NRCS Practice Standard

Solution Strengths, Weaknesses and Critical Indicators

Overall Summary

NRCS Conservation Practice Standards contain information on why and where practices are applied, and they set forth the minimum planning criteria that must be met during the implementation of a practice in order for it to achieve its intended purpose(s).

The national conservation practice standards should not be used to plan, design, or install a conservation practice. You must have the conservation practice standard adapted and modified by the state in which you are working to insure that you meet all state and local criteria, which may be more restrictive than national criteria.

State conservation practice standards are available through the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). If no state conservation practice standard is available in the FOTG, you should contact the appropriate NRCS State Office or your local USDA Service Center.

Updated or new national conservation practice standards are released with NRCS National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP) notices.

Solutions Providers in order of 9-Point Scoring System

Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and Byproducts (318) Temporary, nonstructural measures used to store solid or semisolid organic agricultural waste or manure (stackable livestock and poultry manure, bedding, litter, spilled feed, or soil mixed with manure) on a short-term basis between collection and utilization. Practice Information The purpose of…
Sediment Basin (350) A sediment basin is a basin constructed with an engineered outlet, formed by constructing an embankment, excavating a dugout, or a combination of both. Practice Information Sediment basins capture and detain sediment-laden runoff or other debris for a sufficient length of time to allow it to settle…
Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till (345) Residue and tillage management, reduced till practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting the soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled…
Fence (382) A constructed barrier to animals or people. Practice Information This practice is applied to any area where livestock and/or wildlife control is needed, or where access to people is to be regulated. A wide variety of fences exist, however, fencing material and construction quality is always designed and…
Groundwater Testing (355) The groundwater testing practice includes testing for physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of groundwater in a well or spring development. Practice Information The required tests and applicable standards will be determined based on the planned use of the water. Water samples will be collected and analyzed in…
Irrigation Pipeline (430) A pipeline and appurtenances installed to convey water for storage or application as part of an irrigation water system. Practice Information A properly designed and installed irrigation pipeline will convey water to an irrigation system or storage location in a way that minimizes water loss. For some…
Livestock Shelter Structure (576) A permanent or portable structure to protect animals from negative environmental factors. Practice Information A shelter structure is installed to protect livestock from negative environmental factors, such as excessive heat, wind, snow, or cold. This practice can improve the distribution of grazing animals to enhance wildlife…
Monitoring Well (353) A well designed and installed to obtain representative groundwater samples and hydrogeologic information. Practice Information A monitoring well is used to provide controlled access for sampling groundwater near an agricultural waste storage facility, waste treatment facility, or other areas of concern to detect the occurrence of seepage…
Pasture and Hay Planting (512) Pasture and hay planting is establishing adapted and compatible species, varieties, or cultivars of perennial herbaceous plants suitable for pasture or hay production. Practice Information This practice applies to all lands suitable for establishment of perennial species for pasture and hay production. This practice does…
Pond Sealing or Lining-Concrete (522) Pond sealing or lining is used for a pond or waste storage impoundment using reinforced or nonreinforced concrete. Practice Information The purpose of this practice is to reduce seepage losses from water and waste impoundments constructed for water conservation and environmental protection. This practice applies…