USDA-NRCS in Georgia Offers a Combined Sign-Up for Working Lands Conservation Programs

Release No.: 07.25

ATHENS, GA, September 11, 2025 - State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia announces a Fiscal Year 2026 statewide federal assistance opportunity for agricultural and forest producers, through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). This sign-up concludes on October 17, 2025.

While customers can apply year-round, this application ranking date announcement is for all general EQIP, special initiatives; all RCPP land management projects; as well as CSP-related activities. Customers should discuss these sign-up options with their local conservationists to see if any are right for them.

"This combined sign-up is a great way to help put our farmers first." said Rudolph. "By syncing up the delivery of our conservation programs that address most of our customer's land care needs, we are saving them time, and our staff are able to begin the process of getting them the assistance they need in a timely manner."

NRCS conservationists work with producers to assess the conservation needs on their land; identify resource concerns and opportunities; help determine objectives and recommend solutions - participation is 100% voluntary.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program
As NRCS' flagship program, EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to producers to address natural resource concerns by integrating conservation practices into existing working lands. This program provides financial and technical assistance to address natural resource concerns and to deliver environmental benefits, such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, and improved or created wildlife habitat and increased plant productivity and health. EQIP assistance is available on all types of agricultural and nonindustrial, private forestry operations.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program
First authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in 2018's, RCPP takes a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation. Currently, NRCS has 375 active RCPP projects across the country with close to 2,000 partners.

Conservation Stewardship Program
The CSP is designed to help farmers take their conservation activities to the next level by offering technical and financial assistance to help agricultural and forest producers increase their level of private land stewardship. This program rewards existing land stewardship and offers participants opportunities to expand and build upon their existing conservation through recommending additional activities and enhancements. CSP also gives producers an opportunity to explore and adopt new technologies or management techniques.

How to Apply
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, but to be included in this funding batch, interested producers can apply at their local USDA Service Center by submitting a Conservation Program Application (NRCS-CPA-1200) by October 17, 2025. Applications received after this date will be considered for any future sign-ups.

ACT NOW for EQIP
Georgia NRCS will be utilizing ACT NOW to process EQIP applications for Energy and Combustion System Improvement Efficiency (practice codes 372-Combustion System Improvement; 374-Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation; 670-Energy Efficient Lighting System; and 672-Energy Efficient Building Envelope), the Cover Crop Pool (practice code 340-Cover Crop), Conservation Plan Activities (CPA), Design and Implementation Activities (DIA), and Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMA) ranking pools to deliver conservation faster. ACT NOW allows NRCS to immediately approve and obligate a ranked application that meets a minimum score threshold of 12 for Energy and Combustion System Improvement Efficiency; 57 for Cover Crop Pool; and 33 for CPA, DIA, and CEMA applications. This means no longer having to wait for all applications to be reviewed and preapproved for these contracts to be awarded and get started. Applications selected through ACT NOW will be batched and processed in the order received.

For More Information
To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. 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.

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.