Energy was added as a natural resource concern by NRCS in late 2010. It is now one of the several natural resource concerns, along with soil, water, air, plants, animals, of NRCS.
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
Energy Conservation Series
Greenhouse Energy Audit Video - 15 minute (posted on YouTube) video on energy audits for Greenhouses. Produced by Rutgers for NRCS. NEW USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service through an agreement with Rutgers University is producing a series of fact sheets on energy conservation for various types of agricultural enterprises. The following publications were developed by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in support of Agreement No. 68-2B29-11-150.
Fact Sheets
NRCS and the Forest Service have been working together through the USDA National Agroforestry Center to produce a series of Working Trees brochures.
Links
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
- USDA Energy
- USDA NRCS
- USDA NRCS Energy Conservation
- Tips to Save Energy on Your Farm or Ranch
- Animal Housing Energy Estimator
- NRCS Energy Tools
- Irrigation Energy Estimator
- Nitrogen Energy Estimator
- Tillage Energy Estimator
- Greenhouse Energy Self Assessment Tool
- NRCS COMET Quick Energy Calculator for converting Energy Savings into Emissions Reductions
Other Federal websites
Other Agency Energy Websites
- Energy Conservation Tools
- Dairy Energy Self Assessment
- Grain Drying Energy Self Assessment
- Lighting Energy Self Assessment
- Livestock Energy Self Assessment
- Maple Syrup Energy Self Assessment
- Potato Storage Energy Self Assessment
- Ventilation Energy Self Assessment
- Water Fountain Energy Self Assessment
- Rutgers University - Farm Energy Audits