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:
- Improving the efficiency of energy use
- Conserving energy
- 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
- NRCS Energy
- NRCS EQIP On-Farm Initiative
- NRCS COMET-Farm
- NRCS Energy Tools
- Irrigation Energy Estimator
- Nitrogen Energy Estimator
- Tillage Energy Estimator
- Animal Housing Energy Estimator
Energy Self Assessments Tools
- Energy Conservation Tools
- Greenhouse Energy
- Grain Drying Energy
- Lighting Energy
- Livestock Energy
- Maple Syrup Energy
- Potato Storage Energy
- Ventilation Energy
- Water Fountain Energy
Other Resources