This study aims at analyzing the interaction between livelihood and soil conservationrnpractices in Yaii Chebo, Ambo wereda. It particularly focuses on the factors whichrncontribute for making decision to adopt soil conservation practices among farmers andrnpower relations emerging as different actors interact in the conservation scheme.rnObservations, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, survey methodrnand cases were used to collect data for this study. The farmers at Yaii chebo reside inrnan environment characterized by rugged and mountainous topography with steeprnslopes which naturally makes it vulnerable to land degradation in the form of soilrnerosion. Various factors like population pressure and a consequent deforestation, atrndifferent times in history, have made the degradation process aggravated. Therninteraction between the livelihoods of farmers and the environmental changes is sornenormous to the extent of forcing farmers continually make small livelihoodrnadaptations to their farming practices with their available resources. Among the majorrnadaptations are soil conservation practices which were also encouraged and supportedrnby governmental and nongovernmental organizations at various levels. Yet, therndecisions to adopt soil conservation practices have more to do with other social factorsrnthan awareness level of farmers regarding soil erosion and soil conservation practices.rnLack of resources mainly ownership of small plots of land impeded resource poorrnfarmers from actively engaging in soil conservation practices. As soil conservationrnpractices are long term investments, most farmers rather prefer to focus on thernimmediate subsistence of their households. Moreover, the soil conservationrninterventions has created a power hierarchy whereby access to farm information andrnalternative livelihood diversifying means are linked to previously existing ownership ofrnfarm resources leading to the relative advantage of resource rich farmers . Thernanalysis showed; there is no guarantee that awareness leads to adoption of soilrnconservation practices. Holistic and contextual dimensions of soil conservationrninterventions will be needed to maintain a sustainable environment.