By Allison Luchnick, Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS Kansas

SALINA, KANSAS, August 13, 2025 ‒Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plays a vital role in promoting stewardship and sustainable land use through its partnership with Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition (KGLC). The partnership increases awareness, knowledge, and understanding of sound grazing land management practices and methods for Kansas grazing lands by providing high-quality education and information programs and technical assistance. 

College students, producers and academic professionals recently attended Tallgrass Academy in Elmdale, Kansas. This academy aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective stewards of the land through a comprehensive educational framework that emphasizes the importance of conservation specific to Kansas’ Tallgrass Prairies. KGLC also hosts academies on Mixed Grasses and Shortgrass through funding provided through their partnership with NRCS.  

A significant aspect of the academy's programming is fostering critical thinking about landscapes and the ecological narratives they embody. Understanding these narratives helps students appreciate the historical context and ecological significance of the land, aligning with NRCS's mission to provide conservation solutions that enable agricultural producers to protect natural resources while feeding a growing world.

Throughout the program, students engage in hands-on experiences across the Tallgrass Prairies. They use online research tools and participate in discussions with local NRCS specialists and producers. These interactions provide invaluable insights into regional ecology, the importance of biodiversity, and the role of each species in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Students develop practical skills, including plant identification, determining stocking rates, monitoring vegetation response, estimating forage allocation, and grasping fundamental concepts of rangeland management—all of which are directly relevant to NRCS's conservation practices. By examining historical imagery, students track the evolution of land use and management over time. This exercise aligns with NRCS objectives by promoting a sustainable mindset. 

Collaboration with local NRCS experts and producers enriches the educational experience, offering students insights into real-world conservation practices and the challenges faced by landowners. This collaboration fosters meaningful discussions about conservation strategies, land use, and sustainable agricultural practices, reinforcing the idea that effective stewardship is a collective responsibility.

As students delve into these concepts, they become increasingly aware of the interconnections between ecological systems and human actions. They learn to critically assess their values and understand how those values shape their relationships with the land. By instilling a sense of responsibility and encouraging active engagement in conservation efforts, the Tallgrass Academy, in partnership with the NRCS, aims to cultivate future leaders dedicated to protecting and preserving natural resources. They will implement best practices to enhance their rangeland by developing long-term plans based on the stories that unfold over time on the land. To sign up for a future Range Academy Class visit https://www.kglc.org/range-academies.cfm. 

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.  Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you do not have an account, sign up today.

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