Earth Team Volunteers Help USDA Conservation Agency to Protect South Dakota’s Natural Resources

U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) leaders and employees honor Earth Team volunteers and celebrate their numerous contributions to protecting South Dakota's (SD) natural resources during National Volunteer Week, April 19 - 25, 2026.

The Earth Team volunteer program allows NRCS to stretch available resources by partnering volunteers with employees to provide diverse services to agricultural producers, private landowners and the public. These activities include conservation technical assistance, office support and conservation education through community projects.

"The amount of time an Earth Team volunteer donates is critical to helping NRCS in SD achieve its mission of helping people help the land," said Acting State Conservationist Jessica Michalski. "Whether a volunteer donates a month, a year, or a lifetime, those hours matter cumulatively because they stretch our human resources and enable us to do even more."

In 2025, Earth Team volunteers in SD contributed more than 350 (hours) to support our agency's mission and its critical conservation work. Volunteer efforts allow NRCS to offer more conservations services to farmers and/or ranchers throughout the state. South Dakota provided about $12,315.66 (Dollars) of benefits to NRCS customers and taxpayers in 2025.

Below is an example of a volunteer and their project to help NRCS employees work with producers and other private landowners to conserve soil, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. An Earth Team volunteer assisted with annual onsite easement monitoring in Brookings County, SD. Together with staff, they reviewed several easements by confirming boundary markers were clearly identified, verifying that the terms of the easement deed were being followed, and capturing updated photos at established points to document changes over time. This experience provided a valuable opportunity to help the public better understand how NRCS conservation easements work and the long-term protection they offer for wetlands and wildlife habitats.

The Earth Team volunteer program helps its participants expand their skills and knowledge through community projects. The program also offers participants community service hours, earned academic credit and an unpaid internship in federal service. Those interested in volunteering canvisit the Earth Team program webpage to sign up for volunteer opportunities in your community or to learn more about the program.

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