Editor’s note
2/4/2024 — This new publication is currently only available as a PDF. The full text will be available on this webpage soon.
This guide summarizes eligibility requirements, program objectives and benefit information for six federal conservation programs that can help a farm operation become more drought resilient:
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
- General Conservation Reserve Program (General CRP)
- Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (Continuous CRP)
- Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP)
- Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE)
Improving drought resilience through conservation practices
A cropping operation depends on water availability and soil and plant health. Although you cannot influence or change the weather, you can implement conservation practices that make your operation more resilient to drought. Conservation practices are techniques that conserve, protect and improve natural resources such as soil, water, air, plants and animals.
Below are some examples of conservation practices that can make your farm more resilient to drought.
Soil health
Practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping and conservation crop rotation that includes high residue crops prevent soil erosion, increase organic matter, and improve soil structure and water retention. Healthy soils with increased organic matter are better able to absorb and retain water during dry periods, providing a more reliable water supply for crops and ecosystems.
Plant health
Practices such as drought-resistant plant use, agroforestry, rotational grazing and riparian buffer strips make systems more resistant to drought stress, enhance water infiltration and quality, and reduce runoff. Through such practices, you can safeguard your water resources and obtain resilient productivity.
Water availability
Many conservation practices focus on reducing water usage and improving water efficiency in agricultural, urban and natural settings. Techniques such as drip irrigation, mulching and precision irrigation help minimize water waste and optimize water use, allowing farmers to make the most of limited water resources during a drought.
Download the PDF for the full publication.