USDA Reaches Out to Farmers and Ranchers for Conservation Effects Assessment Project Survey

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are partnering to gather information about conservation practices used on agricultural lands. Nearly 23,000 operators nationwide will receive the 2025 Conservation Effects Assessment Project survey, which will provide data to support the third set of national and regional cropland assessments delivered by USDA's Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP). The survey aims to quantify the effects of conservation practices across the nation's working lands and inform programs that benefit producers by protecting natural resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 Conservation Effects Assessment Project survey will be sent to nearly 23,000 operators nationwide to gather information about conservation practices used on agricultural lands.
  • The survey is a multi-agency effort led by NRCS to quantify the effects of conservation practices across the nation's working lands.
  • Local NASS representatives will visit farmers and agricultural landowners in August and September 2025 to determine if their operations and properties meet the criteria to be considered eligible candidates for the survey.
  • Eligible farmers and landowners may be contacted between November 2025 and March 2026 to participate in the survey, which will discuss farm production practices, chemical and fertilizer applications, tillage, irrigation use, and installed conservation practices.
  • NASS will provide survey data to NRCS, the agency tasked with publishing findings, which will be used to guide conservation program development and support agricultural producers and partners in making informed management decisions.
  • The CEAP survey is conducted through a cooperative agreement between NRCS and NASS, and information provided to NASS is kept confidential, as required by federal law.

Statistics:

  • 23,000 operators nationwide will receive the 2025 Conservation Effects Assessment Project survey.
  • The survey aims to affect conservation practices across the nation's working lands.
  • The survey will involve visits from local NASS representatives in August and September 2025.
  • Eligible farmers and landowners may be contacted between November 2025 and March 2026 to participate in the survey.
  • NASS will provide survey data to NRCS, which will be used to guide conservation program development.

Sources:

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  • USDA's Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)