Through CFSA’s Conservation Planning Technical Assistance Program, you will work collaboratively with a certified CFSA Technical Service Provider (TSP) to identify your conservation goals and assess and analyze the natural resources issues on your farm related to soil, water, animals, plants, air, energy, and human interaction. We offer cash rebates to producers who select CFSA as their TSP.
We’ll guide your development of a whole-farm stewardship plan to address resource concerns on your farm – from soil erosion and quality, to water quality, plant and animal health, and energy – and help you take advantage of federal funding for conservation projects on your farm through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Types of Conservation Activities
Conservation Planning Activities (CPAs): Help you identify your conservation objectives and assess and analyze natural resource concerns on your land related to the soil, water, animals, plants, air, energy, and human interaction.
Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs): Help you develop specific practice designs and management plans to implement conservation practices.
Conservation Activity Plans Included in CFSA’s Conservation Planning Technical Assistance Program
[NEW!] Organic Management: Conservation Practice 823
- A suite of practices that enhance your farm’s organic production system.
- This practice applies to all farms where organic management practices are used.
- Payments range from $250 to $2,000+ per acre per year, depending on the number of practices you implement and your cropping system.
Organic Transition
- CPA 138 Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition contains planned conservation activities that address resource concerns resulting from the transition from conventional to organic production systems.
- Here is a sample CPA 138 plan.
- DIA 140 Transition to Organic includes information on implementing structural and management practices that address resource concerns identified in your CPA 138.
Soil Health Plans
- CPA 116 Soil Health Management Plan identifies soil health concerns related to the soil’s physical, biological, and chemical properties.
- Here is an example of a CPA 116.
- DIA 162 Soil Health Management develops site-specific recommendations and designs for soil health-related practices that address soil health principles identified in CPA 116.
How to Sign up for Conservation Planning Technical Assistance
Conservation Plans are housed within the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), so you’ll need to apply to NRCS first for a CPA 138, DIA 140, CPA 116, or DIA 162 naming CFSA as the technical service provider (TSP). Visit Applying to Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to learn more.
Apply to the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)Once you have an NRCS contract to develop a Conservation Plan, complete the online registration form to request our free technical assistance services — we’re here to help! The only eligibility requirements are that you must have a CPA or DIA contract and be a CFSA member! Memberships are available to farmers at $40/year. If the fee presents a hardship, please contact us. Technical assistance applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with spaces open year-round based on staff availability.
Sign up for CFSA’s Conservation Planning Technical Assistance ProgramIncentives for Conservation Planning: Because CFSA thinks this work is vital for farmers, we offer a cash rebate to producers who partner with us to obtain their CPA or DIA. Rebates are typically issued within 30 days after CFSA receives payment from NRCS. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Conservation Planning Resources
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Page content last reviewed and updated 8/13/2026.
