The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in California announces it is accepting applications for federal assistance for agricultural producers through Nov. 6.
Opportunities for fiscal year 2027, extending from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round, but interested applicants should apply no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 6 for the application cutoff period.
This year, there will be a payment cap on Practice Code 646, seasonal water management for wildlife. Each contract will have a $100,000 per year limit for all instances of this practice.
“EQIP, CSP and ACEP are amazing tools that empower our producers to turn their conservation plans into action to protect our land and natural resources. They are how NRCS partners with producers to keep farmers farming,” said California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez.
Application cutoff periods allow NRCS to screen and rank applications for those with the highest conservation benefits across California’s landscapes, including cropland, ranchlands and private nonindustrial forestlands, said the agency. Additional signups may be announced at later dates.
Programs
EQIP provides financial assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits. These include improved water and air quality, improved irrigation efficiency, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, forest restoration and creating or enhancing wildlife habitat.
CSP provides eligible producers annual payments for actively managing, maintaining and expanding conservation activities integrated within their agricultural operations. CSP enhancements like cover crops, forestry management, livestock grazing management, irrigation water management and ecologically based pest management help producers improve various natural resource conditions. Other CSP activities are available to help sustain and increase pollinator, wildlife and beneficial insect habitats in harmony with the agriculture production and operation.
ACEP offers two easement options: agricultural land easements and wetland reserve easements.
ALE funds are provided to eligible entities to cost-share the purchase of conservation easements that protect farming and ranching on privately owned cropland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forestland, pastureland and grasslands of special environmental significance. Approved agricultural easements would prevent productive working lands from being converted to nonagricultural uses and maximize
protection of land devoted to food production. The agency encourages landowners to work with a local eligible entity to apply for the program, such as a land trust or nongovernmental organization with an established record of conserving farms and ranches.
WREs compensate farmers, ranchers and other private landowners for land placed in wetland conservation easements and shares the cost of restoring degraded wetlands. Eligible landowners can choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement. Tribal landowners also have the option of enrolling in a 30-year contract. The WRE program also includes a grazing reserve rights option that allows participants with an approved wetland and grazing management plan to enroll grazed land.
Applying for assistance
Applicants seeking financial assistance are required to meet Farm Bill Program eligibility in conjunction with the Farm Service Agency, which includes meeting highly erodible land and wetland compliance requirements and adjusted gross income limits.
NRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round. More information is available from Benjamin McNally at the Quincy NRCS office, 159 Lawrence St., [email protected], 530-283-9109, ext. 3, or 530-616-1785.
Technical assistance
NRCS offers conservation technical assistance at no cost to give producers personalized advice and information, based on the latest science and research, to help them make informed decisions. If producers choose to take the next step toward improving their operations, NRCS staff can work with them to develop a free, personalized conservation plan, with conservation practices that can help them reach their agricultural production and conservation goals, said the agency.
The voluntary conservation plan defines and explains existing resources in a simple, easy-to-understand manner, said NRCS. Typically, the plan will include land use maps, soils information, an inventory of resources, engineering notes and other supporting information. One benefit to landowners who work with an NRCS professional conservationist to develop a plan is an increased potential for participating in financial assistance programs. The agency calls the conservation plan “a good first step in the overall process.”
NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America’s private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935.
