NRDs renew federal conservation partnership dating back to Dust Bowl recovery

NRD photo

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts renewed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service that dates back to 1935, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Soil Conservation Act.

The law was enacted in response to historic drought and devastating soil erosion of the Dust Bowl.

Nebraska began forming conservation districts in 1938 and the state Legislature consolidated them into 23 NRDS in 1972.

Kyle Hauschild of the Nemaha NRD emphasized the importance of the federal and local partnership.

Hauschild: “This goes along with the NRD’s focus. When the NRDs were formed conservation was one of the main things we focused on. With this partnership with the NRCS, it just shows that the local, federal governments and landowners alike can all share in this partnership for conservation.”

The NRCS has 77 county field offices in Nebraska. 

James Huntwork of the NRCS said just as during the Dust Bowl, the natural resources challenges we face today, such as drought, flooding or soil health, require agencies to work together.

Attending a signing ceremony for the NRD were directors Orval Gigstad, Dan Hodges, Doug Iske, Tracy Ensor, Dick James, Duane Sugden and Bob Lassen, as well as General Manager Kyle Hauschild and NRCS Acting State Conservationist James Huntwork.

Here is the conservation partnership press release:

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) collectively renewed their Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) during a signing ceremony Jan. 27, 2026. The updated agreement reaffirms a partnership that traces its roots back more than 90 years to the Dust Bowl era.

 “For decades, Nebraska’s NRDs and the NRCS have worked side-by-side to support Nebraska producers and promote conservation across the state,” said Martin Graff, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts president. “Districts are committed to continuing this cooperative approach to protect lives, property, and future.”

 The partnership between NRDs and NRCS draws its foundation from the Soil Conservation Act of 1935, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The law was enacted in response to the historic drought and devastating soil erosion of the Dust Bowl, and it established the Soil Conservation Service—known today as the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 Recognizing that conservation succeeds best when driven locally, the USDA encouraged states to form conservation districts. Nebraska’s first, the Papio Soil Conservation District, was created in 1938. By 1972, the Nebraska Legislature consolidated 154 local districts into today’s 23 Natural Resources Districts, organized along watershed boundaries.

 NRCS maintains 77 county field offices across Nebraska, with service areas that closely align with NRD boundaries. This structure allows NRCS and NRDs to collaborate daily on locally identified natural resource priorities including soil health, water quality, groundwater management, forestry, wildlife habitat, and flood control.

 “The renewal of this agreement demonstrates the importance of our long-standing conservation partnership here in Nebraska,” said NRCS Acting State Conservationist James Huntwork. “Just as during the Dust Bowl, the natural resource challenges we face today, whether drought, flooding, or soil health, require us to work together. By partnering with NRDs, we can deliver more effective solutions for farmers, ranchers, and communities.”

 Local leaders also emphasize the importance of cooperation.

 “This agreement signifies the continued importance of conservation at the federal, local government, and landowner level. With this agreement, many new conservation practices will be implemented across the landscape of not only the Nemaha NRD, but across the state,” said Kyle Hauschild, Nemaha NRD general manager.

 Each of the 23 NRDs are working toward signing the official renewed agreement with NRCS. The document formalizes coordination between the agencies and will remain in effect until mutually modified or terminated.

 For more information about Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts, visit nrdnet.org. To learn more about NRCS programs and services, visit ne.nrcs.usda.gov.