Our Organization: Listing, Organization Chart, Office Directories National Headquarters Phone Directory

Our Strategic Plan

Our Programs

Our History

For more information contact: Natural Resources Conservation Service Attn: Conservation Communications Staff P.O. Box 2890 Washington, DC 20013

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/AboutNR2.html

-------------NRCS History----------------

A Story of Land and People    NRCS draws on a tradition of principles in working with private landowners that is as relevant today as when it was a dream to Hugh Hammond Bennett in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

A career soil scientist in USDA, Bennett became convinced that soil erosion was a national menace and that its solution lay in tailoring conservation practices to fit the capability of the land and the desires of landowners.

Simple solutions for all situations would be fruitless. The crops, the land, and the climate were so diverse that specialists in agronomy, forestry, soil science, biology, engineering, and social sciences contributed to conservation methods. They worked with farmers to find solutions that benefited the land and fulfilled the landowners' aspirations.

In 1933, the Soil Erosion Service, predecessor to the Soil Conservation Service and NRCS, began working with farmers in the Coon Creek watershed of southwestern Wisconsin to transform the square, eroding fields into what one sees today--a conservation showplace of contouring, stripcropping, terracing, and wise land use that benefits the soil, air, water, as well as the plant, animal, and human life of the whole watershed.

The carpeting of the land with soil conservation works nationwide was hastened with the passage of the Soil Conservation Act in April of 1935. Recognition of the first conservation district, bounded by the Brown Creek watershed in North Carolina, on August 4, 1937, established a method for the Service to assist farmers in the conservation districts. Locally elected citizens established priorities and plans for the district?s work.

The following principles are NRCS's heritage and still guide its work:

Assess the resources on the land, the conservation problems and opportunities.

Draw on various sciences and disciplines and integrate all their contributions into a plan for the whole property.

Work closely with land users so that the plans for conservation mesh with their objectives.

Through implementing conservation on individual properties, contribute to the overall quality of the life in the watershed or region.

http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/history/NRCShist.html

Send comments on site content to: douglas.helms@usda.gov

For more information on NRCS History, see "History of the Natural Resources Conservation Service," Articles by Douglas Helms, Senior Historian, NRCS

http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/RESS/econ/History/Contents.html

Email comments: Karen.Robinson@usda.gov

Whom we work with

The National Conservation Partnership Local Partnerships Succeed Other Partners Employee Organizations Our Customers   Our Partners    Conservation districts Professional societies Local communities RC&D councils State and federal agencies Universities NRCS Earth Team volunteers Conservation organizations Agricultural and environmental groups Agribusiness

The National Conservation Partnership

The National Conservation Partnership is the dynamic relationship between federal, state, and nonprofit groups that have pledged to jointly provide national conservation leadership.

The Partnership was formalized in January 1993 when three conservation leaders signed a national agreement, pledging to work together for natural resource conservation. A fourth partner was added in 1997.

Independently, Partnership members have separate responsibilities for sustaining the environment and conserving the nation's natural resources. As partners in conservation, they speak with a unified voice and act to realize a common vision: A productive nation in harmony with a quality environment.

The National Conservation Partnership commitment involves:

Listening and responding to customers' local resource conservation needs;

Fostering economically viable environmental policies;

Advocating a total natural resources approach to conservation;

Maintaining and advocating grass roots conservation delivery systems.

Partnership Members

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the federal agency that works hand-in-hand with the American people to conserve natural resources on private lands.

Formerly the Soil Conservation Service, NRCS brings 60 years of scientific and technical expertise to the Partnership.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the national organization for 3,000 local conservation districts across the country. Conservation districts are local units of government responsible for the soil and water conservation work within their boundaries. The districts' role is to increase voluntary conservation practices amoung farmers, ranchers and other land users.

Conservation Districts

The National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) is a coalition of state conservation agencies across the country. These agencies provide guidance and funding for conservation districts. They operate numerous state environmental, sediment control, and soil erosion prevention programs.

The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC) provides a collective voice for more than 300 local Resource Conservation and Development Councils nationwide. The NARC&DC serves as an advocate and assists local councils to identify and take action on issues and opportunities to improve the quality of life and environment in their communities. Local RC&D Councils are grass-roots community leaders working collectively in behalf of conservation and sustainable development.

Other Partners

Agricultural Research Service - As the in-house research arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Service has a mission to conduct research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products, assess the nutritional needs of Americans, sustain a competitive agricultural economy, enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole. American Farmland Trust, Farmland Information Library - In 1993, USDA's Soil Conservation Service (now NRCS) designated American Farmland Trust as a FIC (Farmland Information Center) under the Farmland Protection Policy Act.

The American Indian/Alaskan Native Association for Natural Resources Conservation Service is an organization that advocates for: 1. Service to reservations, Indian Lands, and the meeting of trust responsibilities by serving as liaison between American Indian and Alaskan Native communities and our NRCS colleagues and organization in shaping the future of natural resource management 2. A culturally diverse workforce by promoting the recruitment, retention, and professional development of American Indian and Alaskan Native employees and identifying and resolving barriers to employment of American Indian and Alaskan Natives. Membership in the organization is open to all interested parties.   The American Institute of Hydrology is the only national and international professional organization that certifies Professional Hydrologist and Professional Hydrogeologists. AIH was formed in 1981 to provide certification, training and education for hydrologists.

Asian Pacific Islander Organization, APIO, is a forum for employees to exchange ideas, network, mentor, train, and add value to the agency by being a linguistic, cultural, and ethnic bridge to our communities and other employee organizations.

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is a national trade association of construction contractors. The AGC has over 34,000 members nationwide, and is recognized as a primary spokesperson for the construction industry. AGC members are active in constructing the various watershed and water control projects that the NRCS funds and/or controls. Members represent prime contractors, specialty contractors, subcontractors, and all other aspects of the industry. AGC members actively participate with the NRCS through their national committee through periodic meetings and frequent communications between headquarters personnel.

The Association for Persons with Disabilities in Agriculture (APDA) is a chartered employee organization formed in 1990 to meet the needs of USDA employees with disabilities. APDA is for everyone who wants to broaden their horizons, break down attitudinal barriers, and build relationships based on positive experiences.

CTIC - Conservation Technology Information Center - This site features two interrelated major components: the Farm Resources Management section includes conservation tillage survey figures, numerous types of agricultural BMPs, etc.; the Know Your Watershed section features the National Watershed Network, the National Watershed Library, State Contacts, and more.

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service - In cooperation with our partners and customers, CSREES provides the focus to advance a globa system of research, extension and higher education in the food and agricultural sciences and related environmental and human sciences to benefit people, communities, and the Nation. The CSREES mission emphasizes partnerships with the public and private sectors to maximize the effectiveness of limited resources. CSREES programs increase and provide access to scientific knowledge; strengthen the capabilities of land-grant and other institutions in research, extension and higher education; increase access to and use of improved communication and network systems; and promote informed decisionmaking by producers, families, communities, and other customers.

Department of Forestry, Virginia Tech The Department of Forestry is one of three departments in the College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources at Virginia Tech. The department enrolls approximately 270 undergraduate students and 50 graduate students. Undergraduate degree options are maintained on forest resource management, industrial forestry operations, environmental resource management, and outdoor recreation. At the graduate level, the department offers programs of study leading to M.F., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees.

Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst - A NRCS sponsored program aimed at preventing pollution on farms, ranches, and in the home.

The Farm Service Agency - of the U.S. Department of Agriculture ensures the well-being of American agriculture, the environment and the American public through efficient and equitable administration of farm commodity programs; farm ownership, operating and emergency loans; conservation and environmental programs; emergency and disaster assistance; domestic and international food assistance and international export credit programs.

USDA Forest Service - The phrase, Caring for the Land and Serving People, captures the Forest Service mission. As set forth in law, the mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs of the people.

Land Improvement Contractors of America (LICA) - LICA is an organization composed primarily of small contractors whose activities relate to the conservation, use, and improvement of land and water resources ranging from terrace and pond building to septic tank installation to logging operations.

The National Arbor Day Foundation is a non-profit education organization with programs to help people plant and care for trees to conserve soil, energy, water, wildlife, and the atmosphere.

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture - NASDA is a nonprofit association of public officials representing the Commissioners, Secretaries, and Directors of Agriculture in the fifty states and four territories. NASDA supports the use of Resource Management Plans (RMP). The RMP provides farmers and ranchers with a voluntary opportunity to enhance their resource protection and meet the requirements of the laws and regulations in a manner tailored to their operation. Refer to the section on Conservation and Environmental Programs under the NASDA Research Foundation.

National Organization of Professional Black NRCS Employees - the Organization is to enhance the awareness of and improve the level of education and professional development in training Blacks within NRCS to increase the participation of Blacks in agriculture, natural resources, and related fields. Membership is open to all employees.

National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees - the Organization assists NRCS in the delivery of program benefits and services to the Hispanic rural/urban community by strengthing NRCS efforts in the recruitment, retention, development and advancement of Hispanics.

Professional Communicators in Conservation - A consortium of public affairs professionals working together to protect and enhance our natural resources. The purpose of the PCIC is to help NRCS and its conservation partners deliver programs and services to all Americans. Service Center Initiative Team - Multi-agency USDA Service Center team.  The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) - The mission of RBS is "to enhance the quality of life for all rural Americans by providing leadership in building competitive businesses and sustainable cooperatives that can prosper in the global marketplace." RBS accomplishes this mission by investing its financial resources and technical assistance in businesses and communities, and by building partnerships that leverage public and private, cooperative resources to create jobs and stimulate rural economic activity.

USDA's Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. Through our programs, we touch rural America in many ways. Our financial programs support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. We promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools. We offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural and other cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their member services. And we provide technical assistance to help communities undertake community empowerment programs.

Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Cooperative -The Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Program (SAMAB) is a consortium of Federal and State Agencies established by an inter-agency agreement to promote the enhancement of environmental health, economic use, and cultural values across the Southern Appalachians.

SAN - Sustainable Agriculture Network - SAN is the communications and outreach arm of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. SARE is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded initiative that sponsors competitive grants for sustainable agriculture research and education in a regional process nationwide.

SWCS - Soil and Water Conservation Society - A Professional organization dedicated to soil and water conservation.

The Society of American Foresters mission is to advance the science, education, technology and practice of forestry; and to use the knowledge, skills and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health of forests and the availability of forest resources to benefit society. Our members include public and private practitioners, researchers, administrators, educators, forest technicians and students. We celebrated our 100th anniversary celebration in 2000!

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board administers Texas' soil and water conservation law and coordinates Texas' soil and water conservation program with the state's soil and water conservation districts. Its mission is to promote the wise and productive use of the state's soil and water resources."

USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) - had its origins in the 1990 Farm Bill. It began as a Forest Service effort in 1992 and expanded into a partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1995. NAC conducts research on how to design and install forested buffers to protect water quality and develops and delivers technology on a broad suite of agroforestry practices to natural resource professionals who directly assist landowners and communities.

Urban Greening - A primary focus on the living part of the urban environment, including gardens, parks, urban forests, and urban waters (watersheds, rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, wetlands, deltas, beaches, harbors, ports, and bays). It includes EcoIQ Magazine on Urban Greening, more than 100 Link Center and Directory pages linking to online urban greening resources, a calendar, anthologies, related educational and media resources, and more.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior - Working with others, to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Major responsibilities: migratory birds, endangered species, freshwater and anadromous fish, the National Wildlife Refuge System, wetlands, protecting habitat, conserving coastal areas, environmental contaminants.

The Water Conservation Branch of the City of Houston's Department of Public Works and Engineering - Tools for individuals and businesses to learn efficient use of water resources. Includes: water-saving projects, Water Saving Tips, public education efforts, xeriscape gardening tips, and more.

The Wildlife Habitat Council works to increase the amount of quality wildlife habitat on corporate, private, and public lands.

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 Employee and Professional Organizations

The American Indian/Alaskan Native Association for NRCS Asian Pacific Islander Organization Association for Persons with Disabilities in Agriculture Federal Women's Program National Association of State Departments of Agriculture National Organization of Professional Black NRCS Employees National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees Professional Communicators in Conservation SWCS - Soil and Water Conservation Society Society of American Foresters   Our Customers    Farmers and Ranchers Resource Conservation and Development councils Other land decision makers Rural and urban communities Other Federal agencies Water management groups Local and State governments Other individuals, groups, and associations International governments And ultimately, every water user and food consumer in the Nation

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/WhomWrk.html