; (iv) water conservation, drainage water management, and irrigation engineering technology; (v) agricultural engineering (including animal waste management, energy, and structural measures); and (vi) forest ecology and agroforestry. (6) Funding The Secretary shall use funding from the annual appropriations for conservation operations of the Natural Resources Conservation Service to carry out this subsection. . (g) Direct hire authority Section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3842 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (j) NRCS direct hire authority (1) In general The Secretary may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such title), qualified candidates, as described in paragraph (2), directly to positions within the Natural Resources Conservation Service that provide technical assistance under conservation programs administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. (2) Qualifications Paragraph (1) applies to a candidate who— (A) is qualified to provide the technical assistance described in paragraph (1), as determined by the Secretary; and (B) meets qualification standards established by the Office of Personnel Management. . 2504. Administrative requirements for conservation programs (a) Tenant protections Section 1244(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3844(d) ) is amended by striking I. and inserting J. . (b) Acreage limitations Section 1244(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3844(f) ) is amended— (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) Limitation The Secretary shall not enroll more than 25 percent of the cropland in any county in the conservation reserve program established under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D and wetland reserve easements under section 1265C. ; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (1)(A) and inserting paragraph (1)