The State Technical Committee (STC) provides recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist on NRCS-related issues in New Jersey. These issues include the implementation of NRCS programs, the development of NRCS practice standards, and others.
Upcoming State Technical Committee Meeting
The next meeting will take place virtually on December 10, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The State Technical Committee will be hosted online via MS Teams
Review previous meeting minutes below.
More details and an agenda will follow.
We look forward to seeing you!
Roles and Responsibilities
The State Technical Committee may advise the NRCS State Conservationist on many issues, such as:
- Provide information, analysis, and recommendations to NRCS on conservation priorities and criteria for natural resources conservation programs, including application sign-ups, funding criteria, conservation practices, and payment rates
- Identify emerging natural resource concerns and barriers to implementing conservation practices
- Recommend new and updated conservation practice standards and specifications that address state conservation priorities
- Recommend state and national program policy based on resource data
- Review requests and recommendations from the local working groups and make recommendations to the state conservationist
- Help NRCS with public outreach and information efforts
- Identify education and training needs for producers.
At the discretion of the State Conservationist, subcommittees are formed to provide increased oversight and input into NRCS program delivery. These subcommittees include the Soils subcommittee, Wildlife Habitat subcommittee, Easements subcommittee, Forestry subcommittee, Source Water Protection subcommittee, Conservation Practice subcommittee, Programs subcommittee and Local Work Groups.
Meetings
The New Jersey State Technical Committee meetings are held two times a year--virtually during December, and in-person during June. The December business meeting highlights topics such as policy changes, Local Working Group feedback, program funding, and NRCS activities as a whole. The June meeting includes a field tour portion in addition to the regular business meeting. The field tour is geared towards highlighting conservation efforts by landowners and NRCS partners throughout the state. At both meetings, we offer the opportunity for direct feedback to the State Technical Committee and allow partners an opportunity to address issues or provide updates.
To read more about the purpose, responsibilities and membership of the State Technical Committee, visit eDirectives.
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities is available. Please request any necessary disability accommodation within 48 hours of the meeting.
If language assistance is needed, every effort will be made to accommodate these requests. We would appreciate that requests for language assistance be submitted a week before the meeting to allow sufficient time to secure the appropriate service.
Previous State Technical Committee Field Tour meetings:
2026: Ocean County - RCPP COASTAL initiatives: biofouling, reef restoration, subaqueous soil sampling
2025: Morris County - HUAP flooding, erosion control, lagoon decommissioning
2024: Mercer/Monmouth County - Tree mortality initiative, NRCS watershed programs
2023: Ocean County - Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership, fire and forest thinning
2022: Hunterdon County - Hurricane IDA storm damage
2019: Newark, NJ - Greater Newark Conservancy
2018: Hammonton, NJ - Blueberry production, Food Safety Modernization Act, row cover
2017: Hunterdon County - Equine pasture management
2016: Salem/Cumberland County - Center pivot irrigation, tail water recovery
2015: Hunterdon County - Alternative wildlife crop (spelt), prescribed grazing, future waste storage
2014: Salem/Cumberland County - Nursery operation with waterways, diversions, filter strips, cover crops, crop rotation, grassed waterways, reduced tillage, center pivot irrigation, irrigation water management, precision farming
2013: Somerset County - wetland and floodplain easement restoration
2012: Cumberland/Gloucester - Seasonal high tunnel, leaf mulching, organic farming
2011: Morris County - Equine waste management, fruit and vegetable BMPs
Who are the Committee Members?
The NRCS State Conservationist acts as the Committee Chair.
In addition, the state conservationist will ensure equal representation of interests, seriously consider the Committee’s technical advice, and call and provide notice of public meetings when necessary.
Each state technical committee includes agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest landowners, and other professionals who represent a variety of interests and disciplines in the soil, water, wetlands, plants, and wildlife sciences.
To participate on the Committee, individuals or groups may submit a request to the NRCS State Conservationist that explains their interest and outlines their natural resource credentials.