NRCS Updates Motto: “Keep Working Lands In Working Hands”

USDA is updating the mission, vision, and priorities of NRCS, with what the Department calls a renewed focus on farmers, ranchers, and private landowners.

The new NRCS motto and mission and vision statements are:

Motto: Keeping Working Lands in Working Hands
Mission Statement: We deliver practical, voluntary, and locally led conservation solutions that help producers conserve natural resources, strengthen agricultural production, and keep working lands productive for generations to come.
Vision Statement: An America where working lands remain productive, resilient, and in the hands of those who steward them.

NRCS is also updating its strategic priorities to guide agency operations, program delivery, stakeholder engagement and modernization efforts through fiscal year 2026 and beyond.
NRCS’s seven 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’s role as the trusted, boots-on-the-ground conservation partner for America’s farmers, ranchers and private landowners,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “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’s priorities.”

Learn more about the priorities by visiting NRCS' Website.

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