Ask 

NRCS

A GUIDE FOR ORGANIC PRODUCERS

Soils - I want to maintain and improve my soil resources. 

Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Mulching, Residue 

and Tillage Management

Water - I want to water my crops and/or livestock and improve 

the water quality on my farm. 

Irrigation Water Management, Fence, Watering Facility, Filter 

Strip, Roof Runoff Structure, Stream Habitat Improvement, 

Wetland Practices

Air - I want to minimize drift of pesticides and GMO pollen on 

my farm. 

Hedgerow, Tree/Shrub Establishment, Field Border, Riparian 

Forest Buffer, Windbreak/Shelterbelt

Plants - I want to improve productivity and health of my crops 

and minimize pests. 

Nutrient Management, Alley Cropping, Contour Farming, Integrated 

Pest Management, Forest Stand Improvement, Tree planting, 

Conservation Cover, Brush Management, High Tunnel System

Animals - I want to provide feed and forage for livestock and 

enhance wildlife habitat or biodiversity. 

Forage Planting, Livestock Shelter Structure, Prescribed 

Grazing, Range Planting, Conservation Cover, Wildlife Habitat 

Management, Composting Facility, Silvopasture, Waste 

Management Practices

Energy - I want to improve the energy efficiency of my 

equipment, facilities, farming/ranching practices and field 

operations. 

Farmstead Energy Improvement, Field Operations Emissions 

Reduction

Circle natural resource concerns and conservation practices of 

What can we help you with?

Date of my appointment with an NRCS conservation planner:

________________________________________________________

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Answer these questions before you visit your 

local NRCS field office:

 I want a conservation plan

 I want a conservation activity plan to 

 transition to an organic system 

My current operation is: 

 Certified organic 

 Transitioning to organic 

 Exempt from organic certification 

 (organic product sales below $5,000/year)

 Mixture of organic and conventional 

 Not organic

I currently produce: 

_____________________________________________________

I am considering producing the following agricultural products:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

My goals and objectives include:

 Meeting National Organic Program (NOP) regulations

 Conserving soil and water resources

 Enhancing wildlife habitat and biodiversity

 Other: ____________________________________

NRCS Terminology

Conservation Technical Assistance is the term we use to 

describe assistance for farmers and ranchers. It helps you address 

opportunities, concerns, and problems concerning natural resources 

and make sound land management decisions. We group natural 

resource concerns into six main categories: soil, water, air, plants, 

animals and energy.

Usually, our assistance leads to the development of a conservation 

plan -- an assessment of the land that allows you to determine 

how to achieve your goals while using the resources under your 

care. A Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) is a subset of an overall 

conservation plan that targets specific areas.

We can help you with: 

• A conservation plan or a conservation activity plan for 

your farm.

• Technical assistance to address resource concerns identified in 

the plan.

• Financial assistance to help you reach your conservation goals 

(depending on local resource priorities).

Technical Service Providers (TSP) are individuals or businesses 

that have technical expertise in conservation planning and design 

for a variety of conservation activities. TSPs are hired by farmers, 

ranchers, private businesses, nonprofit organizations or public 

agencies to provide these services on behalf of NRCS. They can 

help you with:

• A Conservation Activity Plan (CAP)

• Conservation practice design, installation and inspection

FIND YOUR LOCAL SERVICE CENTER: 

https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

www.nrcs.usda.gov/organic

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE