Technical Assistance

The RCD provides technical assistance to landowners, farmers, ranchers and other land managers in the Central Valley. We provide planning and design services for a range of resource concerns, and topics including wildlife, water, climate, agriculture and education.

We also provide site assessments to landowners, growers and ranchers to evaluate resource concerns and outline the steps required to develop solutions to resource problems. If you would like more information or assistance on your property, please contact us at programs@eaststanrcd.org.

Some of the conservation practices for which the RCD can provide technical assistance may include:

An RCD staff person is always available to conduct a short property visit to discuss land use concerns, potential solutions, and design constraints.

The East Stanislaus RCD can assist in putting together a conservation plan specific to your operation that outlines the use and best management practices of natural resources on private or public property. Usually consisting of maps, soils information, resource inventory, and related information, the plan lays out resource conservation in a straightforward manner. A conservation plan can also make your farm more productive and keep it viable. Most importantly, it is your decision what goes into the plan. There are several options to help provide technical and financial assistance with your conservation plan:

Conservation Stewardship Program: Available on tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land, CSP is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns by undertaking additional conservation activities, and improving upon existing conservation activities. Examples include using high-residue cover crops, precision application technology for nutrient application, planting firebreaks, and mulching.

Conservation Reserve Program: Pays a yearly rental payment in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental quality.

Conservation of Private Grazing Land: Ensures that technical, educational, and related assistance is provided to those who own private grazing lands. It is not a cost share program. This technical assistance offers opportunities for: better grazing land management; protecting soil from erosive wind and water; using more energy-efficient ways to produce food and fiber; conserving water; providing habitat for wildlife; sustaining forage and grazing plants; using plants to sequester greenhouse gases and increase soil organic matter; and using grazing lands as a source of biomass energy and raw materials for industrial products.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program: provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, the program helps Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land.

Plant nutrients are essential for crop production. It is essential to apply the proper quantities during the appropriate times of the year to help achieve ideal crop yields. However, the improper application of nutrients, especially nitrogen or phosphorus, can cause water quality problems for wildlife and the communities who depend on these water resources. The RCD has programs and services for farmers needing technical assistance with nutrient management practices on their farms or ranches.

As in most of California, water is a valuable commodity in Stanislaus County. Stanislaus County has two groundwater basins and managing surface and groundwater is vital to the health of our communities, wildlife and economy. The RCD has programs and services for farmers needing financial or technical assistance with water conservation on their farms or ranches.