USDA Investing More than $3 Billion in Conservation and Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices

USDA announced that more than $3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding will be available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. Specifically, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is increasing Climate-Smart Agricultural and Forestry Mitigation Activities eligible for Inflation Reduction Act funding for fiscal year 2024 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). In addition, NRCS is expanding the national priority areas eligible for easements through the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP). NRCS accepts producer applications for its conservation programs year-round, but producers interested in this cycle of Inflation Reduction Act funding should apply as soon as possible.