The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages agricultural producers and forest landowners across the Southeast to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. NRCS is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which help a wide variety of producers, including urban producers.
For fiscal year 2024, NRCS has Farm Bill funding available to producers for priorities like urban agriculture, soil health, water quality and quantity and wildlife habitat development.
NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for conservation practices that are popular among urban producers, including high tunnels, soil health management systems, composting, irrigation, and weed and pest management. Urban agriculture includes the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban areas. Community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic and aquaponic facilities and vertical production, are all examples of urban agriculture. Learn more on NRCS’ Urban Agriculture webpage.
For more information about assistance available, contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.