American Farmland Trust congratulated Colton Buckley on his appointment as Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in a statement released May 19. The organization said Buckley has been an advocate for a farmer-first agenda since joining the Trump Administration, including raising awareness about agricultural land loss and supporting funding to help farmers and ranchers permanently protect their land.
The announcement matters because the leadership of NRCS influences national conservation priorities that affect farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. American Farmland Trust said Buckley’s background includes experience as Associate Chief of NRCS, leading a conservation organization, and growing up on his family’s cattle ranch. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with him in his new role,” the organization said.
The group also thanked outgoing Chief Bettencourt for her service at NRCS and wished her well in her next chapter. “During her tenure, she declared farmland loss the agency’s top priority and helped strengthen USDA’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Department’s flagship program for helping farmers and ranchers to voluntarily protect their land,” American Farmland Trust said.
American Farmland Trust operates throughout New York and New Jersey, focusing on safeguarding farmland and aiding farmers through initiatives on soil health and policy advocacy. The organization also enhances community welfare by backing diverse farmers, boosting local food access, using sites like the Urban Farm at Enston Home for its programs, relying on donations to fund its initiatives in these states, and operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity—all according to the official website.
As Buckley steps into this new role at NRCS leadership, observers expect continued collaboration between American Farmland Trust and federal agencies working toward farmland protection.
