NRCS Conservation Program Updates for NC Farmers
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Collapse ▲1/2/26- The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced important updates. Here’s what you need to know:
Extended Batching Deadline – January 15, 2026
Interested in applying for NRCS funding and have multiple projects in mind? NRCS uses a batching and a ranking system to process applications several times throughout the year, but funds are limited. Due to the federal government shutdown last year they have extended the deadline to January 15th.
The nationwide extended batching deadline applies to:
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
- Farmer First Regenerative Pilot Program
Read more here
New Regenerative Pilot Program
In December 2025, NRCS announced the new Regenerative Pilot Program investing $700 million to specifically support regenerative agriculture practices, including:
- $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); and
- $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
According to the USDA-NRCS website, this is what this means for farmers.
- Bundled practices will be integrated into a single application, making programs easier to access and more impactful;
- Whole-farm holistic conservation planning is the centerpiece of the program, ensuring that all resource concerns (soil, water, and natural vitality) are addressed together, not piecemeal;
- Conservation planning and producer objectives drive the process, ensuring site-specific solutions that work for the producer;
- Outcomes are tracked, measured, and credited back to the farmer; and
- Producers at every stage, from beginners just starting out with cover crops to advanced operations with years of conservation experience, will find a pathway through this pilot program.
Read more here
Free Farmer Webinar – January 6, 12-1:30 p.m. ET
Our partners at RAFI (Rural Advancement Foundation International) will explain these changes and help you understand:
- Your options
- Next steps
- How to communicate with your local NRCS office
You don’t need everything figured out to join—this session is for anyone on the fence or wanting to hear how others are approaching these decisions.
Click link above to Register/RSVP for RAFI’s webinar on January 6 to learn more about the extended batching deadline and new pilot program
Want to learn more about the NC Conservation Outreach Project? Visit our website