NRCS California Announces New Assistant State Conservationist for Farm Bill Programs

News provided by

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

May 17, 2019, 13:34 ET

DAVIS, Calif., May 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is pleased to announce the appointment of RaeAnn Dubay as the new Assistant State Conservationist for Farm Bill programs. This is a top leadership position within NRCS California and oversees the administration of more than $120 million annually for conservation projects, easements, enhancements and more.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Ms. Dubay to our leadership team in this pivotal role," says Carlos Suarez, State Conservationist for NRCS in California. "Thousands of farmers and conservationists across California—not to mention the landscape itself—rely on the visionary and strategic administration of these voluntary, science-based Farm Bill programs."

Dubay will work with NRCS employees and partners to provide leadership in coordinating, directing and evaluating conservation programs that were recently reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. These include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), and the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) which covers both farmland and wetland protection easements.

Dubay, holds a Master's of Science degree in Soil, Water and Environmental Science from the University of Arizona. She brings over 17 years of NRCS conservation experience to her new job. Recent positions include District Conservationist for the Yuba City field office and Area Resource Conservationist for the northern portion of California. She has also worked on leadership details for the NRCS in Wyoming and Washington, D.C.

Dubay replaces Alan Forkey who retired from the position in December 2018. The position becomes effective May 27, 2019.

NRCS is a federal agency that works in partnership with resource conservation districts and dozens of other agricultural, conservation and educational groups. With the mission of "Helping People Help the Land," NRCS provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the nation's soil, water, and related natural resources on non-federal lands.

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service