GeoAgro CPlanner – a new way of doing business with the NRCS

GeoAgro Cplanner is a commercial software application focused on helping TSPs develop conservation
planning activities more efficiently and report conservation practices, plans, and documents to the NRCS
through the Internet.
This breakthrough innovation is the result of a 3-year partnership between the NRCS and GeoAgro, under the
project known as Conservation Transaction Plugin. This concept involved the implementation of an NRCS
deployed software development kit that can be used by commercial software to provide access to authorized
users to the NRCS Conservation Planning Database, and data resources.
The following Q&A gives an overview of the potential applications of this tool, and how it can help TSPs in
their everyday conservation work.
How does it work?
CPlanner enables TSPs to access NRCS customer folders containing Conservation Plans, from anywhere.
Whether it's from home, office or in the field CPlanner can be used to check out a customer folder, input
conservation practices, as well as related documents, and send the changes back to the NRCS. Data
confidentiality and security is assured through integration with the USDA eAuthentication system.
Information is shared with the NRCS State Office/District Conservationist, with the security feature that when
someone is modifying a Customer Folder, other users can only view the information.

It also includes simplified GIS/GPS features that streamline working with maps, doing commonly used
operations for conservation, such as buffers or strips, and taking to or bringing information from the field.
Also, the system is designed so TSPs may continue using the GIS of their choice as well.
Has it been tested in the field?
Yes. It was initially tested in three implementations during 2008 and 2009:
• From April 2008 to September 2009, it was used to develop CNMPs by TSPs in 25 locations
(http://www.CPlanner.com/Beta5.htm). State Offices, Technical Service Providers and Producers
participated in the field test, with the goal of measuring the effectiveness of the tool to streamline
CNMP development and reporting to the NRCS, as well as gather feedback for improving it. Both
TSPs and State Offices appreciated the benefits and potential of the tool, as shown in
http://www.CPlanner.com/testimonials.htm. Several benefits were identified, including a reduction in
TSP CNMP development time from 52 to 38 hours.
 • From September 2008 to June 2009 it was deployed as part of a CIG Grant for the NRCS Maine State
Office: “Conservation Plugin for Forest Management Planning in Maine”. Working with the State
Office, Maine Forest Service and Stewardship Foresters, the tool was customized for forest
management plan development, and field-tested in 3 locations. This experience showed several
benefits for foresters that want to apply for EQIP, providing them with better coordination with the
Maine Forest Service, and a user-friendly tool for conservation forestry practices mapping.
• From September 2008 to July 2009 it was deployed as part of a CIG Grant for the NRCS Florida State
Office: “Conservation Plugin for Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning in Florida”. Working
with the State Office, and experienced TSPs, the tools were further customized, built on the
experience of the previous CNMP implementation, and tested in three locations.
How will it support different conservation activities?
The tools' flexibility allows customization to support local needs and different types of Conservation Activity
Plans, while complying with NRCS national programs standards. For the initial deployment, the tools have
been customized for CNMPs and forest management plan development. In addition to this, it will be
gradually customized for other types of activity planning currently supported by NRCS, which include other
10 types of conservation activity plans: Grazing Management, Integrated Pest Management, Irrigation Water
Management, Agriculture Energy Management, Comprehensive Air Quality Management, Drainage Water
Management, Transition from Irrigated to Dryland Farming, Conservation Plans Supporting Organic
Transition, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plans.
How much does it cost?
GeoAgro Cplanner will be available free of charge during the six initial months of deployment. Afterwards, a
subscription fee will be charged to help offset the costs of support, maintenance, and improvements.
When and how will it be available?
A release date will be announced soon. The tool will be available for download from NRCS Techreg site, and
GeoAgro's Web site.