NRCS Sets Conservation Program Funding Application Date

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for all conservation assistance programs. While NRCS accepts applications for programs year-round, producers and landowners should apply for this opportunity by Oct. 31, 2025, to be considered for this funding cycle.

"NRCS provides funding and technical assistance to help farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners implement conservation practices that improve their environmental and economic sustainability," said Gayle Barry, Acting NRCS State Conservationist for Montana. "Conservation work focused on local outcomes with the support of local partners and land managers achieves meaningful conservation across a landscape. These opportunities are open to ag operations of any size."

Conservation funding is available through the following programs for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and tribal producers and nations.

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP for individual landowners)

These programs may include locally prioritized initiatives. To learn about the financial assistance that can best help you meet your management objectives, visit your local USDA Service Center. NRCS conservation planners will help you evaluate your resource concerns, develop a plan to address those issues, and apply for financial assistance to implement planned conservation practices.

EQIP offers financial and technical assistance to eligible participants to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. NRCS Montana targets some EQIP investments in specific areas to achieve clearly defined natural resource goals as identified by local partners. This approach harnesses the power of multiple producers in one area undertaking similar conservation projects to achieve a regional or landscape-scale result. There are more than 100 local projects currently available in fiscal year 2026.

CSP is for farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners already taking steps to improve the condition of their working lands. CSP can help find new ways to meet resource and operation goals.

ACEP includes both Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). Agricultural Land Easements help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as state and local governments protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements. Wetland Reserve Easements help landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.

RCPP promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm resource concerns. There are both land management and easement-based projects in Montana. This opportunity is open to producers and landowners eligible for current, active partner-led projects.

NRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round. Applications for the current funding consideration must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2025. Applications made after that date will be considered in the next funding cycle. Additional information is available on the Montana NRCS website at https://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov. Contact your local USDA service center for assistance. Find contact information at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact.

Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don't have an account, sign up today.