USDA Invests $325 Million in Farm Conservation Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $325 million in 42 projects to support farm and ranch operations and conserve natural resources through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the funding on October 26, 2026. The projects will address natural resource challenges on agricultural land and forestland through partnerships between USDA and other organizations.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers RCPP, which supports conservation efforts through public-private partnerships. According to USDA, 75% of this year's $325 million in funding will go directly to farmers or cover the costs of implementing conservation practices.

Iowa Project Targets Cover Crops & Water Quality

During the announcement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Rollins met with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to discuss a project spanning western and central Iowa.

The project combines cover crops, forage and biomass plantings, watering systems, and other conservation practices to support agricultural producers and working lands.

According to USDA, the project is expected to result in more than 300,000 acres of cover crops, along with estimated reductions of approximately 3.3 million pounds of nitrogen, 336,000 pounds of phosphorus, and 1 million tons of soil loss. The project also aims to strengthen grazing systems and producer profitability.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the funding will provide flexibility to improve infrastructure and expand the state's Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program to more counties.

“Iowa’s popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program demonstrates that we can improve water quality, rebuild the U.S. cattle herd and make the most of every acre of our valuable farmland,” said Naig. “The Iowa Working Lands Program started out as a pilot project in Taylor County in 2016, and has since grown into a very successful conservation program in Iowa, while creating a model for other states. This RCPP gives us the flexibility to support infrastructure improvements and expand the program to serve livestock producers in more Iowa counties.”

Other Projects Support Forests, Grasslands, & Wildlife

The 42 funded projects include initiatives focused on working forests, agricultural land conservation, and watershed restoration.

In southwest Georgia, the Longleaf Landscape project, led by Tall Timbers Research Inc., will work to protect at least 6,000 acres of working forestland through voluntary conservation easements across 16 counties. The project will support landowners with technical expertise and conservation management plans, with the goal of restoring longleaf pine forests, improving habitat for at-risk wildlife, and protecting water quality. The project includes more than $10 million in matching contributions.

In Texas, the Coastal Prairie Working Lands Partnership, led by Texas Agricultural Land Trust, will use voluntary, producer-driven agricultural conservation easements to permanently conserve remaining coastal tallgrass prairie along the Gulf Coast. The project addresses development pressure, habitat fragmentation, and rising land values while seeking to maintain agricultural production, wildlife habitat, healthy watersheds, and rural communities.

In Washington, the Nooksack Watershed Restoration Phase 2 project, led by Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe, will focus on salmon habitat in the Nooksack River watershed. Planned work includes installing engineered logjams, improving floodplain and wetland habitats, and planting riparian trees across 256 acres. The project aims to improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat productivity, and provide thermal refuges for endangered salmon species.

RCPP Funding Priorities

NRCS evaluated project proposals based on their approaches to soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and the long-term viability of agricultural, grassland, and forestland.

Other priorities included practices that minimize soil disturbance, maintain soil cover, improve natural vitality, and keep living roots in the ground throughout the year. The agency also considered the use of precision agriculture technologies to target conservation practices to specific field conditions and potentially improve resource efficiency.

The funding opportunity emphasized producer-focused projects that provide technical and financial assistance for conservation planning and practice design. It also included a $30 million set-aside for projects led by Indian Tribes.

USDA said NRCS has streamlined partnership agreement processes and increased flexibility within RCPP over the past year to improve how the program serves conservation partners and agricultural producers.

Long-Term Conservation Funding

The Working Families Tax Cuts Act provides long-term funding for NRCS conservation programs, including RCPP, through fiscal year 2031, according to USDA.

“The Trump USDA is committed to ensuring our farmers have the necessary tools to grow our food, and today's announcement ensures a longer and more prosperous future for our American farmlands,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) pairs private investment with federal funds to deliver better results. Recently, we’ve taken steps to improve RCPP to reduce red tape and increase flexibility to better empower local partners to conserve natural resources while helping American farmers prosper."

NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley said the funding is intended to support conservation efforts that address local resource challenges while maintaining agricultural productivity.

“At NRCS, we are committed to putting America’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners first by investing in practical, producer-focused conservation solutions that strengthen agricultural operations and protect our natural resources,” said Buckley. “Through RCPP, we are leveraging the power of public-private partnerships to deliver meaningful results for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. These investments will help producers address local resource challenges, improve the resilience of their operations, and keep working lands productive for generations to come.”

The full list of funded projects is available through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program.