Natural Resources Conservation Service Marks 70th Anniversary

Salina, KS, April 26, 2005—"On April 27, 2005,  the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) celebrates 70 years of conservation achievements," said State Conservationist Harold L. Klaege.

NRCS was created as the Soil Conservation Service within the USDA in 1935 in response to the devastation of the Dust Bowl on the nation’s agricultural land. The agency’s primary mission then was to conserve soil on agricultural land. In 1994, the Service’s name was changed to NRCS to better reflect its expanded role of servicing other natural resources such as soil, water, air, plants, and animals on private and tribal lands.

"Although, we are not planning a public celebration in Kansas," said Klaege, "we do want to make people aware of the anniversary’s theme, 'A Partner in Conservation Since 1935,'" said Klaege. "It reflects the agency’s mission—providing leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment."

"Conservation practices carried out by farmers, ranchers and other landowners in Kansas have improved the quality of life and built stronger rural communities. Our food supply, water, and air have improved tremendously," he said. "Agency statistics have shown dramatic improvements in the Kansas natural resources that have resulted from the use of conservation practices and land management on ag lands, such as crop rotations, terraces, waterways, windbreaks, contour farming, no-till, watershed dams, and prescribed burning to name a few."

As a result, NRCS wants to take this time to recognize all who have played a vital role in helping the agency accomplish its mission which includes landowners, employees and partners.

"This agency’s rich conservation legacy in Kansas has resulted in many benefits to the state’s citizens—abundant food and fiber, clean water, clean air, productive soils and open spaces to use and enjoy," Klaege said.

More information about NRCS in Kansas is available on our About Us web pages under History.