Conservation Partnerships

Locally Led Conservation and National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)
Locally Led Conservation: A concept whereby local people assess their natural resource conditions and needs, set goals, identify programs and other resources to solve those needs, develop proposals and recommendations, implement solutions, and measure their success.

Watershed Approach and Conservation Technolgy Information Center (CTIC)
Watershed Approach: A concept whereby local people living within and near a watershed apply the locally led conservation process to assess their natural resource conditions and needs, set goals, identify programs and other resources to solve those needs, develop proposals and recommendations, implement solutions, and measure their success. The watershed approach is a comprehensive interrelated approach to watershed and natural resources management. It examines and recognizes the needs of all resources--soil, water, air, plants, animals and people in relation to local social, cultural, and economic factors. Local decision-makers can then make informed trade-offs that depend on the objectives and priorities of the people living in and nearby the area.

Environmental Information and Environmental Protection Agency
Farmers, ranchers, homeowners, community leaders, land owners, and land users can obtain environmental information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Surf Your Watershed web site.

Farmer/Homeowner Self Assessment & Planning and Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst
Farmer/Homeowner Self Assessment & Planning: A concept whereby farmers, (and ranchers) and homeowners can do a self assessment and planning effort of their own natural resource conditions and needs with some checklist and information to assist them, and then use the resulting information as they feel appropriate. Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst is an NRCS-sponsored program aimed at preventing pollution on farms, and ranches, and in the home.

Conservation Planning (RMP) and Idaho One Plan
An example of information to assist farmers and ranchers in conservation planning is available at the Idaho One Plan Farm and Ranch Center.

Resource Management Planning (RMP) and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
Resource Management Planning (RMP): A concept whereby farmers and ranchers individually inventory their natural resource conditions and needs, set planning goals and objectives, make decisions, implement their respective plans, and evaluate their success. It is a farmer and rancher initiated process, and is based on the principle that local farmers and ranchers are best suited to identify and voluntarily resolve natural resource problems and comply with local, state, and federal laws.

Organic Trade Association (OTA)
NRCS and the OTA have agreed, by MOU to work together to help America's organic farmers conserve the natural resources on their lands. This presents a rare opportunity to make organic farmers and ranchers, as well as consumers and others interested in organic products, aware of the importance of and opportunities for conservation planning.

View a copy of the MOU
The National Organic Program