High speed mobile internet access is changing the way that NRCS offices look and work. Now they’re coming to farmers so farmers don’t have to come to them!
For more than 70 years, NRCS has delivered conservation assistance to farmers, ranchers and other landowners. Now they are taking “conservation delivery” to a whole new level using kiosks in business locations and mobile field offices that can drive the full range of technical services right up to a customer’s farm or ranch.
The kiosk and a fully equipped mobile office are on display this week at the annual conference of California’s Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) and Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils at the Riverside Convention Center. This conference is the first time the two conservation partners have held a joint annual conference, allowing the groups to share resources and opportunities, facilitating future collaborations.
“It’s very appropriate that we unveil these potential new services at this historic conference with our close partners,” said Ed Burton, State Conservationist for NRCS in California. “The future is now and new technology and new partnerships are what is going to position conservation to grapple with modern challenges.”
The Mobile Field Office is a pilot project that equips a truck with broadband network connections and remote access to NRCS conservation data and planning systems. With the Mobile Field Office, NRCS conservation planners can print information on soils, practices and technical specifications from field locations. The approach allows clients to take less time out of their busy schedules for office visits or additional meetings to get the information they need.