The Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has a mission to develop a responsible Soil & Water Conservation program for the county that will be implemented through the SWCD. The SWCD assists in organizing, developing and implementing programs, on matters relating to natural resource conservation. The SWCD partners with State and Federal agencies, including the NRCS to reduce and eliminate the pollution of the county's water resources.

The SWCD offers many programs to the residents of Otsego County. Some of these programs include: Tree & Shrub Program, Agriculture Assessment, Soil Information, Water Quality Management, Conservation Education, Topographic Map Sales, Mine Land Reclamation Plans.

The FSA administers the federal farm programs of Price Stabilization and Agricultural Conservation. Price stabilization and conservation work together to save the soil, preserve clean water, protect farm income, and assure food supplies.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a Federal agency under the Department of Agriculture. NRCS's mission is to provide leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, improve, and sustain our natural resources and the environment. The NRCS works hand-in-hand with Otsego County landowners to conserve natural resources on their property.

The NRCS has a "toolbox" of programs available to assist individuals or groups with their conservation needs that are derived from the provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill. The programs are primarily financially driven and are strictly voluntary.