MANKATO, MINN. — The US Department of Agriculture announced last week that it would invest $1.5 billion during its fiscal year 2024 into partner-driven conservation and climate solutions using its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

The agency will accept projects for this program through July 2 that are designed for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

“We had unprecedented demand for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program last year, showing the robust interest in conservation from farmers and ranchers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “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.”

The USDA added that investment for the program is made through the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, which allowed the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost funding for RCPP. Also, NRC is announcing progress on streamlining RCPP and improving processes and implementation.

Funding for the projects is broken down into two separate opportunities called RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA).

RCPP Classic projects use NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities while working 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 also plans to set aside $100 million for Tribal-led projects that can be used for Classic or AFA.