we are looking for is more detailed than the Annual Report given to stakeholders at their annual meeting. Are you willing to share your report?

      Started by: Marsha Setzkorn-Meyer

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    • 1 year, 1 month ago

      Allisa Carlson

    • CD Staff Growth and NRCS Offices Several of our districts in Montana have outgrown their ability to co-locate in NRCS offices. Some have had the financial ability to buy a building, rent space, etc. Many of our districts do not have the financial means or the availability of office space in their communities. Anyone have thoughts or guidance about navigating this situation, as our districts continue to grow with additional staff and interns. Thanks Stephanie

      Started by: Stephanie Criswell

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    • 5
    • 1 year, 1 month ago

      John Jaschke

    • Equipping Districts to Deal with New Financial Assistance Opportunities The NCPP Training and Tools Action Team recently discussed all the new financial assistance opportunities coming soon (IRA, climate smart, etc.) and the additional workload that will put on local SWCDs. We are interested in what, if anything, state agencies are planning to help equip districts to navigate all these new opportunities, particularly in regards to training and tools.

      Started by: Jake Wilson

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    • 2
    • 1 year, 1 month ago

      Lilian Ruiz

    • Administrative Funds to CDs implementing State Cost Share Programs For those states that have state funded cost share programs, how do you compensate conservation districts that help promote the program, enroll participants, develop conservation plans, verify practice installation, or otherwise assist with implementation? Do you provide a certain percentage of administration funds based on the dollar amount of the contracts funded, provide a set base amount, compensate for time/hours worked on state cost share, or other means of compensation? Any details including specific percentage or funding amounts and total annual cost share implemented are appreciated. Thank you!

      Started by: John Switzer

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    • 1 year, 4 months ago

      Marcia Fox

    • Software to track financial assistance for conservation? Hi all, I am wondering if any of you have any good recommendations for possible solutions for management of conservation related grants and programs. We are in need of updating our current grants management database. We are looking for something that can not only manage the financial piece, but that also has the capacity to capture spatial data associated with our financial assistance. We know that it will be infinitely more efficient to find something that is “off the shelf” and able to be customized. Do any of you have any recommendations or are you willing to share how you manage this? If you created your system internally with internal developers, that would be helpful too. I am appreciative of any information you are willing/able to share! Thanks. Coreen Fallat Wisconsin

      Started by: Coreen Fallat

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    • 6
    • 1 year, 4 months ago

      Melissa King

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