Mike Kucera

Conservation Agronomist

Mike Kucera retired from the National Soil Survey Center in December of 2022, after 42+ years of service with SCS/NRCS working in Nebraska, Iowa and the NSSC during his career.  Mike graduated from the University of Nebraska with a BS in 1981 and MS in 1999. Mike’s primary duties included national guidance on agronomy, ecological site descriptions, soil health, agronomic interpretations, national soil erosion database manager, soils hotline, trainer for many AgLearn soils courses, and many other activities.  Mike led the development of Soil Health Bucket materials/website and related educator training and videos, and the led development of the Soil Health Literature SharePoint and Website.  

Past USDA-SCS/NRCS Positions (Since May 1980)

  • Agronomist/National Soil Erosion Database Steward – NSSC
  • State Resource Conservationist – Nebraska
  • State Agronomist and State Water Quality Specialist – Nebraska
  • Area Resource Conservationist – Southwest Iowa
  • District Conservationist – Oakland Iowa and Stanton Nebraska
  • Soil Conservationist & Range Conservationist (Spalding, Tecumseh, and Syracuse)

International Work

Mike assisted with the Pakistan Soil Health/Fertility, Watershed Rehabilitation and Soil Atlas Projects since 2014.  Traveled to Pakistan seven times working primarily with International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), educational institutions, national and provincial leaders, agricultural service providers and farmers aiding in implementation of innovative soil and water technologies for use in small farms across the country.  Led workshops in soil fertility/health, soil and water mgt, watershed planning, water quality assessment and testing, and several others with over thirty different governmental and non-governmental entities across Pakistan. 

Recent Awards

  • Kiwanian of the Year Award 2021
  • Soil and Water Conservation Society Hugh Hammond Bennet Award for International and National Conservation Accomplishments, 2021
  • Nebraska Agribusiness Association Partnership Award, 2020
  • Abraham Lincoln Honor Award for Pakistan Project from Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack, 2016
  • Nebraska FFA Association Honorary State FFA Degree, 2014
  • Nebraska Agribusiness Association Researcher/Educator of the Year, 2008

Mike Kucera
Conservation Agronomist