NRCS Wisconsin Announces RCPP Signup for 2025 Funding

MADISON, Wis. – Farmers and forest landowners will want to plan ahead and sign up for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation funding. Nathan Fikkert, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist in Wisconsin, announced farmers and landowners interested in Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) producer contracts need to apply by May 16, 2025, for funding in fiscal year 2025.

RCPP is a primary program available to Wisconsin producers, offering payments for more than 120 basic conservation practices. Last year, NRCS Wisconsin invested $5.78 million in conservation practices through RCPP.

“RCPP encourages conservation partners to join in efforts with producers to increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife and related natural resources on regional or watershed scales,” said Fikkert. “Receiving RCPP applications early gives our staff ample time to assist our customers, address their resource concerns, and begin planning and coordinating for their land’s conservation needs.”

All eligible applications received by May 16th will be evaluated, prioritized, and ranked for funding in 2025. Farmers and landowners can contact their local USDA Service Center to get started on producer eligibility and planning. Fikkert reminds farmers who are interested in practices that may require permits, such as manure storage or streambank restoration, to begin planning and seeking permits as soon as possible. Applicants with shovel-ready projects (designs completed and permit applications submitted) will receive a higher ranking in select fund pools.

Although NRCS accepts applications at all USDA Service Centers in Wisconsin year-round, farmers, producers, and landowners should apply now for the next round of fiscal year 2025 funding consideration. Applications received after May 16th will automatically be deferred to the next funding cycle.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program: The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes coordination between NRCS and partners to deliver conservation assistance to producers and landowners. NRCS provides assistance to through producer contracts or easement agreements. 

Projects with funding available in fiscal year 2025 are:

• 2727: Improving Oak Ecosystem Health in the Great Lakes Region project with American Bird Conservancy will restore, enhance, and protect oak ecosystems (forests, woodlands, and savannas). Project area is southeast Wisconsin.
• 2329: Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership Project with American Farmland Trust focuses on improving soil quality on permanently protected land. Project area is throughout Wisconsin.
• 2769: Ashwaubenon Creek and Dutchman Creek Watersheds Water Quality and Habitat Improvement project with NEW Water will improve water quality and habitat to reduce sediment and phosphorus runoff downstream. Project area is the Ashwaubenon Creek and Dutchman Creek watersheds in Brown and Outagamie counties with an emphasis on land owned by the Oneida Nation.
• 2881: Driftless Area Habitat for the Wild and Rare project with Trout Unlimited focuses on restoration of cold-water streams and seeks to pair instream habitat or aquatic organism passage with broader farm-scale conservation activities. Project area is the driftless region.

Landowners interested in applying for RCPP funding should contact their local NRCS office at the USDA Service Center for their county. For more information, visit our www.nrcs.usda.gov/wi. Applications are being accepted at all USDA Service Centers in Wisconsin.

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