How the NRCS Can Help You Achieve Your Farm Goals
What is the NRCS
The NRCS falls under the USDA umbrella and stands for Natural Resource Conservation Services. Their job is to help farmers conserve resources such as soil, water, air, plants, and animals through education and grants. If you live in the United States, then you should have a local NRCS agent that can help with improvements on your property. You can learn more about the NRCS at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/
Don’t think you qualify? l have heard that even a backyard can be declared a farm and be used to get grant money for projects such as high tunnels. They have a variety of grants and cost-share programs available. Searching through their website is overwhelming. Instead, talk with your local NRCS agent to develop a plan that will help you reach your goals. You can find your local service center here: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center
Our First Experience with the NRCS
We originally met with our local agent in December of 2020, just two months after moving onto our property. We were initially overwhelmed by the process because we didn’t have a clear vision of what we wanted to do with our property and what our priorities were. At that time, we did not move ahead with the application process.
Our recommendation for other prospective applicants would be to have some sort of plan for your farm before contacting the NRCS. You do not need a formal business plan nor do you need to have anything written down. But, having an idea of what kind of farm you will have and a general layout of where pastures and gardens will be is very helpful.
Our Second Experience with the NRCS
In the summer of 2021, we reached out again to the NRCS after we had developed a clearer vision. Our NRCS agent used our vision to put together a suggested list of projects they can help fund over the next few years to help us reach our goals. Projects that we hoped to get funded include:
- Frost-free waterers in our pastures
- Interior fencing to divide pastures and exclude ponds from grazing areas
- A forest management plan
After we received our proposal from the NRCS, we moved ahead with the application process. We went to visit the wonderful people at our local USDA office. Both the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Services) and FSA (Farm Service Agency) fall under the USDA umbrella. After dropping off our application with our NRCS agent, we went next door to the FSA to update our information. Having a farm number with the FSA is a crucial step for getting any USDA money, whether in the form of grants, cost shares, or loans.
Our time at the NRCS office was much more than just signing paperwork. We left with multiple pamphlets of information to help us with our projects. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable, answering all of our “newbie” questions.
Unfortunately, there was not enough funding for our projects in 2022. Our application was rolled over to the next fiscal year.
Our Third Experience with the NRCS
In January of 2023, we met with our county NRCS agent again. From this meeting, we learned that there is supposed to be additional funding for farmers. Our agent remains hopeful that he will be able to fund the improvements that were proposed in 2021. I can’t remember the exact numbers, but nationwide, the NRCS had millions of dollars for 2022. But, the next 3 fiscal years they will have over a billion per year as was allocated to them through the Inflation Reduction Act.
I share this because I have heard many stories of people applying for NRCS funding again and again and not being funded. Given the conversation with our agent, it appears as though the outlook is more positive in the likelihood of farm improvement project being funded nationwide. This means if you’ve been putting off applying, now may be the best time to do it!