Tag: NRCS

Congress Moves on FY 2027 USDA Appropriations- LICA Seeks Support for NRCS/FSA Funding and Personnel

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by LICA-National

Congress has begun the process of approving the 12 annual appropriations bills that will provide funding for federal agencies/programs in FY 2027. On June 4 the full House passed the USDA funding measure (H.R. 8646) in a tight 213–210 vote. The House bill approved a $26.27 billion discretionary allocation, which represents a 1.4% decrease from FY 2026 funding levels. However, included in the measure is language that prohibits the permanent relocation or consolidation of county-based personnel at local NRCS and FSA field offices if such a move would leave the office with fewer than two staff members. This is designed to preserve local access to technical assistance for farmers. While protecting physical local offices, the bill slashes NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance funding by roughly 35%.


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Trump Administration Unveils USDA Reorganization Focused on Streamlining and Decentralization- NRCS Impacted

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by LICA-National

On July 24, 2025, Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the broader Trump “government efficiency” agenda. The plan would relocate over 2,600 of the roughly 4,600 Washington, D.C.–area employees to five new regional hubs—Raleigh, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Fort Collins, and Salt Lake City—while retaining only about 2,000 staff in the capital. USDA will close multiple D.C. buildings, including the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, and consolidate programs like the National Agricultural Statistics Service from 12 offices to five, with the goal of reducing operating costs and lowering salary locality pay rates.


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Further NRCS Personnel Cuts Proposed in Administration’s FY 2026 Budget

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by LICA-National

A Supreme Court decision last week said President Trump has the authority to cut the size and scope of the federal government allowing planned reductions in force to resume. In addition to those efforts, the administration’s 2026 budget request details how many employees the executive branch intends to cut in the coming year. It proposes a government wide 5 percent reduction in employees compared to the final year of the Biden administration.


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Senate Looks at NRCS Cutbacks

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by LICA-National

At a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on conservation programs this week, a panel of conservation leaders told senators that cutbacks in staffing as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), would impact producer access to technical assistance necessary to ensure that farmers continue trying out practices that reduce soil erosion and prevent nutrient runoff.


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Secretary Rollins Names NRCS Chief

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by LICA-National

Agriculture Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the appointment of Audrey Bettencourt to lead the department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Bettencourt is a third-generation California farmer and most recently served as the Global Director of Government Relations and External Affairs at Netafim, an international company specializing in irrigation technology. Among other positions, Bettencourt previously served as President and CEO of the Almond Alliance of California, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior during the first Trump Administration, California State Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency, and Executive Director of the California Water Alliance.


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LICA Meets with NRCS Leadership

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by LICA-National

Nick Yaksich, National LICA’s Director of Government Relations, joined other industry stakeholders in a briefing conducted by NRCS Chief Terry Cosby and his staff. The Chief opened with the NRCS’ accomplishments from FY 2023 and expressed optimism for FY 2024. That optimism is founded on the significant amount of funding Congress and the Administration has provided NRCS through the Farm Bill and the Inflations Reduction Act. Like so many public and private sector organizations, NRCS faces significant hiring needs that present challenges to successfully implement their programs. Chief Cosby reiterated throughout the briefing his priorities: increase equity, implement climate smart programs and promote urban agriculture.

NRCS Staff Hosts Stakeholder Briefing

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by LICA-National

The quarterly briefing by NRCS Chief Cosby occurred this week. Below are the highlights on the staff presentation regarding climate change programs, a key priority for USDA.

Climate Smart Practice Update Notes – Dana Ashford-Kornburger.

Thank you all for the continued input and feedback on activities that provide mitigation benefits. Especially those stakeholders that have provided scientific literature and/or participated in State Technical Committees at the state level. Many states are building out Climate Change subcommittees of their State Technical Committees, so this is a great place to give input for state initiatives and provide feedback.


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