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Conservation Planning

It’s up to you, as property owners, to decide on the best ways to improve the productivity, sustainability, and profitability of your operation. For many producers, conservation planning serves as a fundamental starting point for maintaining and improving the natural resources that support productive and profitable agricultural operations. Every farm or ranch has its own unique resource problems or concerns. Whether it’s a large scale ranching operation or a small acreage hobby farm, conservation planning is an important — and voluntary — first step that owners and operators can take to meet their land management goals. At your request, certified conservation planners with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and local conservation districts can provide planning assistance to help producers identify options that provide the greatest conservation benefit while meeting production goals.

Benefits of developing a customized conservation plan for your farm or ranch:

• Identifies immediate or potential resource problems that could hurt your production.
• Helps you comply with environmental regulations.
• Helps you qualify for various USDA conservation programs.
• Adapts to your changing operational goals.
• Establishes a reasonable schedule for you to apply needed conservation practices.
• Can save you time, labor and energy.
• Makes your farm or ranch a nicer place to live for you and your family.

Your Conservation Plan
Through the planning process, a producer develops a conservation plan, or a written record of the management decisions and the conservation practices that are in use or planned for that operation. A conservation plan combines the farming or ranching skills of the operator with the science-based knowledge of the conservation planner.
A Conservation Plan Includes:

• An aerial photo or diagram of your fields;  
• Oregon Explorer Mapping Tool
• A soil map and soil descriptions;
•  Web Soil Survey
• Resource inventory data, which can include crop production potential or livestock carrying capacity;
• Conservation Records Inventory Worksheets
• A list of your treatment decisions; and
• The location and schedule for applying and maintaining conservation practices.

How a Conservation Plan Helps:
Working with a conservation planner, you can produce a conservation plan to help you:

• develop alternatives and identify strategies for implementing on-farm solutions,
• prepare for agricultural or market certifications,
• address regulatory requirements, and
• prepare for conservation program opportunities