WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced two key leadership selections, naming Sarah Trichel as Louisiana State Conservationist and Colton L. Buckley as the agency’s new chief in Washington.
For Louisiana agriculture, Trichel’s appointment marks a continuation of experienced leadership and strong partnerships with farmers and conservation stakeholders across the state.
A native of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Trichel officially assumed the role May 17 after serving as acting state conservationist since July 2025. She brings more than 16 years of experience with NRCS, beginning her conservation career as an earth team volunteer in 2007 before advancing through a series of leadership positions, including soil conservationist, district conservationist, and assistant state conservationist for programs.
“It is an honor to be selected as the next State Conservationist of Louisiana,” Trichel said in USDA’s announcement. “I am looking forward to serving our amazing farmers and producers and working together with our dedicated NRCS team and partners to continue our conservation efforts to protect the natural resources of our great state.”
In 2023, Trichel served at the national level as Conservation Stewardship Program team lead in NRCS’s Financial Assistance Programs Division in Washington, DC. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with Louisiana producers and conservation partners on voluntary, incentive-based conservation efforts supporting working agricultural lands.
Buckley, previously associate chief and chief of staff for NRCS, succeeds Aubrey Bettencourt and becomes the youngest chief in agency history. In announcing his new role, Buckley emphasized a producer-focused conservation philosophy.
“Our mission will be to empower America’s farmers and ranchers with the tools, flexibility, and support they need to steward our natural resources while strengthening family farming operations, rural economies, and ensuring our nation’s food security,” Buckley said. “We will focus on locally led, results-driven conservation that works hand-in-hand with producers — not against them.”
Buckley previously served as CEO of the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils and has longstanding ties to agriculture and rural development in Texas.
Rice farmers across Louisiana have long partnered with NRCS through programs focused on water conservation, soil health, and wildlife habitat improvements, including projects supported through the Rice Stewardship Partnership between USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited.
USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann said, “We congratulate both Sarah and my friend Colton on their well-deserved promotions and look forward to continuing to grow our important relationship between the Rice Stewardship Partnership and NRCS.”