Attention Connecticut Farmers and Woodland Owners: Apply by Oct. 3rd for USDA Conservation Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Connecticut announces the first fiscal year (FY) 2026 sign-up deadline for our conservation programs has been set for Oct. 3, 2025.
This sign-up covers our Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program, and Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP).
NRCS helps Connecticut farmers, private woodland owners, and oyster growers apply conservation practices and activities on their land. We offer a variety of practices like cover crops, tree planting, pasture and hay planting, oyster reef restoration, wildlife habitat planting, long term land protection with conservation easements, and more.
All NRCS financial and technical assistance programs are voluntary programs that help our clients to install or manage conservation practices on eligible agricultural land.
Funding is provided through a competitive process. While NRCS accepts applications for conservation program funding year-round, NRCS utilizes application cutoff periods to assess and rank applications for those with the highest conservation benefits across Connecticut’s landscapes, including cropland, pastureland, and private non-industrial forestlands. The next application cutoff date is Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Applications received after this date will be automatically considered in the next funding period.
Visit www.CT.nrcs.usda.gov or call your local NRCS Field Office for more information.
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Additional Information
Connecticut Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Applications for EQIP are accepted year-round. To be considered for FY 2026 EQIP funds for Round 1, applications must be received by October 3, 2025.
Learn MoreConnecticut Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Applications for CSP are accepted year-round. To be considered for FY 2026 CSP funds for Round 1, applications must be received by October 3, 2025
Learn MoreConnecticut Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)
Applications for AMA are accepted year-round.
Learn MoreConnecticut 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.
Learn More