THREE BILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR CLIMATE SMART PRACTICES ON AGRICULTURAL LAND

Agricultural producers and forest landowners can now apply to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for conservation assistance for fiscal year (FY) 2024. Funding is available to agricultural producers and forest landowners to take part in voluntary conservation programs and to adopt practices that are climate safe. The Inflation Reduction Act calls to invest an additional $19.5 billion for the popular USDA conservation programs. Funding USDA’s conservation programs will also advance the Justice40 Initiative aiming to ensure disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and burdened by pollution have access to forty percent of the benefits provided by these investments to address climate, clean energy, and other federal climate smart practices.

In FY 2024 starting October 1, 2023, additional funds are provided through the Inflation Reduction Act to the following programs in the amount shown.

• Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) $1.65 Billion
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) $472 million
• Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP) $189 million
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) $754 million

Applications for these programs are now being accepted through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for FY 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

• To be considered for EQIP or CSP funds, producers should apply by their state’s ranking date.
• ACEP Agricultural Land Easement and Wetland Reserve Easement applications are accepted year-round by NRCS, but producers interested in funding for this cycle need to apply by November 13, 2023.
• Late in January 2024, NRCS plans to present the next funding opportunity for RCPP.
• At the state level, NRCS will announce in the coming months additional opportunities for agreements and partnerships.

For more information, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit www.usda.gov.

To learn more, review the Climate-Smart Agricultural and Forestry Mitigation Activities and download the list of practices and a fact sheet.