The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida announces Fiscal Year 2026 (October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026) financial assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and forestry operations through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners should apply no later than Oct. 3, 2025, to be considered for funding in the FY2026 current cycle. If applications are received after the signup period for FY2026, applications will automatically be considered during future funding cycles.

Application cutoff periods allow NRCS to screen-and-rank applications for those with the highest conservation benefits across Florida’s landscapes, including cropland, grazing lands, and private non-industrial forestlands. Contract obligations for the highest ranked applications are scheduled for end of June 2026.

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with one-on-one help and financial assistance to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices. Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while improving agricultural operations.

In FY2026, financial assistance opportunities will be made available to bivalve aquaculture operations to reduce, clean, or remove biofouling organisms and other waste from bivalve production areas while minimizing environmental risk and risk to species of concern.

CSP offers opportunities for producers to expand on existing conservation efforts by applying new conservation practices, enhancements, and bundles. These new activities will help enhance natural resources and improve the operation.

 If you decide to apply for CSP, the local NRCS conservation planner will have a one-on-one consultation with you to evaluate your current management system and the natural resources on your land. You will then work with the NRCS conservation planner to select new CSP conservation activities based on your management objectives for your operation.

Application Requirements for All Programs

Applicants will need to provide information 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 theadjusted gross income (AGI) and payment limitation provisions
• 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 October 3, 2025. 

NRCS has 33 field offices throughout Florida with teams ready to help landowners with conservation programs. Contact your local NRCS field office and download the EQIP fact sheet and CSP fact sheet (PDF) for more information. 

NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources since 1935.