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.
NRCS employs approximately 12,000 people in its 2,900 offices; 90 percent of whom work outside of Washington, D.C. We are in numerous communities across North America, working hand-in-hand with landowners and our partners to improve our natural resources.
What originally began as the Soil Conservation Service in 1935 is now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a name change that highlights our broader mission of conservation. Bringing more than 80 years of scientific and technical expertise to the conversation industry, we are involved with activities that help benefit soil, water, plants, air, and animals. With seventy percent of U.S. land privately owned, partnership with private landowners is critical to health of our nation’s land. By providing assistance to these landowners, we help to cultivate productive lands and healthy ecosystems.
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.