WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced the launch of the Office of the Assistant Chiefs (OAC) — a strategic realignment designed to modernize regional leadership, strengthen accountability, and put decision-making closer to the producers and partners NRCS serves. Four regional offices have been established with Lincoln, Neb., selected as the location of the new Central Region office.

This new structure replaces the Office of the Regional Conservationists (ORC) and represents a key step in Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt’s vision to make NRCS more agile, field-focused, and accountable to America’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners. The OAC structure reduces layers of bureaucracy while enhancing communication, consistency, and decision-making at the regional and state levels. Each Assistant Chief will oversee regional operations and work directly with State Conservationists to ensure consistent, science-based, and 
producer-driven program delivery.

“This modernization puts leadership where it belongs — in the field, side-by-side with the producers we serve,” said Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. “We are streamlining operations, improving accountability, and ensuring that every NRCS employee has the tools, support, and leadership they need to deliver conservation results that matter. This is about putting farmers first, cutting bureaucracy, and delivering better outcomes for rural America.”

“Good news: the USDA’s NRCS Central Regional Hub will now be located in Lincoln. This marks an important step in bringing decision-makers closer to the people they serve. I was proud to push for this placement and look forward to working with the administration to ensure our ag producers and landowners have the tools they need to drive real results for rural Nebraska and America,” Senator Deb Fischer said.

This effort reaffirms NRCS’s commitment to “Helping People Help the Land” and aligns with the Administration’s broader reform agenda and ensures taxpayer resources are managed responsibly, outcomes are measurable, and every NRCS action reinforces its mission to support voluntary, locally led conservation on working lands.

This structure ensures every region has a dedicated leader focused on driving program delivery, strengthening coordination with State Conservationists, and expanding producer access to the tools and resources they need. By placing regional leadership closer to the field, NRCS is reinforcing its commitment to responsive service, communication, and support for farmers, ranchers, and private landowners.

The Central Region includes the following states: Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas.  

More Information

For more than 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and private landowners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the health of our soil, water management, and natural vitality. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

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