Technical Service Providers  Farm Bill program

Eighteen NMACD Farm Bill employees attended the June 18 meeting in Ruidoso, which marked the 5th anniversary of NM TSP program, known as the Farm Bill Employee program.  Four employees who began with the first hiring phase in 2003 were recognized as Pioneer employees:  Randy Donges, Grace Phillips, Roman Jacquez and Loretta Rael.  Six employees began in 2004 and were also recognized as veterans of the program:  They are Amanda Montoya, Bobbie Tolton, Melanie Neal, Trish Strange, Erica Chavez and Jane Day.

NMACD FARM BILL EMPLOYEE PROGRAM SUCCESS STORY:
Since implementation of the Program, NRCS-NM has consistently been one of the very top productive states for EQIP (1st one year).  Several other states have since implemented similar programs.  Twelve Farm Bill employees have been hired by NRCS, one by Forest Service and two by SWCDs. 

TSP Funding of $450,000 approved at the 2008 State Legislature matched with Federal dollars from the USDA/NRCS. 

NMACD has hired 30 TSP Program employees in New Mexico, including an Irrigation Specialist for the SW Area of NM & a Civil Engineering Tech based in Santa Rosa.   

Troy Hood, NMACD TSP Administrative Coordinator, has done an excellent job with this program, working with the local soil & water conservation districts, District Conservationists as well as with Dennis Alexander, NRCS State Conservationist and NMDA Director, I.Miley Gonzalez..