USDA seeks info about local conservation practices for 2025 project survey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, in partnership with the department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, seeks in-depth information about local conservation practices, so officials are reaching out to those already working in the field.

They want to hear from the Big Island’s farmers, ranchers and agricultural landowners.

Nearly 23,000 operators nationwide will be selected for the 2025 Conservation Effects Assessment Project survey.

Local National Agricultural Statistics Service representatives will visit farmers and agricultural landowners this month and in September to determine if their operations and properties meet eligibility criteria to participate in this year’s survey.

Eligible farmers and landowners will be contacted between November and March of next year to be asked to participate in the survey.

Typical questions will discuss farm production practices; chemical, fertilizer and manure applications; tillage; irrigation use; and installed conservation practices.

Data obtained from the survey will support the third set of national and regional cropland assessments delivered by the federal ag department’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project.

The multi-agency effort — led by Natural Resources Conservation Service — aims to quantify the effects of conservation practices throughout the nation’s working lands.

Conservation Effects Assessment Project cropland assessments quantify the environmental outcomes associated with implementation and installation of conservation practices on agricultural lands.

Findings are used to guide conservation program development in support of agricultural producers and partners to make informed management decisions backed by data and science.

Specifically, results can help:

• EVALUATE RESOURCES farmers might need in the future to protect soil, water and habitat.
• SHED LIGHT ON TECHNIQUES farmers use to conserve healthy environments.
• IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROGRAMS that help landowners plan and install conservation practices on agricultural land.
• SUPPORT CONSERVATION PROGRAMS that can help producer profits while also protecting natural resources.

Information is kept confidential, as required by federal law. Data is published only in aggregate form, ensuring no individual respondent or operation can be identified.

National Agricultural Statistics Service will provide survey data to National Agricultural Statistics Service, which is tasked with publishing findings.

Survey results will be coupled with modeling to report on trends in cropland conservation — and associated outcomes — from 2024 through 2026.

A report about the Conservation Effects Assessment Project cropland assessments will subsequently be published on the cropland assessments website.

Contact U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service at 888-424-7828 or visit the agency website with any questions about the survey or for additional information.