NRCS Leader and No-Tiller Discuss Staffing, Regenerative Pilot at Conference

Jimmy Emmons, an NRCS assistant chief and Oklahoma no-tiller, provided updates on the agency's programs and challenges at the No-Till on the Plains event.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:20am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of polished farm tools and implements arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the tools and technologies that enable regenerative agriculture.Premium farm tools and implements symbolize the technologies and practices enabling the NRCS' new regenerative agriculture initiatives.Leedey Today

Jimmy Emmons, an NRCS assistant chief and longtime no-till farmer from Oklahoma, spoke at the No-Till on the Plains Winter Conference about the agency's staffing challenges, new regenerative agriculture programs, and efforts to better serve farmers. Emmons, who also served as a USDA undersecretary during the Trump administration, discussed the $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program and how NRCS leadership is becoming more farmer-focused.

Why it matters

The NRCS plays a critical role in supporting sustainable farming practices, and Emmons' insights provide a window into the agency's priorities and challenges as it works to assist farmers in adopting regenerative agriculture techniques. His perspective as both an NRCS leader and a no-till farmer gives added credibility to his comments.

The details

Emmons, who runs a 2,000-acre cropping operation and 6,000-acre cattle ranch in Oklahoma, told attendees that NRCS staffing cuts have been difficult to manage, but the agency is determined to refocus on better serving its farmer customers. The new $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program, funded through the EQIP and CSP conservation programs, aims to encourage more farmers to adopt soil health, water quality, and productivity-boosting practices. Emmons said the program could be even larger, but it represents a Republican-led congressional effort to scale back conservation program funding expanded under the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act.

  • Emmons returned to NRCS leadership last year, having served as a USDA undersecretary during Trump's first term.
  • The Regenerative Pilot Program's appropriation came via the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The players

Jimmy Emmons

An NRCS assistant chief, no-tiller, and rancher from Leedey, Oklahoma who operates a 2,000-acre cropping operation and 6,000-acre cattle ranch.

Ginger Emmons

Jimmy Emmons' wife, who runs the diverse farming and ranching operation with him.

NRCS

The United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, which provides technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to promote conservation practices.

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What they’re saying

“Changes NRCS programs were being led by farmers and that should benefit them in the long run.”

— Jimmy Emmons, NRCS Assistant Chief

What’s next

The NRCS will continue to roll out the new $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program through its EQIP and CSP conservation initiatives, aiming to encourage more farmers to adopt sustainable practices.

The takeaway

As an NRCS leader and experienced no-till farmer, Emmons' insights highlight the agency's efforts to address staffing challenges and refocus its programs to better serve the needs of growers, particularly in the area of regenerative agriculture. This reflects a broader shift towards more farmer-driven conservation initiatives at the NRCS.