NRCS Announces Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Funding Through CSP and EQIP

Clint Evans, State Conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado announced today, new statewide Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding opportunities.

Colorado ag producers have until November 13, 2023, to be ranked for this round of IRA funding available under the Agency's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The NRCS is also implementing this opportunity through its ACT NOW Initiative. ACT NOW allows producers who have fully established eligibility records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) the opportunity to apply for applicable NRCS funding and potentially know if their project will be funded in an expedited manner. 

"IRA funds are designed to support climate-smart mitigation activities and other conservation activities that facilitate them," said Clint Evans. "It enables farmers and ranchers the ability to implement expanded conservation practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase storage of carbon in their soil and trees."

IRA_EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS’ most flexible conservation program. Through it, landowners receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices which optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land. In this round of IRA_EQIP funding, Colorado landowners may apply to improve soil health, wildlife habitat, and forestry conditions. 

IRA_CSP 

Through CSP, the NRCS offers ag landowners a variety of conservation practices and enhancements, and the opportunity to implement activities through new technologies and management techniques. CSP helps landowners build upon their existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation. This round of IRA_CSP funding will prioritize cropland, pastureland, rangeland, farmstead, forest land, farmstead, and associated agricultural land for improved soil health, renewal ag land, and renewal non-industrial private forest land NIPF. 

How to Apply

Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local NRCS office to learn more and apply.  Applications must be submitted by November 13, 2023, for consideration in this round of IRA funding. Applications received after November 13th, will be considered in future IRA funding opportunities. 

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