NRCS Agency : Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides technical assistance to farmers and other private landowners and managers.
Its name was changed in 1994 during the Presidency of Bill Clinton to reflect its broader mission. It is a relatively small agency, currently comprising about 12,000 employees. Its mission is to improve, protect, and conserve natural resources on private lands through a cooperative partnership with local and state agencies. While its primary focus has been agricultural lands, it has made many technical contributions to soil surveying, classification and water quality improvement. One example is the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), set up to quantify the benefits of agricultural conservation efforts promoted and supported by programs in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill). NRCS is the leading agency in this project.


 Programs and Services:

Farm bill

The conservation provisions in the Food, Conservation, and Energy act of 2008. This bill provides conservation opportunities for farmers. Services also include financial assistance which makes sure money is allocated and used properly in providing conservation for various natural resources, technical assistance which is given through the Conservation Technical Assistance program (CTA). This service is available to anyone interested in conservation of natural resources and easements. This includes:

Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program

(FRPP) The purpose of this program is to work with land owners to purchase development rights to current farm and ranch land, in order to keep said land from being developed for other uses. The program matches funds from property owners, and can be applied whether potential buyers are private or from state or local government, as well as Native American tribes. In order to receive funds from the program, the land must be privately owned, and have an offer for sale pending. The land must be large enough to support substantial agricultural yield, and be surrounded by land with a similar nature. If there is a danger for soil erosion, a conservation plan must be included.

Grasslands Reserve Program

(GRP) Volunteer program to increase animal and plant biodiversity, and to protect grasslands. Participants limit use of grassland for commercial and agricultural development. The land may still be grazed or seeded, with the exception of the nesting seasons of bird species that are protected under law. A grazing management plan must be submitted for participation.

Healthy Forests Reserve Program

(HFRP) Landowners volunteer to restore and protect forests in 30 or 10 year contracts. This program hands assisting funds to participants. The objectives of HFRP are to:

1. Promote the recovery of endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
2. Improve plant and animal biodiversity
3. Enhance carbon sequestration

Wetlands Reserve Program

(WRP) Volunteer program for landowners to protect or restore wetlands on properties they own. The program offers both financial and technological support to these landowners in order to help cultivate long term wetland health with optimal biodiversity per acre.