USDA Offers Pennsylvania Producers $15 M to Plant Cover Crops

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging agricultural producers and forest landowners in Pennsylvania to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024 as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which help a wide variety of producers, including urban and organic producers.

“Whether you measure your farm in square feet or acres, or you farm in the country or in the middle of the city, NRCS has conservation assistance for you,” Pennsylvania State Conservationist Denise Coleman said. “Right now, we are offering a historic amount of funding through both the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, so you should apply today. We encourage all who have natural resource concerns, including producers who haven’t worked with us before, to consider applying. A conservation plan and program may be right for your ag operation.”  

Specifically, NRCS is offering $15 million to Pennsylvania farmers who wish to plant cover crops over the next five years. Cover crops sequester carbon, improve soil quality, reduce soil erosion, and improve overall water quality. Cover crop applications under EQIP will be accepted on a first-come, first serve basis, part of NRCS’s efforts to streamline efforts to deliver conservation in a more timely manner. For information about this cover crop sign-up in Pennsylvania, please contact your local USDA service center at www.farmers.gov/service-locator.