Producers are more likely to receive technical assistance for water quality and erosion than other resource concerns

Farming depends on a range of essential natural resources. When management practices degrade a resource used in farming, such as soil, to the point that the sustained productive use of the land is impaired, then it may be considered to have a “resource concern.” To address these concerns, producers can receive targeted technical assistance—personalized guidance—to improve farm and ranch performance. Researchers with USDA, Economic Research Service examined survey data of producers who sought assistance and found that those with water-driven erosion were most likely to receive technical assistance (36 percent of corn, soybean, cotton, and wheat acres with the concern), followed by on-field water quality (33 percent of acres) and wind-driven erosion (22 percent of acres). USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the most common provider of technical assistance for on-field resource concerns. Support can come directly from NRCS, or in the form of third-party technical service providers reimbursed by NRCS. Other forms of technical support include university cooperative extension staff, State agencies, and other sources. Resource concerns are one of five trends analyzed in the ERS report Status and Trends of USDA Conservation Programs, 2002–2025 published in March 2026.