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HAMILTON SQUARE, N.J., Sept. 17, 2024 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s
(USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey is now accepting FY2025
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, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and Conservation
Incentive Contracts (CIC). Also being offered through ACT NOW funding are Conservation Planning
Activities (CPAs), Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs), Conservation Evaluation and
Monitoring Activities (CEMAs), Soil Health Practices, Tree Mortality Practices, and High Tunnels.
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, New Jersey producers and landowners should apply
by October 18, 2024, to be considered for funding in the current cycle.
How ACT NOW Works
Act Now minimum ranking thresholds and eligible practices are determined at the state-level. The
process enables states to pre-approve a ranked application in a ranking pool designated for Act Now
when an application meets or exceeds a state’s pre-determined minimum threshold ranking score.
Producers do not apply separately to Act Now and will be considered for priority funding when
applying to an eligible practice through EQIP and AMA. Applications are processed in the order they
are received and applications that rank at or above the state-established threshold ranking score will
be pre-approved as long as funds are available. When the available funding limit through Act Now
has been reached, remaining applications may be considered in other relevant ranking pools or rolled
over to the next funding cycle.
Once a producer’s application is pre-approved, they must still meet eligibility requirements including
establishing a farm tract number with USDA’s Farm Service Agency if they have not previously
utilized USDA programs. After establishing eligibility, producers must complete the planning process
and receive notice of approval from NRCS prior to beginning work. Projects started before final
contract approval are ineligible for cost-share assistance unless the producer has been granted an
early start waiver.
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
o Forest landowners can verify their land is located within the target area by entering their
address into the Pinelands Commission Interactive Map. (https://www.nj.gov/pinelands/home/maps/interactivemap/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliver)
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.
- See a list of eligible practices here. (https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/
USDAFARMERS/2024/09/17/file_attachments/3000984/FY2025%20NRCS-CSAF-Mitigation-
Activities.pdf)
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program
The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) helps agricultural producers manage financial risk
through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices. 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. - Northern NJ Small Food Link Conservation Project – NRCS Partner, Urban Agriculture
Cooperative, will deliver technical and financial assistance to new and historically under served urban farmers in Northern N.J. - Mine Brook Gorge Twin Dam Removals and Floodplain Restoration – Lead partner,
Musconetcong Watershed Association will work to restore habitat for native cold-water fishes, reduce stream temperatures, and enhance biodiversity in the Mine Brook Tributary and Gorge. - New Jersey Coastal Aquaculture – NRCS partner Ocean County SCD will lead this
aquaculture project to promote aquatic habitat on shellfish leases and enhance water quality
throughout the coastal bays of New Jersey.
Conservation Incentive Contracts (CIC)
Conservation Incentive Contracts (CIC) are an option available through EQIP that offers producers
financial assistance to adopt conservation management practices on working landscapes. Producers
may use incentive contracts as a “steppingstone” from correcting resource issues on specific land
units through EQIP to achieving sustainable stewardship on their entire operation. Conservation
Incentive Contracts are available nationwide and help producers address priority resource concerns,
like sequestering carbon and improving water quality in high-priority areas.
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.