Cost Share Programs

Landowners and farmers interested in installing conservation practices on leased farmland should consider state and federal funding assistance. If a landowner and/or farmer agree to pursue conservation funding, each party should consider how they will receive funding (received by one party, shared, etc.), whether the lease reflects the terms of the funding agreement and each party’s responsibilities related to the conservation practice.

Federal

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) CRP is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are from 10 to 15 years in length

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) CSP offers additional opportunities to expand on existing conservation efforts by offering conservation practices, enhancements, bundles, and other conservation activities.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

Maryland

The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program provides farmers with grants to cover up to 100 percent of the cost to install conservation measures known as best management practices on their farms to prevent soil erosion, manage nutrients and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

Delaware

Nutrient Management Plan Cost-Share Assistance Program provides cost-shares for farmers to develop nutrient management plans to meet the regulations of Delaware’s Nutrient Management law.

Nutrient Management Relocation Program provides funding to help transport excess manure to alternative use projects or farms needing nutrients.

https://agriculture.delaware.gov/forest-service/conservation/ 

New York

Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) is a voluntary, incentive-based program available to all farmers through their local Soil and Water Conservation District.

Pennsylvania 

The Conservation Excellence Grant (CEG) Program, created by Act 39 of 2019, provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations in high-priority locations within the Commonwealth. Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) REAP is a first-come, first-served program that enables farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn PA income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation practices.

Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) - TBA

Virginia

The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) is an urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives and technical and educational assistance to property owners installing eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Virginia’s participating Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).

Agricultural BMP Cost-Share (VACS) Program - VACS is administered by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation through 47 local soil and water conservation districts. The primary source of funding for VACS is the Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) and the Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund (VNRCF), a sub-fund of WQIF created in 2008 to specifically support agricultural best management practices.

West Virginia

The Agricultural Enhancement Program is administered by the West Virginia Conservation Districts (CDs) with assistance from the West Virginia Conservation Agency (WVCA). Each Conservation District (CD) selects from the State Conservation Committee approved practice list. Please contact your local CD for practices available in your area.