Looking for a conservation plan?

Please read through the FAQs provided below to determine if a conservation plan is right for you. 

If after reading this information you would like to proceed with requesting a plan, please scroll down to find the link to request a conservation plan.

Q. I’m ready to farm, how long will it take to get a plan? 

A. Plans are completed on a first come, first served basis. Depending on how many cooperators were in queue for plan development prior to your plan starting, a plan will take a minimum of 3 months to complete once a planner has availability to initiate the process.

Q. I’ve started to notice erosion on my farm, can a plan help with that? 

A. Yes! A conservation plan will document areas of concern and the planner will work with you to provide solutions to concerns such as soil erosion. 

Q. What do I need to have ready to start a plan? 

A. The conservation planner will require that you have a good understanding of how the land is currently or will be used for the next 5 years. Essentially, you should be able to draw a map of your current/proposed farm that includes locations of fields, types of crops, and any notable features on the site such as roads or buildings. Boundaries of the fields should be established by visual identification or by providing a mapping file so that acreage can be calculated for each.

Additionally, you must be able to provide all of the information requested in the form (see items required below) and be in current control/ownership of the land. 

Q. How much will it cost?

A. The cost of plans varies depending on many factors. Examples of factors that may impact plan fees are the total acreage, type of operation, number of TMKs, number of decision-makers, number of locations, engineering plans to be included, or issues requiring additional technical expertise, such as cultural resources or adjacent protected areas. 

Q. I’m new to farming and am not sure what I want to do with the land, can you help me design my farm? 

A. No. The conservation planning process is set up for established farms or farms that have a clear plan of how land is or will be utilized for agricultural and conservation use. While we are able to provide guidance on suggested practices to improve operations in regard to natural resource conservation and this may entail changes to land use in some areas of the property, the purpose of the plan is not to recommend or design land use for an entire operation. 

Q. I’m interested in a plan to improve my stewardship of the land, are there other benefits to getting a plan? 

A. Yes! There are many reasons you may be interested in a plan but a few common reasons include having a formal document with maps to visually communicate your operation’s land management (to employees, service providers or other third parties), compliance with grading/grubbing ordinances, fulfilling a request by a land owner to ensure responsible land use by the lessee, and to qualify for grant/cost-share assistance.

In our request form, we ask that you provide the following information:

Personal Contact Information
  • First and Last Name
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Mailing Address
Farm / Business Information
  • Farm / Business Name
  • Property Address
  • Location Information
  • TMK Number
  • Size of Farm
  • Ownership Information
Additional Farming Information
  • Multiple Locations and their Relevant Information
Cooperator Information
  • Cooperator with the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
  • Reason for Obtaining a Conservation Plan
  • Proposed Agricultural Activity
Resource Concerns
  • Streams or Water features on the Property
  • Any Existing Resource Concerns (i.e. Steep Gulches, Runoff, etc.)
Sublease Information*

*Note: A separate conservation plan may be needed for each sublease.