[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 10]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1468.9]

[Page 710-711]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XIV--COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1468_CONSERVATION FARM OPTION--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart A_General Provisions
 
Sec. 1468.9  Conservation farm plan.

    (a) The conservation farm plan forms the basis of the CFO contract. 
Prior to contract approval, a conservation farm plan must be written and 
approved. In deciding whether to approve a conservation farm plan, CCC 
may consider whether:
    (1) The participant will use conservation practices to solve the 
natural resource concerns that will maximize environmental benefits per 
dollar expended, and
    (2) The conservation practice would have been eligible for 
enrollment in the CRP, EQIP, or under the WRP cost-share agreements.
    (b) The conservation farm plan for the farm or ranch unit of concern 
shall:
    (1) Describe any resource conserving crop rotation, and all other 
conservation practices, to be implemented and maintained on the acreage 
that is subject to contract during the contact period;
    (2) Address the resource concerns identified in the CFO pilot 
project area proposal;
    (3) Contain a schedule for the implementation and maintenance of the 
practices described in the conservation farm plan;
    (4) Ensure that net environmental benefits under a CRP contract are 
maintained or exceeded for the whole farm, as constituted by FSA, when 
terminating a CRP contract and enrolling in a CFO contract; and
    (5) Meet the objectives of the pilot project area.
    (c) The conservation farm plan is part of the CFO contract.
    (d) The conservation farm plan must allow the participant to achieve 
a cost-effective resource management system, or some appropriate portion 
of that system, identified in the applicable NRCS field office technical 
guide or as approved by the State Conservationist.
    (e) Participants are responsible for implementing the conservation 
farm plan in compliance with this part.
    (f) Upon a participant's request, the NRCS may provide technical 
assistance to a participant.
    (1) Participants may, at their own cost, use qualified 
professionals, other than NRCS personnel, to provide technical 
assistance. NRCS retains approval authority over the technical adequacy 
of work done by non-NRCS personnel for the purpose of determining CFO 
contract compliance.
    (2) Technical and other assistance provided by qualified personnel 
not affiliated with NRCS may include, but not limited to: conservation 
planning; conservation practice survey, layout, design, and 
installation; information, education, and training for producers; and 
training and quality assurance for professional conservationists.
    (g) All conservation practices scheduled in the conservation farm 
plan are to be carried out in accordance with the applicable NRCS Field 
Office Technical Guide. The State Conservationist may approve use of 
innovative conservation measures that are not contained in the NRCS 
Field Office Technical Guide.
    (h)(1) To simplify the conservation planning process for the 
participant, the conservation farm plan may be developed, at the request 
of the participant, as a single plan that incorporates, other Federal, 
state, Tribal, or local government program or regulatory requirements. 
CCC development or approval of a conservation farm plan shall not 
constitute compliance with program, statutory and regulatory 
requirements administered or enforced by a non-USDA agency, except as 
agreed to by the participant and the relevant Federal, state, local or 
tribal entities.

[[Page 711]]

    (2) CCC may accept an existing conservation plan developed and 
required for participation in any other CCC or USDA program if the 
conservation plan otherwise meets the requirements of this part. When a 
participant develops a single conservation farm plan for more than one 
program, the participant shall clearly identify the portions of the plan 
that are applicable to the CFO contract. It is the responsibility of the 
participant to ascertain and comply with all applicable statutory and 
regulatory requirements.