USDA Launches 2025 Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) Survey

Strategic Insights -

The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are partnering to conduct the 2025 Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) Survey. The survey aims to gather in-depth information about the use of conservation practices on cultivated cropland. Approximately 23,000 operators across the contiguous US will be visited by NASS in August and September 2025 to determine survey eligibility, followed by a more in-depth follow-up survey in November 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 CEAP Survey is a joint effort between NRCS and NASS to assess the environmental and management outcomes of conservation on cultivated cropland across US farms.
  • The survey will visit approximately 23,000 operators across the contiguous US in August and September 2025, with a follow-up survey to be conducted in November 2025.
  • The data collected will be combined with information from the National Resources Inventory, NRCS field staff, and multiple data sources to estimate the environmental and management outcomes of conservation practices.
  • CEAP Cropland Assessments quantify the effects of voluntary conservation efforts across the nation's cropland at both regional and national scales.
  • The survey will enable farmers to tell their conservation success stories, conservation partners to improve the science and delivery of programs and practices, and policymakers to prioritize programs that enable farmers to address resource concerns.
  • Deputy Chief Terron Hillsman emphasized the importance of measuring and quantifying the benefits of conservation implemented through both financial and technical assistance provided by NRCS and the voluntary efforts of farmers.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 23,000 operators will be visited by NASS in August and September 2025 to determine survey eligibility.
  • The survey will cover the contiguous US.
  • The 2025 CEAP Survey follows the first year of surveys conducted by NASS.
  • The CEAP Cropland Assessments enable producers to tell their conservation success stories.
  • The assessments also help conservation partners improve the science and delivery of programs and practices.
  • The data collected will be used to estimate the environmental and management outcomes of conservation practices on cultivated cropland across US farms.

Sources:

  • USDA News Release: 2025 Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) Survey (https://www.usda.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2025-conservation-effects-assessment-project-ceap-survey)
  • NRCS Deputy Chief Terron Hillsman statement (as quoted in the news release)