​​Conservation Planning and Technical Assistance for Agriculture

Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District staff work closely with our USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service partners to provide farmers and other agricultural producers with technical assistance and expertise on a voluntary basis. Assistance is available for pasture and hayland, forestry, cropland, nursery and greenhouse operations and more. In addition to addressing targeted issues, staff are available to assist with conservation planning and resource management.

Services include but are not limited to:

Best Management Practice (BMP) Design

Assistance with design of BMPs to address resource concerns.  For example, Heavy Use Area Protection for animal operations or Grassed Waterways in crop fields.

Practice Specific Conservation Planning

Planning for an implementation of a practice or system. For example, Livestock Exclusion System (stream exclusion fencing, well, watering facilities, etc.).

Conservation Planning for Easements

Work with cooperators to identify priority resource concerns and provide recommendations for management to fulfill obligations of conservation easement contracts.

Whole Farm Planning

Identify and provide targeted recommendations to address all resource concerns. While action is voluntary, an implementation schedule is generally provided a guideline for addressing concerns.

Waste Utilization Planning

Planning for the application and utilization of animal waste, based upon nutrient content of waste material and soil sample nutrient recommendations. Additional, supplemental commercial nutrient applications may be necessary to maximize crop yield as prescribed by nutrient management plan.

Nutrient Management Planning

Planning for the application of organic (e.g. manure) and commercial fertilizers to promote maximum crop yield.  Applications are based on soil sample recommendations.

Farm Service Agency (FSA) Compliance Determinations

As required for FSA Program, NRCS Staff provide reviews and determinations of Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetlands.