USDA Signs Technical Service Provider Agreement with the American Fisheries Society

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2004—The U.S. Department of Agriculture today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the American Fisheries Society (AFS), giving conservation program participants the option to obtain technical assistance in fisheries resources and aquatic habitat from certified technical service providers (TSPs).

The 2002 Farm Bill expanded the availability of technical assistance to private landowners by encouraging the use of TSPs to allow for more conservation technical assistance services to farmers, ranchers and others.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Bruce Knight and AFS Executive Director Ghassan Rassam signed the five-year MOU at an event at USDA-NRCS national headquarters.

“This agreement allows conservation program participants the option of selecting certified fisheries professionals who meet stringent educational, ethical and professional requirements to get the job done,” Knight said. “More experts now are available to provide quality assistance to enable producers to better maintain, restore and enhance their fisheries and aquatic habitat resources effectively.”

The MOU allows AFS to recommend qualified members to USDA for certification as TSPs to provide services related to fisheries resources and aquatic habitat. Their work must meet USDA standards and specifications for quality conservation technical assistance.

AFS is the world’s oldest and largest society for fisheries professionals. Founded in 1870, the organization’s mission is to promote the conservation, development and wise use of fisheries. AFS, a private, nonprofit organization, is headquartered in Bethesda, Md.

Certified TSPs are listed on a web-based national registry called TechReg. Farmers, ranchers and other landowners seeking conservation technical assistance can locate a TSP through this registry.

In addition to AFS, USDA has signed MOUs with 10 certifying organizations—American Society of Agronomy, Society for Range Management, Iowa State University, The Wildlife Society, Society of American Foresters, The Irrigation Association, University of Tennessee, National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants, Environmental Management Solutions and American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.

The MOUs allow these organizations to recommend qualified individuals to USDA for certification as technical service providers in conservation planning and design, layout, installation and checkout of approved conservation practices.

Additional information on technical service provider assistance is available at http://techreg.usda.gov.

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