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BISMARCK - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in conservation on agricultural lands through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as a result of the conservation funding provided by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, interested agricultural producers in North Dakota should apply by Sept. 18 to be considered for fiscal year 2027 funding. Programs include the following.
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): The Agricultural Land Easement component of ACEP enables producers to protect their agricultural land from development by enrolling it in a permanent Agricultural Land Easement. The Wetland Reserve Easement component of ACEP helps landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): CSP helps producers build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation.
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): EQIP provides producers with the technical and financial resources they need to address resources concerns on their land including improved water and air quality, increased soil health, reduced soil erosion, improved natural vitality and more.
NRCS is also providing additional financial assistance nationwide through the Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP), which enables producers to implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application for EQIP and CSP.