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NRCS representative warns of staffing losses and a down year for EQIP preapprovals
Summary
A National Resources Conservation Service representative told the Vernon County committee the agency lost roughly 25% of its state staff and that fewer Environmental Quality Incentives Program preapprovals were issued this cycle; continuing federal budget uncertainty could pause in‑office work.
Justin, the local NRCS representative, told the Vernon County Land and Water Conservation Committee that the agency has lost a large share of its staff and that funding awards are down this year. "We're down — about 25% of our entire agency is gone," Justin said, citing firings, resignations and early retirements. "It's been a down year for funding."
The NRCS office in Vernon County lost a program assistant who was later reinstated with back pay, Justin said. Soil conservationist Nick Hertz is on temporary detail in Dunn County; Justin said other staff are being shuffled between offices and some long‑term telework positions are being shifted into local offices. "We're getting folks from that are full time telework ... that are starting to be placed in our office," Justin said.
Justin reported the office received only two EQIP preapprovals this cycle — a sharp drop from the previous year when streambank and forestry projects were funded. "None of our grazing, farmstead applications or agronomic things like cover crop ... got funded," he said, adding staff will focus on administering the existing contracts they do have.
He also flagged near‑term federal funding uncertainty. The continuing resolution that funds federal programs was scheduled to lapse the day after the meeting; Justin said if a funding bill does not pass the office will likely close until funding resumes. "If something is passed, we'll be funded. If something is not passed, we will be probably at home," he said.
Committee members discussed the possible local impacts if NRCS field staff are relocated and asked how shared leases with Farm Service Agency affect county programs. David (county staff) clarified that the county's lease terms are separate and that the county's reimbursement arrangement for shared staff time is independent of the building lease. Justin said an end to the NRCS work agreement would affect the county's Land and Water program revenue, but he did not provide a specific budget estimate.
The meeting record shows committee members offered support and said they would help advocate for reinstatements. Justin said the office will continue technical assistance regardless of the funding cycle, but that financial assistance is what typically brings people into NRCS programs.
The account given at the meeting described personnel and funding changes and the committee did not take a formal vote on NRCS staffing or funding at this session.
