Technical Service Providers (TSPs) are individuals, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies certified to work with NRCS to help agricultural producers plan and apply conservation practices on the land. TSPs:
- Develop conservation plans including Conservation Activity Plans
- Plan, design, lay out, and install conservation practices
- Inspect completed practices for certification, as applicable
Benefits
TSPs can assist producers with nutrient management, energy use, forestry, grazing, irrigation, organic agriculture, and/or wildlife habitat and other practices. They provide a variety of conservation planning services and the appropriate supporting documentation. TSPs maintain confidentiality and also help farmers, ranchers and forest land owners comply with federal, state, tribal and local laws and requirements, and to meet commitments made under NRCS conservation program contracts.
While TSPs work primarily with individuals, the NRCS State Conservationist has the option to authorize the use of a TSP to deliver conservation planning with groups – for example, those in a given watershed or drainage district.
Producers can chose to have a TSP provide technical assistance for the planning, design or installation of conservation practices. TSPs negotiate payment for services directly with the producer. Once technical services are completed, the TSP provides documentation and an invoice to the producer. The producer provides documentation and an invoice to NRCS. NRCS reimburses the producer at a contracted rate established by the program. The maximum rates for technical services are listed on the TSP website under “Payment Rates.”
How to Apply
To find a TSP to assist you, or to learn how to become a TSP, visit your local USDA Service Center or the TSP Tech Registry at http://techreg.usda.gov.
More Information
TSP Fact Sheet (PDF, 477KB)
TSP Fact Sheet (Spanish PDF, 1496kb)
Find your local USDA Service Center 
or www.nrcs.usda.gov/getstarted.
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