Main Content
HAMILTON SQUARE, N.J., July 18, 2023 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey is now accepting FY2024 applications for the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), climate-smart practices through EQIP funded by the
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program and the
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, New Jersey producers and landowners should apply by
October 20, 2023 to be considered for funding in the current cycle.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with one-on-one help and financial assistance to
plan and implement conservation practices to address a variety of issues such as water quality
degradation, soil erosion, soil quality degradation and inadequate habitat for fish and wildlife.
Special initiatives include:
- Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) – Golden Winged-Warbler
- The National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) and
- The New Jersey Pine Barrens Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership
- Forest landowners can verify their land is located within the target area by entering their
address into
the Pinelands Commission Interactive Map.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
EQIP-IRA funds will provide direct climate mitigation benefits for producers to advance
conservation through practices like cover cropping, conservation tillage, wetland restoration,
prescribed grazing, nutrient management, tree planting and more.
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program
AMA is a voluntary conservation program available to beginning and limited resource farmers, small
farms, and producers who have had limited participation in other USDA financial assistance
programs. Producers eligible for AMA can apply for financial and technical assistance to
voluntarily address resource issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by
incorporating conservation into their farming operations.
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
Through RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that demonstrate
innovative solutions to conservation challenges and provide measurable improvements and outcomes
tied to the resource concerns they seek to address. New Jersey’s RCPP land management projects are:
- Salem River Bog Turtle Protection and Restoration – Lead partner, New Jersey Audubon, will help
private landowners increase wildlife habitat and habitat suitability for the endangered Bog Turtle
population in the Upper Salem River Watershed by offering financial incentives to install and
maintain conservation practices.
Salem River RCPP Target Area (317.43 KB)
Northern NJ Small Food Link Conservation Project – NRCS Partner, Urban Agriculture Cooperative,
will deliver technical and financial assistance to new and historically underserved urban farmers
in Northern N.J.
Urban Ag RCPP Map (324.7 KB)
Applications are available through your local USDA Service Center and online at
https://www.nrcs.usda. gov/getting-assistance/get-started-with-nrcs
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, if you apply after the program ranking date, your
application will automatically be considered during future funding cycles.