Natural Resources Conservation Service
Encyclopedia
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) that provides technical assistance to farmers and other private landowners and managers.
Its name was changed in 1994 during the Presidency of Bill Clinton
to reflect its broader mission. It is a relatively small agency, currently comprising about 12,000 employees. Its mission is to improve, protect, and conserve natural resources on private lands through a cooperative partnership with local and state
agencies. While its primary focus has been agricultural
lands, it has made many technical contributions to soil survey
ing, classification
and water quality
improvement. One example is the Conservation Effects Assessment Project
(CEAP), set up to quantify the benefits of agricultural conservation efforts promoted and supported by programs in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(2002 Farm Bill). NRCS is the leading agency in this project.
, a soil conservation
pioneer who had worked for the Department of Agriculture
from 1903 to 1952 . Bennett's motivation was based on his knowledge of the detrimental effects of soil erosion and the impacts on U.S lands. On September 13, 1933, the Soil Erosion Service was formed in the Department of the Interior
, with Bennett as chief. The service was transferred to the Department of Agriculture on March 23, 1935, and was shortly thereafter combined with other USDA units to form the Soil Conservation Service by the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act
of 1935. Hugh Bennett continued as chief, a position he held until his retirement in 1952 . On October 20, 1994, the agency was renamed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service as part of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
(USDA) that provides technical assistance to farmers and other private landowners and managers.
Its name was changed in 1994 during the Presidency of Bill Clinton
Presidency of Bill Clinton
The United States Presidency of Bill Clinton, also known as the Clinton Administration, was the executive branch of the federal government of the United States from January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001. Clinton was the first Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second full term...
to reflect its broader mission. It is a relatively small agency, currently comprising about 12,000 employees. Its mission is to improve, protect, and conserve natural resources on private lands through a cooperative partnership with local and state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
agencies. While its primary focus has been agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
lands, it has made many technical contributions to soil survey
Soil survey
Soil survey, or soil mapping, is the process of classifying soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geo-encoding such information. It applies the principles of soil science, and draws heavily from geomorphology, theories of soil formation, physical geography, and analysis of...
ing, classification
Soil classification
Soil classification deals with the systematic categorization of soils based on distinguishing characteristics as well as criteria that dictate choices in use.- Overview :...
and water quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
improvement. One example is the Conservation Effects Assessment Project
Conservation Effects Assessment Project
The Conservation Effects Assessment Project was established in 2002 to quantify the environmental impact of the United States Department of Agriculture's conservation program. The project focuses on how watersheds are affected. CEAP monitored fourteen benchmark watershed sites...
(CEAP), set up to quantify the benefits of agricultural conservation efforts promoted and supported by programs in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, also known as the 2002 Farm Bill, includes ten titles, addressing a great variety of issues related to agriculture, ecology, energy, trade, and nutrition....
(2002 Farm Bill). NRCS is the leading agency in this project.
History
The agency was founded largely through the efforts of Hugh Hammond BennettHugh Hammond Bennett
Hugh Hammond Bennett was a pioneer in the field of soil conservation in the United States of America. He founded and headed the Soil Conservation Service, a federal agency now referred to as the Natural Resources Conservation Service.- Biography :Bennett was born near Wadesboro in Anson County,...
, a soil conservation
Soil conservation
Soil conservation is a set of management strategies for prevention of soil being eroded from the Earth’s surface or becoming chemically altered by overuse, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination...
pioneer who had worked for the Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
from 1903 to 1952 . Bennett's motivation was based on his knowledge of the detrimental effects of soil erosion and the impacts on U.S lands. On September 13, 1933, the Soil Erosion Service was formed in the Department of the Interior
United States Department of the Interior
The United States Department of the Interior is the United States federal executive department of the U.S. government responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land and natural resources, and the administration of programs relating to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native...
, with Bennett as chief. The service was transferred to the Department of Agriculture on March 23, 1935, and was shortly thereafter combined with other USDA units to form the Soil Conservation Service by the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act
Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act
The Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act is a United States federal law that allowed the government to pay farmers to reduce production so as to "conserve soil", prevent erosion, and accomplish other minor goals...
of 1935. Hugh Bennett continued as chief, a position he held until his retirement in 1952 . On October 20, 1994, the agency was renamed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service as part of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.
Supported organizations
- Great Basin Plant Materials Center based in FallonFallon, Nevada-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,536 people, 3,004 households, and 1,877 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,474.1 people per square mile . There were 3,336 housing units at an average density of 1,095.2 per square mile...
, NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
.
See also
- Conservation Security ProgramConservation security programThe Conservation Security Program is a voluntary conservation program in the United States that supports ongoing stewardship of private agricultural lands by providing payments and technical assistance for maintaining and enhancing natural resources...
- Dust BowlDust BowlThe Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms causing major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands from 1930 to 1936...
- Environmental Quality Incentives ProgramEnvironmental Quality Incentives ProgramThe Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a program created by the 1996 farm bill to provide primarily cost-sharing assistance, but also technical and educational assistance, aimed at promoting production and environmental quality, and optimizing environmental benefits...
- Honey Hollow WatershedHoney Hollow WatershedHoney Hollow Watershed is a watershed on the south side of the Delaware River a few miles north of New Hope, Pennsylvania.The Honey Hollow Watershed Conservation Area was created in 1939 and was the first agricultural area in a small watershed to show the benefits of soil, water, and wildlife...
- National Cooperative Soil SurveyNational Cooperative Soil SurveyThe National Cooperative Soil Survey in the United States is a nation-wide partnership of federal, regional, state, and local agencies and institutions...
External links
- Natural Resources Conservation Service - Official site