Conservation technical assistance is the help NRCS and its partners provide to land users to address opportunities, concerns, and problems related to the use of natural resources and to help land users make sound natural resource management decisions on private, tribal, and other non-federal lands.

This assistance can help land users:

Maintain and improve private lands and their management
Implement better land management technologies
Protect and improve water quality and quantity
Maintain and improve wildlife and fish habitat
Enhance recreational opportunities on their land
Maintain and improve the aesthetic character of private land
Explore opportunities to diversify agricultural operations and
Develop and apply sustainable agricultural systems
This assistance may be in the form of resource assessment, practice design, resource monitoring, or follow-up of installed practices.

Although the CTA program does not include financial or cost-share assistance, clients may develop conservation plans, which may serve as a springboard for those interested in participating in USDA financial assistance programs. CTA planning can also serve as a door to financial assistance and easement conservation programs provided by other Federal, State, and local programs.

Who Needs Conservation Technical Assistance?
NRCS and its partners use the CTA program to provide technical assistance to:

farmers
ranchers
local units of government
citizen groups
recreation groups
Tribal governments
professional consultants
State and Federal agencies
and others interested in conserving natural resources
This voluntary program is delivered to private individuals, groups of decision-makers, tribes, units of governments, and non-governmental organizations in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Marshall Islands.

All owners, managers, and others who have a stake and interest in natural resource management are eligible to receive technical assistance from NRCS. To receive technical assistance, the individual may contact their local NRCS office or the local conservation district. 

The working relationships that landowners and communities have with their local NRCS staff are unique. One-on-one help through flexible, voluntary programs occurs every day in local NRCS offices across the country. It is the way NRCS does business, and it works. To obtain conservation technical assistance, contact your local NRCS office.

How Can I Learn More?
Purpose of the CTA Program

How CTA Works

CTA Benefits and Products

How to Ask for CTA

Selecting a Technical Service Provider
What is a Technical Service Provider or TSP?
Technical Service Providers (TSPs) are individuals or businesses that have technical expertise in conservation planning and design for a variety of conservation activities. TSPs are hired by farmers, ranchers, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies to provide these services on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Each certified TSP is listed on the NRCS TSP online registry, TechReg.  The TSP registration and approval process involves required training and verification of essential education, knowledge, skills and abilities. 

What kind of work can a TSP do?
TSP's provide conservation technical services to NRCS clients in two broad areas: Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) development and Conservation Practice design, installation and checkout.  There are 17 separate CAPs and several different practice categories, each with individual TSP eligibility requirements. 

TechReg - NRCS's online TSP Registry
TechReg is the online registry of Technical Service Providers where: 

New and Certified TSPs can    login to techreg button
Landowners looking for assistance can    find a tsp button
Individuals and businesses can    become a tsp button
Conservation Activity Plans (CAPs)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) supports payment for practices involving the development of certain plans called "Conservation Activity Plans" or CAPs.  Only certified TSPs can be hired to complete these plans.

2014 Technical Service Providers Factsheet (PDF, 477KB)
 
Conservation Activity Plans Approved for Fiscal Year 2014 (PDF, 36KB)-Complete list and descriptions of CAPs being offered for FY 14
TSP Eligibility Criteria for Certification-Requirements for eligibility to become certified as a TSP
 
CAP Plan Development Criteria for Fiscal Year 2014-Content requirements for CAP plans
 
National Plan Templates for Fiscal Year 2014-National templates can be used by TSPs for plan development which meet Plan Development Criteria
 
CAP Payment Rates for Fiscal Year 2014-Payment rates paid to a landowner for contracted CAP plans
Conservation Practice Design, Installation and Checkout
Practice Categories and Eligibility Criteria Options (PDF, 86KB)-Requirements for eligibility to become certified as a TSP
 
Technical Service Payment Rates (TSPRs)- Payment rates paid to a landowner for contracted practices
TSP Resources 
Civil Rights Responsibilities
Training Opportunities 
Tools and References for TSPs
TSP Certification Agreement
TSP Forms
State TSP Coordinators
National TSP Team Regional Certifiers (PDF, 377KB)
TSP Manual, Policy & Rules
Recommending Organizations
Business Opportunities
USDA Offices
TSP Brochure-TSPs: Extending The Reach of
Conservation Folder CAP Inserts
What's New?
News & Events - Current TSP News & Events.
 

NOTICE (8-21-14):  AgLearn will be unavailable from Thursday, September 4th beginning at 9:00PM EST through Monday, September 8th at 7:00AM EST for maintenance.  TSPs will not be able to register for a new account, access their account home page or take any courses during this time.

NEW (8-7-14)-AgLearn Account Registration Now Available-A link has been re-established for TSPs to register for an AgLearn account.  This link is accessible only to individuals and entities pursuing TSP certification.  More information is available on the Training Opportunities webpage.

REMINDER-Your password for accessing TechReg expires every 6 months.  Please try to keep your password current.  If you are having trouble accessing your profile due to an inactive account, please contact the eAuthentication Help Desk and request for your password to be reset.  DO NOT CREATE A NEW EAUTH ACCOUNT, LOG IN AND PASSWORD OR NEW TECHREG PROFILE.

REMINDER-FY2014 USDA Information Security Awareness Training is required of all TSPs who have an eAuthentication Login and an AgLearn Account.  You may access the course through AgLearn or contact your State TSP Coordinator for assistance.

 Feedback
Send the National TSP Team a comment.

You can get technical support a number of ways:
Contact TechReg Support by email.

For problems with your USDA eAuthentication account email the eAuth Help Desk or contact the USDA help desk via phone at 1-800-457-3642.