Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of an historic $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting project proposals now through July 2, 2024, that will help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis. These projects in turn can save farmers money, create new revenue streams, and increase productivity.
The investments in climate-smart agriculture that USDA has made since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration and will continue to make through the Inflation Reduction Act and Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, are estimated to support over 180,000 farms and over 225 million acres in the next 5 years including Oregon farmers.
This investment is made available through the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history, which has enabled USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost funding for RCPP.
“We had unprecedented demand for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program last year, showing the robust interest in conservation from farmers and ranchers,” Secretary Vilsack said. “Through the increase in funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, we’re able to invest even more this year in this important program, increasing our impact across the landscape. We’re looking forward to seeing what the more streamlined and customer-oriented Regional Conservation Partnership Program can do to get more conservation on the ground in the coming months and years.”
There are two separate funding opportunities being announced today: RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP AFA, the lead partner works directly with agricultural producers to support the development of innovative conservation approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic. NRCS will set aside $100 million for Tribal-led projects to be used between both funding opportunities.
NRCS encourages proposals led by historically underserved entities or Indian tribes. Historically underserved entities interested in applying could potentially receive additional support in the application process.
Project proposals for RCPP are being accepted through the RCPP portal. Details on the RCPP Classic and RCPP AFA funding opportunities are available on Grants.gov.
Applicant webinars
NRCS will be hosting webinars to provide additional information. Webinars are capped at 1,000 participants and advanced registration is encouraged. These webinars will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals. The same material will be covered at both webinars followed by a question-and-answer section.
- April 23, 2024 RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar: 2pm to 4pm EDT. Registration Link: https://events.gcc.teams.
microsoft.com/event/e2f45f75- 7ea4-410b-b1c9-567537cd2454@ ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e- e03cfa0d4697 - May 30, 2024 RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar: 2pm to 4pm EDT. Registration Link: https://events.gcc.teams.
microsoft.com/event/226dcb51- 0b57-43b1-b340-95e535238713@ ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e- e03cfa0d4697
More about RCPP
RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.
In November 2023, NRCS announced more than $1 billion for 81 RCPP projects across the country. View the interactive map of awarded projects here.
Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, NRCS has invested a total of $1.8 billion in 256 RCPP projects covering 49 states and territories.