The following federal assistance programs are designed to promote conservation activities, habitat protection or restoration on your land through grants, cost share, or technical assistance.

California Wetlands Reserve Program Accepting Applications
The California Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting application for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) for a $12.5 million dollar allocation to the state in Fiscal Year 2010. To be considered for the current funding allocation landowners must work with the local NRCS Field Offices to submit applications and eligibility paperwork, by February 15, 2010

Applications for free conservation training program
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, UMass Extension Program is accepting applications for the Keystone Cooperator Project (formerly Coverts).

Organics Initiative Funding Announced
The 2008 Farm Bill provides NRCS with authority to provide organic growers an opportunity to compete for funds through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Arkansas Conservation Partnership Sponsors Public Meeting in Morrilton on the USDA's Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative
The Arkansas Conservation Partnership is sponsoring a public meeting regarding the new Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) at the Farm Bureau Building (Highway 9 exit) in Morrilton on Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will inform producers about MRBI, which is designed to assist them in improving the water quality and the overall health of the Mississippi River Basin.

Sign-up Deadline Feb 5 for Russian Olive/Salt Cedar Special Initiative
NRCS officials in Bozeman announce the application deadline for participation in a Special Initiative to remove Russian Olive and Salt Cedar from the riparian corridors along all major water courses in the Yellowstone Watershed.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) 2010 Application Deadline Approaching
NRCS announces the 2010 offer values for WRP easements. WRP is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agriculture.

USDA, IRS partner to reduce farm fraud
The USDA is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to reduce fraud in farm programs and streamline payment limits for family farmers.

Farmland Preservation Funding Opportunity
The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is now accepting applications for funding. Organizations with an eligible farmland preservation program can apply for FRPP, which provides up to half of the appraised fair market value of the farm's preservation easement.

Funding Available for Texas Grassland Owners
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications to participate in USDA’s Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), a $4.6 million conservation program in Texas.

Sign Up Now For Conservation Assistance
Over $18 Million Available for Ohio Landowners

USDA Offers Conservation Opportunities for Farm and Wildlife Lands
The USDA NRCS has announced that the Wisconsin sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) will be open until Feb 19 for 2010 funding. Sign-up for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) will be open until that time as well.

North Dakota Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Geographic Area Rate Cap (GARC) Establishment
The following GARC analysis describes the process for calculating GARCs for the 2010 Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) in ND. WRP easements in ND are located primarily on dry land.

USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a new pilot project under the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels - also known as hoop houses - to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods
Funding available for producers to participate in 3-year project. USDA’s NRCS recently announced a new pilot project under the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels – also known as hoop houses – to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

USDA Launches High Tunnel Pilot Study To Increase Availability of Locally Grown Foods
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced a new pilot project under the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels–also known as hoop houses–to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

NRCS Offers Assistance for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has additional financial assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers or those with limited financial resources or are considered to be socially disadvantaged.

Producers urged to carefully consider CRP break-out options; financial, technical assistance available to protect land
SPOKANE, Wash., (Dec. 7, 2009) – After years of harvesting environmental and wildlife benefits from their land, many Washington growers will soon face decisions about what to harvest next from their CRP acres. More than 90,000 contracted acres will expire in 2010, while nearly 175,000 acres will expire in 2011.

USDA-NRCS Provides $4 Million to Protect Connecticut Farmland
NRCS announced the agency has received $4 million through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

USDA Works With South Dakota To Improve James River Water Quality
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds in signing an agreement that will improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, aid flood control and enhance wildlife habitat in the state’s James River Watershed.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $1.7 Billion in Conservation Reserve Program Rental Payments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA will distribute approximately $1.7 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental payments to participants across the country in fiscal year 2010.

NRCS ANNOUNCES STRONG INTEREST IN NEW CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP)
Chief Dave White today announced that NRCS has received nearly 21,300 applications to participate in the new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). These applications cover more than 33 million acres, nationwide.

Program Helps Farmers Protect Land
Any landowner in the county who wants to do the right thing for local streams, neighbors' well water, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay can get a lot of help from the government.