Farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners can now do business with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through a new Conservation Client Gateway announced today.

NRCS chief Jason Weller says the portal will allow producers will have the ability to work with conservation planners online to access Farm Bill programs, request assistance and track payments for their conservation activities. “Instead of having to drive into a field office, a producer can now log in through their account…and do a lot of different services on line,” said Weller, such as applying for assistance, scheduling appointments and even sign documents electronically.

Weller says the portal has been in development for years and was tested in the real world by early adopters like Iowa farmer Tim Palmer. “I think this is a frugal use of my time and a better use of our local NRCS staff,” said Palmer, citing the ability to get information from NRCS from his smart phone or tablet even in the field. “Time is very important when you’re tending to a farm.”

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