Message from Kevin Wickey

I’ll soon have completed 4 months as your State Conservationist. I’m still amazed at how steep my learning curve is. NRCS is very active here, and we have a wide diversity of activities.

You all know by now that this is a tough budget year for us, probably the hardest budget year we’ve had in this state. This is because the new allocation formulas are transferring decreasing CTA and other program funding to other states. I’ve told some of you personally, but I want to tell all of you several things about our budget:

1. Don’t worry about the budget. The Chief has stated there will not be any furloughs or RIFs this year. It’s my job to worry about the budget and we don’t need two or more people doing the same job.
2. You are needed within this agency in WV. We are doing important work, and the best thing you can do for our budget is to provide quality customer service to and for the citizens of West Virginia each and every day.
3. Be prepared. We will be given opportunities to work our way out of our deficit, and we are going to have to react quickly with 4.5 months left. We are going to have to pull together.

I’m thankful for the welcome you’ve given me, and I’m hopeful we can continue to get to know each other on a better basis.

Kevin Wickey
State Conservationist
West Virginia

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