What is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)?

​The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is funded by the Farm Bill. NRCS partners with Conservation Districts to help landowners plan and meet their land management goals. If you are a farmer, rancher, or forest-owner, you can get free, personalized advice that benefits both your operations and the environment. 

In addition to on-site technical assistance, NRCS offers financial assistance to eligible landowners who wish to make improvements to their land. Popular improvements are invasive species removals, wildlife and pollinator habitat plantings, and water quality improvements. Financial assistance is available as cost-share through voluntary enrollment programs. Each program can be personalized to your needs and goals. 

There are a number of voluntary cost-share programs you may be eligible to apply for. See below for details on some popular programs and information on how to get started.

Popular NRCS cost-share programs:

Environmental Quality Incentives Program 

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a great choice for anyone just getting started with NRCS, or those who want to take care of an immediate concern. A few popular EQIP improvements, called conservation practices by NRCS, include:

• Cover Crops
• Forest Stand Improvement
• Prescribed Grazing
• Windbreak Renovation
• Tree and Shrub Establishment
• Pollinator Habitat Development
• Brush Management

Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps landowners maintain their existing conservation practices and adopt new ones. CSP payments are made for each conservation practice on the land. A few popular CSP projects include: 

• No-till system to increase soil health and soil organic matter
• Use of multi-species cover crops to improve soil health and increase soil organic matter.
• Establish monarch butterfly habitat.
• Manage livestock access to waterbodies to reduce nutrients or pathogens to surface water.
• Forest Stand improvement to rehabilitate degraded hardwood  stands.​

How do NRCS cost-share programs work?

Vertical Divider

1. Planning:
Identify problems, discuss your goals, and work with NRCS staff to create a conservation plan for your land. Because funding is distributed periodically, be sure to ask your NRCS staff member about the work timeline for your projects. This helps staff recommend an application timeline that fits with your needs.

2. Applying:
NRCS staff can help you start an application for a program that is right for you. As part of the application process, NRCS staff will confirm if your project is eligible to receive funding.

3. Ranking:
After your eligible application is submitted, it will be reviewed by NRCS in comparison to similar, local applications. NRCS determines funding distribution based on the needs of applicants and how each plan benefits local natural resource concerns. 

4. Implementing:
If you are selected to receive funding, you can review the final contract with NRCS staff and choose whether to sign it and begin work. You’ll be given standards and a timeline to implement your conservation plan. Payment will be received after your project is implemented, inspected, and meets NRCS standards and specifications. 

Get started with NRCS

To apply for an NRCS program or learn more about this service, please contact Scott Hughey, USDA NRCS District Conservationist, at [email protected]. Scott is based in the Manistee Conservation District and services Benzie and Manistee Counties.