Minnesota Tribal Conservation Advisory Council Tribal Outreach and Training Conference

By Julie A. MacSwain, State Public Affairs Specialist
 

August 8-9, 2006 marked the dates of a Minnesota Tribal Conservation Advisory Council meeting sponsored by Indian Nations Conservation Alliance (INCA). The meeting was held at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs.  Close to 100 people attended this important Minnesota conference. 

William Hunt, State Conservationist said to the conference participants, “Help us to help you.”  The various exhibits that the conference co-sponsors are showcasing are good ways for you to obtain program information from USDA and other agencies.  This conference enabled USDA agency personnel to learn more about past, present and future concerns and success stories of each of the Minnesota tribes in attendance. Mike Swan, a Representative from the White Earth tribe announced the signing of a mutual agreement for the formation of a Tribal Conservation District and presented the agreement to William Hunt for signature by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Hunt reminded the conference attendees that conferences such as this are a good way to learn about what various USDA agencies can offer to tribes in Minnesota.  Hunt said "NRCS in Minnesota has 83 field offices in Minnesota and these offices are here to serve the people of Minnesota". 

For more information about Outreach efforts that are occurring in Minnesota by NRCS, please contact, Debra Walchuk, State Outreach Coordinator.  Debra can be reached at (218)-751-1942, extension 131.

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