INTRODUCTION

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is made and entered into by the USDA Forest Service (Forest Service), National Black Farmers Association (Association), and the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees (Coalition).

The purposes of this MOU are to document a commitment of partnership between the Forest Service, Association, and Coalition to:

(1) assist the Association's members to become better informed of Landowner Assistance Program opportunities, requirements, and guidelines and to better manage their land holdings and install conservation practices for the benefit of all,

(2) assist the Forest Service in outreach and program delivery to underserved landowners, and

(3) use the partnership's collective expertise to identify issues and concerns and help to develop and implement solutions to ensure fair and equitable access to programs.

The aforementioned organizations have similar desires and missions to conserve, protect, restore and improve America's natural resources, provide products in the marketplace now and in the future, and eradicate barriers to equitable program delivery.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING RESPONSIBILITIES

The USDA Forest Service will:

Maintain their federal leadership role as the legislated national public forestry agency by working closely with state forestry organizations, which have the responsibility for forestry leadership within their respective state (Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, as amended, (CFAA)). The Forest Service, in collaboration with state forestry organizations and the individual State Forest Stewardship coordinating Committees, will help to develop forestry practices, policies, standards and specifications concerning forestry assistance and stewardship practices for non-industrial private forest landowners.

Share with the Association and Coalition a copy of the Forest Service Southern Region publication Multicultural Outreach Strategies for State and Private Forestry Programs. The Southern Region will provide information which will allow the Association, Coalition, and other cooperating organizations, to provide input and comments for implementation of the Multicultural Outreach Strategy document.

Continue to recognize state forestry organizations, as the lead agencies regarding state and private forestry programs within their respective states in accordance with CFAA.

Cooperate and coordinate with federal, state and local agencies and organizations, serving the appropriate state, to increase knowledge and awareness of natural resource programs, improve communications among agencies, public organizations, and program beneficiaries; comply with the public notification and other requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and respond to varied internal and public needs and viewpoints in making decisions.

Promote a conservation and stewardship ethic and community capacity building efforts jointly with state forestry organizations through technical, financial, and training support.

Through state forestry organizations, and other cooperators, promote cost-share incentives and provide technical and financial assistance and training to state and private forest owners to encourage good stewardship and judicious land management in meeting landowners' objectives.

Working with state forestry organizations, identify a suitable demonstration area and conduct training to show non-industrial private forest owners on-the-ground examples of forest management planning and practices they can apply to their own land.

In collaboration with state forestry organizations and other cooperators, provide technical and financial assistance to communities for comprehensive management planning social impact analysis, capacity building, rural economic development, marketing of forest products and economic diversification.

Through research, develop and provide scientific and technical knowledge and training to state forest organizations, and other interested cooperators, aimed at improving the capability to protect, manage and conserve all forest resources, and administer federally assisted programs.

Working through state forestry organizations, provide financial and technical assistance for planning and implementation of watershed projects and water quality goals as provided by CFAA, PL-566, and other USDA programs.

Working with and through a broad range of cooperators, support a lifelong learning process that promotes the understanding of natural resources, ecosystems and the interrelationships with communities through the Forest Service Natural Resource Conservation Education Program.

Invite the Association and Coalition to national conferences and meetings the Forest Service holds to accomplish this MOU and strengthen relationships.

The National Black Farmers Association will:

Determine what technical information may be of value to their membership, and help the Forest Service and state forestry organizations to make this information available, or provide training, to their membership.

Work cooperatively with the appropriate state forestry organization which serves as the legally recognized technical assistance delivery mechanism for the Forest Service.

Extend to the appropriate state forestry organizations, and the Forest Service Southern Region Office, an invitation to attend regular and special meetings as a permanent advisor on matters related to forestry and conservation activities.

Include a summary of forestry accomplishments, and partnership efforts with Forest Service and the appropriate state forestry organizations, in their annual reports.

Where possible and appropriate, assist the Forest Service and the appropriate state forestry organizations in reviewing and evaluating the forestry program delivery and practices which have been implemented by members of the Association.

Follow state forestry organizations forest management policies, standards and specifications and cooperate with state forestry organizations when providing technical advice to Association members.

The USDA Coalition of Minority Employees will:

Work with the Forest Service and Association to help to assure successful implementation of this MOU.

Assist the Forest Service in ensuring fair and equitable delivery of programs.

Share forestry related information, publications, success stories and information of general interest with their membership.

Work with the Forest Service and state forestry organizations to help identify traditionally underserved forest landowners within the appropriate state. Also help to identify program delivery and public information outreach forums to inform communities about program opportunities.

Help promote the Forest Service goals and objectives regarding forest management, protection and stewardship with their membership and other cooperators, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and program delivery.

It is mutually agreed and understood by and between the said parties that:

Supplements may be developed to this Memorandum of Understanding for special program and initiatives such as, emergency watershed protection, stewardship, plant materials, urban forestry and forest protection.

Both parties, upon mutual agreement, will provide or arrange for such additional activities, facilities, equipment, materials, information and arrangements as may be required to achieve common objectives.

Any programs or cooperatives efforts, including efforts involving state forestry organizations, conducted under this memorandum of understanding will be in compliance in regard to nondiscrimination as contained in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. This act provides that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, age, sex, disability, religion, political beliefs, maritial or familial status, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied any benefit of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving State or Federal financial assistance from any Federal or State Agency.

PERIOD AND TERMS OF THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

This Memorandum of Understanding will be effective when signed by all parties and will continue in effect until terminated or modified at any time by mutual consent of the parties hereto, or may be terminated by any single party by providing 60 days notice in writing to other parties.

This MOU defines in general terms the basis on which the parties will cooperate and dose not constitute a financial obligation to serve as a basis for expenditures.

Also present for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding were:
Reba Evans
Deputy Chief of Staff

Sam Thornton
Advisor to the Secretary,
Director, National Office of Outreach

Janice McDougle
Associate Deputy Chief
State and Private Forestry

Brian Burke
Deputy Under Secretary,
Natural Resources and Environment

Leslie Weldon
Executive Assistant to the Chief of USDA-Forest

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