Natural Resources Conservation Service
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:NRCSlogo.pngThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) was founded in 1935 at the urging of Hugh Bennett, who also served as the agency's first chief. It was formed to address the problems caused by poor farming practices that resulted in the Dust Bowl, primarily soil erosion. Over the years the agency has been tasked with additional responsibilities such as agricultural water conservation. The name of the agency was changed in 1994 during the Clinton administration to reflect its broader mission. It is a relatively small government agency in the United States Department of Agriculture currently comprised of 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, its many technical contributions to soil mapping and classification and to water quality improvement are well known.
