The Bastrop County Soil and Water Conservation District and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service invite the public and any organization or agencies with an interest in agriculture or conservation to attend a local work group meeting and listening session at the First National Bank community room, 489 Texas 71, in Bastrop on Aug. 4 at 9 a.m.

The purpose of this meeting is to receive input from a broad range of local agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals that have an interest in natural resource conditions and needs in Bastrop County. This free event is open to everyone.

Attendees can also learn about federal and state programs that provide technical and financial assistance for conservation planning, learn the difference between conservation plans and Environmental Quality Incentive Program contracts and about the programs that were implemented in 2010 in Bastrop County.

The Bastrop County SWCD encourages everyone to attend, especially those who farm, ranch, own or operate nonindustrial private forest land, professionals representing agricultural and natural resource interests, and individuals representing a variety of disciplines in the soil, water, wetland, plant, forestry and wildlife sciences who are familiar with agricultural and natural resource issues in the local community.

For more information, call the USDA-NRCS office in Bastrop at (512) 321-2489 ext. 3. NRCS office locations and program information can be found on the Texas NRCS Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.  USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.