USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service announced seven new priorities on June 12 intended to better serve farms. In addition to the new priorities, the agency also unveiled new mission and vision statements, as well as the updated motto, “Keeping working lands in working hands.”
The newly announced priorities include:
- Preserve and protect agricultural land.
- Shift to outcome-based conservation and farmer empowerment.
- Re-center field engagement and strengthen technical expertise.
- Expand wildlife conservation and outdoor access.
- Strengthen partnerships by streamlining processes and accountability.
- Optimize mission delivery by strengthening workforce culture.
- Modernize NRCS infrastructure and technology.
“We are reaffirming NRCS’ role as the trusted, boots-on-the-ground conservation partner for America’s farmers, ranchers and private landowners,” said NRCS Chief Colton Buckley in a June 12 press release. “The updated motto, mission and vision statements better reflect the operational direction, producer-centered focus and conservation philosophy guiding our work today and align with NRCS’ priorities.”
Chief hits the ground running
Buckley assumed the top role at NRCS on May 18. During a recent interview with Farm Progress, he said his top goal will be preserving and protecting agricultural land. Each day, the continental U.S. loses an average of 5,000 acres per day to development. About 2,000 acres of that is prime farmland.
“I’m laser-focused with the secretary [of agriculture] on building out strategies and plans to support American producers in keeping working land and working hands,” Buckley said.
Regarding the shift to “outcome-based conservation,” he said NRCS will work to ensure that American taxpayers, as well as U.S. farmers, ranchers and private landowners, are getting the “best bang for their buck.”
As for concerns about staffing shortfalls at NRCS, Buckley said he expects more details of USDA’s reorganization plan to be announced in the coming weeks and months. He added that he is focused “in solidarity” with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins’ mission and vision to support NRCS field office staff.
“As an individual who started my conservation career from the field now to the way of chief, I deeply understand and value the work that our local field offices and field staff are doing,” he said.