In our last post, we discussed the role that the FSA plays in CRP. While FSA is involved throughout the enrollment and establishment process, they’re not the only organization that contract holders work with.
Another organization is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Formally known as the Soil Conservation Service, the NRCS is an agency of the USDA that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and landowners participating in conservation practices and programs.
For those enrolled in CRP, this includes drawing up planting maps, creating a conservation plan, approving seed mixes, and providing general guidance for establishment and maintenance of your CRP project.
What is the NRCS?
The NRCS is a government organization that has worked to protect soil, water, and natural resources for over 80 years. In the early 1900s, the US Department of Agriculture started to become aware of the detrimental effects of soil erosion, much of which was caused by then-current farming practices. Not only was it bad for crops, but it polluted local water supplies and ultimately led to the devastating Dust Bowl in the 1930s.
In 1933, the Soil Erosion Service was formed. Two years later, the organization was moved to the Department of Agriculture, becoming a permanent agency called the Soil Conservation Service or SCS. At this same time, congress passed Public Law 74-46, recognizing that “the wastage of soil and moisture resources on farm, grazing, and forest lands is a menace to the national welfare”.
Over time, the SCS’s scope broadened beyond soil to include local water supplies and general conservation practices. In 1994, the SCS was changed to the NRCS to better reflect its current role.
A Bridge Between You and the NRCS
While the NRCS is a great resource, when it comes to CRP, contract holders are still responsible for doing the actual work, and doing it correctly. That’s where we come in. At FDCE, we provide full-service solutions for those enrolled in programs like CRP. That includes helping with initial enrollment, seed purchasing, no-till planting, herbicide application, documenting, and reporting submissions to both you and FSA.
We work directly with the NRCS on our client’s behalf, deciding on seed mixes and mapping out where to plant them. The NRCS reviews our seed tags and reports to ensure everything is in order.
Whether you’re establishing pollinator habitat, native grass and forbs, or another type of CRP practice, we have the tools and experience to make things simple. Contact us today and learn what FDCE can do for you.