Keeping involved in retirement is a great way to stay connected. The descriptions below contain basic information for three NRCS program areas. If you are interested in learning more, webpage links are available for you to investigate further.
ACES Program
The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program (ACES), authorized by the Farm Bill, and implemented in USDA NRCS offices throughout the country, is a legislative older worker program for those 55 and older. ACES is a grants-based program which is administered through an umbrella agreement and certified by the Department of Labor. ACES enrollees are generally part-time and supply technical assistance to the NRCS in their conservation operations. Enrollees receive a modest hourly wage, and most are eligible for a benefits package that includes paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
The NEW Solutions ACES Program currently supports over 500 positions in over 40 states and is expected to grow in the years ahead. In March, 2022, the National Older Worker Career Center, Inc. (NOWOCC) was rebranded to NEW Solutions. NRCS currently uses ACES in many ways: specific projects, workload surges, filling the need for technical assistance, succession planning, mentoring, workforce planning, etc.
NEW Solutions and NRCS Roles: NEW Solutions is responsible for recruiting, enrolling, administering payroll and benefits, and handling any performance-related issues. NRCS is responsible for interviewing and selecting a preferred applicant, overseeing the day-to-day work of the enrollees, providing for a safe work environment and any tools, equipment, or supplies, and working with NEW Solutions on problem solving concerns.
NRCS had 511 enrollees supporting critical projects with 101 new enrollees added. Through NEW Solutions, ACES enrollees provided 373,143 hours of service in FY2023.
To learn more about the origins and the impact the ACES Program has had on NRCS operations, please view this video of Ron Marlow, former Associate Deputy Chief for the NRCS, and an ARCSE Past President, and Member.
Learn more about the ACES Program by viewing this video, click here.
For more information about NEW Solutions, please check out:
3811North Fairfax Drive Suite 900 Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: (703) 558-4200
Email: hq@newsolutions.org
NRCS Earth Team Volunteer Program
Since 1985, Earth Team volunteers have provided valuable work talent to the NRCS. Throughout the agency, these volunteers have worked with conservation professionals on private lands to improve soil quality, conserve water, improve air quality and enhance wildlife habitat. These volunteers work across the nation to help NRCS accomplish its mission to provide conservation to farmers, ranchers, and forest owners.
The Earth Team provides a variety of opportunities: full- or part-time; outdoor or indoor activities; and as an individual or part of a group. There is something for everyone.
Duties vary based on interests and availability and include clerical work and field study. You will share your skills, learn new ones, meet new people and be part of a dedicated national conservation effort.
The Earth Team is a component of the USDA NRCS, the federal government’s primary private lands conservation agency.
The Earth Team offers numerous volunteer opportunities for students, retirees, veterans and others who care about conservation and are seeking to make a difference in their communities.
With nearly 3,000 offices in communities nationwide, volunteers are needed in virtually every state and territory.
If you are interested in volunteering with the NRCS, please fill out the online form, and complete the Volunteer Interest and Placement Summary Form. and then email to SM.FPAC.BC.Volunteers@usda.gov
Serving as an Earth Team Volunteer is a great way to give back in retirement.
NRCS ARCSE MOU
NRCS and ARCSE are working together to identify and recruit NRCS and partner retirees to provide mentoring assistance to NRCS staff.
Recently NRCS and ARCSE signed a MOU with the objective to work together to identify, recruit, and use NRCS and partner retirees to provide mentoring assistance to NRCS employees, especially to new employees.
The fundamental principle and objective of the MOU is very simple. NRCS and partner retirees have experience and skills that can be very valuable in mentoring capacity to train and guide newer NRCS employees to become more proficient quickly in their jobs.
Under the MOU, ARCSE state representatives are a new resource for NRCS State Conservationists to help identify NRCS and partner retirees interested in working with NRCS staff in a mentoring capacity.
The key individuals for communication and action regarding implementation of the MOU include:
NRCS – State Conservationist or designee for MOU and mentoring activity.
ARCSE- ARCSE State representatives.
NRCS and partner retirees – Self identify if interested in mentoring NRCS employees.
NRCS retirees providing mentoring assistance will have access to guidance in mentoring guide materials made available to them from NRCS and ARCSE. There is a new folder on the ARCSE.org website under the Resources tab that contains several useful guides and references on the topic of mentoring. See the mentoring references here.
The ARCSE organization has established a Mentoring Work Group that is developing a “framework plan” to assist with successful implementation of the MOU objectives. The framework place can be used as a model by states and will be made available on the ARCSE website when it is finalized. The ARCSE Mentoring MOU work group members are Craig Derickson, Julie MacSwain, Bill Ward, and Chris Tippe.
ARCSE encourages NRCS and partner retirees to consider this new opportunity to work with NRCS staff and to provide valuable mentoring assistance to NRCS staff and provide mentoring assistance to NRCS. This is a new activity for the ARCSE organization, and information and guidance are flowing from the ARCSE leaders to ARCSE members at the state level.
To view the fully signed MOU click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie MacSwain, ARCSE President at juliemacswain(at)gmail.com
ARCSE 