Partner Organizations

The SOC framework for working on standards is science-based, and maximizes participation in the development process through the use of a Council of partner representatives, work teams, and reviewers. The Technical Standards Process Handbook (TSPH), maintained and updated by the Council, documents this process.  SOC activities are funded by grants from NRCS, DATCP and DNR, and by voluntary annual dues from counties, with all funds administered by WI Land+Water, which hosts the SOC Program Manager position.  

The Council holds meetings at least four times a year to work through administrative and strategic planning operations.  Agenda and meeting notes are published under “News” on this website.  It is composed of representatives from cooperating agencies and organizations in the state who are involved with developing technical standards and the delivery of soil and water conservation programs. Council members include:

Key Roles

Each of the cooperating agencies and organizations designate at least one representative to serve on the Council. Our current leadership consists of:

  • WI Land+Water (staff) – Matt Krueger (Treasurer), Carl Wepking (Secretary; SOC Program Manager)
  • WI Land+Water (County LCDs) – Amy Piaget (Co-Chair; Dane County), Bradly Murry (Fond du Lac County)
  • DATCP – Bart Chapman (Chair)
  • NRCS – Jamie Patton, Steve Becker
  • WDNR – Shannon Haydin, Rob Davis
  • WisDOT – Hans Hallanger
  • UW Madison Div. of Extension – Chad Cook

SOC work team members are volunteers who have technical expertise needed to develop or revise standards.  The team members work together with other stakeholders to review existing research, identify new technologies and techniques, and share personal experiences to create or revise technical standards.  These members can include, but are not limited to, agency technicians, land conservation department staff, university researchers, or private sector industry professionals.

Technical standard users are persons or organizations that rely on the technical standard(s) for the planning, design, installation, operation or maintenance of conservation practice(s). They also include those government agencies and others who reference the technical standards for environmental regulations, program compliance or cost-sharing activities.

SOC develops standards for government agencies that are the legal custodians of the technical standards.

For the purposes of SOC, the Custodians include the following:

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture – NRCS (WI)
  • WDNR – Nonpoint Source and Land Management Section
  • DATCP – Bureau of Land and Water Resources

The SOC Program Manager is a full time staff member who assists SOC in carrying out many of the responsibilities of the Council and work teams.  The SOC Program Manager conducts the following activities:

  • Facilitate work teams in completing Full and Modified Process projects through coordination of meeting logistics, agenda development, meeting facilitation, recording and distributing notes, and maintaining team member and stakeholder communications.
  • Coordinate commenting periods and promotion and associated training for newly revised practice standards.
  • Maintain communication channels for team updates, meetings, and resources.

A technical standard reviewer is a person who reviews and comments, individually or on behalf of a group or organization, on draft copies of technical standards that are circulated during development or revision.  Reviewer input is an important facet in improving the standards!

Council Meetings

2026 meetings: 10 February, 12 May, 11 August, 10 November

Stay Informed

Sign up for email updates for opportunities to get involved, including:

  • Request to join a team
  • Comment on draft standards in development
  • Provide feedback on standards you think need updates, guidance, or training, via email or a biennial survey