The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial and technical assistance to growers implementing conservation practices. The deadline to apply for several of these programs is November 6.
The programs are as follows.
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program — provides financial and technical assistance to producers improving water/air quality; conserving ground/surface water; improving soil health; reducing soil erosion and sedimentation; improving or creating wildlife habitats; taking steps to mitigate drought and prepare for volatile weather
- Conservation Stewardship Program — NRCS works one-on-one with growers to develop a conservation plan based on an operation’s unique objectives
- Regenerative Pilot Program — provides financial assistance to producers adopting conservation systems that improve soil health, water quality and long-term farm resilience.
- Agricultural Management Assistance — helps growers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices with assistance from NRCS, the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Risk Management Agency
Application instructions are available online. Growers are encouraged to contact their local USA Service Center for assistance with the process.