Florida Agricultural Landowners Encouraged to Apply for Regional Conservation Partnership Program Land Management and Rentals

GAINESVILLE, Florida – September 22, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners should apply by November 17, 2023 to be considered for funding in the current FY2024 cycle.

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. The RCPP promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand the collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns.

“NRCS Florida is proud to be partnered with Alachua Conservation Trust and Tall Timbers,” said Walter Albarran, NRCS Florida Acting State Conservationist. NRCS will offer partner assisted conservation in three different project areas:

• Alachua Conservation Trust “Forest to Gulf”
• Alachua Conservation Trust “Surface to Springs”
• Tall Timbers “Red Hills to the Coast”

Application Requirements
Applicants will need to provide records and forms necessary to establish farm records and certifications outlined below.

• Farm records established or updated with the Farm Service Agency for the applicant and the land.
• Be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements.
• Meet the adjusted gross income (AGI) and payment limitation provisions (If applicable).
• Applicable documentation required for signature authority.
• Have control of land where “control” means possession of the land by ownership, lease, or other agreement.
• Written concurrence from the landowner to apply a structural or vegetative conservation practice. 
• Be in compliance with provisions for protecting the interests of tenants and sharecroppers.

Applications are available at your local USDA Service Center or online on our Get Started with NRCS web page and will be accepted until November 17, 2023.

Alachua Conservation Trust - Forest to Gulf
The project area includes portions of Alachua, Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Putnam and Sumter Counties.

The focus of the project is to provide financial assistance to manage forest, grazing and some crop land to improve wildlife habitat, benefit listed species, increase water recharge, and prevent nutrients and sediment from reaching groundwater and watershed protection.
Priority practices include but are not limited to: prescribed burning, tree planting, brush management, well decommissioning, prescribed grazing, irrigation water management, nutrient management, cover crops and pasture and hay planting.

For additional information contact: Alachua Conservation Trust at 352-373-1078 or Forest2GulfRCPP@alachuaconservationtrust.org

Alachua Conservation Trust – Surface to Springs
The project area includes portions of Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee and Union Counties.

The focus of the project is to promote long term land protection, conserve water, improve wildlife habitat, restore and protect rare natural communities and watershed protection.

Priority practices include but are not limited to; row crop transition to pasture, hay or timber, well decommissioning, prescribed grazing, nutrient management, cover crops. Forest management practices include prescribed burning, tree planting and brush management.
For additional information contact: Alachua Conservation Trust at 352-373-1078 or Surface2SpringsRCPP@alachuaconservationtrust.org

Tall Timbers – Red Hills to the Coast
The project area includes portions of Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Madison, and Taylor Counties.

The focus of this project is implement exemplary land management practices that serve to enhance, conserve and steward natural plant communities, wildlife habitats, and water resources.

Priority practices include but are not limited to: prescribed fire implementation, longleaf pine tree establishment, timber stand improvements, invasive plant treatment and wildlife habitat improvement.

For additional information contact: Tyler Macmillan at 850-556-5799 or tmacmillan@talltimbers.org or Nelson Ball at nball@talltimbers.org.

Contacts:
Hilary Barnhart, Partnerships & Initiatives, Hilary.Barnhart@usda.gov
Bianca Diaz Deliz, Financial Assistance Programs, Bianca.Diaz.Deliz@usda.gov
Denise Liggett, RCPP Coordinator, Denise.Liggett@usda.gov

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