Agricultural Conservation
North Country Engineering, Inc. (NCE) provides Civil and Agricultural Engineering services to landowners throughout Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. We are certified with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as a Technical Service Provider (TSP). We are accessible and available to assist you with any agricultural project and can meet with you on-site to discuss your needs or provide on-site technical assistance.
Look below for more information on TSPs and the services that NCE can provide:
What is a TSP?
(You may also download this information in Microsoft's PowerPoint format: WHAT_IS_A_TSP.ppt)
- TSPs are public or private entities
- They must be certified by NRCS
- Their role is to help implement the Farm Bill for NRCS
- The technical services they provide are:
- Conservation Planning
- Design and Practice Specifications
- Implementation
- Practice Checkout (Inspection and Cerification)
Why does the NRCS use TSPs?
- The 2002 Farm Bill provided an unprecendented investment in conservation
- NRCS cannot provide all of the staff necessary for technical assistance
- The TSP program provides NRCS a means of bridging the gap:
- NRCS program participants have a choice of conservation technical assistance providers
- A customer may choose to work with NRCS conservation professionals or may call upon the services of a certified TSP
- It's the customer's choice!
How do I hire a TSP?
- Landowner & NRCS work to select a program that fits their needs (I&E stage)
- NRCS determines applicant eligibility
- Landowner decides to use a TSP for all or a portion of the conservation practice/program
- NRCS creates or modifies the landowner contract based on funds
- Landowner finds a TSP and contacts them
- Landowner works directly with the contracted TSP
- TSP performs the work, certifies that NRCS standards are met, documents satisfactory completion and provides documentation to landowner
- Landowner provides the NRCS with TSP invoice and all documentation
- NRCS authorizes payment and reimburses landowner, who then pays the TSP. Alternatively, NRCS can pay the TSP directly.
What technical assistance can NCE provide?
- Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (Whole Plan) for manure management
- Planning, Design, Survey, Inspection for:
- Livestock watering, housing and waste storage systems
- Drainage and erosion control
- Spring development
- Stream or river restoration
- Wetland creation, enhancement, or restoration
- Soil and grade stabilization
- Access roads and livestock access corridors
- Roof water runoff management
- Aquaculture and fish raceways
- Farm Bill Cost Share program assistance
- Meet all NRCS — MI Standards and Specifications
- Keep contract costs within NRCS reimbursable rates!
Where can I get more information?
- Call NCE for information on TSPs in general or your operation specifically
- Visit NRCS Technical Service Providers - www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/tsp.html
- Visit Tech Reg - techreg.usda.gov
- Visit your local NRCS office - www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/Field%20Offices.html
- Contact Amy Bastone to learn more
