With the ACPF you can leverage the power of geo-spatial data to make strategic field-scale conservation decisions
The Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) is a free ArcGIS toolbox that leverages high-resolution geo-spatial data to help local farming communities better address their soil and water conservation needs.
THE AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PLANNING FRAMEWORK NATIONAL HUB
The National Hub for the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework is focused on serving NRCS offices and supporting partners across the US to implement the use of ACPF in conservation planning processes on multiple scales. The National Hub is composed of several partners including: The Conservation Professional Training Program, Iowa Water Center, Iowa State University, Minnesota Water Resources Center, North Central Region Water Network, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.
LATEST NEWS
The ACPF National Hub is excited to release ACPF version 7 toolbox and the ACPF 2025 spatial data framework!
In Version 7, we are adding a suite of new tools and tool modifications to identify opportunities for phosphorus removal structures, or P-Traps, that address dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) in agricultural landscapes.
Also in version 7, the ACPF National Hub is supporting a near-national scale of ACPF use. To accomplish this, a national field boundary collection has been assembled and made available through a web feature service. You no longer download existing data from our website, just choose a HUC12 and use the Utilities in the toolbox. If you know your HUC12 ID, open the Utilities drawer in the toolbox and paste the ID into the u1. Initialize ACPF Core data and you’re on your way!
ACPF AND THE WATERSHED APPROACH
The ACPF is being used in hundreds of watersheds in states across the Corn Belt to inform and engage local producers in agricultural conservation.
Also in version 7, the ACPF National Hub is supporting a near-national scale of ACPF use. To accomplish this, a national field boundary collection has been assembled and made available through a web feature service. These services allow a user to access the field boundary collection on a HUC12 basis and begin the creation of an ACPF file-geodatabase. By using the Utilities tools u1–u4, the user can create an ACPF core database in file-geodatabase format for one of over 50,000 agricultural HUC12 watersheds in the US.
Curious for more examples of where ACPF is being used? Explore the ACPF use map displaying watersheds that have reported using ACPF.
WHY USE ACPF
Facilitates targeted conservation
The ACPF identifies and addresses high-risk areas enabling conservation efficiency and effectiveness.
Supports watershed planning
The ACPF identifies high-risk areas and determines solutions that can serve as the foundation for watershed plans. The output maps generated through ACPF show the watershed as a whole, simplifying area-wide planning.
Saves time and resources
The ACPF takes the guesswork out of talking to producers and installing conservation practices and streamlines conservation planning.
Enables local-level flexibility
The ACPF is non-prescriptive, allowing landowners and local stakeholders to choose the option that is right for their land, their community, and their watershed.
Promotes stakeholder engagement
The ACPF facilitates conversation between diverse stakeholders with different perspectives, issues and priorities. The ACPF output maps can be used in conversations with producers, drainage authorities, county supervisors, and program managers, to name a few.
Provides scientific validity to conservation funding opportunities
The ACPF output maps help conservation professionals scientifically justify recommendations and proposals to producers and funders. With ACPF, grant applicants can prioritize and develop potential projects for funding based on outputs.