What is the Natural Resources Conservation Service?

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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the primary Federal agency that works with private landowners to help them protect their natural resources. NRCS provides America’s farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too.

Conservation is the work of many—no one can do it alone. The NRCS relies on many partners from both the public and private sector to help set conservation goals, work with people on the land, and provide services.
*NRCS Photo*

The strength of the NRCS is its workforce. Most NRCS employees work in USDA’s network of local service centers at the community level, the rest work at state, regional, and national offices, providing technical, strategic, and administrative support. NRCS’s dedicated employees are highly skilled in many scientific and technical fields including soil science, soil conservation, agronomy, biology, range management, forestry, engineering, geology, hydrology, wetland science, cultural resources, and economics.

Seventy percent of our nation’s land is privately owned. The NRCS pride themselves in being on-the ground and closely connected with the landowners and communities they serve. The majority of their technical assistance is to help farmers and producers develop conservation systems uniquely suited to their land and individual needs. The agency introduces people to simple conservation practices and federal conservation programs that can improve water quality and maintain healthy and productive lands. Together they develop a conservation plan that leads to wise stewardship resulting in benefits we all enjoy— cleaner air and water, improved soil and abundant wildlife habitat. Local, state, and Federal agencies, policymakers, and special-use districts also rely on NRCS expertise.

Conservation is the work of many—no one can do it alone. The NRCS relies on many partners from both the public and private sector to help set conservation goals, work with people on the land, and provide services. Their partners include conservation districts; resource conservation and development (RC&D) councils; local communities; state and Federal agencies; NRCS Earth Team volunteers; agricultural, conservation, and environmental groups; agribusiness; universities and professional societies.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conversation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist Shemekia Mosley works with Metro Atlanta Urban Farm (MAUF) CEO Bobby Wilson established Metro Atlanta Urban Farming (MAUF) in 2009 to address the growing need of affordable food in low-income communities.
*USDA Photo by Preston Keres*

The NRCS’s conservation efforts on private land take many forms. The overriding goal is to ensure a healthy and productive land— sustaining food and fiber production, protecting watersheds and natural systems, enhancing the environment, and improving urban and rural landscapes. The NRCS is committed to “helping people help the land” and ensuring that cleaner air and water are enjoyed now and for generations to come.

Contact your local NRCS office to learn more about how we can help you help your land:
www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov

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