Technical Soil Services and Conservation Planning Integrated Approaches, Tools and Resources.

One of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Science Division major priorities is to sharpen the focus of technical soil services to enhance and support conservation planning.  The poster will highlight the importance of integrated approaches, tools and resources in achieving sustainable farming systems of soil, water, air, plant, animal and human resources.  Case studies, field trials, demonstrations are all important approaches for technology exchange.  Interdisciplinary teams including producers and partners are essential in developing integrated sustainable farming systems.  NRCS provides resource inventory, technical assistance and training for planners, partners and producers on “how-to” evaluate and understand site-specific field conditions, including chemical, biological and physical. This enables us to evaluate and implement best management practices/approaches for cropland management within an integrated whole farming system. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation version 2 (RUSLE2) is a process-based model that predicts long-term average annual soil loss for a given set of climatic conditions, on a defined land slope, and under a specified cropping and tillage management system.  RUSLE2 can be used to predict the erosion and soil quality benefits of conservation practices. Also, as part of the Soil Science Division ongoing support, a tool to assist planners, soil scientists and land managers in assessing soil health, Soil Health – Rapid Assessment Tool, is being developed. One of the goals is to bridge the gap and utilize the same resources, including management information, for soil survey and conservation planning tools, creating integrated tools. Integrated approaches, tools and resources in developing long-term sustainable conservation plans for our nation’s farms and ranches will be provided.