75th Anniversary USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service

WASHINGTON, DC. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The Senate Concurrent Resolution (S. Con. Res. 62) congratulates the outstanding professional public servants, both past and present, of the NRCS as it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Ranking Member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma introduced the House version of this resolution, which is co-sponsored by 17 other Members of Congress. In 1935, Congress established NRCS in response to the Dust Bowl, a disaster that devastated vast stretches of the nation. Originally known as the Soil Conservation Service, the agency's name changed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1994 to more accurately reflect its role in protecting all natural resources - soil, air, water, plants and animals. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners at a local level, recognizing the diverse needs across the country and the unique concerns in each local area. There is a NRCS field office in almost every county in the United States, and the staff in those offices helps local communities carry out thousands of conservation projects, translating into opportunities for job creation and increased investment in local communities. "The United States depends as much today on productive soils and an abundant, high-quality water supply as we did 75 years ago, and given the agricultural and environmental challenges we face, these programs are more important than ever" Chairman Peterson said. "With this resolution we salute the NRCS professionals, both past and present, who have worked alongside America's local farmers and ranchers for 75 years to help preserve our essential natural resources." "Farmers were conserving long before it became a celebrated trend to 'go green.' They have always had a vested interest in preserving the land that provides for them," said Ranking Member Lucas. "Partnering with NRCS, our producers are provided the science and technical assistance to implement the most advanced conservation practices in the world." The House passed the resolution honoring the 75th anniversary of NRCS by a voice vote. The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture web site http://agriculture.house.gov has additional information on this and other subjects.