Agronomy Assessments and Tools - NRCS assesses the physical condition or extent of management applied to identify any potential expected degradation of the soil, water, air, plant, or animal resource base to the extent that the sustainability or intended use of the resource is impaired. Assessment methods include procedural planners use well-defined procedure to acquire data used to determine the resource condition, ex. Rangeland Health Assessment), predictive (assessed using models created to predict the probability of an outcome, ex. RUSLE2), observation (direct observation or client interview, ex. Classic gully observed) and deduction methods.
Organic and Transitioning to Organic - NRCS provides assistance to organic producers in addressing resource concerns that include, but not limited to assistance with, developing conservation plan, establishing buffer zones, planning and installing pollinator habitat, improving soil quality and organic matter while minimizing erosion, developing grazing plan and supportive livestock practices, improving irrigation efficiency, enhancing cropping rotations and nutrient management, and to provide assistance to protect water quality concerns.
General Resources
National NRCS Agronomy Manual
Conservation Technology Information Center
USDA Agricultural Research Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service Plant Science Institute
Soil Erosion and Conservation Compliance
RUSLE2 SCI and Water Erosion Program
For more Agronomy Information, visit the national NRCS Agronomy web page.
Contact:
Scott Crockett, State Resource Conservationist
Phone: 907-761-7758
Email: Scott.crockett@ak.usda.gov
Dr. Craig Smith, Agronomist
Phone: 907-373-6492, ext. 108
Email: Craig.Smith2@ak.usda.gov