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.

USDA-NRCS Funds Available to Improve Water Quality and Quantity for Rangelands
The Yolo County Resource Conservation District and other California Rangeland Coalition partners have been awarded $ 3.75 million, over the next 5 years, from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Water Quality Enhancement Program (AWEP).

First Sign-up Enrollment Successful for Montana Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) officials in Montana report 222 contracts obligated for the first sign-up period for participation in the Conservation Stewardship Program. The enrollment represents 926,476 acres of private or tribal agricultural lands in Montana. These selected acres are comprised of 57% rangeland, 36% cropland, 5% pastureland and 2% non-industrial private forestland.

Funding Opportunity for Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) Competitive Grants Program
The USDA, through the Office of Advocacy and Outreach, is making available 4.7 million dollars as a second round of funding formerly referred to as the 2501 Program.

USDA to Help Farmers and Ranchers Expand Habitat for Migrating Birds

2010 Conservation Stewardship Program Contracts Funded in Arkansas - 289 Contracts signed for more than $4.45 million
Arkansas farmers and landowners are receiving $4,454,954 through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Stewardship Program for conservation measures they have taken on their land.

500 Wisconsin Farmers Enroll in Conservation Stewardship Program
Over 500 Wisconsin farmers and landowners enrolled in the new Conservation Stewardship Program during the first sign-up in 2010. These contracts will yield more than $3.36 million in payments this year. Four hundred of these were farmers enrolling cropland and pasture, and 113 enrolled woodlands, a new option this year.

Wetland Complex in South Central Nebraska Receives Federal Funding for Conservation
Dave White, Chief of the USDA NRCS announced Monday that the Rainwater Basin wetland complex is the recipient of funding through the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program. This multi-year project will allow center pivot irrigation systems to travel across restored wetlands and upland buffers within the Rainwater Basin.

California Receives $2.5 Million for Conservation Partnership Projects
The USDA NRCS California State Office received approximately $2.5 million to fund seven projects through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI). CCPI helps farmers and ranchers on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands achieve natural resource benefits such as clean air, clean water, productive soils and abundant wildlife.

USDA Announces Effort to Improve Access to Private Land for Recreation
New Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Will Expand Recreation Opportunities Through State and Tribal Programs

USDA Announces Projects to Protect Natural Resources In the Mississippi River Basin
Farmers and landowners in numerous counties in Arkansas have until August 1, 2010, to submit applications to receive cost-share assistance to implement conservation practices through four Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) projects.

California Receives $6 Million for Water Enhancement Projects
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office received approximately $6 million for Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) projects to improve water quality and quantity on hundreds of farms throughout the state.

USDA Announces Projects to Improve Water Quality and Quantity for Agricultural Operations
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced support for farmers and ranchers in 10 states to conserve water and improve water quality on agricultural working lands through the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), which leverages additional resources and services from conservation partners.}¡

USDA to Help Farmers and Ranchers Expand Habitat for Migrating Birds
Public-private effort will increase wetland habitat in Arkansas for migratory birds heading towards the Gulf of Mexico

EQIP deadline news release
Deadline for popular conservation program set for August 13

USDA Announces Projects to Protect Natural Resources in the Mississippi River Basin
USDA announced the selection of 76 projects in 12 States that will help landowners and producers within the Mississippi River Basin voluntarily implement conservation and management practices that prevent, control, and trap nutrient runoff from agricultural land.

NRCS Issues Final Rule for Conservation Stewardship Program, Extends Deadline
The USDA NRCS has published the final regulations governing the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP is a voluntary program that offers payments to producers who exercise good land stewardship and want to improve their conservation performance.

USDA Issues Final Rule for Conservation Stewardship Program - Sign-up extended to June 25th
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has published the final regulations governing the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP is a voluntary program that offers payments to producers who exercise good land stewardship and want to improve their conservation performance.

USDA Issues Final Rule for Conservation Stewardship Program - Sign-up extended to June 25th
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has published the final regulations governing the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

USDA Issues Final Rule for Conservation Stewardship Program - Sign-up extended to June 25th
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has published the final regulations governing the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP is a voluntary program that offers payments to producers who exercise good land stewardship and want to improve their conservation performance.

USDA Issues Final Rule for Conservation Stewardship Program - Sign-up extended to June 25th
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has published the final regulations governing the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP is a voluntary program that offers payments to producers who exercise good land stewardship and want to improve their conservation performance.

USDA Issues Final Rule for Conservation Stewardship Program
Current Sign-up Extended to June 25th

USDA Issues Final Rule for Conservation Stewardship Program
Changes expand access, increase payment limits, and promote greater environmental benefit while maintaining program goals

Great Lakes Restoration Funds for Ohio
$6.4 Million Now Available for Conservation in the Lake Erie Watershed Sign-up June 1 – July 1, 2010

NRCS Initiative to Improve Agricultural Energy Conservation and Efficiency
Individual Energy Audits will Help Producers Reduce Energy Use

USDA Announces Additional Funding for Grassland Reserve Program
Arkansas Receives $800,000 to Fund Applications

USDA Announces Funding for Wetlands Conservation Assistance
Arkansas Receiving $10,177,680 for Wetland Restoration

Grass is Greener for Landowners Restoring Wetlands
New grazing land option is now available for Montana landowners who restore wetlands.

USDA Announces Additional Funding for Three Conservation Programs
Added Funds to Help Farmers, Ranchers and Landowners Protect Agricultural and Forest Land

Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up Currently Underway.
Nebraska landowners and operators still have time to sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

County Grant Opportunity
A limited number of technical assistance grants are available to Washington state counties and their partners for the development of farmland preservation programs.

Working Lands Initiative (WLI) includes a new program effective Jan. 1
The state hopes a new initiative to preserve farmland can "cluster farms together" and encourage farmers, businesses and local governments to invest in 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.

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.

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.