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Energy, solar panels, wind turbines

Energy-North Dakota

Energy was added as a natural resource concern by NRCS in late 2010. It is now one of several natural resource concerns of NRCS along with soil, water, air, plants, and animals.

NRCS considers energy conservation in its conservation planning for the same reason it protects the natural resources on private and public property. Energy from fossil fuel- based sources, which are nonrenewable resources, is the primary energy source for American agriculture. The stewardship or wise use of these nonrenewable resources is an important link in the conservation ethic that underlies the NRCS mission.

Two concerns related to energy have been identified by NRCS as follows:

  • Inefficient Energy Use - Equipment and Facilities
  • Inefficient Energy Use - Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations
     

NRCS goal is to help producers and private land owners reduce the use of fossil fuel-based energy through:

  1. Improving the efficiency of energy use
  2. Conserving energy
  3. Producing renewable energy for on-farm use

Producing biomass energy feedstocks in a sustainable manner


Helpful Resources:

NRCS and the Forest Service have been working together through the USDA National Agroforestry Center to produce a series of Working Trees brochures.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Energy Self Assessments Tools

Other Resources