USDA Updates Farm Conservation Practices Handbook Rules
Published Date: 9/1/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is updating some rules in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices to help protect the environment better. Farmers, landowners, and conservationists should check out these changes and share their thoughts by October 1, 2026. These updates could affect how conservation projects get planned and funded, making it easier to care for the land.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
New On‑Farm Groundwater Recharge Rule
A new conservation practice standard called On‑Farm Recharge (Code 641) formally lets you apply surface water to cropland connected to unconfined aquifers to help recharge groundwater when crops are dormant. This CPS was developed from interim CPS Code 817 and contains the criteria to do this practice.
Soil Carbon Amendment Requirements Changed
The Soil Carbon Amendment standard (Code 336) now requires a minimum carbon‑to‑nitrogen ratio of 20:1 (biochar excluded), sets timelines for soil and amendment testing, adds biochar storage rules, bans application to frozen ground, and removes the prior exclusion on amendments from crop or woody residues. The revisions also expand flexibility for applying amendments on slopes and in high‑phosphorus risk areas.
Nutrient Management Moves To Risk‑Assessment
The Nutrient Management standard (Code 590) shifts from plan‑centered guidance to a strategy‑centered, risk‑assessment approach and updates testing guidance to emphasize nutrient use efficiency, drinking water and air quality protection, and emerging technologies such as precision agriculture and biological amendments.
Agrichemical Facility Rules Allow Multi‑Owner Sites
The Agrichemical Handling Facility standard (Code 309) was fully revised and now explicitly permits multi‑owner facilities to implement the practice, updates liner material and liquid‑tight structure requirements, introduces buoyancy control, and allows manufactured sumps. The revisions aim to make the CPS applicable across diverse operational needs.
High Tunnel Raised Bed Height Requirement
The High Tunnel System standard (Code 325) now requires raised planting beds to be 18 inches high to accommodate machinery‑formed natural soil beds and framing. The CPS also adds language about salt buildup beneath high tunnels and reorganizes operational guidance.
Pond Lining and Leak‑Detection Changes
Updates to pond sealing and lining standards include a reduced minimum liner thickness for clean‑water storage impoundments in the Compacted Soil Treatment standard (Code 520) and a new leak‑detection requirement for concrete linings installed in high‑permeability soils in the Concrete Lining standard (Code 522).
Virtual Fencing Now Recognized In Fence CPS
The Fence standard (Code 382) was updated to incorporate virtual fence technology across multiple sections, add plain‑language clarifications, and include contemporary ecological and wildlife interaction considerations. The purpose language was adjusted to state the practice facilitates resource management.
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