Tom Christensen, Regional Conservationist (Central)

Updated 07/22/2009

Tom Christensen is the Regional Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Central Region. In this position, he is responsible for providing overall direction of NRCS personnel, programs and activities consistent with the Chief’s guidance. Mr. Christensen acts as a representative of the Chief in regional partnerships, initiatives, and at meetings. He also supervises the 15 State Conservationists in the Central Region. The states in the Central Region include Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

Tom Christensen has worked over 29 years for NRCS, including eight locations in North Carolina, New York, Idaho, and Illinois, prior to the last thirteen years at National Headquarters. He previously held the positions of Deputy Chief for Programs, Director of Financial Assistance Programs, Director of Conservation Operations, Director of Animal Husbandry and Clean Water Programs, Agency Chief Information Officer, State Conservationist in Illinois, Assistant State Conservationist in Idaho, Area and District Conservationist in New York, and Soil Conservationist in North Carolina.

Mr. Christensen graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Forest Management. He received a M.S. in Renewable Natural Resources Conservation from the University of Connecticut. He also attended Duke University’s Institute of Public Policy for one year through the NRCS’s Public Administration Program.

Tom Christensen is a recipient of a USDA Honor Award for individual achievement in rural development. He also was a 1999 graduate of USDA’s Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program. Mr. Christensen and his wife, Marie have two adult children and one grandson.