What is a Technical Service Provider or TSP?
Technical Service Providers (TSPs) are individuals or businesses that have technical expertise in conservation planning and design for a variety of conservation activities. TSPs are hired by farmers, ranchers, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies to provide these services on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Each certified TSP is listed on the NRCS TSP online registry, TechReg. The TSP registration and approval process involves required training and verification of essential education, knowledge, skills and abilities.
What kind of work can a TSP do?
TSP's provide conservation technical services to NRCS clients in two broad areas: Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) development and Conservation Practice design, installation and checkout. There are 14 separate CAPs and several different practice categories, each with individual TSP eligibility requirements.
Technical Service Providers Factsheet (PDF, 477KB)
TechReg - NRCS's online TSP Registry
TechReg is the online registry of Technical Service Providers where:
| New and Certified TSPs can |
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| Landowners looking for assistance can |
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| Individuals and businesses can |
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Conservation Activity Plans (CAPs)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) supports payment for practices involving the development of certain plans called "Conservation Activity Plans" or CAPs. Only certified TSPs can be hired to complete these plans.
Conservation Practice Design, Installation and Checkout
TSP Resources
What's New?
News & Events - Current TSP News & Events.
NEW (4-22-15) 2014 Farm Bill 7 CFR 652 Final Rule-The “Changes to Existing Conservation Program Regulations” was published in the Federal Register at the following web location: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/09/2015-08008/changes-to-existing-conservation-program-regulations
NEW (12-15-14) Changes in all practices and CAPs for 2015 have been released in TechReg. This includes the posting of certification criteria for the new CAP 128 Agricultural Energy Management Plan which replaces the CAP 122 AgEMP-Headquarters and CAP 124 AgEMP-Landscape.
NEW (10-29-14) National Bulletin 300-15-5 LTP-EQIP Conservation Activity Plans for FY 2015 was posted. The plan development criteria and templates for CAPs for Fiscal Year 2015 have been posted on the EQIP and TSP websites. Certification criteria for the CAPs has not been published in TechReg yet, but will follow soon.
NEW (8-7-14)-AgLearn Account Registration Now Available-A link has been re-established for TSPs to register for an AgLearn account. This link is accessible only to individuals and entities pursuing TSP certification. More information is available on the Training Opportunities webpage.
REMINDER-Your password for accessing TechReg expires every 6 months. Please try to keep your password current. If you are having trouble accessing your profile due to an inactive account, please contact the eAuthentication Help Desk and request for your password to be reset. DO NOT CREATE A NEW EAUTH ACCOUNT, LOG IN AND PASSWORD OR NEW TECHREG PROFILE.
REMINDER-FY 2015 USDA Information Security Awareness Training is required of all TSPs who have an eAuthentication Login and an AgLearn Account. You may access the course through AgLearn or contact your State TSP Coordinator for assistance.
Feedback
Send the National TSP Team a comment.
You can get technical support a number of ways:
Contact TechReg Support by email.
For problems with your USDA eAuthentication account email the eAuth Help Desk or contact the USDA help desk via phone at 1-800-457-3642.
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Contact the National TSP Team by email for questions about certification, policy, rules, and general questions about the TSP Program.
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