Iowa NRCS Sets Oct. 10 Cutoff for Conservation Program Applications

The first application cutoff for Iowa farmers and other private landowners to apply for conservation practices in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 through USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs is Oct. 10.

NRCS accepts conservation program applications on a continuous basis but sets application cutoff dates as funding allows. Iowa agricultural producers and private landowners can apply for NRCS program funding by visiting their local NRCS office. Iowa has 100 NRCS field offices located at USDA Service Centers in every county.

The Oct. 10 application cutoff includes the following NRCS Farm Bill programs:

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

Last year, NRCS obligated about $61 million to Iowans through CSP, EQIP and RCPP. Iowa NRCS State Conservationist Jon Hubbert says the demand for conservation assistance in Iowa remains high.