Understanding NRCS Conservation Practice Standards

What Are NRCS Conservation Practice Standards?

NRCS Conservation Practice Standards are detailed technical specifications developed by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that define how specific conservation practices should be planned, designed, and implemented on agricultural and forestland. Each practice standard is identified by a name and a three-digit code number.

These standards serve two purposes:

1. Technical guidance: They provide the specifications that ensure conservation practices are implemented correctly and effectively. When NRCS says “Brush Management (Code 314),” there is a detailed document behind that code specifying what brush management means, what outcomes it must achieve, how it should be performed, and what documentation is required.

2. Funding basis: EQIP cost-share payments are linked to specific practice standards. When you receive an EQIP contract, it specifies which practice codes will be funded, the payment rate for each, and the standards that must be met to receive payment.

For private landowners in the Southeast, understanding the most relevant practice standards is essential for navigating the EQIP process and communicating effectively with NRCS planners. This guide translates the most important practice standards from bureaucratic language into plain English.

The Most Relevant Practice Standards for Southeastern Landowners

Code 314 — Brush Management

What NRCS says: “The management or removal of woody (non-herbaceous or succulent) plants including those that are invasive and noxious.”

What it means for you: Brush Management is the practice code that covers forestry mulching of unwanted woody vegetation — the dense thickets of sweetgum, Chinese privet, wax myrtle, Brazilian pepper, and other brush that have taken over your property.

Key specifications:

• The practice must address a documented resource concern (degraded habitat, impaired forest health, excessive fuel loads, etc.)
• Treatment must be performed using approved methods (mechanical removal, prescribed fire, chemical treatment, or a combination)
• The practice standard specifies minimum treatment effectiveness thresholds
• Follow-up management (fire, herbicide, or both) is typically required as part of the conservation plan

Typical payment rates: $250–$600 per acre (varies by state and year)

When to use it: Any time you are removing unwanted brush and woody vegetation from your property. This is one of the most frequently funded EQIP practices in the Southeast and one of the most versatile — it applies to overgrown pastures, fire-suppressed forests, invasive species infestations, and utility corridor maintenance.

Important note: Brush Management requires that the treated area be maintained after initial treatment. NRCS does not want to pay for brush removal that will be completely undone by regrowth within a few years. Your conservation plan should include a maintenance component — typically prescribed fire and/or follow-up herbicide application.

Code 666 — Forest Stand Improvement

What NRCS says: “The manipulation of species composition, stand structure, or stand density in existing stands of forest and pre-commercial size trees.”

What it means for you: Forest Stand Improvement (FSI) is the practice code that covers timber stand improvement — selectively removing undesirable trees to improve the growth, health, and value of the remaining forest.

Key specifications:

• The practice must be guided by a written forest management plan or equivalent documentation
• Treatment must target specific species, size classes, or structural components identified in the plan
• Residual stand density must be specified (typically expressed as target basal area per acre)
• Acceptable methods include thinning, liberation cutting, improvement cutting, mid-story removal, and sanitation cutting
• Forestry mulching is an approved implementation method

Typical payment rates: $150–$450 per acre (varies by state and year)

When to use it: When your pine stand is being choked by competing hardwoods, when you need to thin an overstocked plantation, or when you are removing low-value stems to release crop trees. FSI is the go-to practice code for mid-story hardwood removal in pine stands.

How it differs from Code 314: There is overlap between Brush Management (314) and Forest Stand Improvement (666). The key distinction is that Code 666 is specifically focused on improving an existing forest stand — it implies standing timber with identified crop trees. Code 314 is broader and can apply to situations where there is no significant timber component (brush fields, abandoned pastures, etc.). Your NRCS planner will determine which code best fits your situation.

Code 338 — Prescribed Burning

What NRCS says: “Applying fire to a predetermined area under prescribed conditions and within a prescribed weather window.”

What it means for you: This is the practice code that funds prescribed fire on your property. It covers the cost of conducting a controlled burn, including labor, equipment, and fire management.

Key specifications:

• A written burn plan is required, specifying objectives, prescription weather parameters, ignition techniques, and contingency procedures
• The burn must be conducted by a certified prescribed burn manager (in states that require certification, such as Florida)
• Appropriate firebreaks must be in place before burning
• Smoke management planning is required
• Post-burn documentation (acreage burned, fire behavior, weather conditions) is required

Typical payment rates: $30–$80 per acre (varies by state and year)

When to use it: Any time you are conducting prescribed fire as part of your management plan. Because prescribed fire is relatively inexpensive compared to mechanical treatments, the EQIP payment rate often covers most or all of the cost of the burn, particularly when combined with other funded practices.

Important note: Some states fund multiple burns within a single EQIP contract (e.g., two or three burns over a 3-year contract period). This allows you to establish a regular fire rotation with EQIP support during the contract period.

Code 394 — Firebreak

What NRCS says: “A permanent or temporary strip of bare or vegetated land planned to retard fire or as a control line from which to manage a prescribed fire.”

What it means for you: This practice code funds the construction and maintenance of firebreaks around prescribed burn units. Firebreaks are essential safety infrastructure for any property where prescribed fire is being used.

Key specifications:

• Firebreaks must be of sufficient width and construction to serve their intended purpose
• Construction methods include disking, plowing, mowing, or mulching
• The practice standard specifies minimum width requirements based on fire behavior and fuel conditions
• Maintenance provisions are typically included in the contract

Typical payment rates: $1.50–$4.00 per linear foot (varies by state, year, and construction method)

When to use it: When you need to build or restore firebreaks before conducting prescribed fire. For properties where fire is being reintroduced after a long absence, firebreak construction is often one of the first and most essential steps. The per-linear-foot payment rate means that larger properties with longer perimeters receive proportionally more funding.

Code 315 — Herbaceous Weed Treatment

What NRCS says: “The removal or control of herbaceous weeds including invasive, noxious, prohibited, or undesirable plants.”

What it means for you: This practice code funds herbicide treatment of invasive grasses and herbaceous weeds — most notably cogongrass, Japanese stiltgrass, and other non-woody invasive species.

Key specifications:

• Target species must be identified and documented
• Treatment method must be specified (foliar spray, spot treatment, etc.)
• Herbicide must be applied according to label directions by a qualified applicator
• Follow-up monitoring and retreatment are typically required
• Application records must be maintained (product, rate, date, weather, area treated)

Typical payment rates: $50–$200 per acre (varies by state and year)

When to use it: Any time you are treating herbaceous invasive species. Cogongrass treatment is one of the most common applications for this practice code in the Southeast. Because cogongrass requires multiple herbicide applications over 2–3 years for effective control, this practice code is often funded for multiple application cycles within a single EQIP contract.

Code 612 — Tree/Shrub Establishment

What NRCS says: “Establishing woody plants by planting seedlings or cuttings, direct seeding, or natural regeneration.”

What it means for you: This practice code funds tree planting — most commonly longleaf pine in the Southeast. It covers the cost of seedlings, planting labor, and site preparation related to planting.

Key specifications:

• Species selection must be appropriate for the site (soil type, drainage, climate)
• Planting density must meet minimum stocking requirements
• Seedling quality standards must be met (root collar diameter, height, mycorrhizal colonization for longleaf)
• Site preparation must be adequate to ensure seedling survival
• A survival assessment is typically required 1–2 years after planting

Typical payment rates: $200–$500 per acre (varies by state, year, and species)

When to use it: When you are planting trees — particularly longleaf pine — as part of a restoration or reforestation project. This practice code is frequently combined with Code 314 (Brush Management) for site preparation and Code 338 (Prescribed Burning) for post-planting management.

Code 645 — Upland Wildlife Habitat Management

What NRCS says: “Provide and manage upland habitats and connectivity within the landscape for wildlife.”

What it means for you: This is the comprehensive wildlife habitat practice code. It covers a broad range of activities — from habitat assessment and planning through implementation of specific habitat improvements — all under the umbrella of wildlife habitat restoration.

Key specifications:

• A wildlife habitat evaluation or assessment must be completed
• Management activities must be based on the habitat needs of identified target species
• The practice must address specific habitat deficiencies (food, cover, water, space)
• Implementation may include a combination of mechanical treatment, fire, planting, and management activities
• The practice is typically funded as an annual per-acre payment rather than a one-time per-acre payment

Typical payment rates: $50–$150 per acre per year (varies by state and year)

When to use it: When your primary management objective is wildlife habitat improvement. This practice code works well in combination with other codes — for example, Code 314 (Brush Management) provides the mechanical treatment, Code 338 (Prescribed Burning) provides the fire, and Code 645 provides the overarching habitat management framework. The annual payment structure of Code 645 provides ongoing management funding that supports long-term habitat maintenance.

Code 643 — Restoration of Rare or Declining Habitats

What NRCS says: “Restoring, managing, or maintaining rare or declining native habitats and their associated wildlife species.”

What it means for you: This practice code is specifically designed for ecosystem restoration — most notably longleaf pine ecosystem restoration in the Southeast. It provides funding for the comprehensive restoration of declining habitats, including site preparation, planting, fire management, and invasive species control.

Key specifications:

• The target habitat must be documented as rare or declining (longleaf pine, pitcher plant bogs, canebrakes, etc.)
• A comprehensive restoration plan is required
• Multiple management activities may be funded under this single code
• Documentation of rare or declining species associated with the habitat may be required

Typical payment rates: Variable — often higher than comparable individual practice codes because it covers comprehensive restoration activities

When to use it: When your property has potential for restoration of a documented rare or declining ecosystem. In the Southeast, longleaf pine ecosystem restoration is the most common application. This practice code often receives priority ranking in the EQIP competitive process, significantly improving your odds of funding.

How Practice Standards Connect to EQIP

The Application-to-Payment Pipeline

Understanding how practice standards fit into the EQIP process is essential:

1. Conservation plan development: Your NRCS planner assesses your property and identifies resource concerns (degraded habitat, invasive species, fire exclusion, erosion, etc.)

2. Practice selection: Based on the resource concerns, your planner recommends specific practice standards that address those concerns. This is where the three-digit codes enter the picture.

3. Application scoring: Your application is scored based on how effectively the selected practices address the identified resource concerns. Applications that combine multiple complementary practices (e.g., Code 314 + Code 338 + Code 645) typically score higher than single-practice applications.

4. Contract development: If funded, your contract specifies each practice by code number, the acreage or linear footage, the payment rate, and the timeline for completion.

5. Implementation: You (or your contractor) implement the practices according to the specifications in the practice standard.

6. Verification: An NRCS technician verifies that the practice was implemented according to the standard. This may include a site visit, photograph review, and documentation audit.

7. Payment: After verification, NRCS issues payment at the contracted rate.

Bundling Practices for Maximum Impact

The most successful EQIP applications in the Southeast bundle multiple complementary practice codes. Here are three common bundles:

Fire Restoration Bundle:

• Code 314 — Brush Management (mid-story mulching)
• Code 394 — Firebreak (perimeter firebreak construction)
• Code 338 — Prescribed Burning (initial and maintenance burns)
• Code 645 — Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (ongoing habitat management)

Longleaf Pine Restoration Bundle:

• Code 643 — Restoration of Rare or Declining Habitats
• Code 314 — Brush Management (site preparation)
• Code 612 — Tree/Shrub Establishment (longleaf planting)
• Code 338 — Prescribed Burning (establishment and maintenance burns)

Invasive Species Management Bundle:

• Code 314 — Brush Management (mechanical removal of woody invasives)
• Code 315 — Herbaceous Weed Treatment (herbicide treatment of herbaceous invasives)
• Code 338 — Prescribed Burning (fire as maintenance tool against invasive regrowth)
• Code 666 — Forest Stand Improvement (removing invasive trees from forest stands)

Common Scenarios and Recommended Codes

Working with Your NRCS Planner

What to Bring to Your First Meeting

When you visit your local NRCS office to discuss conservation practice options, bring:

• Property map or aerial photograph: Show your property boundaries and the areas you want to manage
• Current property photos: Pictures of the vegetation, invasive species, and general condition
• Your goals: Be clear about what you want to achieve — timber improvement, wildlife habitat, fire management, invasive species control, or some combination
• Management history: When was the property last burned? Has it been logged? Any previous management activities?
• Budget considerations: What can you invest? What would EQIP funding need to cover?

Questions to Ask Your NRCS Planner

• Which resource concerns does my property address?
• What practice codes are most appropriate for my situation?
• What are the current payment rates for those practices in our state?
• When is the next application batching period?
• What documentation will I need to support my application?
• Are there priority resource concerns that would improve my application ranking?
• Can I qualify for higher cost-share rates (beginning farmer, veteran, etc.)?

Building a Successful Relationship

The NRCS planner assigned to your application is your most important ally in the EQIP process. Building a productive working relationship means:

• Being responsive to requests for information and documentation
• Visiting the NRCS office in person when possible
• Providing accurate, complete information about your property and operation
• Following through on commitments
• Keeping the planner informed of any changes to your plans or timeline

A land manager experienced with NRCS programs — like the team at TreeShop, which regularly assists landowners with EQIP conservation practices — can help bridge the gap between your management goals and the NRCS practice standard framework, ensuring your application is complete, accurate, and competitive.

Understanding Practice Standard Updates

NRCS periodically updates conservation practice standards to reflect new research, field experience, and policy changes. Updates may affect:

• Approved implementation methods
• Payment rates
• Minimum specifications and requirements
• Documentation requirements
• Eligible scenarios and applications

Your NRCS planner will always have the most current version of each practice standard. State-level supplements may add requirements or modify specifications beyond the national standard. Always confirm current requirements with your local NRCS office rather than relying solely on published guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know the practice codes to apply for EQIP?

No. Your NRCS planner will identify the appropriate practice codes based on your property assessment and management goals. However, having a basic understanding of the codes helps you communicate more effectively, understand your contract, and evaluate whether your application is capturing all available funding opportunities.

Can I use the same practice code on different parts of my property?

Yes. If your property has multiple management units that need the same treatment (e.g., mid-story removal on three separate stands), the same practice code can be applied to each unit. Your contract will specify the total acreage and location for each practice.

What happens if I do not meet the practice standard exactly?

Minor deviations from the practice standard can sometimes be resolved through a contract modification. Significant deviations may result in reduced payment or, in extreme cases, repayment of funds already received. The best approach is to understand the standard before you begin, communicate with your NRCS office during implementation if any issues arise, and document your work thoroughly.

Are these practice codes the same in every state?

The national practice standards provide a baseline that applies everywhere. However, each state NRCS office can add state-level supplements that modify specifications, payment rates, or eligible scenarios. For example, longleaf pine restoration practices may have different specifications in Florida than in Virginia, reflecting the different ecological conditions. Always work with your local NRCS office to understand the state-level requirements.

How do I find the full text of a practice standard?

The complete text of every NRCS conservation practice standard is available at the NRCS Electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG) website. Select your state and navigate to Section IV (Practice Standards) for the full documentation. Your NRCS planner can also provide printed copies of relevant standards.