NRCS Local Input Key For Climate Smart Agriculture

NRCS likes to say they adapt their programs to address the situation on the ground.

"Years ago when we were created, it was recognized that local people actually know best how to solve problems on their property," said Jimmy Bramblett, NRCS Deputy Chief for Programs. He noted there are stark variations in landscape.

"You think about the Rocky Mountains versus the humid Southeast and the types of agricultural production that are there versus the wetlands and the wooded areas in the Northeast, and the corn belt," Bramblett noted. "All that variation across the country and then we're talking about millions of farmers and ranchers and woodlands owners. Each are making different decisions on how to best manage that land.

"And because local people are the ones identifying priorities, it makes sense that the construct would be voluntary coming from them as to what those priorities should be, as opposed to regulatory coming from the national level down to that local level."

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