Taking Care of the Land: A Conservation Ethic
MEDIA CONTACT:
Craig Derickson, Secretary - Nebraska Soil Health Coalition and retired USDA Natural Resources
Email: craig.derickson@yahoo.com
Phone: (402) 560-5804
There’s an old saying in conservation circles: “If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you.” Conservationists often trace this idea back to Hugh Hammond Bennett, the leader of the U.S. soil conservation movement in the 1920s and 1930s. Bennett saw soil erosion as a “national menace” and convinced Congress to take action. He also established a new federal agency to address the issue, which we now know as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The idea of “taking care of the land”—or having a conservation ethic—reflects the core belief that we’re all responsible for the natural resources we rely on. For those of us in conservation, farmers and ranchers have always been among the best stewards of the land. After all, their livelihoods depend on the long-term health and productivity of their soil. But despite their dedication, it’s becoming more challenging for some producers to implement these practices due to evolving trends in land ownership and management.
One big hurdle we’re seeing is the rise of “non-operating landowners”—landowners who don’t farm the land themselves. According to a USDA report from 2015, around 41% of U.S. farmland is rented or leased, and in the Midwest, this number jumps to 62%. This trend can make conservation efforts more difficult, as these non-operating landowners often lack the practical knowledge about conservation or assume that their tenant farmers will handle it.
There are several reasons for this. Many absentee landowners may have inherited the land or received it as a gift, and they may not be aware of today’s conservation practices or emerging opportunities, like regenerative agriculture. They also may not feel the need to invest in conservation practices, especially if they’re uncertain about how those efforts would provide a positive return on investment (ROI).
For tenant farmers, there are other obstacles. Investing in soil health and conservation practices takes time and resources, and if they’re working on a short-term lease, they might not see the benefits of their investment before their lease ends. Short-term leases can discourage regenerative practices because their full benefits often take years to materialize.
America has a proud history of farm and ranch families who have tended to the land for generations, creating a legacy of responsible land stewardship that benefits crops, livestock, wildlife, and clean water. Aldo Leopold, a prominent conservationist in the 1930s and 1940s, coined the term “land ethic” to capture this commitment. He saw land as a community that includes soil, water, plants, animals, and people—a philosophy of caring for the land and all its resources as a moral duty for both land users and owners.
Fortunately, resources are available to help producers and landowners care for their land. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) partners with local conservation districts, called Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) in Nebraska, to offer technical and financial support. These organizations have experienced staff who provide guidance and assistance to both farmers and absentee landowners on various conservation practices, and they accept annual applications for funding.
Here at the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition (NSHC), we’re dedicated to supporting land stewardship by providing information, tools, and resources to help producers and landowners implement conservation and regenerative agriculture practices. Our motto is to be producer-led, community-focused, and partnership-driven.
As a non-profit organization founded in 2023, NSHC aims to promote soil health and sustainable practices that build resilient farms, ranches, and communities across Nebraska. Our mission is simple: foster collaborative efforts to adopt soil health systems. With strong partnerships and a clear vision, we’re working toward a future where sustainable agriculture strengthens both our rural communities and the land they depend on.
About Nebraska Soil Health Coalition
The Nebraska Soil Health Coalition is a collaborative effort to increase sustainable agricultural production and thriving rural communities. As part of that vision, we support Nebraska’s community newspapers. Our mission is to advance producer-centered education, outreach, and adoption of soil health principles to build resilient farms, ranches, and communities across Nebraska. You can learn more at www.nesoilhealth.org
