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Press Release

USDA Announces January 15 National Batching Deadline for Major NRCS Conservation Programs

Publish Date
Iowa pasture with a pond for drinking water access.

NRCS established a national Jan. 15, 2026, batching deadline for the first funding round of key conservation programs. The batching includes CSP, EQIP, and RCPP.

Des Moines, IA – Dec. 17, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) established a national Jan. 15, 2026, batching deadline for the first funding round of key conservation programs. This national batching date ensures producers have a clear, consistent timeline for participating in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This includes NRCS’ new Regenerative Pilot Program, which provides targeted Farmer First assistance through EQIP and CSP.

“The NRCS team continues its commitment to Iowa’s producers — advancing conservation, strengthening service delivery, and keeping our promise to the men and women who feed and fuel our nation,” said NRCS State Conservationist Jon Hubbert.

NRCS programs are continuous sign-up programs, but due to the government shutdown, the agency is implementing an initial national batching period to ensure producers have access to funding and support.

Updated NRCS Program Timelines

  • All NRCS conservation programs remain continuous sign-up.
  • Farmers and ranchers have until Jan. 15, 2026, to apply for the first batching period.
  • National Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) will follow later in the year.
  • PL-566 and Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) opportunities remain open for sponsors based on available funding.

Programs with a January 15, 2026, batching period deadline include:

Through EQIP, CSP and RCPP, Iowa NRCS obligated more than $68 million, covering 258,000 private land acres through 1,334 program contracts during Fiscal Year 2025.

For more information, please visit nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local USDA Service Center.

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