NRCS New York Conservation Programs

Visit the News tab above to stay informed of program updates, deadlines, initiatives, and sign-up dates.

Conservation Practices and Programs for Your Land

The 2008 Farm Bill offers America’s agricultural producers and private landowners more assistance than ever before to voluntarily conserve natural resources on our Nation’s privately owned lands. These programs provide funding to assist producers in developing and implementing conservation plans on their land. The Farm Bill also offers special program opportunities for "Historically Underserved" individuals and groups. More information is available at the NRCS Small & Limited and Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Web page.

How to Apply for USDA-NRCS Conservation Programs

Learn what steps you will need to take to prepare for, and submit, your application to become a USDA-NRCS Conservation Program participant.

Financial Assistance Program Payment Schedules

Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Compliance

Producers participating in most programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service must abide by certain conditions on any land owned or farmed that is highly erodible or that is considered a wetland. Read a fact sheet about Highly Erodible Land and Wetland determinations, and your responsibilities to comply with the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended.

Conservation Technical Assistance Programs and Activities

• Conservation Technical Assistance
• Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - Administered by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Financial Assistance Programs and Initiatives

NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land.

Our financial assistance programs include the following:

• Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

• Anaerobic Digestion Initiative
• On-Farm Energy Initiative
• Forestry Initiative
• National Water Quality Initiative
• Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)
• Organic Initiative
• Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative

• Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program - Working Lands for Wildlife (WHIP - WLFW)
• Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

Financial Assistance Stewardship Programs

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Regional Financial assistance Programs

• America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) – Lake Champlain Watershed
• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)
• New England-New York Forestry Initiative
• Long Island Sound Initiative

Easement Programs

NRCS offers easement programs to landowners who want to maintain or enhance their land in a way beneficial to agriculture and/or the environment. All NRCS easement programs are voluntary. We provide technical help and financial assistance, but local landowners and organizations are needed to make NRCS easement programs successful.

Our easement programs include the following:

• Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)
• Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
• Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

Water Resources Programs

• Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)

Community Assistance

• Small, Limited, and Beginning Farmer Assistance
• Limited Resource Farmer / Rancher Self-Determination Tool

Conservation Compliance

• Highly Erodible Land Conservation
• Wetlands Conservation Compliance (Food Security Act)

State Technical Advisory Committee

The New York State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) is an advisory group coordinated by the State Conservationist to help organize and deliver Farm Bill related program benefits.

NRCS-NY Programs Staff Contact Information

Tammy Willis, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 315-477-6503
E-mail: Tammy Willis

Chanda Lindsay, Program Manager: WHIP, Contract Management, EQIP Forestry
Phone: 315-477-6535
E-mail: Chanda Lindsay

Peter B. Gibbs, Program Manager, FRPP, GRP, WRP
Phone: 315-477-6543
E-mail: Peter Gibbs

Rebecca Donegan, Program Manager: AMA, EQIP
Phone: 315-477-6508
E-mail: Rebecca Donegan

Sarah E. Brooks, Program Manager: CSP, NRCS State Appeals/Equitable Relief Coordinator
Phone: 845-883-7162, extension 109
E-mail: Sarah Brooks

If you encounter problems with this Web page, please contact the Webmaster at 315-477-6524.

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Updated: 02/08/2013