The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced the launch of the Office of the Assistant Chiefs (OAC) a strategic realignment designed to modernize regional leadership, strengthen accountability, and put decision-making closer to the producers and partners NRCS serves. Four regional offices have been established with Lincoln, Neb., selected as the location of the new Central Region office.
This new structure replaces the Office of the Regional Conservationists (ORC) and represents a key step in Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt’s vision to make NRCS more agile, field-focused, and accountable to America’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners. The OAC structure reduces layers of bureaucracy while enhancing communication, consistency, and decision-making at the regional and state levels. Each Assistant Chief will oversee regional operations and work directly with State Conservationists to ensure consistent, science-based, and
producer-driven program delivery.
“This modernization puts leadership where it belongs — in the field, side-by-side with the producers we serve,” said Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. “We are streamlining operations, improving accountability, and ensuring that every NRCS employee has the tools, support, and leadership they need to deliver conservation results that matter. This is about putting farmers first, cutting bureaucracy, and delivering better outcomes for rural America.”
“Good news: the USDA’s NRCS Central Regional Hub will now be located in Lincoln. This marks an important step in bringing decision-makers closer to the people they serve. I was proud to push for this placement and look forward to working with the administration to ensure our ag producers and landowners have the tools they need to drive real results for rural Nebraska and America,” Senator Deb Fischer said.
Source : usda.gov