# Water

## Breadcrumb

-  Home 
-  Conservation Basics 
-  Natural Resource Concerns 
-  Water 

Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners recognize water as our Nation’s most precious resource. Every day, new producers are stepping up to work hand-in-hand with NRCS to implement systems that conserve water and keep valuable nutrients on the field and out of local waterways. 

NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to help producers plan and implement conservation practices that improve water quality and conserve its use.

When water issues arise, they can have long-term and costly impacts to natural resources and production goals. If your land has water issues, you can explore further with the Conservation Concerns Tool on farmers.gov. 

## Examples of Water Quality Practices

### Nutrient Management

                      - See conservation practice .
                      - Nutrient Management webpage
                      - Nutrient Management webpage on farmers.gov .

### Prescribed Grazing

                      - See conservation practice .

## Examples of Water Conservation Practices

### Microirrigation

                      - See conservation practice.

### Irrigation Land Leveling

                      - See conservation practice .

Additional Conservation at Work videos and conservation practices are available. If you’re interested in assistance with these practices, contact your local NRCS office. 

##   Targeted Initiatives for Water

NRCS uses targeted initiatives to bring partners together and accelerate the benefits of conservation practices, including those focused on water quality and quantity.

Learn more.

##   Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program

As snowpack accumulates each year, NRCS hydrologists measure the snow and estimate the runoff that will occur when it melts using a comprehensive network of monitoring sites.

Learn more.

##   Nutrient Management

Nutrient Management is the management of nutrients and soil amendments to maximize their economic benefit while minimizing their environmental impact.  

Learn More.

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##   How to Get Assistance

**Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?**

Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

**Print this information

###         Step 1: Make a Plan    

**To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.**

NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

###         Step 2: Start an Application    

**We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:**
                      - To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.
                      - To meet other eligibility certifications.

Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.

###         Step 3: Check your eligibility    

**As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible. To do this, you’ll need to bring:**
                      - An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)
                      - A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and
                      - A farm number.

If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

###         Step 4: Rank your application    

**NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them** according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State.

###         Step 5: Implement your plan    

**If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.**

Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.  

## Related News and Events

NewsHistoric On-Farm Conservation Funding Assistance Available for ProducersSeptember 27, 2024

NewsUSDA-NRCS Announces Financial Assistance Available under the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability ProjectSeptember 26, 2024

NewsUSDA-NRCS Announces Financial Assistance to Landowners and Operators in the Milford Lake WatershedSeptember 26, 2024

Farm/Field TourFunding Signup Session for Southern RI Farmers & Forest LandownersSeptember 28, 2024

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