State Technical Advisory Committee members include representatives from federal and state agriculture and natural resource agencies, American Indian Tribes, agricultural and environmental organizations, agricultural producers, Extension Service and Universities, and agribusiness. Meetings are open to the public and are held as often as necessary to advise and implement NRCS conservation programs. For information about upcoming meetings, please call the Connecticut State Office at 860-871-4011.

The committees meet regularly to provide information, analysis, and recommendations to appropriate USDA officials, who strongly consider their advice. Individuals or groups wanting to participate as members on the STAC may submit requests to the State Conservationist, Thomas L. Morgart, explaining their interest and relevant credentials.

The NRCS State Technical Committee policy defines the purpose, responsibilities, membership composition, and other requirements of a committee.

Decision Making Process

The list of eligible practices in Connecticut, payment rates and limits, eligible resource concerns, and state scoring criteria are developed based on input and recommendations from the STAC. County-level priorities are based on input from the Local Working Group (LWG) that provides feedback to the Field Offices.

Local Working Groups (LWGs) are subcommittees of the STAC and provide recommendations to USDA on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs.

The priorities set at the state and county level are those that the STAC and LWG determined were of the greatest need and would have the greatest positive environmental impact. The scoring process at both the state and local level was developed in order to select those projects that would provide the greatest environmental benefit, and therefore provide the greatest public good.

2026 STAC Meeting Schedule

• April 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Connecticut NRCS State Office Conference Room, 344 Merrow St., Tolland, CT 06084, with virtual connection option.
• September 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Connecticut NRCS State Office Conference Room, 344 Merrow St., Tolland, CT 06084, with virtual connection option.

Local Working Groups

Local Working Groups (LWG) provide recommendations on local natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs in each Conservation District in Connecticut. Recommendations may include, but are not limited to, priority natural resource concerns in the local community, criteria to be used in ranking program applications techniques, and for outreach.

Local Working Group meetings are a valuable part of the NRCS planning process, providing an opportunity for local land managers to be part of a collaborative effort to improve natural resources within your district.

Fiscal Year 2026 LWG Meeting Schedule

This year's Local Working Group meetings will be held in each Conservation District area. Dates and locations will be posted here as soon as they are scheduled.