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HAMILTON SQUARE, N.J., August 12, 2025 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s
(USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey is now accepting FY2026
applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Agricultural Management
Assistance (AMA) program and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, New Jersey producers and landowners should apply
by October 17, 2025, to be considered for funding in the current cycle.
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)
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.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on conservation efforts while strengthening their operation can apply for technical and financial assistance through CSP. CSP is for working lands including cropland, pastureland, and nonindustrial private forest land. Participating farmers will further address priority resource concerns related to soil quality, water quality, air quality, and plant health. On-farm benefits include increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife population improvements, and better resilience to weather variables. For producers who are already taking steps to
improve the condition of their land, CSP can help them find ways to meet their goals.
Applications are available through your local USDA Service Center (1318 S. Main Rd. Bldg. 5A,
Vineland, NJ 08360 tel. 856-205-1225) and online at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/
get-started-with-nrcs