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Croplands Assessments

Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) croplands assessments quantify the effects of voluntary conservation efforts across the nation’s croplands at both regional and national scales.

About Croplands Assessments

Through CEAP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) quantifies trends in cropland conservation practices, and associated outcomes, over time. This data empowers a diversity of customers to evaluate conservation successes, identify potential improvements, and set targeted, measurable goals for the future.

Cropland farmers may leverage CEAP findings to inform on-the-ground decisions related to conservation tillage, cover crops, irrigation, nutrient management, and many other conservation actions. NRCS and conservation partners equally rely on CEAP assessments to evaluate regional and national conservation outcomes and to guide targeted, data-driven prioritization of future efforts and initiatives.

CEAP croplands assessments are developed using confidential farmer surveys coupled with modeling. Data sources for CEAP models include the National Resources Inventory and records from both NRCS and Farm Service Agency offices at USDA Service Centers. Additional details on this sampling and modeling approach are available on the CEAP Frequently Asked Questions page.
 

Croplands Publications

Reports, Articles, and Bibliographies
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The below publications provide data and associated insights on the effects of voluntary conservation across croplands at both national and regional scales. Categories including national reports, regional reports, a bibliography, and other articles. Within each category publications are organized in descending order by date.

National Reports

 

Regional Reports

 

Bibliography

Environmental Benefits of Conservation on Cropland: The Status of Our Knowledge, 2006

 

Other Articles

Fact Sheets: Conservation Insights
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The below includes Conservation Insights fact sheets on the effects of voluntary conservation across the nation's croplands.
Webinars and Blogs
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The below Conservation Outcomes Webinar recordings feature scientists and other subject matter experts speaking on the effects of voluntary conservation across the nation's croplands. Blogs related to CEAP croplands assessments are also included. Both webinars and blogs are organized in descending order by date. 

Conservation Outcomes Webinars

  • April 29, 2021 – NRCS Conservation Practices Delivering Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Carbon Sequestration Benefits: Webinar Recording 
  • June 25, 2020 – Tillage Management and Structural Conservation Practices: CEAP II Report on Changes in Adoption Rates: Webinar Recording

Blogs

Farmer Survey Documents
Soybeans are planted into corn residue and wild mustard, with trees to the left and cloudy blue skies above.
The below documents provide farmer questionnaires and respondent booklets, in descending order by date, for farmer surveys conducted by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service in support of CEAP croplands assessments.

Additional Resources

Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)

USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) is a multi-agency effort led by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to quantify the effects of conservation practices across the nation’s working lands.

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Frequently Asked Questions | Conservation Effects Assessment Project

This webpage provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP).

Last Updated: February 28, 2023

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Publications | Conservation Effects Assessment Project

USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project, CEAP, provides a suite of publications highlighting the effects of voluntary conservation across the nation’s working lands. 

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Conservation Outcomes Webinar Series

The bi-monthly Conservation Outcomes Webinar Series provides key findings, data, and tools to support producers and partners in pursuing voluntary conservation efforts across the nation's working lands. 

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Chris Lester

Acting Modeling Team Lead and Croplands Lead, Conservation Effects Assessment Project