Beginning with the 2002 Farm Bill, USDA was authorized to use Technical Service Providers (TSPs). Technical Service Providers are conservation professionals from the private sector, non-profit organizations, and public agencies that can provide direct technical assistance and deliver conservation services to landowners and others on behalf of USDA. For an overview of changes the 2008 Farm Bill made to the TSP authority see At a Glance - Technical Service Provider Provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill.
Technical Service Providers (TechReg). TechReg is a web application that enables technical service providers (TSPs) to register and become certified, and for USDA customers to find certified providers.
Technical assistance includes conservation planning and design, layout, installation, and checkout of approved conservation practices. NRCS and conservation districts have traditionally provided these technical services, and will continue to do so. What’s new is that USDA will now reimburse producers for technical assistance provided by certified Technical Service Providers.
Technical Service Provider Assistance Policy
- MT 411.2 Policy (GM Title 180 Part 411, Amendment MT-25, August 2006; 45 KB). This policy specifies the steps that Montana NRCS staff are to follow when working with non-NRCS providers of technical assistance.
MT411.20 Exhibit - Technical Service Provider Worksheets
Certified Crop Advisor (CCA)/Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) Nutrient and Pesticide Pilot
NRCS has worked with the certification programs to develop a new process for CCAs and CPAgs who want to become a TSP. The following letter explains this pilot process and provides links to further documents for those interested in participating.
Documentation, Certification, and Spot Checking (Quality Reviews)
The following section of the NRCS General Manual (Montana Supplement) provides new guidance on the process and responsibilities for conducting technical quality assurance reviews for NRCS staff and Technical Service Providers (Subparts A and C) and updates the minimum supporting documentation requirements for conservation practices in Montana (Subpart B). This information will prove useful for TSPs in identifying deliverables by conservation practice.
GM Title 450 - Part 407, Amendment MT-21, September 2006
For More Information
- Technical Service Providers (TechReg).
- Request a Technical Service Provider information packet by contacting publications with your mailing address and the quantity needed. A TSP brochure, fact sheets, and certification criteria are just a sample of the information in the packets.
Contacts
Joe Little, Resource Conservationist/State Toolkit Coordinator
Phone: 406-587-6861
E-mail: Joe.Little
