FY 2026 EQIP Funding Opportunities

NRCS accepts applications for EQIP on a continuous basis. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the application cutoff date for EQIP contracts is January 15, 2026. Applications on file by close of business on this date will be considered for funding. Visit your local USDA Service Center to learn more.

Applications on file by close of business January 15, 2026, will be considered for funding under the FY26 allocation for the following funding pools:

EQIP Funding Pools

Cropland

This category addresses natural resource concerns on cropland and adjacent incidental areas.

Forestry 

This category assists producers with non-industrial private forest land address resource concerns on land used for producing forest-related products.

Pasture and Grazing 

This category assists producers that have a pasture operation to address natural resource concerns related to the growing, raising, or reproducing of livestock.

Historically Underserved

This category is for applicants who meet the definition of beginning farmer/rancher or veteran farmer/ranchers. This category also assists limited resource producers and socially disadvantaged producers address resource concerns. 

On-Farm Energy 

This category assists producers identify ways to reduce energy use on their farms and to implement various recommended measures using conservation practices that address inefficient use of on-farm energy.

Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI)

This project will assist agricultural producers to protect and improve water quality in the headwaters of Loramie Creek watersheds.

EQIP-CIC

This category expands resource benefits for producers through incentive conservation practices such as wildlife management, cover crops, nutrient management, conservation crop rotations, and prescribed grazing. Additionally, EQIP-CIC allows producers to target priority resource concerns on their property by offering incentive payments for a 5-year contract without needing to enroll the entire operation into the program. EQIP-CIC is designed to be a stepping-stone between EQIP and the Conservation Stewardship Program, to help producers improve their level of conservation and earn benefits of longer-term conservation enhancements.

Animal Feeding Operation 

This category assists producers with confined livestock to address resource concerns related to the storage, treatment, and management of animal waste.

Wildlife Habitat Conservation

 This category promotes habitat conservation for at-risk wildlife species, including restoring, developing, or enhancing wildlife habitat. 

High Tunnels 

This category assists producers to extend the growing season, improve plant and soil quality, reduce nutrient and pesticide transportation, improve air quality through reduced transportation inputs, and reduce energy use by providing consumers with a local source of fresh produce.

Conservation Practice 

A Conservation Practice Activity (CPA) developed by a non-NRCS individual or entity that identifies conservation practices needed to address a specific natural resource need, typically for land transitioning to organic production, grazing land, or forest land, or for specific resource needs such as nutrient management.

Organic Initiative

This initiative helps organic producers implement a broad set of conservation practices to address resource concerns. This initiative is further divided to rank certified organic operations and transitioning to organic operations separately. Producers exempt from certification are considered under the transitioning category.

Working Lands for Wildlife

This category targets conservation efforts to improve agricultural and forest productivity which enhance wildlife habitat on working landscapes. Target species are used as barometers for success because their habitat needs are representative of healthy, functioning ecosystems where conservation efforts benefit a much broader suite of species.

Quail 

This category targets conservation efforts to enhance quail habitat on working landscapes. Funding is available in the areas highlighted on the map.

Urban Agriculture Initiative 

This initiative assists people in urban areas across Ohio establish urban agriculture practices to give people an opportunity to grow fresh vegetables longer while managing water and pests effectively. Specific urban areas include both Cincinnati and Cleveland.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)

GLRI protects and restores watersheds to combat invasive species, protect watersheds and shorelines, reduce non-point source pollution, and restore wetlands and other habitat areas. This GLRI project is for producers in Ohio’s Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) in the following sub-watershed: Blanchard, Lower Maumee, Upper Auglaize, Cedar-Portage, Sandusky, St. Marys, Ottawa, St. Joseph, Tiffin, and Upper Maumee.

Northern Bobwhite In Grasslands

This category assists eligible producers implement conservation practices to address habitat loss without taking land out of production.  

WLEB Tri-State Initiative Special Project

This project assists WLEB producers implement a broad set of conservation practices to address water quality concerns. To be eligible for this initiative, you must be in Ohio WLEB counties identified on the project map.

Oak Management Special Project

The project assists woodland owners to implement conservation measures recommended by foresters. The project area includes the Wayne National Forest and Ohio State Forests, as well as privately held forest land in Adams, Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Scioto, Vinton, Morgan, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Ross and Washington Counties.

Conservation Enhancement and Outreach Special Project

The project helps landowners implement conservation practices to protect natural resources while enhancing pasture, crop, and forestland through targeted funding in Morgan and Guernsey Counties.

Pasture Improvement Special Project

The project helps landowners implement conservation practices through progressive planning on pastureland in Adams, Athens, Fayette, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pike, Scioto, and Vinton Counties.

Southern Ohio Appalachian Outreach Special Project

The project promotes best management practices in Adams, Athens, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington Counties.  Special emphasis is placed on grassland management, planned grazing systems, nutrient management and winter-feeding management to address water quality and soil erosion concerns.  

National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)

This project will assist agricultural producers to protect and improve water quality in the Gladys, Solomon, and Five Mile Watersheds.