Apply by Jan. 30 for NRCS Conservation Program Funding

HONOLULU, Jan. 2, 2025 – Pacific Islands Area farmers, ranchers and foresters can still apply for technical and financial assistance for Fiscal Year 2025 conservation program funding.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the Pacific Islands Area is accepting a second round of applications through Jan. 31 to help agricultural producers, forestry landowners and partners implement climate-smart agriculture practices that increase climate resilience, sequester more carbon, enhance agricultural productivity, and maintain critical environmental benefits through voluntary conservation efforts. The first round for application submissions closed Nov. 15, 2024.

NRCS, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, offers technical and financial assistance through conservation programs, such as the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Agricultural Management Assistance program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

While NRCS accepts applications year-round, applications submitted after the program ranking will automatically be considered during future funding cycles. Applications and more information are available at local USDA Service Centers and online at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/get-started-with-nrcs

Funding is available from both the Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act, which provides additional resources to help producers expand conservation efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase storage of carbon in their soil and trees. In many cases, applications for eligible practices meeting or exceeding state-determined minimum ranking thresholds will automatically be considered for priority funding when applying for EQIP and CSP because of additional flexibilities.
 

Act Now
This year, NRCS PIA will utilize Act Now minimum ranking thresholds to expedite contract obligation. States determine their respective Act Now minimum ranking thresholds, fund pools and eligible practices. The process enables states to pre-approve a ranked application in a ranking pool designated for Act Now when an application meets or exceeds a state’s pre-determined minimum threshold ranking score. NRCS PIA’s minimum thresholds for ACT Now are listed on the NRCS PIA website.

Producers do not need to apply separately to Act Now and will be considered for priority funding when applying to an eligible practice through EQIP and CSP. Applications are processed in the order they are received, and applications that rank at or above the state-established threshold ranking score will be preapproved, if funds are available. When the available Act Now funding limit has been reached, remaining applications may be considered in other relevant ranking pools or rolled over to the next funding cycle.

Once a producer’s application is pre-approved, they must still meet eligibility requirements including establishing a farm tract number with USDA’s Farm Service Agency if they have not previously utilized USDA programs. After establishing eligibility, producers must complete the planning process and receive notice of approval from NRCS prior to beginning work. Projects started before final contract approval are ineligible for cost-share assistance unless the producer has been granted an early start waiver.

More Information
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

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