NRCS is an agency committed to “helping people help the land”—our mission is to provide resources to farmers and landowners to aid them with conservation. Ensuring productive lands in harmony with a healthy environment is our priority.
Conserving our natural resources is not a one-person job. The farmers and private landowners of this country cannot do it alone, nor can the government. We must all work together to help make sure that our land is sustainable for generations to come. Learn about our stories—NRCS employees and our customers working together to help the land.
“Ancora Imparo” (I am still learning) is the philosophy by which rancher Ted Alexander lives and works. He reminds his fellow ranchers and others that he doesn't have it all figured out, but he has the passion to push onward to improve.
Rich Wynia passed away on April 3, 2016. To honor his memory, his colleagues installed a memorial plaque in a newly remodeled conference room at the Plant Material Center in Manhattan, Kansas.
Jeff Mann, soil conservationist in Oskaloosa Field Office, was deployed to Afghanistan with his Kansas National Guard unit in 2010 with a unique mission—to rebuild an agricultural economy in the war-torn country.
Sharla Schwien, district conservationist in the Ness City Field Office, began as a student trainee in 1994. She is always up for a challenge whether implementing the Mobile Office Pilot Project in her county, maintaining her Red Card Certification with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or sparking kids’ interest in conservation.
Ron Davis began developing his passion for the land in 1967 when he was a freshman in high school and the local Soil Conservation Service (SCS) district conservationist, at Lincoln, Kansas, was recruiting for the Neighborhood Youth Corps. Until he graduated from junior college, Ron worked during the summer at the SCS office for the Corps, the conservation district, and SCS as a WAE. Ron learned field work by accompanying the soil conservation technician.
Jane Zook is the conservation district manager for the Pawnee County Conservation District at the Larned Field Office. She enjoys being involved in conservation education and especially working with children. By volunteering, she has been able to bring natural resources conservation into the classroom at the Larned Alternative Learning Center.
Read about landowners from across the nation who have succeeded in reaching their conservation goals with the help of NRCS conservation technical assistance and other programs.
