Landowners across north-central Kansas work with PC Excavating to implement conservation practices that protect topsoil, manage water flow, and meet the requirements of government conservation programs. We specialize in terracing, waterway construction, erosion control, and drainage improvements for working farms and agricultural properties. With GPS and laser-guided equipment, we build conservation features to NRCS specifications, helping landowners preserve their land while participating in programs like EQIP, CSP, and others.
Whether you’re implementing a conservation plan, addressing erosion problems, or improving field drainage, our team understands the standards these projects require and the timelines farmers work within. We coordinate with conservation districts and program administrators to ensure work meets specifications and qualifies for program payments.
Conservation Practices We Install
Conservation work involves shaping land to control water flow, reduce erosion, and protect soil productivity. The practices we install are designed to last and perform according to engineering standards. This requires precise grading, careful placement, and construction that follows NRCS guidelines.
We handle terracing to reduce slope length and prevent soil loss on sloping fields, grassed waterway construction to safely channel runoff without erosion, erosion control structures including diversions and berms, and agricultural drainage improvements to manage excess water and improve field conditions. Each project is built to the specifications provided by your conservation planner or district technician.
Working with Government Conservation Programs
Many of our agricultural customers are enrolled in USDA conservation programs that provide cost-share assistance for implementing practices like terraces and waterways. We’re experienced with the documentation, specifications, and inspection processes these programs require. When your conservation plan calls for earthwork, we work directly with you and your conservation district to ensure the project meets program standards and qualifies for payment.
We understand that program timelines can be tight, especially when weather windows are limited. We’ll coordinate our schedule with your planting or harvest plans to minimize disruption to your operation.
Precision Technology for Conservation Work
Conservation structures have to be built to precise grades. A terrace that’s off by even a few inches won’t function correctly and may not pass inspection. Waterways need the right slope to move water without causing erosion. Our GPS and laser-guided equipment allows us to achieve these tolerances reliably, which is why conservation districts and landowners in the area trust us with this work.
This technology also speeds up the construction process. We can establish grades faster and more accurately than traditional methods, which matters when you’re working around planting schedules or weather windows.
Who We Serve
Our conservation customers include working farms implementing NRCS conservation plans, landowners addressing erosion or drainage problems on larger properties, and agricultural operations improving land productivity through water management. We focus on projects where the conservation work is part of a broader farm management strategy, not one-off landscaping jobs.
Service Area for Conservation Work
Based in Clay Center, we serve agricultural customers within approximately one hour of our location. This includes farms and properties throughout north-central Kansas in communities like Manhattan, Salina, Abilene, Junction City, and the surrounding rural areas. If your conservation project is in this region, contact us to discuss your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Conservation & Agricultural Services
How do I know if I need terraces or waterways?
If you’re seeing soil loss, gullies forming, or water running across fields in ways that damage crops or productivity, conservation structures may help. The best first step is contacting your local conservation district. They can assess your land, determine what practices would be effective, and help you apply for cost-share programs if you qualify.
Do you work with conservation districts and NRCS?
Yes. We coordinate with conservation district technicians and NRCS staff regularly. When your project is part of a government program, we follow the specifications they provide and work with them through the inspection and approval process. This ensures the work qualifies for program payments and meets the standards required.
How long does terrace or waterway construction take?
It depends on the size of the project and the number of structures being installed. A single terrace or waterway might take a few days. Larger projects involving multiple terraces or extensive waterway systems can take several weeks. We’ll provide a timeline when we give you the estimate, and we’ll coordinate with your farming schedule to minimize disruption.
Can you work around planting or harvest schedules?
Yes. We understand that farm work operates on tight seasonal windows. When we schedule conservation projects, we coordinate with your planting, harvest, and field access needs. If weather or your schedule changes, we’ll adjust our timeline to fit your operation.
What happens to the topsoil during construction?
When building terraces or waterways, we typically strip and stockpile topsoil before doing the earthwork, then replace it after the structure is shaped. This preserves soil quality in the areas where construction occurs. The specifics depend on your conservation plan and the practices being installed, but protecting topsoil is usually part of the process.
How do I get cost-share funding for conservation work?
Contact your local USDA Service Center or conservation district office. They can explain which programs you might qualify for, help you apply, and develop a conservation plan that identifies the practices your land needs. Once you’re approved, they’ll provide specifications for the work, and we can give you an estimate based on those plans.
Will conservation structures affect how I farm the land?
Terraces, waterways, and other conservation features do change how you navigate fields and manage crops in those areas. However, they’re designed to fit your operation while protecting the land. Your conservation planner will work with you to place structures in ways that minimize impact on farming operations while achieving erosion control and water management goals.
Schedule Your Free Estimate
Ready to discuss conservation work on your property? Contact PC Excavating at (785) 447-0042 to schedule a free estimate. We’ll review your conservation plan, visit your land, and provide clear information about implementing the practices your property needs.