Farm Service Agency  |  Natural Resources Conservation Service  |  Risk Management Agency

The Worth County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office located in Northwood, IA is accepting application to fill a permanent Program Technician position.

The individual selected will be responsible for carrying out general office activities and technical functions supporting FSA programs administered at the field level.  Successful applicants must be reliable, have a professional attitude, and enjoy working with the public.  Applicants should possess excellent human relations skills, as well as strong clerical and computer skills.  A general knowledge of agricultural practices will be beneficial.

FSA’s diverse culture and benefits allow for a healthy balance between your career and home life.  FSA offers a friendly and professional working environment with flexible hours/work schedules, and other family-friendly benefits such as paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement and supplemental savings plan, a wide array of health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and long-term care insurance.

If you are interest or know of someone who might be interested, please share this information with them.  Here is the direct link to the position with information on how to apply.  Announcement FSACO-11355139-22-IA-KR on www.usajobs.gov.

Applications must be completed through USAJOBs no later than close of business January 31, 2022

Questions regarding this position can be directed to the county office at 641-324-1134.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender

Worth County USDA Service Center

USDA has several fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program.

Through conservation programs, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to help producers and landowners make conservation improvements on their land that benefit natural resources, build resiliency and contribute to the nation’s broader effort to combat the impacts of climate change.

Applying for Assistance

NRCS accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round. State Technical Committees, composed of representatives from conservation and agricultural-related organizations, work with NRCS to set state-specific, ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding. These dates account for producer needs, staff workload and ensure potential participants have ample opportunity to apply. Producers should apply by their state’s ranking dates to be considered for funding in the current cycle.

Funding is provided through a competitive process. State-specific, ranking dates for all programs are available. Applications received after ranking dates will be automatically deferred to the next funding period.

Program Options

EQIP provides cost share assistance for producers to use 170-plus conservation practices to address a wide variety of resource concerns. Within EQIP, Conservation Incentive Contracts allow producers to further target priority resource concerns. CSP helps producers take their conservation activities to the next level through comprehensive conservation and advanced conservation activities. ACEP helps producers enroll wetlands, grasslands and farmlands into easements for long-term protection. Additionally, through RCPP, producers and landowners can work with partners who are co-investing with NRCS on targeted projects.

Historically Underserved Producer Benefits

Special provisions are also available for historically underserved producers. For EQIP, historically underserved producers are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting services up front. In addition, historically underserved producers can receive higher EQIP payment rates (up to 90% of average cost). NRCS sets aside EQIP, CSP and ACEP funds for historically underserved producers.

Conservation Practices and Climate

NRCS conservation programs play a critical role in USDA’s commitment to partnering with farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and local communities to deliver climate solutions that strengthen agricultural operations and rural America. States may prioritize a variety of voluntary conservation practices through these NRCS programs, including those that support climate-smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF).

In fiscal year 2022, EQIP and CSP will provide targeted funding for CSAF practices, and Conservation Incentive Contracts – a new EQIP program – will be available nationwide with an emphasis on CSAF practices. Building on these efforts, NRCS will also prioritize climate investments through ACEP, RCPP and Conservation Innovation Grants.

Producers, landowners and forest managers interested in applying for assistance should contact the NRCS at their local USDA Service Center.

1004 10^th Street S
Northwood, IA 50459

Phone:  641-324-1134
Fax:        855-211-4019