Aerial photo of croplands separated by windbreak trees, next to a pond

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - California

EQIP-IRA Application Date: March 1, 2024 Another Extension

ACEP-IRA Application Date: November 13, 2023

What is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)?

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. It is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for the agricultural communities that USDA serves. IRA will help producers stay on the farm, prevent producers from becoming ineligible for future assistance, and promote climate-smart agriculture by increasing access to conservation assistance.

Conservation Assistance Through NRCS

IRA assistance is now available through NRCS’ oversubscribed conservation programs for agricultural producers. NRCS accepts producer applications for its conservation programs year-round, but for fiscal year 2024 funding, producers interested in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Agricultural Land Easement, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easement , Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or Conservation Stewardship Program should apply by the application dates to be considered for funding in the current cycle. Funding is provided through a competitive process and will include an opportunity to address the unmet demand from producers who have previously sought funding for climate-smart conservation activities.

$19.5 billion of IRA funds will support USDA’s conservation programs within NRCS, beginning in fiscal year 2023, and continuing over the following four years. This includes:

$8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
$4.95 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
$3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program
$1.4 billion for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
$1 billion for the Conservation Technical Assistance Program

For fiscal year 2023, California received nearly $20 million in IRA funding, including:

$6.8 million for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
$5.2 million for the Conservation Stewardship Program
$7.6 million for the Conservation Technical Assistance Program

For fiscal year 2024, California received $91 million in IRA funding, including:

$73.7 million for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
$9.1 million for the Conservation Stewardship Program
$5.6 million for the Conservation Technical Assistance Program

These are oversubscribed programs that are well known to farmers and ranchers. This additional investment will help farmers and ranchers implement expanded conservation practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase storage of carbon in their soil and trees.