NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program Enhancement Summary

Vermont

NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. Public benefits include enhanced natural resources that help sustain agricultural productivity and environmental quality while supporting continued economic development, recreation, and scenic beauty.

To learn more see CSP and CSP Enhancements and Bundles

Conservation Stewardship Program Enhancement Summary:
by Conservation Practices related to: Cropland Soil Quality | Cropland Soil Health & Sustainability | Fish & Wildlife Habitat | Forest Land Conservation | Grazing Land Conservation | Water Quality

Conservation Practices Related to Cropland Soil Quality

The following table includes practices that are related to Cropland Soil Quality Management. The six components of soil quality management are: enhancing organic matter, avoiding excessive tillage, managing pests and nutrients efficiently, preventing soil compaction, keeping the ground covered, and diversifying cropping systems. Choosing specific practices within each component depends on the situation since different types of soil respond differently to the same practice. Each combination of soil type and land use calls for a different set of practices to enhance soil quality. Note that only practices applied on cropland or hay land are included.

Land Unit Acres Receiving Conservation by Practice (including practice count) and Fiscal Year
Cropland Soil Quality Practices
Practice Name Practice Code Enhancement Name Enhancement Code 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count
Conservation Cover - Enhancements E327 Conservation cover for pollinators and beneficial insects E327A









11
1
Conservation Crop Rotation - Enhancements E328 Resource conserving crop rotation to reduce water erosion E328101R







129
14
129
14
Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Intensive cover cropping (orchard/vineyard floor) to increase soil health and SOM content E340106Z3





65
5




Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Cover crop to minimize soil compaction E340107Z





15
1


15
1
Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Intensive cover cropping to increase soil health and soil organic matter content E340B







27
5


Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Use of soil health assessment to assist with development of cover crop mix to improve soil health E340E







9
1


Notes:
• Data Source: USDA-NRCS, National Planning and Agreements Database (NPAD), October 2022.
• Land unit acres may be counted multiple times across practices and fiscal years.
• Totals over detailed enhancements may not exactly match totals in main table due to rounding.
To learn more about CSP bundles and enhancements, please see CSP Enhancements and Bundles

Conservation Practices Related to Cropland Soil Health & Sustainability

The following table includes practices that are related to Cropland Soil Health & Sustainability. This measure is intended as a step-wise measure to show progress towards implementing a Soil Health Management System (SHMS). A SHMS is defined as a collection of NRCS conservation practices that focuses on maintaining or enhancing soil health by addressing four soil health management principles: minimize disturbance, maximize soil cover, maximize biodiversity and maximize presence of living roots. Note that only practices applied on cropland are included. Also at least two eligible conservation practices or a Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) bundle must be applied during the fiscal year. Eligible conservation practices are those that indicate progress toward a SHMS and include: Conservation Crop Rotation, Residue and Tillage Management (No Till and Reduced Till), Cover Crop, and corresponding CSP activities and bundles. Some CSP bundles count as two eligible practices.

Land Unit Acres Receiving Conservation by Practice (including practice count) and Fiscal Year
Cropland Soil Health & Sustainability Practices
Practice Name Practice Code Enhancement Name Enhancement Code 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count
Conservation Crop Rotation - Enhancements E328 Resource conserving crop rotation to reduce water erosion E328101R







29
4
29
4
Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Use of soil health assessment to assist with development of cover crop mix to improve soil health E340E







9
1


Notes:
• Data Source: USDA-NRCS, National Planning and Agreements Database (NPAD), October 2022.
• Land unit acres may be counted multiple times across practices and fiscal years.
• Totals over detailed enhancements may not exactly match totals in main table due to rounding.
To learn more about CSP bundles and enhancements, please see CSP Enhancements and Bundles

Conservation Practices Related to Fish & Wildlife Habitat

The following table includes practices that are related to Fish & Wildlife Habitat Management. The environment that NRCS helps its clients conserve, maintain, and improve is also habitat for fish & wildlife and other biological resources. While every practice and management action taken on the land has some effect on biological resources, the following practices are specifically related to fish & wildlife habitat.

Land Unit Acres Receiving Conservation by Practice (including practice count) and Fiscal Year
Fish & Wildlife Habitat Practices
Practice Name Practice Code Enhancement Name Enhancement Code 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count
Conservation Cover - Enhancements E327 Conservation cover to provide food habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects E327136Z1







155
3
8
2
Conservation Cover - Enhancements E327 Conservation cover for pollinators and beneficial insects E327A







90
1
11
1
Riparian Herbaceous Cover - Enhancements E390 Increase riparian herbaceous cover width to enhance wildlife habitat E390136Z





9
1




Notes:
• Data Source: USDA-NRCS, National Planning and Agreements Database (NPAD), October 2022.
• Land unit acres may be counted multiple times across practices and fiscal years.
• Totals over detailed enhancements may not exactly match totals in main table due to rounding.
To learn more about CSP bundles and enhancements, please see CSP Enhancements and Bundles

Conservation Practices Related to Forest Land Conservation

The following table includes practices that are related to Forest Land Conservation. The goals of these practices are to restore and protect forest resources and improve fish and wildlife habitat and are related to: tree planting; forest stand improvement, thinning; prescribed burning; and controlling invasive plants. Note that only practices applied on grazed forest or forest land are included.

Land Unit Acres Receiving Conservation by Practice (including practice count) and Fiscal Year
Forest Land Conservation Practices
Practice Name Practice Code Enhancement Name Enhancement Code 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count
Brush Management - Enhancements E314 Brush management that maintains or enhances wildlife or fish habitat E314134Z





73
1
73
1


Brush Management - Enhancements E314 Brush management to improve wildlife habitat E314A









913
1
Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Crop tree management for mast production E666132Z1









26
1
Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Creating structural diversity with patch openings E666133Z1





134
2




Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Reduce forest stand density to improve wildlife food sources E666136Z2





82
1




Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Snags, den trees, and coarse woody debris for wildlife habitat E666137Z1



1,150
10
363
3
299
4
185
1
Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Snags, den trees, and coarse woody debris for wildlife habitat E666O







1,075
5
654
8
Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Establishing tree/shrub species to restore native plant communities E612132Z





100
1




Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Sugarbush management E612133X3





414
1
1,435
1
1,435
1
Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Tree/shrub planting for wildlife food E612136Z



165
1


127
1


Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Tree/shrub planting for wildlife food E612G







680
1


Notes:
• Data Source: USDA-NRCS, National Planning and Agreements Database (NPAD), October 2022.
• Land unit acres may be counted multiple times across practices and fiscal years.
• Totals over detailed enhancements may not exactly match totals in main table due to rounding.
To learn more about CSP bundles and enhancements, please see CSP Enhancements and Bundles

Conservation Practices Related to Grazing Land Conservation

The following table includes practices that are related to Grazing Land Conservation. NRCS is committed to conserving and enhancing private grazing land resources. This includes conservation practices which: conserve and improve wildlife habitat on private grazing land; conserve and improve fish habitat and aquatic systems through grazing land conservation treatment; protect and improve water quality; improve the dependability and consistency of water supplies; and identify and manage weed, noxious weed, and brush encroachment problems. Note that only practices applied on grazed range, grazed forest, native and naturalized pasture, or pasture land are included.

Land Unit Acres Receiving Conservation by Practice (including practice count) and Fiscal Year
Grazing Land Conservation Practices
Practice Name Practice Code Enhancement Name Enhancement Code 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count
Forage and Biomass Planting - Enhancements E512 Forage and biomass planting to reduce soil erosion or increase organic matter to build soil health E512B









7
1
Herbaceous Weed Control - Enhancements E315 Herbaceous weed control for desired plant communities/habitats consistent with the ecological site E315132Z









79
8
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Grazing management for improving quantity/quality of plant structure/composition for wildlife E528133Z2





79
8


79
8
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Grazing management for improving quantity and quality of cover and shelter for wildlife E528137Z1







10
1
10
1
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Maintaining quantity and quality of forage for animal health and productivity E528140Z1









79
8
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Improved grazing management for enhanced plant structure and composition for wildlife E528E









7
1
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Implementing Bale or Swath Grazing to increase organic matter and reduce nutrients in surface water E528P







9
1
9
1
Notes:
• Data Source: USDA-NRCS, National Planning and Agreements Database (NPAD), October 2022.
• Land unit acres may be counted multiple times across practices and fiscal years.
• Totals over detailed enhancements may not exactly match totals in main table due to rounding.
To learn more about CSP bundles and enhancements, please see CSP Enhancements and Bundles

Conservation Practices Related to Water Quality

The following table includes practices that are related to Water Quality. Water quality is an indicator of the health of our environment and reflects what occurs on the land. The primary water quality issues from agriculture are sediment, nutrients, pesticides, pathogens, and in some parts of the country, salinity. Using conservation practices to improve land in an environmentally sound manner will result in better water quality for drinking, recreation, wildlife, fisheries and industry.

Land Unit Acres Receiving Conservation by Practice (including practice count) and Fiscal Year
Water Quality Practices
Practice Name Practice Code Enhancement Name Enhancement Code 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count Acres Count
Brush Management - Enhancements E314 Brush management that maintains or enhances wildlife or fish habitat E314134Z





73
1
73
1


Brush Management - Enhancements E314 Brush management to improve wildlife habitat E314A









913
1
Conservation Cover - Enhancements E327 Conservation cover to provide food habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects E327136Z1







155
3
8
2
Conservation Cover - Enhancements E327 Conservation cover for pollinators and beneficial insects E327A







90
1
11
1
Conservation Crop Rotation - Enhancements E328 Resource conserving crop rotation to reduce water erosion E328101R







129
14
129
14
Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Intensive cover cropping (orchard/vineyard floor) to increase soil health and SOM content E340106Z3





65
5




Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Cover crop to minimize soil compaction E340107Z





15
1


15
1
Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Intensive cover cropping to increase soil health and soil organic matter content E340B







27
5


Cover Crop - Enhancements E340 Use of soil health assessment to assist with development of cover crop mix to improve soil health E340E







9
1


Forage and Biomass Planting - Enhancements E512 Forage and biomass planting to reduce soil erosion or increase organic matter to build soil health E512B









7
1
Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Crop tree management for mast production E666132Z1









26
1
Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Creating structural diversity with patch openings E666133Z1





134
2




Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Reduce forest stand density to improve wildlife food sources E666136Z2





82
1




Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Snags, den trees, and coarse woody debris for wildlife habitat E666137Z1



1,150
10
363
3
299
4
185
1
Forest Stand Improvement - Enhancements E666 Snags, den trees, and coarse woody debris for wildlife habitat E666O







1,075
5
654
8
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Grazing management for improving quantity/quality of plant structure/composition for wildlife E528133Z2





79
8


79
8
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Grazing management for improving quantity and quality of cover and shelter for wildlife E528137Z1







10
1
10
1
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Maintaining quantity and quality of forage for animal health and productivity E528140Z1









79
8
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Improved grazing management for enhanced plant structure and composition for wildlife E528E









7
1
Prescribed Grazing - Enhancements E528 Implementing Bale or Swath Grazing to increase organic matter and reduce nutrients in surface water E528P







9
1
9
1
Riparian Herbaceous Cover - Enhancements E390 Increase riparian herbaceous cover width to enhance wildlife habitat E390136Z





9
1




Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Establishing tree/shrub species to restore native plant communities E612132Z





100
1




Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Adding food-producing trees and shrubs to existing plantings E612133X1









14
2
Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Sugarbush management E612133X3





414
1
1,435
1
1,435
1
Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Tree/shrub planting for wildlife food E612136Z



165
1


138
2
4
1
Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Tree/shrub planting for wildlife cover E612137Z





9
1




Tree/Shrub Establishment - Enhancements E612 Tree/shrub planting for wildlife food E612G







680
1


Notes:
• Data Source: USDA-NRCS, National Planning and Agreements Database (NPAD), October 2022.
• Land unit acres may be counted multiple times across practices and fiscal years.
• Totals over detailed enhancements may not exactly match totals in main table due to rounding.
To learn more about CSP bundles and enhancements, please see CSP Enhancements and Bundles

More Information

The data in this report in CSV format (file includes all titles and table notes) can be downloaded here.

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Return to the RCA Data Viewer.

For more information about NRCS Conservation Programs, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/

Citation for this website:
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
National Planning and Agreements Database October (NPAD) October 2022
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC. 31 March 2023*
<http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/data-and-reports/rca-data-viewer/>
*[use date the website was accessed]