Tennessee NRCS Programs

Last Modified: 09/23/2008

• Summaries of the bill from the House Agriculture Committee and the National Association of Conservation Districts
• The text of the full Conservation Title
• A powerpoint summary from NRCS national headquarters

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

CIG is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

CRP is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners.  Through CRP, you can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) 

CSP provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and other conservation purposes on tribal and private working lands. Working lands include cropland, grassland, and improved pasture, as well as forested land that is an incidental part of an agriculture operation.

Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)

The CTA Program provides technical assistance supported by science-based technology and tools to help people conserve, maintain, and improve their natural resources. The CTA Program provides the technical capability, including direct conservation planning, design, and implementation assistance, that helps people plan and apply conservation on the land.  This assistance is provided to individuals, groups, and communities who make natural resource management decisions on private, tribal, and other non-federal lands. NRCS, through the CTA Program, provides conservation technical assistance that addresses natural resource conservation issues at the local level that are of State and national concern.

Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI)

CCPI is a voluntary program established to foster conservation partnerships that focus technical and financial resources on conservation priorities in watersheds and airsheds of special significance. Under CCPI, funds are awarded to State and local governments and agencies; Indian tribes; and non-governmental organizations that have a history of working with agricultural producers.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

EQIP is a continuous sign-up program that allows landowners or operators to apply for financial and technical assistance for the application of specific conservation practices.

Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)

FRPP provides matching funds to help purchase development rights to keep productive farm and ranchland in agricultural uses. Working through existing programs, USDA partners with State, tribal, or local governments and non-governmental organizations to acquire conservation easements or other interests in land from landowners. USDA provides up to 50 percent of the fair market easement value of the conservation easement.

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)

GRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property.

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI)

GLCI is a nationwide collaborative process of individuals and organizations working to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of the Nation’s privately owned grazing land. This process has formed coalitions that represent the grass root concerns that impact private grazing land. The coalitions actively seek sources to increase technical assistance and public awareness activities that maintain or enhance grazing land resources.

Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)

Resource Conservation And Development (RC&D)

RC&D accelerates the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improves the general level of economic activity, and enhances the environment and standard of living in designated RC&D areas.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)

WRP is a continuous sign-up program that allows landowners with clear title to the property to voluntarily apply for financial and technical assistance to restore, enhance and protect wetlands. WRP is designed to restore wetlands with the goal of maximizing wildlife benefits and recovering lost wetland functions and values

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

WHIP is a voluntary program which encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats supporting wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and local significance.  Through WHIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop or enhance upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property.