NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has been the leader in creating based tools and standards in agronomy, forestry, engineering, economics, wildlife biology, and other disciplines that local NRCS field office conservationists use in helping landowners plan and install conservation practices. Partnerships with farmers and ranchers, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to maintain healthy and productive working landscapes.
GENERAL INFORMATION
CONSERVATION ACTIVITY PLANNING
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQUIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address concerns about natural resources and provide environmental benefits, such as improved water and air quality. , underground and surface conserved water, erosion and reduced sedimentation of the soil or created or improved habitat of the flora and fauna.
CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP)
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address their concerns about priority resources. Participants receive CSP payments for their conservation performance, the higher the yield, the higher the payment they will receive.
EASEMENTS
AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION SERVITUDE PROGRAM (ACEP)
The Agricultural Conservation Servitude Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and wetlands and their related benefits under the Agricultural Land Easement component, NRCS helps Indian tribes, state and municipal governmental and non-governmental organizations to protect agricultural land worked and limits the non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps restore, protect and improve registered wetlands.
ACEP is a new program that consolidates three old programs: the Wetland Reserves Program, the Grassland Program and the Agricultural and Livestock Land Protection Program.
ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS
REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (RCPP)
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to provide conservation assistance to farmers and landowners. NRCS provides assistance to producers through partnership agreements and through program contracts or easement agreements. RCPP combines the authorities of four old conservation programs: the Agricultural Water Improvement Program, the Chesapeake Bay Water Divide Line Program, the Cooperative Conservation Association Initiative and the Great Basin Program Lakes Help is provided in accordance with the rules of EQIP, CSP, ACEP and HFRP; and in certain areas in accordance with the Water Dividend and Flood Prevention Operations Program.