Pennsylvania NRCS Programs

NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. Public benefits include enhanced natural resources that help sustain agricultural productivity and environmental quality while supporting continued economic development, recreation, and scenic beauty.

Programs

Program News

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Accomplishments
 

Is a Conservation Plan Right for YOU? Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)

Through Conservation Technical Assistance, NRCS assists landowners and land users, communities, units of state and local government, Tribes, and other Federal agencies in planning and implementing conservation systems.

The first step in seeking NRCS assistance is to call your local USDA Service center and make an appointment with NRCS staff that will help you identify the natural resource problems and opportunities on your farm, define your conservation objectives, and inventory your soil, water, air, plant and animal resources. Much of this information will require a field visit to see your operation and to evaluate the resource concerns you may have. You can work with NRCS to develop a conservation plan. Financial assistance from NRCS farm bill programs or other Federal, State and local conservation programs may be available to help fund some of the conservation practices outlined in your plan.

See the links below for detailed information on programs Pennsylvania NRCS has to offer.
 

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) provide technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and landowners to address soil, water, wildlife, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. The programs provide assistance in complying with Federal, State, and tribal environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement. The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Both programs are administered by the Farm Service Agency, with NRCS providing technical land eligibility determinations, Environmental Benefit Index Scoring, and conservation planning. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Game Commission provide additional funding for CREP. Eligibility varies by soil type and crop history. Land is accepted into program if bid qualifies.
 

Conservation Stewardship Program (CStP) - Coming Soon!

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

EQIP provides technical and financial help to landowners for conservation practices that protect soil and water quality.
Grassed waterways, stream fencing, critical area planting, terraces, manure management systems including storage structures and barnyard runoff protection, and many other conservation practices are eligible for EQIP. Agricultural producers on agricultural land are eligible. Projects are selected based on environmental value.

Contracts run for 1-10 years. Ag producers may be eligible for financial assistance. Public Access is not required. Contact your local NRCS office, or the local Land Conservation Department.
 

Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP)

The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) helps farmers keep productive land in agriculture. The Program provides matching funds to State, Tribal, non-profit, or local government entities with existing programs that protect farmland through the purchase of conservation easements or development rights. Individual landowners participate voluntarily and retain all rights to use the property for agriculture. Projects are selected through a competitive application process.

Eligible land includes privately owned working farms with productive soils that have a pending offer for purchase of development rights from an eligible entity. Location, size, and existing protections, such as zoning, must support long-term agricultural use. In Wisconsin, easements must be permanent. Local programs are reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of the easement. Public Access is not required.
 

Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP)

When properly managed, grasslands can result in cleaner, healthier streams, and reduced sediment loads in water bodies. These lands are vital for the production of livestock forage and provide forage and habitat for maintaining healthy wildlife populations. They also add to the beauty of the landscape, provide scenic vistas and open space, provide for recreational activities and protect the soil from water and wind erosion.
 

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

WHIP can develop or improve wildlife habitat on privately owned land through installation of in-stream structures, restoring prairies and oak savannas, providing brush management and control of invasive species. Almost any type of land is eligible, including ag and non-ag lands.

Normally, a 5-year contract is required to maintain habitat. WHIP provides funding to assist with restoration costs. Public access is not required.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

The WRP is to restore wetlands previously altered for agricultural use. Eligible land is land which has been owned for one year and can be restored to wetland conditions. Landowners may restore wetlands with permanent or 30-year easements or 10-year contracts. Permanent easements pay 100% of the agricultural value of the land and 100% cost-sharing; 30-year easements pay 75% of the agricultural value and 75% cost-sharing; 10-year contract pays 75% cost-share only.

Permanent or 30-year easements recorded with property deed. Ten-year contract is not recorded with deed. Public Access is not required.