What are Common Land Units (CLUs)?
SDA Common Land Units (CLUs) are standardized geographic areas defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the purpose of land management, agricultural planning, and resource conservation. These units provide a consistent framework for organizing and analyzing spatial data related to agricultural and environmental activities.
Common Land Units are easily understood, by viewing these units in a map. In the image below, you can see specific designated land units mapped with defined boundaries.
How are Common Land Units Defined?
CLUs are typically derived from detailed geographic information systems (GIS) data and are defined based on factors such as land use, soil type, topography, and other relevant features. They can vary in size and shape depending on the characteristics of the land within each unit.
For a parcel to be defined as a CLU, the Farm Service Agency (part of the United States Department of Agriculture) defines these as having:
- A permanent and contiguous boundary
- Common land cover and land management
- A common owner
- A common producer (farmer/rancher) association
CLUs closely match a farmers field. Boundaries which help identify a CLU include fences, waterways, woodlands, crop lines (where the crop stops) and other physical objects which provide a border.
These designated areas provide a very accurate way to identify specific parcels of farmland which can help provide benefits in a number of different ways!
How are CLUs Used?
These units are used by various USDA agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and others, to support programs related to conservation, crop insurance, disaster assistance, and land use planning. By using CLUs, these agencies can better understand and manage agricultural landscapes while promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Some examples of CLUs include:
- Geomapping
- Digitization of Paper Maps
- GIS Use for Acreage Reporting
- Data & Analytics Gathering
- Legal Definitions
Further Reading
Common Land Unit Information Sheet – US Department of Agriculture