Availability of $500 Million for Improved Regional Conservation Partnership Program to Better Support Partners, Producers as Part of Investing in America Agenda

The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP leverages a voluntary approach to conservation that expands the reach of conservation efforts and climate-smart agriculture through public-private partnerships. Increased funding for fiscal year 2023 is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, and this year’s funding opportunity reflects a concerted effort to streamline and simplify the program. Program improvements will enable USDA to efficiently implement the $4.95 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding for the program while improving the experience for partners, agricultural producers, and employees.  

 “The Regional Conservation Partnership Program leverages the collective power and resources of public-private partnerships to deliver meaningful results for agriculture and conservation,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Thanks to the additional resources unlocked by the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the improvements being made to the program, more farmers, ranchers, and foresters than ever before will be able to access and deploy conservation and climate-smart practices that will combat the climate crisis, enhance water and soil quality, protect vulnerable wildlife habitat and more.” 

Arkansas has a successful history of RCPP, boasting 20 approved RCPP projects since the program inception in 2014. These projects have brought to the State a combined federal investment of more than $84 million leveraged by $77 million in non federal resources.

“We want to see this success continue and have staff available to meet with interested partners to discuss new RCPP project ideas,” said Arkansas Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Mike Sullivan.

RCPP Improvement Effort    

The improvements included in this year’s RCPP funding opportunity are part of an ongoing effort to streamline NRCS conservation programs and efficiently implement the Inflation Reduction Act. The RCPP improvement effort identified problems and central issues associated with the program and is working to develop meaningful and actionable improvements.  

  Based on partner listening sessions and employee and partner surveys, NRCS identified seven key focus areas for improvement, each with a dedicated team working to address identified issues and provide recommendations:    

   1. Simplifying and Reducing the Number of Agreements   

2. Reducing Lengthy RCPP Easement Transactions   

3. Improving the RCPP Portal   

4. Consistent Guidance and Training for Employees and Partners   

5. Simplifying the Technical Assistance Structure   

6. Improving the Conservation Desktop      

7. Simplifying the Partner Reimbursement Process  

  For more information about RCPP and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the NRCS website.  

Notice of Funding Opportunity    

The application period is now open for RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA).  RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP AFA, the lead partner must work directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.    

This RCPP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) showcases a number of program improvements including the increase of project funding ceilings, the simplification of financial assistance and technical assistance structures, a stronger emphasis on locally led conservation, and easement deed flexibilities. 

  Up to $500 million will be available through the RCPP for fiscal year 2023, of which up to $50 million will prioritize AFAs with Indian Tribes.  

 Projects selected under this NOFO may be awarded funding through either the Inflation Reduction Act or Farm Bill 2018. Applications for RCPP climate-related projects will receive priority consideration for Inflation Reduction Act funding. The 2023 RCPP priorities are climate-smart agriculture, urban agriculture and projects and, as a Justice40 covered program, projects that serve underserved farmers and ranchers. 

 NRCS will accept applications now through August 18, 2023, via the RCPP portal. Please note that to request access to the portal, you must have a level Two verified eAuthentication account with USDA. This can be obtained by following the instructions on the USDA eAuthentication page.    

Webinar for Interested Applicants    

NRCS encourages interested applicants to participate in an upcoming webinar that will provide general information about this funding announcement. The webinar will take place on June 7, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Central Time. Join via the links posted on the RCPP How to Apply website. Additional webinars may be announced as needed.

For additional information on RCPP, contact Assistant State Conservationist for Partnerships Amanda Mathis at amanda.mathis@usda.gov.