Curtis Elke has served as the NRCS regional conservationist for the Central Region since February 2024.

He provides agency and natural resources leadership and support to state conservationists and partners and ensures states effectively manage an extensive portfolio of comprehensive conservation strategies – which includes implementing NRCS’s conservation technical assistance and financial assistance programs on private lands. 

Elke began his NRCS career as a field soil conservation technician in North Dakota and progressed to a soil conservation planner and district conservationist in Oklahoma for several years. He also served as assistant state conservationist in both Massachusetts and South Dakota for a combined 10 years.

Elke was also a sugar beet, small grains, and pinto/soybeans farmer in the Red River Valley of northeast North Dakota and understands the importance of agriculture production and the associated challenges. Additionally, he worked in the agriculture sales private sector for more than 10 years. 

Prior to becoming the NRCS Central regional conservationist, his leadership as the Idaho state conservationist supported USDA partners and customers through technical and financial assistance programs and public awareness of effective conservation measures to increase food production, profitability, and land stewardship. 

Elke feels honored and privileged to be a public servant to farmers, ranchers, and the community by providing leadership in the delivery of efficient and effective farm production and conservation planning and implementation—with the optimal customer experience always in mind.

He graduated from North Dakota State University where he majored in soil science, horticulture, and landscape design. Elke has two children who both work for NRCS – his son Josh is a district conservationist in Oregon, and his daughter Carlee is the easements coordinator for Washington state.

Central Region States:  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin