Farmers and ranchers looking to make improvements to land you own or lease need to check with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). They offer voluntary programs to eligible landowners and producers that provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources sustainably. Through these programs NRCS approves contracts that provide financial assistance in helping plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land.
NRCS financial assistance programs include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), that addresses natural resource concerns and delivers environmental benefits like improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitat.
NRCS financial assistance programs also include the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). It helps producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resource concerns. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance—the higher the performance, the higher the payment.
For more information on applying for NRCS assistance simply stop by your local USDA Service Center.