Vermont NRCS Announces FY24 Signup Date for AMA, CSP, EQIP and RCPP

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)

AMA helps agricultural producers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices.

AMA is available in 16 states where participation in the Federal Crop Insurance Program is historically low: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

CSP is the nation’s largest conservation program in terms of the number of acres enrolled and is designed to help agricultural producers have more robust conservation activities.

Using CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining and expanding conservation activities including cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat – all while maintaining active agricultural or forest production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of new technologies and new management techniques, such as irrigation monitoring, precision agriculture applications, improved grazing systems, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rate and new soil amendments to improve water quality.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

EQIP is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.

EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns and to deliver environmental benefits, such as improved water and air quality, conservation of ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved soil health and plant condition and improved or created wildlife habitat.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

RCPP is 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.

RCPP projects fall under two different categories:  RCPP Classic and RCPP Grants. RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities in collaboration with project partners. In RCPP Grants, the lead partner must work directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted at local USDA service centers. Find yours here: Service Center Locator | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov)

While applications are accepted year-round, the application date for Fiscal Year 2024 is October 20, 2023 for AMA, CSP, EQIP and RCPP. More information on deadlines can be found here: Program Deadlines FY24 | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov)

For more information about NRCS programs and assistance, visit the www.vt.nrcs.usda.gov or contact the NRCS service office serving your area of the state.