Prioritizing Conservation and Land Stewardship

We’ll say it until the cows come home: businesses – including farms and ranches – can benefit from provisions that save money on energy costs through the IRA. 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has numerous programs to assist farmers, ranchers, and foresters with their land stewardship and production goals. The IRA bolstered these programs with additional incentives and funding, providing an unprecedented amount of opportunity to boost conservation, energy, equity, and community revitalization.

National Resources Conservation Service (NCRS)

National Resources Conservation Service (NCRS) NCRS is the USDA’s conservation arm, where landowners and producers can receive free technical assistance to determine best conservation practices for resource concerns (i.e. soil health, erosion, forest management, etc.) and recommendations for cost-share programs.

There are two programs within NCRS for producers, including:

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that incentivizes agricultural and forestry producers and landowners to conserve and enhance natural resources on their land. EQIP promotes agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality as compatible goals.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary, comprehensive working lands conservation program designed to help farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest land producers continue to protect and improve natural resources and the environment on their farm.

Download Fact Sheet

The Wisconsin NRCS website has information on these and other federal programs, including resources for small-scale, diversified producers. You can also find your local service center (by county) at nrcs.usda.gov

Download Fact Sheet

The Wisconsin NRCS website has information on these and other federal programs, including resources for small-scale, diversified producers. You can also find your local service center (by county) at nrcs.usda.gov

The IRA Effect

See how other Wisconsin farms are taking advantage of benefits from the IRA today!

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