Since 1933, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service has helped farmers, ranchers and forest landowners make investments in their agricultural operations and local communities that keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture and conserve natural resources. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers to help them plan and implement a variety of conservation practices, including those that benefit bees, monarch butterflies, other pollinators and beneficial insects.
Since 2003, Xerces staff have been working closely with the NRCS, serving in Partner Biologist positions in field offices, state offices and regional technology support centers all across the U.S. These pollinator specialists work closely with NRCS and SWCD conservation planners, as well as farmers and ranchers to help plan and implement pollinator and beneficial insect habitat.
To learn more about how NRCS may be able to help you with technical or financial support, read Pollinator Conservation Farm Bill Programs (2018-2023), visit the NRCS pollinator or monarch webpages, or contact your local service center.
Xerces staff are also working closely with the USDA People's Garden Initiative and many NRCS Urban Agriculture specialists to help the USDA expand pollinator and beneficial insect opportunities on urban farms and community gardens. If you are an urban farmer, consider contacting your NRCS service center to learn more about how they can help with conservation on your farm or community garden.
If a Xerces Society-NRCS Partner Biologist works in your state or near your farm, ranch, or forest, consider reaching out for advice. Look for NRCS Partner Biologist staff under the Pollinator Team on our staff page for contacts of partners near you.
If you are a Spanish-speaking farmer, rancher or NRCS staff, or are a student interested in a career in conservation, consider contacting the National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees (NOPHNRCSE) to learn more and connect with Spanish language resources to help in pollinator conservation planning.
