USDA'S NATURAL Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has unveiled a new electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG). This innovative technology supports President Bush's management initiative on expanding e-government and will support farm bill implementation and program delivery at the local level.

“Using this technology, we will be able to provide more timely information to more people nationwide and in Mississippi than previously has been available,” said NRCS State Conservationist Homer L. Wilkes.

This project makes time-tested NRCS conservation technology available online to anyone who uses the technical resources in the FOTG. Traditionally, the guide was a paper-based reference used in NRCS field offices to organize technical resources and activities for conservation, but the electronic versions make NRCS information available to anyone with Internet access.

The electronic technical guides are linked to 8,000 NRCS Web pages and external sites, including the latest material on the 2002 farm bill.

To access electronic technical guides, visit the NRCS Website at www.nrcs.usda.gov. Look under Technical Resources for eFOTG and then select a state.