The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting project proposals through Aug. 24 for up to $310 million in funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which supports conservation efforts that strengthen agricultural operations while protecting natural resources.
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) press release, the funding will help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners implement conservation practices through partnerships that improve soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat and the long-term sustainability of working agricultural lands.
“This significant investment through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program will further enable us to leverage our partnerships as force multipliers in supporting America’s farmers,” NRCS Chief Colton Buckley said in the press release. “We’re looking forward to seeing the results on the ground while we also work to keep working lands in working hands.”
According to USDA, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act provides the largest long-term investment in NRCS conservation programs in decades, including funding for RCPP. The legislation allocates $425 million for the program in fiscal year 2026 and increases annual funding to $450 million from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
RCPP is a partner-driven conservation program that funds projects addressing natural resource challenges on agricultural lands. NRCS recently updated the program by streamlining partnership agreements and increasing flexibility for conservation partners. Under the revised structure, 75% of program funding goes directly to agricultural producers or is used to cover the costs of implementing conservation practices.
NRCS is accepting proposals under two funding opportunities:
- RCPP Classic, which delivers conservation projects through NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities working alongside project partners.
- RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA), which allows lead partners to work directly with agricultural producers to develop innovative conservation approaches not available through the traditional RCPP model.
Project proposals will be evaluated based on several national priorities, including improving soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat; promoting sustainable agricultural practices; expanding the use of precision agriculture technologies; supporting projects that provide technical and financial assistance directly to producers; and advancing conservation efforts led by federally recognized Indian Tribes.
The $310 million funding announcement includes a $30 million set-aside for projects led by Indian Tribes.
The investment builds on other recent USDA conservation initiatives. In May, NRCS announced plans to invest $65 million through its Conservation Innovation Grants program to advance new conservation technologies and approaches.
For more than 90 years, NRCS has worked with farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to improve soil, water, air and wildlife habitat through voluntary, science-based conservation programs.
Details about RCPP Classic and RCPP AFAs are available on Grants.gov. Project proposals for RCPP are being accepted through Aug. 24, on the RCPP portal. For more information about RCPP, visit the RCPP website.