Producers in Maryland Encouraged to Apply Now for NRCS Conservation Programs 

NRCS is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program, 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,” said Maryland State Conservationist Suzy Daubert. “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.”  

Through EQIP, CSP, AMA, RCPP, and the Inflation Reduction Act, financial assistance is available to Maryland producers for conservation practices and initiatives, including:

• Expanded climate-smart mitigation activities that deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or increases in carbon sequestration.
• New cover crop initiative
• Bog turtle habitat restoration
• National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)
• Air quality
• Urban and small scale farm practices and enhancements
• Additional priorities like organic agriculture, soil health, water quality and quantity and wildlife habitat development.

EQIP provides financial assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits. These include improved water and air quality, improved irrigation efficiency, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, forest restoration, and creating or enhancing wildlife habitat.

CSP provides producers to earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities integrated within their agricultural operations. CSP enhancements like cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, and buffer strips help producers improve soil health while protecting water quality. Other CSP activities help sustain and increase pollinator and beneficial insect habitat in harmony with agriculture production on their land.

AMA helps agricultural producers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices. In Maryland, producers may construct new irrigation systems to reduce risk and protect natural resources on their operations.

RCPP promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Maryland currently offers RCPP in selected areas across the state through 10 projects that range in focus from nutrient management, to soil health, to water quality.

Applying for Assistance

While NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance programs year-round, the following application cut-off dates have been established in Maryland:

• October 25: AMA, CSP, CSP-IRA, EQIP Conservation Incentives Contracts, RCPP
• November 15: EQIP Act Now, CPA-DIA-CEMA Act Now, High Tunnel Act Now, Oyster Restoration Act Now, On-Farm Energy IRA Act Now, Cover Crop Initiative IRA Act Now
• December 15: EQIP, EQIP-IRA, National Water Quality Initiative, Working Lands for Wildlife Golden Wing Warbler, National Air Quality Initiative, National Organic Initiative, Organic Transition Initiative
• December 20: EQIP-IRA Act Now for Cropland, Grazing, Livestock, and Forestry
• February 7: CSP, CSP-IRA, and EQIP-Urban, RCPP
• March 7: CSP-Urban

Additional cut-off dates may be announced based on available funding.

NRCS Maryland will be utilizing ACT NOW to process conservation applications for most EQIP ranking pools faster. ACT NOW allows NRCS to approve applications for funding in the order they are received, as long as they meet program eligibility and a predetermined minimum ranking threshold. This means no longer having to wait for a batching period before selections are made. 

To find out more about our application process or to begin an application, please contact your local NRCS Service Center by visiting nrcs.usda.gov/contact.

Technical Assistance

NRCS offers conservation technical assistance at no cost to give producers personalized advice and information, based on the latest science and research, to help them make informed decisions. If a producer chooses to take the next step towards improving their operations, NRCS staff can work with them to develop a free, personalized conservation plan, with conservation practices that can help them reach their agricultural production and conservation goals.

The voluntary conservation plan defines and explains existing resources in a simple, easy to understand manner. Typically, the plan will include land use maps, soils information, inventory of resources, engineering notes, and other supporting information. One benefit to landowners who work with an NRCS professional conservationist to develop a plan is an increased potential for participating in financial assistance programs and is a good first step in the overall process.

Historically Underserved Producer Benefits

Special provisions are also available for historically underserved producers. For EQIP, historically underserved producers are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting services up front. In addition, historically underserved producers can receive higher EQIP and AMA payment rates (up to 90% of average cost). NRCS sets aside EQIP and CSP funds for historically underserved producers.

Organic Agriculture 

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for conservation practices that are popular among organic as well as traditional producers, including cover crops, integrated pest management, drip irrigation, high tunnels and rotational grazing. Additionally, for those producers transitioning to organic production, NRCS also provides assistance for a new organic management conservation practice, that allows flexibility for producers to get the assistance and education they need, such as attending workshops or requesting help from experts or mentors. It supports organic conservation activities and practices required for organic certification and may provide foregone income reimbursement for dips in production during the transition period. Learn more on NRCS’ Organic Agriculture webpage. 

Urban Agriculture 

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for conservation practices that are popular among urban producers, including high tunnels, soil health management systems, composting, irrigation, and weed and pest management. Urban agriculture includes the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban areas. Community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic and aquaponic facilities and vertical production, are all examples of urban agriculture. Learn more on NRCS’ Urban Agriculture webpage.