RALEIGH N.C.,– The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for producers who are interested in applying Practice Code 336 (Soil Amendment) under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. To be considered for current available funding, applicants should have their applications in to their local field office by Jun 20, 2025.

EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion, sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitats, and address soil health. Soil Carbon Amendment is a new practice being offered under EQIP.

Soil Carbon Amendments are derived from plant materials or treated animal byproducts used to improve or maintain soil organic matter, improve soil aggregate stability and improve habitat for soil organisms. Biochar for example, is a soil amendment that is a black carbon product produced by heating biomass to a temperature more than 350 °C under conditions of control and limited oxygen concentrations to prevent combustion. Examples of biomass sources are woody debris, plant residues, manure or other agricultural waste products. Soil Carbon Amendments are useful and may improve Soil Organic Matter (SOM) and water-holding capacity. The USDA-NRCS offers four practice scenarios under the Conservation Practice Code 336 (Soil Amendment). These scenarios vary in the percentage of biochar mixed with compost by volume.

This sign-up is part of a pilot program and is being offered for the following counties:

- Buncombe

- Haywood

- Henderson

- Madison

- Transylvania

How To Get Started

The first step is to contact your local NRCS office. An NRCS conservation planner will schedule a visit to your property. They will walk the land with you to discuss your goals and review any resource concerns. Following the site visit, the conservation planner will develop a conservation plan that includes a variety of conservation practices or activities to address the resource concerns and management goals discussed.

Participants that are interested in installing conservation practices prior to receiving a contract may be granted a waiver based on an evaluation of the specific circumstances for which the applicant is requesting the waiver and a determination that the applicant did not start the conservation practice or activity before approval of the waiver. The participant must request the waiver in writing and specifically identify the practice in which they are looking to install and explain why the need to install it prior to a contract.

- Approved waiver does not guarantee contract approval;

- Conservation practices or activities must meet NRCS standards and specifications; and

- Applicant must maintain eligibility, or the applicant will be ineligible to receive payments

To get started, please visit your local USDA Service Center. To find the nearest center visit USDA Service Center Locator. 

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