Analysis is made of the success of a 50‐year experiment in the United States to control soil erosion. Findings are reported from a 13‐state study of farmers’ adoptions of conservation plans prepared by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). The study sites have some of the highest rates of soil erosion found in the United States, yet only about a third of the farm operators have conservation plans. Furthermore, many of these plans are outdated and the actions required to reduce soil erosion often are not implemented. The Farm Security Act of 1985 represents a new strategy for addressing long‐standing soil erosion problems.