Huron, SD, August 6, 2025—The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) serving South Dakota (SD) review date for applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has been set for October 3, 2025.

While applications are accepted year-round, October 3, 2025, is the final date by which an operator or landowner must sign an application at their local NRCS office for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding consideration. Applications made after that date will be considered in the next application period.

Both EQIP and CSP are voluntary programs that offer financial and technical assistance for participants to install or manage conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. Although when differentiating the programs, EQIP helps operations establish initial conservation practices that include targeted funding through the Conservation Implementation Strategies (CIS) across the state. Other areas of focus include wildlife, high tunnels, specialty crops, and the National Water Quality Initiative. Jennifer Wurtz, NRCS EQIP Program Coordinator in the Huron State Office, further elaborated, “Now is the time to start the conservation planning process with the NRCS staff to help create a plan to meet your operation’s conservation needs. EQIP allows eligible participants financial assistance to install or implement structural or management practices on their operations.” 

A separate program with a similar mission, CSP provides a five-year annual payment program for producers who would like to strengthen existing conservation efforts and reach management goals. Implemented across a producer’s operation, (including cropland, rangeland, associated agricultural land, farmstead, and forestland), CSP is a great opportunity for agricultural producers to generate additional financial return as they implement new practices. “Chances are, if you are already looking for ways to improve or are currently taking steps to improve the condition of the land, CSP can help you find ways to reach those goals,” said Danielle Rhine, NRCS CSP Program Manager, Rapid City.

The NRCS offers free one-on-one consultation with producers to complete a full resource concern assessment, learn about their current management activities, and understand their operational goals and objectives. Based on this information, NRCS can then develop a tailored conservation plan with the producer, which can potentially be implemented through EQIP or CSP programs.

To learn more and apply for EQIP or CSP, please contact your local USDA Service Center.

Photo of cattle grazing by Joe Dickie for USDA NRCS.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

###