Farm Bill Update: New Rules Aim to Speed Up Conservation Advice Using Outside Experts

This bill, the 'Increased TSP Access Act of 2025,' tweaks how farmers and ranchers get technical help for conservation projects. It amends the old Food Security Act of 1985 to bring more private-sector experts, known as Technical Service Providers (TSPs), into the mix. The main goal? To get timely, science-based advice out faster by streamlining how these outside experts get certified and paid.

Opening the Doors: More Experts, Faster Certs?

So, what's changing on the ground? The big shift is allowing approved non-Federal groups—think industry organizations or even state agencies—to certify these TSPs alongside the USDA. The Secretary of Agriculture has 180 days to set up this process. If you're an expert with existing specialty certifications, there's supposed to be an even faster track. The idea is to beef up the roster of qualified folks, including agricultural retailers, who can help design and implement conservation practices. For example, a farmer looking to implement rotational grazing might connect with a certified agronomist from a local co-op, potentially quicker than waiting for direct federal assistance. The USDA has tight deadlines: 40 business days to approve a certifying entity and 10 business days to add a newly certified TSP to the official registry.

Following the Money and Measuring Up

How do these experts get paid? The bill mandates the Secretary to set 'fair payment amounts' for TSP services, making them equivalent to what the government would charge for similar help. This calculation needs to consider real-world costs like equipment, travel, and training. Crucially, payments farmers receive to hire these certified TSPs won't count against other federal cost-sharing limits and can cover up to 100% of this 'fair payment amount'. This could make specialized help more affordable. To keep things transparent, within a year, the USDA has to publicly report how much money is going to TSPs, how the certification process is working, and estimate the federal staff hours saved by using these outside experts.

The Fine Print: Potential Hurdles and Oversight

While speeding things up sounds good, the details matter. Allowing non-Federal groups to certify experts raises questions about consistency and oversight. Will standards remain high across different certifiers? The bill requires the USDA to review certification requirements within a year to ensure quality isn't sacrificed for speed. There's also the question of 'fair payment' – setting rates that are truly fair to both the providers (especially smaller, independent ones) and taxpayers will be key. The bill also requires outreach to figure out barriers TSPs face. Ultimately, the success hinges on whether this new system genuinely expands access to quality advice efficiently, without creating new bottlenecks or favouring larger players over smaller, local experts.