
Press Release
Since NRCS’ establishment, unfortunately, underserved communities and individuals have experienced significant barriers to equity, equality, and justice in agency programs and policies. NRCS is committed to advancing equity, justice, and opportunity for agency employees and those we serve.
Programs, Practices and Policies to address barriers
Funding for Underserved Producers in awarding project recipients
Equity Division, a first-ever for NRCS
Climate change presents real threats to U.S. agricultural production, forest resources, and rural economies. As the nation’s private lands conservation agency, NRCS plays an important role in helping the nation address climate change.
$38 million
in new Cover Crop Initiative in 2022
$197 million
to fund 41 partner-led in 2022, with emphasis on climate-smart agriculture
$40 million
in grants in 2022 to fund climate-smart practices
NRCS is committed to working with farms of all sizes and in all locations, including those in urban areas. NRCS provides with urban producers with conservation assistance, and works with other USDA agencies to support urban farms in providing access to healthy local food, jobs, and green space.
USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
$31 million
in grants and cooperative agreements for urban agriculture
through the People's Garden program to benefit local communities
Partnerships
through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
Equity
Conservation Cooperative Agreements
with the US Forest Service to address wildfire risk, resiliency