Welcome! The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a federal agency within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) whose primary mission is to help protect and improve natural resources on private working lands.

NRCS “helps people help the land” by providing technical assistance to help land managers address resource concerns related to water quality, grazing land health, soil erosion, wildlife habitat and forest health. NRCS also provides financial assistance to help agricultural and forestry producers voluntarily implement conservation practices on private lands.

How to Get Started: 

1. Review the contents of this packet.
2. Call your local NRCS office (phone numbers below) to discuss your land, goals, and natural resource concerns.
3. Complete form AD-2047 (below) with an NRCS planner
4. Schedule a site visit with an NRCS conservation planner
5. Finalize your conservation plan with an NRCS conservation planner
6. Discuss how USDA programs can be used to implement your conservation plan
    

This Packet Includes: 

Read and keep these items…

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	How EQIP Works (PDF) A step-by-step guide to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Updated June 2021.
	Thinking about Working with NRCS fact sheet (PDF) Key points to help you consider your eligibility to work with NRCS and a few considerations for entering into a contract with NRCS.
	Establishing Your Farm Record (web page) What is a farm record and how to obtain one from the Farm Service Agency in order to apply for USDA-NRCS financial assistance programs.
	Historically Underserved Producer fact sheet (PDF) Find out if you qualify for additional incentives if you belong to one of these 4 categories.
	Advance Payments fact sheet (PDF) If you qualify as a historically underserved producer, you are eligible for advance payments to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
	Conservation Compliance fact sheet (PDF) Get the basics on ensuring your land complies with wetlands and highly erodible land guidance before installing conservation practices with NRCS.
	Email Updates on Gov Delivery fact sheet (PDF) With just a few clicks, sign up for email updates from NRCS Alaska to stay informed on program sign up deadlines and other information.
	Manage Your Application online at Famers.gov fact sheet (PDF) The secure Farmers.gov portal allows you the option to submit application paperwork digitally. Save time and paper!
	Conservation Concerns Tool (Farmers.gov) Learn about different types of conservation issues that might impact the productivity or natural resources on your farm, ranch, or forest by exploring the Conservation Concerns Tool on Farmers.gov. You can also build a list of concerns to discuss with a local NRCS conservation planner.

For you to fill out …

• Form AD-2047 - Customer Data Worksheet Request for SCIMS Record Change (PDF)
  Complete Part A only. This form establishes you as a customer in the USDA system and is required to be completed before receiving NRCS assistance.
   

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• High Tunnel System - outreach packet for new farmers (web page)

Ready to start? Contact your local NRCS field office.