Animal Feeding Operations

The NRCS objective in working with Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) is to help AFO owners and operators to achieve their production and natural resource conservation goals through development and implementation of comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMPs). Each CNMP includes the following characteristics:

A subset of a conservation plan that is unique to the animal feeding operation.
Combines management activities and practices into an integrated system.
Site specific.
Voluntary.
Focuses on nutrient and sediment aspects of water quality.

Additional Information

Principles of Collaboration, Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations, Cost and Capability Assessment, May 10, 2001
Principles of Collaboration, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, July 25, 2001
Statement of Involvement, USEPA and USDA, Interactions on the Proposed Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Regulation and Standards for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (40 CFR Parts 122 and 412), November 23, 2001
Statement of Involvement and Collaboration, USEPA and USDA, Collaborative Cost and Capability Assessment, November 23, 2001
Statement of USDA Involvement, USEPA and USDA, Interactions on the Total Maximum Daily Load Public Listening Sessions, November 23, 2001
US EPA's New Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Rule, Information, and Brochures

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Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Training Opportunities
Financial and Technical Assistance Available to CAFO Owners and Operators
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Assistance Available from Technical Service Providers

CNMP Technical Guidance - Spanish Translation
CNMP Fact Sheet

Program Contact

Barry Frantz, Program Leader, 717-237-2216