Farm Bill

Work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s), the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate, and implement the voluntary conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and related state, local and other voluntary conservation programs. Activities will include program promotion, contract coordination, conservation planning, conservation plan modification, site assessment and reporting. Provide technical assistance to farmers/landowners on conservation planning, habitat planning and other wildlife related practices. Meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever and other local partners to influence habitat management efforts and participate in statewide meetings. Attend Farm Bill Biologist training and assist in coordinating technical assistance efforts.

The position will work out of the Buffalo USDA service center and assist landowners in some surrounding counties. The incumbent is an employee of Pheasants Forever, Inc. and receives supervision from Pheasants Forever with daily instruction by the local USDA-NRCS and SWCD staff. Outreach and education to landowners will be a large component of this position. Applicants with a demonstrated history or desire to be active in community outreach are desired for this position.

Duties:

· Help landowners identify plants and habitat on their property and guide them in improving those habitats for wildlife utilizing voluntary conservation programs from USDA NRCS, PF, BWSR and other local and state programs.

· Use science-based knowledge to improve habitat within the agricultural regions of the work area. This includes collaboration amongst staff, and being the in-house technical wildlife expert, and the go-to person for landowners within the work area who have wildlife and habitat related questions.

· Write contracts and other documents to help guide landowners in implementing voluntary conservation programs.

· Collaborate between partnering agencies to achieve habitat restoration and management goals for landowners and programs.

· Assist partners with all phases of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) conservation easement program, from outreach to title work to construction and reimbursement.

· Assist partners with all phases of the Reinvest in MN (RIM) conservation easement program, from outreach to title work to construction and reimbursement.

· Assist partners with outreach, contract development, and implementation of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).

· Perform other related duties as assigned.

· A quote from the previous Farm Bill Biologist in this position, “I get paid to walk through the prairie.”