Tom Schneider

Walk through the recurring mistakes that destroy applications from people who should have been approved. Contractors propose methods, materials, or designs that don't match Field Office Technical Guide specifications, then act surprised when NRCS says no. Here's the thing: NRCS conservation practice standards are non-negotiable. The standard is the standard. Work within it or don't apply.

Before you can be approved as a TSP or vendor, you need to have your basic compliance house in order, including: SAM.gov registration; conservation compliance; and state licensing or professional registrations. The Compliance Checklist tool at www.landconnect.mygro.co walks you through these requirements step by step.

With the right guidance and the links I'm providing in this article, most qualified contractors can move from curious to approved in roughly 30 to 90 days. Not a year. Not six months if you know the right person. Thirty to ninety days, following a documented process that's been public the entire time. The approval rate when you do it right? North of 95%. The problem isn't that the system is rigged.