Contacts:  Contacts | NRCS Minnesota (usda.gov)

What are Technical Soil Services (TSS)?

Technical soil services (TSS) are the professional application of soils information.

The Technical Soil Services branch of NRCS provides free assistance to partner agencies; public and private, profit and non-profit organizations; as well as the general public.

What does TSS do for NRCS and SWCDs?

• We support conservation planning compliance determinations and reviews (both HEL and wetlands).
• We support the Farmland Policy Protection Act (FPPA) with technical assessment for prime farmland and soils of statewide importance
• We support agency programs and initiatives, including NRI, ecological site development, and soil health investigations.
• We conduct onsite assessments for resource inventories, practice designs, and practice implementation.
• We conduct field and area office quality assurance reviews.
• We maintain official reference documents, such as the relevant sections of the eFOTG.

What else does TSS do?

• We provide general soils-related information in person, on the phone, by social media, and by email.
• We provide soils-related training to partner agencies and organizations.
• We provide support for youth education through soil judging, land judging, student field days, and Envirothons.
• We work with you to identify and obtain the soils information you need to address your specific concerns.
• We help you find and use NRCS tools and information resources such as:  Web Soil Survey, Soil Data Access, and Geospatial Data Gateway.
• We work with you on unique projects that required custom analysis of soil data and information.

How do I get help with TSS?

• Contact your State Soil Scientist (Minnesota also has an Assistant State Soil Scientist).
• Contact a resource soil scientist (they are located in area and/or field offices).
• Contact a Soil Science Division staff soil scientist (they are located in 12 regional offices and 124 soil survey offices nationwide).

Minnesota Technical Soil Service Priorities (Top 5)

1. Provide Soil Information to internal/external customers

2. Provide site-specific soil Investigations

3. Provide site-specific soil Investigations for Ag. Waste Storage Facilities

4. Assist with Ecological Sites – data collection and analysis; review descriptions

5. Provide soils training for Field Offices and state and local partners

Contacts | NRCS Minnesota (usda.gov)