Tom Christensen, Deputy Chief for Programs

Tom Christensen is the Deputy Chief for Programs for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In this position, he is responsible for overall management of the Agency’s conservation programs, which operate under an annual appropriation totaling over $3 billion.

Mr. Christensen also is responsible for developing national policies and establishing and promulgating programmatic rules, guidelines, and procedures. As Deputy Chief for Programs, he provides national leadership for the operation of conservation programs and activities such as: conservation technical assistance; conservation and area-wide planning; conservation compliance; resource conservation and development; watershed planning, operations, and rehabilitation; conservation stewardship; environmental quality incentives; wetlands reserve; healthy forest reserve; agricultural management assistance; wildlife habitat improvement; farmland protection; conservation innovation grants; and outreach to customers and partners among others.

Tom Christensen has worked over 28 years for NRCS, including eight locations in North Carolina, New York, Idaho, and Illinois, prior to over the last twelve years at National Headquarters. He previously held the positions of Director of Financial Assistance Programs, Director of Conservation Operations, Director of Animal Husbandry and Clean Water Programs, Agency Chief Information Officer, State Conservationist for 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.