LINCOLN, Nebraska – Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (Tri-Basin NRD) 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.

“Tri-Basin NRD has a very productive and constructive relationship with our federal partners at NRCS.  Working together, we provide farmers and landowners with a wider variety of options and a broader range of expertise to help them achieve their soil and water conservation objectives” said John Thorburn, manager of Tri-Basin NRD.

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.

About Tri-Basin Natural Resources District

The Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (NRD) protects lives, property, and the future of Gosper, Phelps, and Kearney counties through stewardship, management, and education programs — ranging from tree planting to groundwater quality and quantity monitoring, from irrigation management to outdoor recreation. Activities and projects of Tri-Basin NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected board of directors. Tri-Basin NRD is one of 23 Natural Resources Districts across Nebraska. For more information, visit tribasinnrd.org or call 308.995.6688.

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PHOTO CAPTION

Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (NRD) signs a Memorandum of Agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) during a signing ceremony Jan. 27, 2026. From left, Director Joel Grams, Director Larry Reynolds (sitting), Director Ed Harris, Director Reed Philips, General Manager John Thorburn (sitting), Director Joe Larson, NRCS Acting State Conservationist James Huntwork (sitting), Director Robin Hinrichs, Director David Grimes, Director Brad Lundeen (sitting), and Director Andrew Stade. Tri-Basin NRD serves Kearney, Phelps, and Gosper counties in south-central Nebraska.