2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Highlights and Announcements

The conservation provisions in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) will provide conservation opportunities for farmers and ranchers for years to come. The new provisions build on the conservation gains made by farmers and ranchers through the 1985, 1996 and 2002 Farm Bills. They simplify existing programs and create new programs to address high priority environmental goals.

USDA Farm Bill News

2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill:

• Agricultural Management Assistance Program
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program
• Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative
• Conservation of Private Grazing Land Program
• Conservation Reserve Program  (Farm Service Agency)
• Conservation Stewardship Program
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Agricultural Water Enhancement Program  (EQIP)
• Conservation Innovation Grants (EQIP)
• Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program
• Grassland Reserve Program
• Healthy Forest Reserve Program
• Small Watershed Rehabilitation Program
• Wetlands Reserve Program
• Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program

At a Glance: 2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Download Adobe PDF overviews of 2008 NRCS Farm Bill conservation programs.

2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Program Rules

Introduction to the policy development process, and links to the Federal Register: the official publication of  rules, notices and supporting documents of agencies and organizations.

Federal Register Notices Index

Notices published by NRCS, available for download in PDF format.

Proposed Rules Index

Rules which are proposed by NRCS.

Final and Interim Final Rules Index

Interim final rules written by NRCS.

Federal Register Publications and Related Documents

• Federal Register - Regulations.gov includes regulations that are open for public comment (i.e., proposed) and closed for comment (i.e., final).
• Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) - The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. USDA's regulations are found it Title 7 of the CFR. NRCS's regulations are in 7 CFR Chapter 14. Two versions of the CFR are available on-line:
1. The annual edition of the CFR, as published in hardcover; and
2. The electronic CFR which is updated daily, but is not an official, legal edition of the CFR

2002 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs (active until October 1, 2008)

2002 Farm Bill