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Getting Assistance

NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. 

Through these programs the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land.

Financial Assistance Programs

Water Bank Program

The intent of the Water Bank Program is to keep water on the land for the benefit of migratory wildlife such as waterfowl.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)

The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) helps agricultural producers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.

Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)

The Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) helps landowners restore, enhance and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands through easements and financial assistance.

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program Buyouts

NRCS administers the Emergency Watershed Protection EWP Program, which is designed for emergency recovery work, including the purchase of floodplain property buyouts.

Technical Assistance Programs and Support

Partnership Programs

Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land.

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a competitive program that supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands.

Additional Information

Applications and Forms

Information on how to apply for NRCS conservation programs.

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Payment Schedules

Review the amount and availability of financial assistance for selected conservation practices in your state.

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Conservation Compliance: Highly Erodible Lands and Wetlands Provisions

To maintain eligibility for most USDA programs, producers must comply with wetland conservation provisions. 

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Ranking Dates

Applications for NRCS conservation programs are ranked and funded at key times throughout the year. 

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