Priorities

1. Provide direct technical assistance to owners and managers of Texas privately owned grazing lands based on ecologically and economically sound grazingland management principles".
2. Utilize GLCI funding to hire, redirect, or relocate qualified grazing land management specialists to provide technical assistance to Texas privately owned grazingland owners and managers, upon request.
3. Continue a grant program that will focus on securing outside funds the Texas Coalition-GLCI will utilize to expedite the professional preparation of Ecological Site Descriptions in Texas as well as other important projects.
4. Develop effective information products, including displays, videos, slide programs, brochures, booklets, etc. that emphasize regional and statewide partnerships and inform the consumer public about the significance of grazing lands.
5. Develop and implement a continuing education program for NRCS personnel.

Goals-Focusing on Management

Technical Assistance-Technology Transfer

• Ensure confidentiality of NRCS/producer relationships to protect private property rights. No other persons will accompany NRCS or Conservation District personnel on private property without prior permission from the landowner or manager.
• Identify and utilize other sources of technical expertise inside and outside NRCS to assist with unique or extraordinary situations, with permission of the landowner or manager.
• Encourage the Texas Coalition to hold meetings to determine research and education needs (Phase II of GLCI).

Staffing

• Identify priority areas and target problems to assist the State Conservationist in locating field grazing land managment specialists.
• Identify the technical and professional skills needed to provide targeted technical assistance.
• Provide input to the State Conservationsist on staffing needs and selection criteria for GLCI funded grazing land management specialists and coordinators.
• Continue efforts to expand career opportunities for employees in grazing land managment specialist positions.

Training

• Develop training programs for agency personnel and producers that emphasize practical "hands-on" experience.
• Establish internship/apprenticeship programs with cooperating landowners and managers.
• Provide training to representatives from agricultural lending institutions.
• Establish a practical economics shortcourse specifically for grazing lands.
• Use all available outside sources for training, as needed, to strengthen or supplement available NRCS expertise. Involve producers, technical service providers, universities, agri-business representatives, specialists from other agencies, and personnel from other disciplines as training resources.
• Develop a continuing education program to assist agency personnel and producers to stay current with new technology.
• Work with educational institutions to provide diversity in grazing land managment and ecology courses, short courses, and symposia.