Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

Since 1935, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (originally called the Soil Conservation Service) has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources.

With grant funding awarded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) Professional Development Program, Oregon Tilth and NRCS, in cooperation with other key partners, will improve cross-coordination between conservation program delivery and organic certification by implementing professional training sessions in the tri-state area. The audience for this project includes in-the-field conservation planners and organic inspectors. Project partners include Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State University, Oregon State University, NRCS offices in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho and other NGOs specializing in organic certification requirements.

While the overall goals of organic certification and conservation practices may be the same, often the methods and implementation strategies have been different. In addition, professionals in both the organic and conservation arenas have limited knowledge and experience working in each other’s realms.

Working with NRCS is an opportunity to share Oregon's unique resource concerns, highlight the importance of leveraging partnerships to achieve conservation results on the ground, and help shape how Farm Bill legislation is implemented nationwide.