NRCS Assistant Chief and longtime no-tiller Jimmy Emmons told farmers that staffing cuts are difficult to manage, but the agency is determined to refocus on better serving its customers.   

Emmons and his wife Ginger run a diverse 2,000-acre cropping operation near Leedey, Okla. and graze a 250-head cow/calf herd and take in yearling cattle for custom grazing on nearly 6,000 acres of native range.

Honored by No-Till Farmer as a No-Till Innovator, Emmons told attendees at the No-Till on the Plains Winter Conference that changes NRCS programs were being led by farmers and that should benefit them in the long run.

Emmons returned to NRCS leadership last year, having served as a USDA undersecretary during Trump’s first term. He provided an update on his agency’s new regenerative agriculture supports and 5-year plans for farmers. He also spoke to the increased on-farm credentials of NRCS leadership and fielded questions about the agency’s field office staffing vacancies.

The NRCS’ $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program, funneled through two existing programs — $400 million through EQIP and $300 million through CSP. According to the USDA, the program aims to encourage more farmers to adopt practices that improve soil health, water quality and long-term productivity of the country’s food and fiber supply.

The Regenerative Pilot Program’s appropriation via the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act included the Republican-controlled Congress’ cut of far more conservation program funding as had been previously expanded by the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act.

“It could be bigger. But it’s…