Field Office Technical Guide News
 

The news release is posted on the NRCS newsroom website http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/ and e-FOTG info will be accessible from the NRCS homepage.

Web Address:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/efotg

What is the electronic Field Office Technical Guide (e-FOTG)?

Field Office Technical guide, or ‘Tech Guide’ as they are commonly called, is the primary scientific reference used by NRCS in conservation activities associated with soil, water, air, plant, animal and related natural resources.

Until now, the Technical Guide has been maintained primarily in paper form in about 2700 Service Centers.  The new Technical Guide (e-FOTG) replaces these paper documents with an Internet-based electronic document system.  The e-FOTG incorporates web documents, databases, digital maps, computer programs, and other electronic-based materials. The electronic technical guide makes scientifically proven and time tested NRCS conservation technology available instantly to anyone with Internet access.

The e-FOTG will help NRCS field conservationists, technical service providers, and partners implement the new 2002 Farm Bill.  The e-FOTG is a major e-Government contribution to the President’s Management Initiatives in that it is directly accessible to USDA customers and the public.

Two Comments of interest:

“I don't know if we know it yet but I think this tool [e-FOTG] is going to do more for introducing the Pacific Basin to the rest of NRCS and USDA, dare I say the WORLD.”

            Soil Conservationist, Pacific Basin Area

“Coming from a person who has spent my first 15 years using the materials and my last 15 years as the state engineer trying to maintain the stuff I see, not only the value, but the enormous time savings at the state and field level.”…

            Agricultural Engineer,  Little Rock, Arkansas

What does eFOTG provide?

• Conservation practice standards and specifications

• Conservation technical references

• Resource maps

• Management systems

• Descriptions of impacts of conservation treatments on resource conditions

• Soil interpretations

• Ecological site descriptions

• Forage suitability groups

• Information on weeds and pest management

• Plant guides and information on wetland plants

• Information on threatened and endangered species

• Plant names and taxonomy

• Water and climate information

• Cost lists used for cost-share contracting for conservation measures

• Tool for designing a vegetative practice for erosion control or other conservation purpose

• References to conservation laws and regulations

• Conservation case studies

Features:

"[eFOTG] is a significant step towards reducing administrative burden on our employees, so they can spend more time in the field with our customers.  eFOTG provides an exciting new avenue of accessibility to the technical standards and specifications that NRCS utilizes to provide assistance for private lands conservation.  It will be a tremendous resource for technical services providers and partners who will be working with NRCS to implement the expanded and new conservation programs of the Farm Bill.

State Conservationist, Nebraska

• Access to all state specific technical guides and available 24 hours, 7 days a week

• Consistent organization of data across all states

• Same information or versions instantly available to everyone on the Internet

• Search capabilities for easily finding content

• Customizable user interface

• Accommodates all types of content including maps, spreadsheets, pictures, and PDF’s.

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