Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have long been America’s original conservationists, stewarding the land and natural resources. Today, most farmers advocate for strengthening NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) voluntary conservation programs, recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship.
The good news is that strengthening these programs doesn’t have to come from monetary investments alone. The Increased TSP (Technical Service Providers) Access Act, introduced in both the House and the Senate last month, marks a welcome, commonsense step forward in streamlining their efficiency.
TSPs and voluntary conservation programs play crucial roles in conserving and improving America’s lands. Voluntary conservation programs allow landowners to bring a variety of concerns to the NRCS, including those pertaining to nutrient management, pest control, water conservation, forest management, or transitioning to organic farming.
TSPs are certified experts in the sciences of agriculture, soils, forestry, ecology, sociology, economics, hydrology, engineering and similar sciences that work directly with landowners to understand their natural resource needs. They provide personalized planning, design, and ongoing support to help implement these impactful conservation initiatives.
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Unfortunately, a major TSP shortage limits many landowners’ access to NRCS programs. Conservation specialists shy away from the TSP certification process for very many reasons. “Unclear registration processes, certification requirements, limited payment rates, the program’s reimbursement model and intricacies surrounding eligibility” are all reasons cited by conservation policy experts interviewed by Agri-Pulse.
Additionally, TSPs are required to get recertified every three years. “Seems like every single time, there’s some kind of glitch and there’s usually some additional requirements that are needed,” said one TSP who has been through the recertification process six times.
In 2023, former NRCS Chief Terry Cosby noted that to fully meet the demand for technical assistance, the NRCS would need to hire an additional 3,000 to 4,000 employees. TSP employment is currently at its lowest point since the program’s creation in the 2002 Farm Bill, when there were around 1,500 TSPs. Today, that number has dropped to just over 1,000. That low number is troubling with the increased monetary investment in these programs.
While the White House has the authority to grant emergency hiring power to the NRCS, streamlining the TSP certification process and cutting red tape offers a more sustainable and impactful solution.
The Increased TSP Access Act aims to address a few of these key problems. The bill proposes granting agricultural retailers, conservation organizations, cooperatives, professional societies, and other non-federal entities the authority to certify individuals as TSPs, rather than waiting for the USDA to certify them. It also establishes a 40-day timeline for the USDA to approve certification applications, and mandates the USDA Secretary to implement a streamlined certification process for third-party providers.
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Lastly, the bill ensures that third-party providers are paid fairly, which is crucial given the high turnover rate. In 2023, 37.5 percent of new hires left their TSP positions, with only 500 out of 800 staying.
This bill’s bipartisan, bicameral nature highlights its significance, and reflects our nation’s commitment to supporting our farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. With the challenges of a changing climate affecting soil and water health, crop yields, and increasing droughts and heavy rainfalls, there’s no better time to support efforts like this. Congress should move on this bill swiftly to demonstrate to our farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, who are on the front lines of these challenges, that their conservation efforts are valued and supported by our nation.
